ironic-image is a container image that runs OpenStack Ironic as part of Metal³ for provisioning baremetal nodes.
The tool addresses the need to package and deploy Ironic and its supporting services in containerized form for baremetal provisioning workflows. It provides multiple entry points within a single image, allowing operators to run different services as separate containers while sharing common storage. The Ironic conductor and API manage node provisioning, ironic-networking handles switch port configuration, dnsmasq provides DHCP and PXE boot services, Apache serves deployment images over HTTP, and logwatch captures provisioning logs. All containers must access a shared mount point containing kernel images, initramfs, and deployment images in a common directory structure.
The project targets operators deploying Metal³ clusters who need to provision baremetal infrastructure. It suits environments where containerized Ironic deployment is preferred over traditional installation methods. The tool is built on CentOS Stream 9 and CentOS Stream 10 base images, with automated builds triggered when the repository is updated and published to a container registry.
The project maintains active development with regular updates to the build system and container definitions. Maintenance includes ongoing compatibility with current CentOS Stream releases and responsiveness to changes in upstream Ironic and Metal³ requirements. The codebase reflects a focus on supporting the specific operational patterns of Metal³ deployments, where multiple Ironic services must coordinate through shared storage and networking infrastructure.
