You can ensure all the Compute services are running by using the nova-manage command, as root: # nova-manage service list In return you should see "smiley faces" rather than three X symbols. Here's an example. Binary Host Zone Status State Updated_At nova-compute myhost nova enabled :-) 2012-04-02 14:06:15 nova-cert myhost nova enabled :-) 2012-04-02 14:06:16 nova-scheduler myhost nova enabled :-) 2012-04-02 14:06:11 nova-network myhost nova enabled :-) 2012-04-02 14:06:13 nova-consoleauth myhost nova enabled :-) 2012-04-02 14:06:10 If you see three X symbols and are running services on separate hosts, ensure that ntp is synchronizing time correctly and that all servers match their time. Out-of-sync time stamps are the most common cause of the XXX state. You can find the version of the installation by using the nova-manage command, as root: # nova-manage version The version number 2013.1 corresponds with the Grizzly release of Compute. 2013.1