Hosting company Rackspace is open sourcing the software that it uses for its cloud storage and computer platforms and is preparing to launch OpenStack, an open-source cloud platform to which it is donating the source code.
NASA has already joined the OpenStack project, adding its NASA Nebula Cloud Platform into the new open-source library that will be available later this year.
Industry Support and Collaboration
Another 25 companies have shown interest in OpenStack, including: AMD, Citrix, Cloud.com, Cloudkick, CloudSwitch, Dell, enStratus, FathomDB, Limelight, Nicira, NTT DATA, Opscode, Peer 1, Puppet Labs, RightScale, Riptano, Scalr, Sonian, Spiceworks, and Zuora. This broad coalition of companies underscores the industry’s recognition of the potential benefits of an open-source cloud platform. By collaborating on OpenStack, these companies aim to foster innovation, improve interoperability, and reduce the risk of vendor lock-in.
The cloud code has been released under the flexible Apache 2 license, which allows third parties to redistribute the code with very few restrictions. This move is designed to drive interoperability in cloud services, avoid vendor lock-in, and help create industry standards for the cloud platform. The Apache 2 license is known for its permissiveness, making it easier for developers and companies to adopt and adapt the software to their specific needs.
Benefits of Open Source for Enterprise Developers
Part of the reason this project is open source is that enterprise developers often have more specific domain knowledge than service providers might. Open source provides a way for interested users to collaborate to create a better product, according to Mark Collier, Rackspace VP of business & corporate development. By leveraging the collective expertise of a diverse group of developers and organizations, OpenStack aims to create a more robust, flexible, and feature-rich cloud platform.
OpenStack’s open-source nature also means that it can be continuously improved and updated by the community. This collaborative approach can lead to faster innovation and the development of new features that address the evolving needs of users. For example, if a particular industry requires a specific functionality, developers within that industry can contribute code to add that feature, benefiting the entire OpenStack community.
Moreover, open-source projects like OpenStack can help reduce costs for enterprises. By using an open-source platform, companies can avoid expensive licensing fees associated with proprietary software. Additionally, they have the freedom to customize the software to better fit their unique requirements, leading to more efficient and effective cloud solutions.
You can read the full press release from Rackspace here.
Via Cnet Via Techcrunch
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