Cloud.com today announced CloudStack 2.2, the latest version of its open source cloud computing platform. CloudStack is an open source software solution that accelerates the deployment, management and configuration of scalable public and private infrastructure as a service (IaaS) clouds. Using CloudStack as the foundation, data center operators can build cloud services within their existing infrastructure to offer on-demand, elastic cloud services. CloudStack is available for immediate download from the open source cloud computing community.
CloudStack 2.2 comes with out-of-the-box support for VMware vSphere 4, Citrix XenServer 5.6 and the open source Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) running simultaneously in a single cloud.
While the first movers to the cloud were of course service providers, there is increasing demand for the enterprise to start getting in to the cloud space on two fronts, Peder Ulander, chief marketing officer for Cloud.com. One is that they want to be able to run their own cloud, and two, they want to be able to have direct integration between their own private cloud and a public resource. While Cloud.com has focused on both service providers and enterprise cloud deployments, with this release, the company is placing extra emphasis organizations with the daunting task they face when trying to build their own IaaS cloud environment. "Usability, scalability, manageability, and enterprise readiness is really the focus for the latest version of CloudStack," says Ulander.
And while Cloudstack 2.0 was first launched with three versions, an open source version, an enterprise version, and a service provider version, there is now just one version, says Ulander. "One of the things we found is that some service providers that need enterprise functionality because they are providing managed private clouds or they are targeting high-end enterprise functionality for their customers. On the flip side, we have got a lot of enterprises that want service provider functionality that is around scale, multiple data center deployments, and a certain networking style," says Ulander. As a result, with this release, the company has merged its offerings into one platform. "Our open source edition is the same as our enterprise edition is the same as our service provider edition, with one platform that addresses all of the needs, and there is a lot of flexibility built into it," he explains.
According to the company, key attributes of CloudStack 2.2 include:
- Advanced networking configuration: With the latest advanced networking features like embedded software-based network management as well as VLAN and Direct Attach IP, administrators can integrate with a virtual or physical network architecture that best fits their needs.
- Borderless scalability: Recognizing that clouds go beyond a single data center, CloudStack 2.2 has the ability to manage multiple availability zones geographically dispersed from a single command and control console, allowing enterprisesto expand globally while managing locally. CloudZones enable the federation of managed or hosted availability zones within a CloudStack deployment.
- Streamlined administration: CloudStack's improved user interface is streamlined to make administration of thousands of guest VMs easier from an intuitive AJAX-enabled web interface. Role-based delegation at multiple administrator levels enables self-service flexibility and agility while maintaining control over corporate policies and spending.
- Hybrid Cloud ready: CloudStack 2.2 introduces CloudBridge, which enables applications to interoperate with other cloud solutions including Amazon EC2 and S3 APIs as well as the upcoming OpenStack API. Tight integration with cloud management partners like RightScale helps customers manage multi-cloud, hybrid platforms that span from the private data center to the public cloud.
CloudStack 2.2 includes more than 100 new features to increase usability, capabilities and enhance performance. The complete list of new features can be found at http://cloud.com/products/cloud-computing-software.