Rackspace Split open source cloud computing software OpenStack

OpenStack is a cloud computing project launched by web hosting provider Rackspace and NASA last year to develop a set of open source software standards that allow users to build their own flexible cloud computing environments

OpenStack has attracted a lot of attention and support, and many companies have adopted the Open-source software, such as the one we introduced last week to plug cloud computing into a USB drive: Piston, a start-up company from San Francisco, piston Cloud Computing has been able to put OpenStack (an open-source software similar to Amazon's underlying cloud service) on a USB drive to build cloud services behind the firewall.

This "cloud key" is also equipped with piston Linux kernel operating system Pentos, when plugged into a network switch, this key allows you to configure a OpenStack cloud service within minutes.

But OpenStack also experienced some growing pains. To address the management of the project, Rackspace has decided to split the project and set up an independent fund to oversee the operation of the OpenStack.

OpenStack logo

Since last year, many OpenStack supporters have said the project decision-making process is not transparent and democratic. This year Rackspace a renewed commitment to invest more openstack in the acquisition of Anso Laboratories (a company closely related to the origins of OpenStack), but some think it merely strengthens rackspace control.

Rick Clark, a former Rackspace engineer, was one of OpenStack's contributors, and in his view Rackspace had overstepped his authority and made changes without permission from Project management. "Rackspace attempts to control OpenStack, not just influence." So he called for the creation of a OpenStack fund similar to the Linux Foundation to address a range of management issues and reduce the risk of a single point of decision making.

Rackspace apparently heard the sound, and the company's decision to transfer OpenStack to an independent fund was beneficial in balancing the project management model and increasing the participants ' motivation.

Rackspace said today that they will widely collect feedback proposals to select the most reasonable structure and process for the OpenStack fund to be set up in 2012.

110 companies and institutions are currently involved in the development of OpenStack projects, including Disney, Fidelity and CERN.

The prospect of a standardized cloud computing framework and the reality of interoperability make the OpenStack project more compelling, and if OpenStack can survive the growing pains and keep growing, it will bring more gains.

(Responsible editor: Liu Fen)