Apache CloudStack
 | |
| Developer(s) | Apache Software Foundation |
|---|---|
| Initial release | May 4, 2010 |
| Repository | github |
| Written in | Java, Python |
| Operating system | Cross-platform |
| Platform | Java 17 |
| Available in | English |
| Type | Cloud computing |
| License | Apache License 2.0 |
| Website | cloudstack |
Apache CloudStack is an open-source cloud computing Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) platform that manages and orchestrates pools of storage, network, and computer resources to build a public or private IaaS compute cloud.[1]
CloudStack was originally developed by Cloud.com and was released as open source software in 2010. After its acquisition by Citrix Systems in 2011, it was donated to the Apache Software Foundation in 2012, graduating as a top-level project in March 2013.[2]
Functionality
[edit]Apache CloudStack is designed to deploy and manage large networks of virtual machines as a highly available, scalable cloud computing platform. The software provides a complete stack of features for IaaS clouds, enabling service providers to offer cloud services and enterprises to quickly build private clouds.[3]
The platform manages compute resources through integration with hypervisors such as KVM, VMware vSphere, and XenServer/XCP-ng. It provides a web-based management interface, command-line tools, and a RESTful API for cloud operations. CloudStack also maintains compatibility with Amazon Web Services (AWS) APIs, allowing tools designed for AWS to work with CloudStack-based clouds.[4]
Technical architecture
[edit]CloudStack employs a hierarchical architecture consisting of:[5]
- Zones: Typically representing a datacenter, containing physical networking and compute resources
- Pods: Racks of hardware within a zone, sharing the same subnet
- Clusters: Groups of identical hosts running the same hypervisor
- Hosts: Individual compute servers running virtual machines
- Primary storage: Storage for running VM disk volumes
- Secondary storage: Storage for templates, ISO images, and snapshots
The management server orchestrates cloud operations and can be deployed in a redundant configuration. System virtual machines handle infrastructure services such as console proxy access, secondary storage management, and virtual routing.[6]
History
[edit]Origins and early development
[edit]CloudStack originated from VMOps, a company founded in 2008 by Sheng Liang (former Sun Microsystems JVM architect), Shannon Williams, Alex Huang, Will Chan, and Chiradeep Vittal. The startup raised $17.6 million in venture funding from Redpoint Ventures, Nexus Ventures, and Index Ventures.[7]
On May 4, 2010, VMOps rebranded as Cloud.com and released CloudStack under an open source license, with approximately 95% of the code released under the GNU General Public License v3.[8]
Citrix acquisition and Apache donation
[edit]Citrix Systems acquired Cloud.com for approximately $200 million on July 12, 2011.[9] Following the acquisition, Citrix released the remaining proprietary code under the Apache License 2.0 and donated the project to the Apache Software Foundation in April 2012, simultaneously ending its involvement with the competing OpenStack project.[10]
CloudStack entered the Apache Incubator in April 2012 and graduated as a Top-Level Project on March 20, 2013.[11]
Deployment and adoption
[edit]CloudStack is used by service providers to offer public cloud services, by enterprises for private clouds, and by organizations building hybrid cloud deployments. The software can be deployed with a minimal footprint of one management server and one host, scaling to thousands of hosts across multiple geographic regions.[12]
Notable deployments have included BT Group, China Telecom, Datapipe, KDDI, NTT, Orange, Tata Communications, and Verizon.[13] In 2012, Datapipe deployed what was reported as the largest public cloud built on CloudStack at the time, spanning six data centers across the United States, United Kingdom, and Asia.[14]
Features
[edit]Compute orchestration
[edit]- Support for multiple hypervisors including KVM, VMware vSphere, Citrix Hypervisor, and XCP-ng
- Virtual machine lifecycle management with high availability
- Live migration of virtual machines between hosts
- Affinity and anti-affinity groups for VM placement
- Support for both x86-64 and ARM64 architectures (introduced in version 4.20)[15]
Storage management
[edit]- Primary storage support for local disk, NFS, iSCSI, and Fibre Channel
- Secondary storage for templates, ISO images, and snapshots
- Volume snapshots and backups
- Storage migration and thin provisioning
- Shared filesystem support for instances (introduced in version 4.20)[15]
Network services
[edit]- Software-defined networking with VLAN isolation
- Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) with site-to-site VPN connectivity
- Load balancing, firewall, and NAT services
- IPv4 and IPv6 support
- Integration with hardware network appliances
- VMware NSX-T integration (introduced in version 4.20)[15]
Management and operations
[edit]- Web-based graphical user interface
- Command-line interface via CloudMonkey
- RESTful API with AWS EC2/S3 compatibility
- Role-based access control with projects and domains
- Usage metering and resource quotas
- LDAP and SAML 2.0 authentication integration
Software releases
[edit]CloudStack follows a regular release cycle with two types of releases:[16]
- Main releases: Feature releases with new capabilities
- LTS releases: Long-term support versions maintained for 18 months (12 months of full support plus 6 months of security updates)
As of December 2024, the current LTS release is version 4.20.0.0, which introduced Java 17 support, ARM64 architecture compatibility, and enhanced networking features.[15]
Community
[edit]The Apache CloudStack project is developed by a community of contributors and is governed according to the Apache Software Foundation's meritocratic principles. The project maintains public mailing lists, hosts regular virtual meetups, and organizes annual conferences.[17]
The CloudStack Collaboration Conference serves as the primary annual gathering for users and developers. Regional user groups operate in Europe, India, and other locations, hosting local meetups and technical sessions.[18]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ "What is Apache CloudStack?". Apache CloudStack. Apache Software Foundation. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ Morgan, Timothy Prickett (2012-04-04). "Citrix Splits With OpenStack, Takes Cloud to Apache". Wired. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "Apache CloudStack Features". Apache CloudStack. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "AWS API Support". CloudStack Documentation. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "CloudStack Architecture". CloudStack Documentation. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ Sabharwal, Navin; Shankar, Ravi (2013). Apache CloudStack Cloud Computing. Packt Publishing. ISBN 978-1782160106.
- ^ Fontana, John (2009-01-28). "Start-up VMOps aims to ease cloud deployments". Network World. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "Cloud.com Launches, Extends Leadership Team and Announces New Funding" (Press release). Cloud.com. 2010-05-04. Archived from the original on 2010-09-19. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "Citrix Buys Cloud.com for More Than $200 Million". TechCrunch. 2011-07-12. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ Cade, Metz (2012-04-04). "Citrix Splits With OpenStack, Takes Cloud to Apache". Wired.
- ^ "CloudStack Graduates from Apache Incubator". Apache Software Foundation Blog. 2013-03-20. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "CloudStack Installation Guide". CloudStack Documentation. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "CloudStack Case Studies". Apache CloudStack. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "Datapipe launches largest CloudStack deployment". NetworkWorld. 2012-07-17. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ a b c d "Apache CloudStack 4.20.0.0 Release". Apache CloudStack. 2024-12-02. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "CloudStack Release Cycle". Apache CloudStack. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "CloudStack Community". Apache CloudStack. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "CloudStack Events". Apache CloudStack. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
Further reading
[edit]- Sabharwal, Navin; Shankar, Ravi (2013). Apache CloudStack Cloud Computing. Packt Publishing. ISBN 978-1782160106.
- Khedher, Syed Ahmed (2015). Learning Apache CloudStack. Packt Publishing. ISBN 978-1785889189.
External links
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