Loading organizations...
Key people at OpenStack.
OpenStack was founded in 2012 by Chris C. Kemp (Co-Founder).
OpenStack provides an open-source cloud computing infrastructure, primarily functioning as an Infrastructure-as-a-Service platform. It integrates modular software components to manage vast, virtualized pools of compute, storage, and networking resources across data centers. This flexible architecture empowers organizations to build and operate private and public cloud environments, ensuring comprehensive control without vendor lock-in.
Launched in July 2010, OpenStack originated from a collaboration between Rackspace Hosting and NASA. They recognized a critical need for an open-source cloud operating system to prevent vendor lock-in and encourage innovation. Rackspace contributed Cloud Files, and NASA provided its Nebula platform, forming a foundational, community-driven initiative.
Enterprises, telecom providers, and research organizations widely adopt OpenStack for scalable cloud infrastructure. Its vision is to be the leading open standard for global cloud infrastructure, fostering an ecosystem that promotes innovation, integration, and extensive choice for users.
OpenStack was founded in 2012 by Chris C. Kemp (Co-Founder).
Key people at OpenStack.
OpenStack is not a company but a free, open-source cloud computing platform, primarily deployed as infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) for managing large pools of compute, storage, and networking resources in public, private, and hybrid clouds.[2][5] It consists of modular, interrelated components that users control via a web dashboard, command-line tools, or RESTful APIs, solving the problem of scalable, vendor-agnostic cloud infrastructure on standard hardware.[1][2] Backed by a massive community of over 110,000 members across 187 countries and governed by the Open Infrastructure Foundation (formerly OpenStack Foundation), it powers deployments for organizations needing massively scalable, interoperable clouds without proprietary lock-in.[7]
Its growth stems from continuous six-monthly releases since 2010, evolving from two core projects (Nova for compute and Swift for storage) to over 40 integrated services, enabling enterprises like telecoms, governments, and tech firms to build production clouds efficiently.[4][6]
OpenStack emerged in 2010 from a collaboration between Rackspace Hosting and NASA. Rackspace sought to rewrite and open-source its Cloud Files infrastructure code for its Cloud Servers product, while NASA, via contractor Anso Labs, released beta code for Nova—a Python-based cloud fabric controller derived from its Nebula platform.[1][2][3] These efforts merged, culminating in the first Design Summit in Austin, Texas (July 13-14, 2010), official announcement at OSCON in Portland (July 21, 2010), and initial "Austin" release on October 21, 2010.[1][2][4]
In September 2012, the nonprofit OpenStack Foundation launched to steward the project, splitting governance between a board for objectives/budget/trademarks and a technical committee, fostering explosive community growth to over 500 companies by 2018.[1][2][5] This open collaboration humanized cloud tech, shifting from siloed efforts to a global, production-proven ecosystem.[7]
OpenStack rides the open-source infrastructure wave, addressing the demand for sovereign, customizable clouds amid rising data sovereignty laws, edge computing, and hybrid/multi-cloud strategies.[6][7] Its 2010 timing was ideal—post-AWS dominance but pre-container/Kubernetes maturity—filling the gap for on-premises IaaS that hyperscalers couldn't fully serve, especially for telcos and governments wary of lock-in.[8][10]
Market forces like AI-driven compute needs and 5G edge deployments favor it, as its scalability supports massive resource pools without proprietary costs; it influences the ecosystem by spawning tools (e.g., Atmosphere platforms) and inspiring projects like StarlingX for edge, while narrowing focus post-2018 to core cloud strengths amid container shifts.[4][6][10]
OpenStack's trajectory points to deeper edge/AI integration and sovereign cloud dominance, with trends like Open RAN, zero-trust security, and composable infra amplifying its modular strengths.[6] Expect accelerated adoption in telecom (e.g., via Ericsson's involvement) and enterprise hybrids, as community-driven updates keep it production-ready against Kubernetes complements.[8]
As the original open cloud pioneer, its evolution from NASA/Rackspace experiment to global juggernaut underscores enduring relevance—proving collaborative open source can sustain massive scale without corporate overlords.[1][2]
