Open-Source Cloud

What Does Open-Source Cloud Mean?

Open-source cloud is any cloud service or solution that is built using open-source software and technologies. This includes any public, private or hybrid cloud model providing SaaS, IaaS, PaaS or XaaS built and operated entirely on open-source technologies.

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Techopedia Explains Open-Source Cloud

An open-source cloud is designed and developed using open-source technologies and software such as:

  • Open-source operating system, DBMS and software development frameworks
  • Open-source workflow and business applications
  • Virtualization stack (Hypervisor, virtualization management)
  • Hardware with open-source firmware

Moreover, open-source cloud may also refer to any cloud service that provides open-source software or service to end users or businesses. Businesses/cloud providers have the option to customize open-source cloud solutions to a greater extent, which is generally prohibited in closed-source cloud models. Open-source cloud solutions generally are interoperable with any back-end platform and can easily be migrated to a different IT infrastructure/environment.

Open Nebula, Open Stack and Virtual Box are common examples of open-source cloud.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…