These days everyone who is anyone is moving their operation up into the Cloud. But at a time of flux, when developments are moving faster than most casual observers can keep up with, is it wise to be investing proprietarial software packages?
Are There Open Source Options for Cloud Computing?
As the explosion of cloud computing is a relatively recent phenomenon to the masses, business bosses could be forgiven for questioning whether the free technologies offered in open source format have caught up with the impetus of innovation. The development of the cloud has been very much vaunted by those looking to create a more inclusive global practice. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that there are a number of respectable open source software packages available to help organisations make that move away from a costly and cumbersome physical server base and up into the cloud.
Three of the Best Open Source Cloud Computing Packages
While the open source market is constantly welcoming newcomers in the field of cloud computing, three tried and tested software providers for the current computing climate are:
- Chef – A recent arrival in the open source software field, these guys have their finger on the pulse of the current computing climate and are offering programs that reflect the consumer trends.
- OpenNebula – Offering private, hybrid and public cloud transfer options all in an open source agreement.
- Eucalyptus – A comprehensive open source private cloud computing package. It was originally created by researchers at the University of California Santa Barbara, who moved the project into the public domain at the end of their studies to benefit the computing community.
Certainly most technology experts would say that an investment that allows the crossover into cloud computing won’t be money wasted; however, before any business splashes the cash, they would be wise to take a look at the open source alternatives out there.