The open source OpenStack cloud software is increasingly gaining popularity, providing a number of advantages for MSPs and cloud service providers. Network and data center virtualization solution provider Brocade has been an integral proponent of the software, and has announced a new OpenStack service in support of inter-data center multi-tenancy.
The service is geared toward companies like MSPs that operate multiple data centers, and offers an automated means for maintaining connectivity as well as policy management for VMs migrating among data centers. Developed in tandem with service provider Huawei, it is one of several initiatives from Brocade that utilize OpenStack.
IBM also chose OpenStack for its cloud and infrastructure strategy, while Dell has maintained a longstanding partnership with Red Hat centered on OpenStack private cloud solutions. And last week, HP announced a $1 billion cloud computing initiative with OpenStack at its core. The move has HP offering its own version of the open source software as well as building out its public cloud to become an IaaS contender.
HP partnered with Brocade on its Fibre Channel (FC) Zone Manager, part of the OpenStack Icehouse release with support for key FC SAN functionality. "Brocade's leadership on the FC Zone Manager addition OpenStack Icehouse release brings tremendous value to our large installed-base of HP 3PAR StoreServ storage and Brocade/HP B-series Fibre Channel fabric customers,” said Rob Strechay, director software-defined storage at HP. “Brocade is a longtime partner and we are happy to work together to continue to innovate with the OpenStack Community."
Brocade also developed the Cinder OpenStack Block Storage service, used to create a layer of abstraction for supporting connectivity of multiple iSCSI and FC storage devices. And the FC Zone Manager extends that support to offer automated SAN zoning, reducing complexities for cloud orchestration.
"Public and private clouds are still evolving, so Brocade continues to prioritize projects such as OpenStack and OpenDaylight to enhance the orchestration and control framework for cloud infrastructure and services,” said Ken Cheng, CTO of Brocade. “Collaboration efforts like this are what help customers deploy enhanced cloud services."
Brocade also offers a partner ecosystem, designed to support MSPs and cloud providers as well as enterprise IT organizations with their OpenStack deployments. The company is currently working to enhance the networking subsystem of OpenStack in support of network functions virtualization (NFV) and multi-vendor environments.
Edited by
Maurice Nagle
