OpenStack
OpenStack is an open-source cloud computing platform that allows companies to create and manage public and private clouds. It provides infrastructure-as-a-service capabilities for managing compute, storage, and networking resources.
OpenStack: Open-Source Cloud Computing Platform
OpenStack is an open-source cloud computing platform that allows companies to create and manage public and private clouds. It provides infrastructure-as-a-service capabilities for managing compute, storage, and networking resources.
What is OpenStack?
What Is OpenStack?
OpenStack is an open-source cloud computing platform for building and managing public and private clouds. It provides infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) capabilities similar to AWS, allowing organizations to run their own cloud infrastructure on commodity hardware.
Key Features
OpenStack consists of modular components: Nova (compute), Swift (object storage), Cinder (block storage), Neutron (networking), Keystone (identity), Glance (image service), and Heat (orchestration). Organizations deploy the components they need.
The platform manages pools of compute, storage, and networking resources through APIs and dashboards. It supports virtual machines, bare metal provisioning, and container orchestration. Horizon provides a web-based management dashboard.
Who Uses OpenStack
Telecommunications companies, research institutions, government agencies, and large enterprises that need cloud infrastructure without vendor lock-in. Major deployments include AT&T, CERN, Walmart, and China Mobile.
Pricing
OpenStack is free and open source. Costs come from hardware, operations, and optional commercial distributions from vendors like Red Hat, Canonical, or Mirantis that provide support and simplified deployment.
OpenStack Features
Features
- Virtual machine management
- Block storage management
- Networking management
- Dashboard for managing resources
- APIs for programmatic access
- Identity management
- Image management
Pricing
- Open Source
Pros
Open source and free to use
Highly scalable and flexible
Supports multiple hypervisors
Active open source community
Modular architecture
Cons
Complex installation and configuration
Steep learning curve
Requires expertise to manage and maintain
Upgrades can be disruptive
Limited documentation and support
Official Links
Reviews & Ratings
Login to Review3.6
★
★
★
★
★
47 reviews
Rating Breakdown
Ease of Use
★
★
★
★
★
2.1
Features
★
★
★
★
★
4.9
Value for Money
★
★
★
★
★
4.3
Customer Support
★
★
★
★
★
2.8
Overall Experience
★
★
★
★
★
3.3
Recent Reviews
Phoenix Martin
Jun 03, 2026
★
★
★
★
★
Powerful but a beast to tame
OpenStack offers incredible flexibility and control for building private clouds, with a rich feature set that rivals expensive commercial solutions. However, the initial setup and ongoing management are extremely complex, requiring dedicated OpenStack expertise that's hard to find. While the …
Elena Miller
May 29, 2026
★
★
★
★
★
An Architect's Dream, an Operator's Nightmare
While the flexibility of OpenStack is theoretically impressive, the day-to-day reality for our small team has been a constant battle. The installation and configuration process is notoriously complex, requiring deep expertise we simply don't have in-house. Once it's running, managing …
Lisa Anderson
May 26, 2026
★
★
★
★
★
Empowering Our Cloud Transition with Flexibility
OpenStack has been a game-changer for our team, enabling us to build a robust private cloud that scales with our growing data needs. The comprehensive suite of tools for managing compute, storage, and networking resources is incredibly powerful and integrates …
Emma Martin
May 26, 2026
★
★
★
★
★
Powerful but Requires Expertise
OpenStack is incredibly flexible and gives us full control over our private cloud infrastructure, which is exactly what we needed. However, the initial setup and ongoing management are extremely complex and require dedicated, specialized staff. The documentation can be scattered …
Cameron White
May 25, 2026
★
★
★
★
★
Powerful but Painfully Complex to Operate
While OpenStack promised a flexible open-source cloud platform, the reality has been a nightmare of complexity. The deployment process was a multi-week ordeal requiring deep expertise, and ongoing maintenance is a constant drain on our engineering resources. Documentation feels fragmented …
Rating Distribution
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