Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/23/rackspace_openinfra_board/
Source: The Register
Title: Rackspace is back with a seat on the OpenInfra Foundation board
Feedly Summary: Absence makes the cloud grow fonder
Rackspace, one of the original creators of OpenStack, has been welcomed back into the fold with a seat on the Board of Directors for the OpenInfra Foundation, which oversees the project after apparently losing interest for several years.…
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: Rackspace has rejoined the OpenInfra Foundation’s Board, aiming to enhance its commitment to OpenStack and capture opportunities arising from changes in the cloud market, particularly among VMware users. This move is positioned as a strategic response to the evolving landscape of cloud computing, where enterprises seek alternatives to established platforms.
Detailed Description: The text outlines Rackspace’s renewed involvement with the OpenInfra Foundation and its strategic positioning within the cloud computing market. Key points of interest include:
– **Rackspace’s Historic Role**: As one of the original creators of OpenStack alongside NASA, Rackspace has been a significant player in the open-source cloud infrastructure domain since its inception in 2010.
– **Board of Directors Participation**: Rackspace’s reappointment to the OpenInfra Foundation’s Board marks a resurgence of the company’s involvement in OpenStack, indicating a commitment to contributing actively to the project.
– **Recent Company Transformation**:
– Post-acquisition by Apollo Global Management, Rackspace shifted its business strategy to focus on cloud consultancy rather than directly competing as a cloud provider.
– The company has positioned itself as a Platinum Member of the OpenInfra Foundation and has launched Rackspace OpenStack Enterprise, aimed at delivering a fully managed distribution of OpenStack.
– **Commitment to Open Source**: Statements from Josh Villarreal emphasize Rackspace’s dedication to providing open-source alternatives to proprietary solutions and their desire for OpenStack to be a leading choice for enterprises.
– **Market Dynamics**:
– The company sees an opportunity in the wake of Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, especially given rising costs for VMware customers who may seek alternatives.
– Rackspace aims to showcase OpenStack and Kubernetes as viable solutions for enterprises looking to make a shift.
– **Challenges Facing OpenStack**: The text notes a decline in enthusiasm for OpenStack compared to its early days due to deployment complexities and the rise of more user-friendly options such as Microsoft Azure Stack.
– **Current Standing**: Rackspace is positioned as one of the largest OpenStack cloud providers globally, with significant contributions to the codebase and a robust infrastructure supporting numerous private OpenStack clouds.
This analysis highlights the strategic implications of Rackspace’s actions for professionals in the fields of cloud computing and infrastructure security, particularly regarding how changes in cloud vendor dynamics can create opportunities for open-source solutions.