Many vendors are integrating the open-source OpenStack into their cloud-based infrastructure offerings, but not all implementations are created equal. (For more on the OpenStack environment, see “What is OpenStack?”) When evaluating the options, companies need to be sure that five important boxes can be checked off to their satisfaction.
1. Performance and Functionality
Can the vendor demonstrate performance of its OpenStack implementation using metrics that are meaningful to your business? What about functionality? The OpenStack implementation you ultimately choose should meet all—not just some—of your organization’s requirements. Will it provide the analytics capabilities you need? Does it include the management features required when dealing with large numbers of virtual machines? Can you customize the platform to the extent required (and desired) by your organization?
2. Reliability
If your cloud-based services aren’t available, your business suffers. Period. Vendors of OpenStack implementations should be able to back up reliability claims with proven case studies, benchmarks and even customer references.
3. Scalability
You don’t want a cloud that just scales; you want a cloud that scales to monstrous proportions--reliably. That’s asking a lot, but it’s possible when OpenStack is working with systems that have long histories of successfully providing scalability and reliability, such as Linux.
4. Security
When you’re storing sensitive and mission-critical information in the cloud, you can’t compromise. Look for security provided by the likes of SELinux (Security Enhanced Linux), which backs up Red Hat’s OpenStack implementation.
5. Partner Ecosystem
We’re mixing our metaphors here, but no cloud is an island, and it’s important to know what products and services will work within your cloud environment. Red Hat, for example, recently announced some major partners in its Red Hat OpenStack Cloud Infrastructure Partner Network, including Cisco, Dell, IBM, Intel, Juniper Networks, Lenovo, NetApp and Symantec.
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