OpenInfra Foundation Joins Linux Foundation as OpenStack Gains Traction
A Major Shift in Open Source Cloud Computing
In 2010, Rackspace and NASA launched OpenStack as an open-source alternative to AWS for private data centers. Over the years, OpenStack went through cycles of adoption and decline. However, recent VMware licensing changes under Broadcom have revived enterprise interest in OpenStack, prompting a shift in the open-source cloud landscape.
The OpenStack Foundation, now known as the Open Infrastructure Foundation (OpenInfra Foundation) since 2021, has officially announced its integration into the Linux Foundation. This move brings OpenStack under the same umbrella as Linux, Kubernetes, and numerous other major open-source projects.
Strengthening Open Source Collaboration
The Linux Foundation is home to key projects like Kubernetes, PyTorch, OpenSearch, and RISC-V. The inclusion of OpenInfra further consolidates open-source efforts, enabling tighter collaboration across cloud infrastructure, AI, and virtualization technologies.
Aside from OpenStack, OpenInfra also supports projects like:
- Kata Containers – A secure container runtime
- Airship – A software lifecycle management tool
- Zuul – A CI/CD platform
- StarlingX – An edge computing platform
Impact on Cloud Infrastructure
The OpenInfra Foundation and Linux Foundation have had a complex relationship in the past, particularly due to Kubernetes’ rapid rise, which shifted focus away from OpenStack. However, the organizations have been working together more closely through the Open Infrastructure Blueprint, a framework for modern data center and cloud-native environments.
Jonathan Bryce, executive director of OpenInfra, emphasized that the demand for AI, virtualization migration, and digital sovereignty is reshaping cloud infrastructure. By joining the Linux Foundation, OpenInfra aims to leverage shared resources and expand its influence in the trillion-dollar cloud market.
Linux Foundation executive director Jim Zemlin echoed this sentiment, stating that the merger strengthens their collective mission to advance open-source technologies.
What This Means for Enterprises
With the growing need for vendor-neutral cloud solutions, enterprises now have a strong alternative to VMware. OpenStack, backed by the Linux Foundation, could see renewed growth, offering a robust platform for private and hybrid cloud deployments.
As AI workloads and cloud infrastructure evolve, this strategic move positions OpenStack for long-term sustainability while fostering open-source innovation across multiple domains.
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