New release of Eucalyptus open source cloud solution

Building on its strong ties to Amazon Web Services (AWS), Eucalyptus today unveiled the latest update to its open source cloud computing platform, adding expanded AWS storage compatibility as well as features to speed up installation and simplify management via a new GUI with self-service capabilities.

In discussing Version 3.2 of Eucalyptus's private and hybrid-cloud software with InfoWorld, company CEO Marten Mickos reiterated what he sees as one of the company's key advantages over rivals such as OpenStack: the company's unique partnership with Amazon that has enabled Eucalyptus to bake Amazon-API functionality natively into its product. Mickos has predicted that, just as IBM created the industry standard for the PC back in the 1970s, Amazon has created the industry standard for the cloud that will shape the market for years to come. Hence, he's confident AWS is the right horse to attach to the Eucalyptus wagon.

Deployment and management improvements aside, Eucalyptus used this new release as an opportunity to improve the software's interoperability with third-party offerings. For example, the company has hardened the product's node controller to increase stability by insulating Eucalyptus cloud instance from underlying issues affecting Linux. This ensures the node and applications will remain running even if the host operating system is experiencing problems, according to the company.