Apache CloudStack vs OpenNebula: What are the differences?

Introduction:

Apache CloudStack and OpenNebula are both open-source cloud computing platforms that offer management and deployment of virtualized resources. While they share some similarities, there are key differences that set them apart. Let's explore these differences below.

1. Hypervisor Support: Apache CloudStack supports a wide range of hypervisors, including VMware, KVM, XenServer, and Hyper-V. On the other hand, OpenNebula primarily focuses on managing KVM and VMware hypervisors, although it also supports other hypervisors to a lesser extent. This difference in hypervisor support can impact the choice of platform depending on the specific requirements and existing infrastructure.

2. Multi-Tenancy: Apache CloudStack is designed with a strong emphasis on multi-tenancy, allowing multiple users or organizations to share a single CloudStack deployment while maintaining isolation and security. OpenNebula, on the other hand, follows a more traditional model of managing separate instances for each user or organization. The approach taken by Apache CloudStack for multi-tenancy offers greater flexibility and scalability for cloud deployments with a large number of tenants.

3. Network Management: Apache CloudStack provides robust network management capabilities, including support for advanced networking features like VLANs, virtual routers, and load balancers. OpenNebula, while also offering basic networking functionality, does not provide the same level of advanced network management features. The extensive network management capabilities of Apache CloudStack make it well-suited for complex deployments that require advanced networking configurations.

4. Integration with Other Systems: OpenNebula is designed to be highly modular and offers seamless integration with third-party systems and services through its flexible plugin architecture. It provides APIs and hooks that can be used to integrate with external software and automate various tasks. Apache CloudStack, although it allows integration with other systems, does not offer the same level of flexibility and extensibility as OpenNebula in terms of integrating with external tools and services.

5. Storage Management: Apache CloudStack provides a wide range of storage management options, including support for various storage types such as local storage, NFS, iSCSI, and more. It also offers features like volume snapshots and storage migration. OpenNebula, while supporting basic storage management, does not have the same level of flexibility and variety in storage options as Apache CloudStack. The extensive storage management capabilities of Apache CloudStack make it a preferable choice for deployments that require diverse storage configurations.

6. Community and Development: Apache CloudStack has a larger community and development ecosystem compared to OpenNebula. It has a strong backing from the Apache Software Foundation and is actively maintained by a large community of contributors. OpenNebula, although it has a dedicated community, is relatively smaller in size. The larger community support and development ecosystem around Apache CloudStack provide users with access to a broader range of resources, documentation, and community-driven enhancements.

In summary, Apache CloudStack offers wider hypervisor support, robust multi-tenancy features, advanced network management capabilities, and extensive storage management options. On the other hand, OpenNebula focuses on seamless integration with external systems through its modular design and offers basic networking and storage management functionalities. The choice between the two platforms depends on specific requirements, existing infrastructure, and the need for advanced features.