Cloudware Vendor Solutions - Guide to Cloud Computing for Business and Technology Managers - page 345

is 3.8.3. OpenNebula can use multiple hypervisors such as VMware ESXi,
Xen, and KVM. It is capable of managing private, public, or hybrid IaaS
clouds. It can flexibly adapt cloud interfaces from EC2 Query, OGF's Open
Cloud Computing Interface (OCCI), and vCloud.
OpenNebula is designed to provide a solution for building enterprise-
level data centers and IaaS clouds. Its modular-based architecture allows
cloud builders to configure and implement a diverse range of cloud ser-
vices while maintaining a high level of stability and quality. OpenNebula
includes a core module, a set of plug-in drivers, and multiple tools. The
core module manages and monitors virtual resources such as VMs, vir-
tual networks, virtual storage, and images. It also handles client requests
and invokes corresponding drivers to perform operations on resources. The
plug-in drivers serve as adapters to interact with middleware. Core func-
tions are exposed to end users through a set of tools and APIs including
REST API (e.g., EC2-Query API), the OpenNebula Cloud API (OCA), and
APIs for native drivers, for example, for connecting to AWS.
The general characteristics of OpenNebula are as follows:
• Cloud model : Designed to support IaaS clouds by leveraging existing
infrastructure; OpenNebula usually does not have specific require-
ments on the infrastructure.
• Compatibility : OpenNebula can be deployed to existing infrastruc-
ture and integrated with various cloud services.
• Deployment and interfaces : Interfaces are available for cloud consum-
ers and providers. Cloud providers can also develop customized
tools with cloud interfaces. Consumers can use either the Command
Line Interface (CLI) or the SunStone Web Portal to perform most
operations, especially the management of resources. In addition, the
latest release provides interfaces to cloud providers such as Amazon.
• Hypervisors : OpenNebula supports three major hypervisors: KVM,
Xen, and VMware. Because the hypervisor driver can be shifted
between different hypervisors, it provides a solution for a multihy-
pervisor platform.
• Reliability : The OpenNebula system has designed a specialized qual-
ity check module, OpenNebula QA, to ensure the quality of every
release.
• OS support : All major Linux and Windows versions are supported.
• Scalability : OpenNebula has been employed in building large-scale
infrastructure as well as highly scalable databases; virtualization
drivers can be adjusted to achieve maximum scalability.
• Cost : While OpenNebula is a completely free solution, its enterprise
version, OpenNebulaPro, is distributed on an annual subscription
basis.