(Actually “here” is Austin, Texas, which is where I am writing this post, but nevertheless…) 
I’m referring to the much anticipated Havana release of the OpenStack open source cloud project. The Havana version of OpenStack is now available and destined to accelerate cloud deployments with almost 400 new features. Havana will create a path to production-grade cloud for telcos, hosters, service providers and the broader enterprise.
A Deeper Look at Havana
In my view, this release of OpenStack is an important milestone in the path to production use cases, especially as we see the new centralized metering and monitoring capabilities emerging in the “Ceilometer” project, and the template-based orchestration features in “Heat."
As you’ve heard me speak about before, Dell has been a part of the OpenStack project since its inception in 2010. Since that moment, Dell has brought the Dell OpenStack-Powered Cloud Solution to market, we have launched OpenStack offerings with partners such as the Dell SUSE Cloud Solution, powered by OpenStack, released the Dell mCloud Helix solution, and we pioneered the start of the Crowbar open source project, which we still lead today.
Did you know that Dell continues to contribute to OpenStack, including contributions in the Havana release? An example of this is the great contributions that the Dell SonicWall team made to the Havana release, specifically to the new Firewall as-a-service capabilities.
As an original “OpenStacker”, as well as a board member of the OpenStack Foundation, I am excited about the release of Havana, and see it as a GREAT step forward for the community and the open source cloud movement.
The OpenStack Design Summit: Looking Ahead to “Icehouse”
With the Havana release out, the OpenStack community’s attention now turns to the design of the next release of OpenStack – “Icehouse,” which is slated to release in spring of 2014. The deisgn foundations for Icehouse will be established at the OpenStack Design Summit and User Conference in Hong Kong in just a few weeks.
The Dell OpenStack team and I are thrilled to be a part of this design effort for IceHouse, and are pulling out all the stops to make this the “Dell everywhere” Summit event. Here is a quick rundown on the various Dell activities and sessions:
- OpenStack Summit Kick-Off Party, hosted by Dell and Intel – the premier networking and social event at OpenStack Summit 2013. Note: If you’ll be at the event, be sure to RSVP, as space is limited and attendance is by RSVP only. You can register here to confirm your spot here. (Tuesday November 5, 2013 from 6:30 – 8:30pm in the SkyCity Marriott adjacent to the Asia World Expo.)
- SESSION: OpenStack Architecture for the Enterprise – details how the Dell architecture is constructed and deployed to keep total cost of ownership low. (Tues. Nov 5 at 12:05–12:45 p.m. | Expo Breakout Room 1)
- SESSION: The OpenStack APIs – will dive into how the APIs function in the real world across different deployments. (Tues. Nov 5 at 2:00 p.m. | Expo Breakout Room 1)
- Breakfast with the OpenStack Foundation Board (featuring Dell’s Joseph George and Rob Hirschfeld) in the Asia World Expo – Summit Lobby – Come and meet the board OpenStack Foundation Board members live and in person! (Wed. Nov 6, from 7:45 – 8:45 a.m. )
- SESSION: Dell OpenStack Cloud with Inktank Ceph – A Large-Scale Customer Deployment – learn around a unique Ceph deployment at a large nationally recognized American University. (Wed. Nov 6, from 1:00 to 1:15 p.m. | Dell Expo Hall Sponsor Demo Theater)
- SESSION: OpenStack in the Enterprise: Customers Prove It – Learn how our customers are making the transition to OpenStack cloud and how cloud addresses a variety of requirements. (Thurs. Nov 7 at 9:50 a.m. | Expo Breakout Room 1)
- SESSION: Application Portability Panel: A review of the different approaches to application portability, API compatibility, and multi-cloud SDKs. (Thurs. Nov 7 at 3:30 p.m. | Expo Breakout Room 1)
Learn more about Dell and OpenStack
I am ecstatic with the progress that OpenStack is making, and couldn’t be prouder of the Dell teams involved, as Dell continues to be a part of the technology revolution that is the OpenStack cloud project. If you have not already done so – check out all the details on the OpenStack site.
And for you who will be attending the Summit, come by and see us! Take in a demo or two, talk to our technical experts at the Dell booth and learn how Dell can enable you with OpenStack today…and maybe even get in a game of ping pong!
Until next time.
Joseph B George
Director, Cloud and Big Data Solutions