The OpenStack project, a leading open-source cloud computing platform, is joining the Linux Foundation in a move aimed at accelerating collaboration across the open infrastructure ecosystem. This shift marks a significant milestone for OpenStack, which has operated as an independent open-source foundation since 2012.

The Linux Foundation has emerged as the preeminent open-source organization for commercially viable technologies, hosting a growing list of critical projects and foundations, including the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), PyTorch Foundation, and LF Networking. By joining the Linux Foundation, OpenStack will leverage the organization's resources, expertise, and network to drive innovation and adoption in the open infrastructure space.

The decision to bring OpenStack under the Linux Foundation umbrella was driven by the evolving needs of the project and its community. According to Jonathan Bryce, executive director of the OpenInfra Foundation, the Linux Foundation's investments in legal and regulatory capabilities, as well as its experience in hosting large-scale open-source projects, made it an attractive partner for OpenStack.

One of the key factors behind the move is the rise of artificial intelligence and the massive infrastructure investments required to support it. OpenStack is well-positioned to benefit from this trend, as it is already widely used for AI training and inference workloads. By joining the Linux Foundation, OpenStack will be able to tap into the organization's expertise in AI infrastructure and further accelerate its growth in this area.

Maintaining community governance was a key priority for the OpenStack community. Under the new structure, OpenStack will become a foundation within the Linux Foundation, with its own budget, governance, and member fees. This will ensure that the community's hard-won governance model and community engagement are preserved, while also providing operational efficiencies and access to the Linux Foundation's resources.

The move also presents an opportunity to further dispel the perception of competition between OpenStack and Kubernetes. As Mark Collier, chief operating officer at the OpenInfra Foundation, noted, "Those of us who pay close enough attention understand that OpenStack and Kubernetes were never competitors, and neither were the two foundations behind them." By joining the Linux Foundation, OpenStack will be able to demonstrate its complementary role in the open infrastructure ecosystem and further collaborate with Kubernetes and other projects.

The shift to the Linux Foundation is expected to be seamless for OpenStack's community and members, with almost all of the OpenInfra Foundation members already being part of the Linux Foundation in one capacity or another. As Bryce noted, "From the perspective of our corporate members and also from the perspective of our contributors, we expect very little to change."

In conclusion, OpenStack's move to the Linux Foundation marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the open infrastructure ecosystem. By joining forces with the Linux Foundation, OpenStack will be able to accelerate innovation, drive adoption, and further establish itself as a leading open-source cloud computing platform.