Sun unveils Open Cloud Platform

NEW YORK, USA:  Sun Microsystems, Inc. showcased the Sun Open Cloud Platform, the company's open cloud computing infrastructure, powered by software technologies from Sun, including Java, MySQL, OpenSolaris and Open Storage during CommunityOne developer event.

Signaling a massive opportunity to open the world's nascent cloud market, Sun also outlined that a core element of its strategy is to offer public clouds and previewed plans to launch the Sun Cloud, its first public cloud service targeted at developers, student and startups.

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Both are key elements in Sun's strategy to bring openness and interoperability to the cloud computing market.

As part of the company's commitment to building communities, Sun also announced the release of a core set of Open APIs, unveiled broad partner support for its cloud platform and demonstrated innovative features of the Sun Cloud.

Sun's Cloud API specifications are published under the Creative Commons license, which allows developers to deploy applications to the Sun Cloud immediately, by leveraging pre-packaged VMIs (virtual machine images) of Sun's open source software, eliminating the need to download, install and configure infrastructure software.

Sun envisions a world of many clouds, public and private, that are open and interoperable. With the Sun Open Cloud Platform, Sun is driving a paradigm shift away from proprietary clouds that limit choice and lock in customers toward a world of open and interoperable clouds.

Leveraging the open source technologies, the Sun Open Cloud Platform brings together Java, MySQL, OpenSolaris and Open Storage to deliver breakthrough efficiencies in cost and scale, and easier and faster software development.

Based on innovative designs from a company with a rich history in network computing and Internet infrastructure, the Sun Open Cloud Platform is ideal for developers who value openness, flexibility and ease of use.

“Sun's approach to cloud computing blends our expertise in developing open source software and communities with unique design innovation. Sun's Open Cloud platform is the first step in delivering on our vision of a world that has many clouds that are both open and interoperable,” said Dave Douglas, senior vice president, Cloud Computing, Sun Microsystems.

“Our cloud architecture empowers developers with the expanded interoperability and freedom of choice they need to easily take advantage of the agility, efficiency and cost benefits of cloud computing,” added Douglas.

Cloud Partner Ecosystem

Sun announced that leading partners and key advocates for cloud standards are supporting its goal to deliver an open cloud platform. It will help ensure that developers have a robust ecosystem of applications and services to speed the creation and deployment of cloud-enabled applications and to simplify management.

Cloud Foundry, RightScale and Zmanda are three of the many cloud application providers, cloud management solution providers, Service Providers and cloud consulting companies partnering with Sun.

Eucalyptus, an open source infrastructure for implementing cloud computing, is also supporting Sun's approach to drive standards-based, open source cloud platforms and applications, enabling developers to integrate with other platforms and services.

“I’m excited that Sun has expanded the available alternatives in cloud platforms. I believe Sun’s products will help the market move to more choice, broader applicability and broader adoption,” said Chris Richardson, founder of Cloud Foundry.

“Using Cloud Tools and Cloud Foundry, organizations will be able to quickly and easily deploy their Java applications to either the Sun Cloud or Amazon EC2.”

"We're committed to working with Sun to expand the choices available to developers through open source cloud technology,” said Dr. Rich Wolski, Director of the Eucalyptus Project.

“We have been working with the Sun Cloud and have been especially impressed with its open APIs and interoperability. Our developers were able to very quickly integrate our backup products with the Sun Cloud Storage Service,” said Chander Kant, CEO, Zmanda, a Sun Cloud partner. “We look forward to providing enterprise-class cloud backup services to our customers by leveraging the Sun Cloud.”