Rackspace and CERN openlab collaborate

CERN openlab provides a framework to test and validate cutting-edge information technologies and services in partnership with industry at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. The new technology partnership with Rackspace will entail several joint initiatives, focused on creating a reference architecture and operational model for federated cloud services between the Rackspace Private Cloud, Rackspace Public Cloud and CERN’s OpenStack powered clouds.

“This is a landmark moment for Rackspace, as we feel this is an opportunity to take our already mutually beneficial relationship with CERN to new heights,” said Jim Curry, SVP and general manager of Rackspace Private Cloud. “Through ongoing collaboration with CERN openlab, we will broaden the global reach of our hybrid cloud solutions, while simultaneously helping to set the pace of innovation within the field of particle physics.”

CERN physicists and engineers use advanced science and technology daily to further humanity’s understanding of the universe. This includes conducting ground-breaking experiments to study the basic constituents of matter - the fundamental particles. By using some of the largest and most powerful particle accelerators in the world, including its Large Hadron Collider (LHC), CERN produces more than 25 petabytes of data annually. CERN is leveraging OpenStack software to manage the resources across its two data centres that power the LHC and to literally help unlock the mysteries of the universe.

Rackspace previously delivered a solution that would allow CERN to burst workloads into its public cloud. Through the new collaborative agreement, the Rackspace Private Cloud platform will now be deployed onto servers that CERN utilizes for production physics experiments. Rackspace and CERN openlab will test and ensure the seamless federation between private and public cloud platforms to accommodate excess workloads, and to experience the true value of the hybrid cloud.

The expanded relationship consists of certain key elements such as:
· Federated Cloud Services based on OpenStack Cloud Technologies – Rackspace will work with CERN openlab to federate CERN’s current managed services into Rackspace’s open public and private cloud environments.
· Personnel Support – Rackspace will fund one full-time member of the CERN personnel team, who will help create cloud federation technologies.

“We have just celebrated the 20th anniversary of CERN’s decision to make its World Wide Web software freely available. We definitely see great value in open source technologies like OpenStack. They foster continuous technological improvements through community contributions, while also giving us the ability to quickly address challenges, such as massive scaling, by leveraging the work of others,” said Tim Bell, infrastructure manager in the IT department at CERN. “We’re excited to partner with Rackspace in the CERN openlab framework, as we look for ways to accelerate our innovation on top of an OpenStack-based hybrid cloud.”