Apache CloudStack is an open source Infrastructure as a Service platform that deploys and manages large networks of virtual machines as a highly available, scalable cloud computing system.
CloudStack addresses the need for organizations to build and operate cloud infrastructure by providing a complete stack of integrated features: compute orchestration, network management, user and account administration, resource accounting, a native API, and a web-based user interface. The platform abstracts underlying hypervisor complexity, supporting VMware vSphere, KVM, XenServer, XenProject, Hyper-V, OVM, and LXC containers through a unified management layer. Users interact with their cloud through a web interface, command-line tools, or a query-based API.
CloudStack suits service providers offering public cloud services, enterprises building private clouds, and organizations implementing hybrid cloud solutions. It is a turnkey offering rather than a building block, meaning it includes the operational components most cloud deployments require rather than requiring assembly from separate tools. The platform's multi-hypervisor support makes it suitable for environments with heterogeneous infrastructure or those planning to avoid vendor lock-in.
The project maintains active development across its core Java codebase and supporting Python tooling. The repository shows consistent engagement with infrastructure concerns including security vulnerability reporting processes, comprehensive documentation resources, and structured contribution pathways. Development activity spans multiple functional areas including hypervisor integration, API expansion, and operational tooling, indicating ongoing work to address both new cloud infrastructure patterns and maintenance of existing deployments.
