OpSource launches virtual private cloud, says it’s better than Amazon’s

August 27, 2009 | Anthony Ha | Comments | |

opsource_logoOpSource just announced a new product called the OpSource Cloud, which it says will provide the benefits of cloud computing — where the computing takes place remotely, on someone else’s infrastructure — without sacrificing the control and security of traditional IT. Amazon made a similar announcement yesterday, but the startup’s chief executive Treb Ryan claims the OpSource Cloud goes further in addressing the needs of large, enterprise-scale companies.

Basically, OpSource allows a company to create a “virtual private network,” accessing scalable, low-cost computing infrastructure in the cloud, while maintaining full control of how connected their network is to the public web. It’s a promising concept, but I worry that the Santa Clara, Calif. company could have a hard time challenging the just-announced Virtual Private Cloud offered by Amazon, which is remains the leader in selling cloud infrastructure to developers.

Ryan says OpSource’s architecture allows for a number of features that aren’t offered by Amazon, but which enterprise IT departments are looking for, such as the ability to support traditional multi-tier applications (where things like the application display and data management are run as separate processes), as well as lower latency time between systems. Ryan adds that athough the OpSource cloud is being pitched as “the first true enterprise cloud,” it could be useful to anyone, including the small web application developers.

OpSource could also be seen as competing with companies offering “private clouds,” which bring cloud architecture into private data centers. But Ryan says he’s skeptical that the private cloud is a meaningful concept, since it lacks the flexibility and other advantages of the public cloud.

“It’s just a way for people to shill new gear,” he says.

The OpSource Cloud will become available to the public on Oct. 2. The company last raised $4 million from ATEL Ventures.

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About the Author, Anthony Ha

Anthony is VentureBeat's assistant editor, as well as its reporter on enterprise technology, cloud computing, and tech policy. Before joining VentureBeat in 2008, Anthony worked at the Hollister Free Lance, where he won awards from the California Newspaper Publishers Association for breaking news coverage and writing. He attended Stanford University and now lives in San Francisco. Reach him at anthony@venturebeat.com. You can also follow Anthony on Twitter.

  • Geoff H
    Multi-tiered apps dont work in Amazon? Quick, we must warn everyone already running them for years! :)

    I'll take a look at OpSource, but there are a number of good options now. Take a look at SoftLayer, they have a bunch of cool hosting and cloud offering options as well. I'm planning on using EC2 for my first cloud DC, just because I like their combination of options and it all seems to work pretty well from my testing, but more options is better.
  • Working in the Gov. space, I can assure you that private clouds are critical considerations...
  • kxdobbs
    Check out recent Montclair Advisors interview with OpSource CEO Treb Ryan about his company and what he thinks about the Cloud Computing market - http://montclairadvisors.com/blog/2009/09/saas-...