Citrix said that it will submit its CloudStack platform to the Apache Software Foundation in a move that will take it to the open source big leagues.

The gambit is to take CloudStack and make it an open source juggernaut to build cloud architectures that resemble Amazon Web Services. Citrix aims to emulate the success of Hadoop and Cassandra, two corporate projects that were given to Apache.

CloudStack will bring 30,000 community members, certified apps and production clouds to Apache. Citrix, the primary shepherd of CloudStack, will become a platinum member of Apache. Citrix's role with CloudStack was cemented when it acquired Cloud.com last year.

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Citrix said that it will build a commercially supported release of Apache CloudStack to anchor its cloud line-up. CloudStack had been open source under the GNU Public License v3 (GPLv3), but Citrix said that arrangement added roadblocks for some partners. Apache should broaden usage, the company.

Among the other key points:

Citrix CloudStack 3 is now released under Apache License 2.0.

CloudStack.org will be added to the Apache Incubator program.

Citrix will invest in engineering, community support and marketing.

CloudStack has more than 100 production deployments so far.

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