OpenNebula is an open source virtual infrastructure engine that enables the dynamic deployment and re-placement of virtualized services (groups of interconnected virtual machines) within and across sites. OpenNebula extends the benefits of virtualization platforms from a single physical resource to a pool of resources, decoupling the server not only from the physical infrastructure but also from the physical location.

OpenNebula can be primarily used as a virtualization tool to manage your virtual infrastructure in the data-center or cluster. This application is usually referred as private cloud, and with OpenNebula you can also dynamically scale it to multiple external clouds, so building a hybrid cloud. When combined with a Cloud interface, OpenNebula can be used as engine for public clouds, providing a scalable and dynamic management of the back-end infrastructure.

OpenNebula is one of the technologies being enhanced in the Reservoir Project, flagship European research initiative in virtualized infrastructures and cloud computing.

OpenNebula 1.2 supports Xen and KVM virtualization platforms and on-demand access to Amazon EC2. It also features support for image transfers and cloning, and virtual network management. The Ecosystem page keeps information about tools extending the functionality provided by OpenNebula, such as Haizea lease management system, libvirt implementation, integration with Globus Nimbus and ElasticHosts cloud plugin.

OpenNebula 1.2 Datasheet