MicroCloud is a platform for deploying and managing small private clouds. Developed by Canonical, it brings together virtualisation, distributed storage and software-defined networking to create clustered infrastructure with minimal manual configuration.
The platform combines LXD for running virtual machines and system containers, MicroCeph for distributed storage and MicroOVN for networking. These components work together to provide a consistent environment for hosting applications and services across multiple physical machines.
MicroCloud is particularly suitable for organisations that need local computing infrastructure without the complexity of a large-scale cloud deployment. Typical uses include edge computing, development and testing environments, distributed offices and small private data centres.
The software automates much of the initial infrastructure configuration, while the underlying components retain their own management interfaces. Administrators can subsequently expand clusters, manage workloads and configure access to shared resources.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Automates the creation and configuration of private cloud clusters.
- Combines LXD, MicroCeph and MicroOVN into an integrated infrastructure environment.
- Runs full virtual machines and lightweight system containers using LXD.
- Supports distributed storage using Ceph with replicated data across cluster members.
- Provides software-defined networking through OVN.
- Offers isolated virtual networks, distributed routing and configurable network connectivity.
- Supports high availability through clustered control services, redundant networking and replicated storage.
- Automatically integrates additional machines into existing cloud clusters.
- Provides local and distributed storage configurations.
- Supports live migration of compatible virtual machine workloads between cluster members.
- Offers fine-grained access control through LXD’s authorisation mechanisms.
- Supports resource isolation and multi-tenancy through LXD projects and access policies.
- Provides a graphical management interface, command-line tools and REST API access.
- Supports automated and repeatable deployment using preseed configuration files.
- Allows dedicated networks for Ceph management, cluster communication and OVN underlay traffic.
- Supports deployment across multiple sites and edge computing environments.
Website: github.com/canonical/microcloud
Support:
Developer: Canonical Ltd
License: GNU Affero General Public License v3.0
MicroCloud is written in Go. Learn Go with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
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|---|---|
| OpenStack | Delivers a massively scalable cloud operating system |
| CloudStack | Turnkey solution that includes the entire "stack" of features |
| OpenNebula | Cloud computing toolkit |
| n8n | Workflow automation tool |
| Harvester | Interoperable, hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) solution |
| oVirt | Virtualization platform with an easy-to-use web interface |
| OpenQRM | Automated, rapid-deployment, storage-manage, virtualization and cloud |
| ZStack | Designed to tackle two problems -- complexity and stability |
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