ShapeBlue

10/09/2026

Today, we’re hosting Apache CloudStack 4.23 Unveiled — a first look at the latest release and some of the key updates across networking, security, storage and cloud operations.

We’ll cover highlights including the CloudStack DNS Framework, Alarms and Monitoring Framework, modernised CLVM support, Async Job Management and VPC Conserve Mode.

Join us on 10 September to discover what’s new in Apache CloudStack 4.23 and hear directly from our experts.

Register now:

Apache CloudStack 4.23 - from DNS and networking enhancements to modernised CLVM support, improved security and smarter cloud operations.

09/09/2026

Are you in the evaluation phase, comparing different cloud and virtualization management platforms? If you are, then the CMP buyer's guide is for you!

The guide provides a structured, technical framework for assessing and comparing CMP solutions side by side, so you can move from evaluation to decision with confidence.

Download the guide today!

ShapeBlue’s Cloud/IaaS Management Platform Buyer’s Guide provides a structured, technical framework for assessing and comparing CMP solutions side by side, so you can move from evaluation to decision with confidence.

08/09/2026

Only 2 days to go until our Apache CloudStack 4.23 Release First Look webinar.

Join ShapeBlue on September 10th for a live walkthrough of some of the key capabilities in the new release, including updates across networking, monitoring, storage and cloud operations.

We’ll take a closer look at features such as the CloudStack DNS Framework, Alarms and Monitoring Framework, modernised CLVM support, Async Job Management and VPC Conserve Mode, and discuss what they mean for CloudStack operators.

10 September 2026
3 PM BST | 4 PM CET | 10 AM EDT

Register now:

Apache CloudStack 4.23 - from DNS and networking enhancements to modernised CLVM support, improved security and smarter cloud operations.

03/09/2026

Apache CloudStack 4.23 is here.

The latest feature release brings new capabilities and improvements across networking, security and identity, storage, data protection and cloud operations.

Highlights include the new CloudStack DNS Framework, Network Extensions, KMS-backed volume encryption, modernised CLVM support for KVM, NetApp ONTAP integration, KVM Backup on Secondary Storage, improved VPC networking, enhanced identity management and broader vTPM support.

Our latest blog takes a closer look at the key features in Apache CloudStack 4.23 and what they mean for cloud operators and service providers.

Read the full release overview:

11 new features, around 22 improvements and more than bug fixes since 4.22.1.0, in Apache CloudStack 4.23 - a regular feature release.

03/09/2026

ShapeBlue Migrate v0.5.0 is now available, bringing a simpler and potentially faster path for VMware-to-Apache CloudStack migrations on NFS-backed environments.

The key addition is Direct NFS Reads for Changed Block Tracking. Instead of reading source disks through an ESXi host using VMware VDDK, the migration worker can now mount the NFS datastore read-only and access the disks directly. For suitable environments, this can mean faster delta syncs, less load on ESXi hosts and fewer dependencies on each migration worker.

The existing warm-migration workflow remains the same - full copy, delta passes, final sync and planned cutover - and the new option is enabled per migration with automatic fallback to VDDK when required. v0.5.0 also includes improvements and fixes based on customer migrations and testing on real infrastructure.

Learn more about ShapeBlue Migrate v0.5.0 and what Direct NFS Reads can mean for your VMware migration project:

The main addition is a new read path for Changed Block Tracking. The migration worker can now read source disks straight from the NFS datastore that holds them, shortening the transfer path and removing the VMware VDDK library from the warm-migration workflow.

01/09/2026

Our Sovereign Cloud Solution Brief explores how Apache CloudStack can provide an open-source, self-hosted foundation for building secure, compliant and vendor-independent cloud environments. It also looks at sovereignty requirements in Europe and the United States, technology choices across the stack, common pitfalls and a practical path from assessment through to migration and operations.

The brief also includes a Cloud Sovereignty Readiness Checklist to help organisations identify gaps and ask the right questions before committing to a sovereign cloud strategy.

Download the solution brief:

This guide explains how Apache CloudStack provides the foundation for building secure, compliant and vendor-independent sovereign clouds, with a unified platform for cloud infrastructure and virtualisation management.

31/08/2026

Apache CloudStack 4.23 is coming - and on September 10th, we’re taking a first look at some of the most important capabilities in the new release.

Join Marco Sinhoreli for a live webinar exploring enhancements across networking, security, storage and day-to-day cloud operations.

We’ll cover features including the new CloudStack DNS Framework, Alarms and Monitoring Framework, modernised CLVM support for KVM, improved Async Job Management and VPC Conserve Mode, alongside other updates designed to give operators greater flexibility, visibility and control.

10 September 2026

3 PM BST | 4 PM CET | 10 AM EDT

Register for the webinar and get an early look at Apache CloudStack 4.23:

Apache CloudStack 4.23 - from DNS and networking enhancements to modernised CLVM support, improved security and smarter cloud operations.

27/08/2026

Looking to understand how an Apache CloudStack IaaS environment is actually put together?

ShapeBlue’s IaaS Quick Build Guide provides a practical, step-by-step introduction to building a small CloudStack-based test environment, helping teams become familiar with the platform before moving towards a production deployment.

The guide covers the fundamentals of CloudStack architecture, installation and configuration, KVM setup, storage, networking and setting up a zone. It uses a straightforward configuration based on KVM, NFS storage and VLAN isolation to keep the learning process manageable.

Whether you are evaluating Apache CloudStack, building a PoC or simply want hands-on experience with the platform, this guide gives you a practical starting point.

Download the IaaS Quick Build Guide:

This IaaS Quick Build Guide provides a set of instructions to get you up and running with a CloudStack-based Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) cloud.

25/08/2026

Planning a VMware-to-KVM migration? One small dependency can become a major blocker.

Broadcom’s public VDDK download pages are currently unavailable, which can affect VMware migration, backup and disaster recovery workflows, including Apache CloudStack’s optimised direct VMware-to-KVM conversion path.

Our latest article explains what this means, why unofficial mirrors are not a safe workaround, and what alternative migration options are available if VDDK cannot be obtained.

Read more: https://www.shapeblue.com/broadcom-vddk-download-vmware-to-kvm/

Have you had difficulties accessing VDDK or other migration dependencies? Share your experience in the comments.

25/08/2026

Evaluating Apache CloudStack through a proof of concept should give your team more than a quick look at features—it should help you understand whether the platform meets your real-world requirements.

The Apache CloudStack PoC Evaluation Checklist gives technical teams a structured way to assess the platform across 76 key concepts, covering architecture, compute, networking, storage, automation, user and project management, monitoring, upgrades and support.

For architects, platform engineers, and decision-makers, this means a more consistent evaluation process, clearer criteria for comparing capabilities, and fewer gaps when assessing operational readiness, integration flexibility, and suitability for production.

Whether you are just starting to explore CloudStack or already running a PoC, the checklist can help you organise your testing and make a more informed decision.

Download the Apache CloudStack PoC Evaluation Checklist:

This comprehensive 76-concepts checklist is designed to help technical teams validate key features and functionalities during a CloudStack PoC.