In a significant move, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced that it is transferring OpenSearch, its open-source alternative to Elasticsearch, to the Linux Foundation. The new entity, named the OpenSearch Foundation, aims to enhance the project’s development and governance.
Launched in 2021, OpenSearch was created by AWS in response to Elastic’s decision to switch its Elasticsearch and Kibana projects to a proprietary license. This shift by Elastic aimed to restrict cloud providers from offering hosted versions of their software.
The timing of this transfer is notable, as it follows Elastic’s recent decision to reintroduce Elasticsearch and Kibana under the AGPL, an open-source license that requires users to disclose changes to the source code. Elastic will offer this option alongside its existing Elastic License.
Mukul Karnik, AWS’s General Manager for Search Services, acknowledged the skepticism that surrounded OpenSearch when it was first launched. He noted that AWS’s approach has evolved to be more community-driven, with the aim of increasing contributions and governance.
The OpenSearch Foundation will follow the Linux Foundation’s established governance model, including a governing board and technical steering committee. Major companies such as SAP and Uber are joining as premier members, while others like Atlassian and Digital Ocean are participating as general members.
Jim Zemlin, Executive Director of the Linux Foundation, expressed enthusiasm about supporting the OpenSearch community and providing a neutral platform for its development. This move also helps mitigate perceptions of OpenSearch as an AWS-centric project, aiming to foster broader adoption and growth.
Philips Babatunde