OpenStack networking name change: From Quantum to Neutron

The OpenStack Foundation has changed the name of its networking project from Quantum to Neutron due to a trademark conflict with a manufacturer of tape-based data backup systems.

Download this free guide

SD-WAN Buyer's Guide: What to Know Before You Buy

In this two-part guide, analyst Lee Doyle reveals the top 7 SD-WAN trends to watch for this year, and our editors compare 13 leading SD-WAN products in one handy infographic to help guide your purchasing decision.

Start Download

• Corporate E-mail Address:

  You forgot to provide an Email Address.

  This email address doesn’t appear to be valid.

  This email address is already registered. Please login.

  You have exceeded the maximum character limit.

  Please provide a Corporate E-mail Address.

By submitting my Email address I confirm that I have read and accepted the Terms of Use and Declaration of Consent.

By submitting your personal information, you agree that TechTarget and its partners may contact you regarding relevant content, products and special offers.

You also agree that your personal information may be transferred and processed in the United States, and that you have read and agree to the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy.

OpenStack reached a legal agreement with backup technology manufacturer Quantum Corp. earlier this year to stop using the term OpenStack Quantum, according to a message OpenStack Chief Operations Officer Mark Collier sent to one of the open source project's mailing lists last spring.

During the OpenStack Summit, engineers discussed calling the technology by its functional name of OpenStack Networking. However, the foundation decided to stick with the particle physics naming convention. It recently renamed Quantum as OpenStack Neutron, according to a message posted to another OpenStack mailing list by Marc McClain, a developer at cloud provider DreamHost. You can track the progress of this transition on the OpenStack Foundation's wiki.

OpenStack Neutron is the API-based Networking as a Service software system that enables users to manage networks and IP addresses for OpenStack-based clouds. A large number of networking vendors have built plug-ins to integrate their hardware and software with Neutron, including Cisco, VMware-Nicira, NEC, Big Switch Networks, Brocade, Extreme Networks, Arista Networks, Mellanox, Juniper Networks, PLUMgrid, Midokura and Embrane.