FreeDesktop.org, which hosts the X.Org Foundation and several other open-source projects, is facing a new cloud crisis. The organization’s current cloud provider, Equinix, will be shutting down its operations with them on April 30, 2025, after nearly five years of sponsorship.
Equinix had been providing free hosting services to FreeDesktop.org, including servers and bandwidth, worth around $24,000 per month. However, the organization must now find a new cloud provider or risk facing downtime for their infrastructure, which is used by projects such as Mesa and Wayland.
FreeDesktop.org administrators have only three months to resolve the issue before the deadline. They are currently brainstorming possible new cloud providers and exploring options to pay for their own servers moving forward. The organization’s server administrator, Benjamin Tissoires, believes that paying directly for infrastructure could help avoid similar short notice situations in the future.
With the deadline approaching quickly, FreeDesktop.org is urging users to expect some service disruptions and potential downtime as they work on a smooth transition. The organization appreciates any assistance it can receive from volunteers and sponsors during this challenging period.
Source: https://www.phoronix.com/news/2025-XOrg-FreeDesktop-Cloud