Rackspace announced  it is joining forces with cloud optimizer Akamai as a part of its cloud and dedicated hosting portfolio. With an aim to create a ‘one-stop shop’ for hosting, cloud, and acceleration services, Akamai features including CNAMEs, SSL and CDN delivery will be integrated with Rackspace’s Cloud Files service. The hosting company will also resell some of Akamai’s other acceleration services to its own customers.

“Rackspace will include Akamai solutions, either as an add-on or as an embedded suite of services, as part of Rackspace’s full range of offerings across dedicated, cloud, and hybrid hosting. The initiative will begin with Akamai’s content delivery services being integrated with Cloud Files, a Rackspace service that provides highly scalable online storage for files and media. “

Racspace’s partnership with Akamai will offer the cloud host’s company increased latency, availability, scalability and security in the cloud. Additional plans to incorporate the two’s offerings portfolios with each other include offering Rackspace’s Fanatical Support on a range of Akamai services which are to be sold in conjunction with Rackspace dedicated and cloud hosting services. This plan is scheduled for the beginning of Q2, 2011.

A partnership between two of the biggest players in the cloud means good news for both companies’ enterprise clients. In order to promote this alliance, related webinars and events are to be held in various cities throughout 2011.