Migrating from VMware to OpenStack: Top Tools to Streamline Your Transition
In 2024, following Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, there has been a notable rise in demand for migrating from VMware to more flexible, open-source platforms like OpenStack.
As organizations look for alternatives that offer cost savings, better scalability, and no vendor lock-in, OpenStack has emerged as a strong contender.
However, migrating virtual machines (VMs) from VMware to OpenStack can be a complex process, with concerns such as downtime, data loss and integration challenges.
Why Migrate from VMware to OpenStack?
The shift from VMware to OpenStack offers several key advantages:
- Cost Savings: OpenStack being an open-source platform, eliminates VMware’s hefty licensing fees.
- Flexibility: OpenStack is highly customizable to suit specific organizational needs with a wide range of supported hardware.
- Scalability: It is designed for horizontal scaling, making it easier to manage growing infrastructures.
- No Vendor Lock-In: OpenStack provides freedom from proprietary software constraints, ensuring greater adaptability and broad community worldwide.
While these benefits are substantial, the migration process can be challenging. Choosing the right tools can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and cost-effective transition.
In this article, we explore several tools that can simplify VMware-to-OpenStack migration, focusing on solutions that ensure minimal disruption, efficient data transfer, and clear processes. We will dive into 5 prominent commercial and open-source tools:
Let’s get started!
1. Virt-V2V
Virt-V2V by Red Hat is a good old open-source tool that converts VMs from VMware to KVM – Linux’s built-in hypervisor. It is included with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and is a free option for companies that use any KVM based virtualization solution such as OpenStack or Proxmox.
Key Features:
- Open-Source: Virt-V2V is part of the Linux ecosystem (libguestfs library) and is built for both Debian/Ubuntu and RedHat-based OS.
- Cross-Hypervisor Compatibility: Supports conversion of VMs from VMware ESXi and Xen environments to KVM.
- Linux and Windows Support: Converts both Linux and Windows VMs.
- KVM Integration: Converts VMs for use with KVM making it ideal for OpenStack since most deployments are KVM-based.
Limitations:
- Architecture Restriction: Supports only x86_64 architectures (AMD64 and Intel 64), with no support for IBM Z, POWER, or ARM.
- Hands-On Configuration: Requires manual steps, making it suitable for advanced users with experience in Linux and VM migration.
- Synchronous Migration: the source VMware VM must be powered off before migration to KVM meaning VMs with large disks require long downtime for migration.
Virt-V2V is suitable for simple VM migrations where either the source VMs are rather small or the maintenance (migration) window can span several hours.
2. MigrateKit
MigrateKit, recently open sourced by VEXXHOST, is a CLI tool focused on simplifying VMware to OpenStack migration with near-zero downtime. Designed to be easy to use and flexible, it supports various cloud strategies and provides seamless integration with OpenStack environments since VEXXHOST is running OpenStack. In fact it also uses Virt-V2V in the migration process.
Key Features:
- Open-Source: Free and part of the broader open-source ecosystem, MigrateKit integrates smoothly with OpenStack.
- Near Zero Downtime: Migration occurs in two phases – first, an online data transfer where source VMs stay operational, followed by a brief cutover phase where VMs are transitioned to OpenStack. Such an approach minimizes the downtime.
- Flexibility: Supports migration to on-premises, public, and hosted OpenStack environments.
- Seamless Integration: Compatible with all OpenStack deployments, with extensive testing in VEXXHOST’s Cloud.
Limitations:
- Command-Line Interface: MigrateKit is best suited for Linux admins comfortable with CLI tools, as it lacks a GUI for less technical users.
MigrateKit is a great choice for businesses looking for a low-cost, open-source migration tool that integrates seamlessly with OpenStack and allows migrations with small downtime.
3. Coriolis
Coriolis by Cloudbase Solutions is a well-established powerful tool for enterprises requiring live migration of VMware workloads to OpenStack. Coriolis has native OpenStack integration and is designed for large-scale migrations with minimal downtime, supporting both cloud-to-cloud and on-premises-to-cloud transitions.
Key Features:
- Live Migration: Performs live migrations, allowing VMs to remain operational throughout 99% of the process.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Supports migration in any direction across a wide variety of hypervisors and cloud platforms, including VMware, Hyper-V, OpenStack, AWS and Azure.
- Enterprise-Grade: Built for large-scale enterprise environments with automation capabilities for migrating thousands of VMs.
- Resiliency: Ensures data consistency and provides rollback options in case of migration issues.
Limitations:
- Costs: Coriolis is only partially open source. A license is required for each VM migration, making it a pricier option compared to open-source alternatives such as MigrateKit or Virt-V2V.
- Complex Setup: While powerful, Coriolis requires an integration to be done prior to migration.
Coriolis is best suited for enterprises with complex environments that need a reliable, scalable tool for live VMware or public and private cloud migrations.
4. Hystax Acura
Hystax Acura is a fully automated migration tool that focuses on simplifying the migration of VMware workloads to OpenStack. With a user-friendly interface and advanced features, it offers flexibility, resiliency, and minimal downtime.
Key Features:
- Automation: Hystax Acura provides an entirely automated process, from discovery to data replication and migration.
- Cross-Cloud and Cross-Platform: Supports multiple hypervisors and cloud platforms, making it a versatile option for various infrastructure landscapes.
- Incremental Data Syncing: Reduces downtime by syncing data incrementally, allowing VMs to stay operational during the most of the process.
- Built-In Rollback: Ensures safe migrations with rollback options if anything goes wrong.
Limitations:
- Cost: As a commercial tool, Hystax Acura comes with high licensing costs, which can make migration at a scale quite expensive.
- Customization: May require customization for more complex environments.
Hystax Acura can be an option for businesses looking for a fully automated migration tool with minimal hands-on configuration and limited number of VMs due to associated costs.
5. Trilio
Trilio offers a robust VMware migration tool integrated directly into OpenStack’s Horizon dashboard. It enables users to create migration plans and offers multiple types of migrations based on downtime tolerance.
Key Features:
- Support Multiple Options:
- Cold Migration: Shuts down VMs for full data transfer, ideal for non-critical workloads.
- Dry Run: Copies VM data without impacting the running VMs, useful for testing.
- Warm Migration: Transfers data incrementally while keeping VMs online, reducing downtime.
- Automated Flavor Mapping: Automatically maps VMware resources (CPU/RAM/Disk) to OpenStack flavors.
- Network and Storage Mapping: Simplifies the mapping of VMware networks and datastores to OpenStack equivalents including Ceph.
Limitations:
- Windows VM Disk State: For Windows VMs, non-system disks are offline post-migration, requiring manual intervention.
- Kernel Configuration: The tool does not change the default kernel during migration, potentially leaving older versions in place.
Trilio’s deep integration with OpenStack makes it an attractive option for businesses already using OpenStack, offering flexibility in migration strategies and management.
Comparison of VMware to OpenStack Migration Tools
| Tool | Down- time | Data Volume | Migration Complexity | Open Source | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Virt-V2V |
Moderate to Long
|
Small to Moderate
|
High
|
Yes |
Converts VMware VMs to KVM; requires x86_64 architecture
|
|
Migratekit
|
Near Zero
|
Large |
Low |
Yes |
Migration with minimal downtime, supports OpenStack based clouds
|
|
Coriolis |
Minimal (Live)
|
Large
|
Low to Medium
|
No (Partial)
|
Live migrations, rollback options, cross-platform support
|
|
Hystax Acura |
Minimal (Incremental) |
Large |
Low
|
No
|
Fully automated, supports multiple cloud platforms, rollback options
|
|
Trilio |
Cold, Warm, Dry Run |
Moderate to Large |
Medium |
No |
Integrated with OpenStack Horizon, supports Ceph and flexible migration strategies |
Conclusion
Migrating from VMware to OpenStack can be a complex process, but with the right tools, it’s possible to streamline the transition while minimizing downtime and disruption. Whether you’re looking for an open-source solution like Virt-V2V or MigrateKit, or a more enterprise-grade option like Coriolis, Hystax Acura, or Trilio, there is a tool suited to your specific needs. The choice will depend on factors like downtime tolerance, data volumes, target platforms and budget.
Ready to Migrate off VMware? c12n Got You Covered!
At Cloudification, we specialize in helping businesses smoothly transition from VMware to OpenStack. With our deep experience and c12n.cloud – an OpenStack-based alternative to VMware – we provide a flexible, cost-effective platform with no vendor lock-in.
Our team at Cloudification is ready to guide you through every phase of the migration ensuring minimal disruption and delivering a production-ready solution that grows with your business.
Get in touch today to learn how Cloudification can help you achieve a smooth, stress-free migration to OpenStack with almost no downtime.