Part 2 on our VMware Alternatives topic. In a previous blog, we discussed how Broadcom’s $69 billion acquisition of VMware has created multiple challenges for existing VMware customers. Companies using VMware have reported substantial price increases and a complicated array of perpetual licenses and subscriptions to maneuver through. The new climate has created uncertainties that have spawned enterprises to explore virtualization alternatives such as HPE VM Essentials and Nutanix.
Microsoft Hyper-V
Another vendor alternative in the virtualization industry is Microsoft. One option is Hyper-V, Microsoft’s native hypervisor that is natively integrated into Windows Server. Though lacking some of the advanced capabilities of VMware, it supports essential features including live migration, failover clustering and high availability configurations. While it may be enough for large enterprises, Hyper-V can serve as a robust solution for many SMBs, especially if you are on a budget as Hyper-V comes with Windows Server 2022. There are multiple options to manage Hyper-V clusters.
- Windows Admin Center: For small clusters, Windows Admin Center (WAC) offers a unified dashboard to manage servers, storage, networking and VMs across on-prem and Azure hybrid setups. WAC is a good alternative if you need a centralized, all-in-one tool for managing Hyper-V hosts.
- Failover Cluster Manager/Hyper-V Manager: Failover Cluster Manager is a built-in Windows Server tool that focuses on configuring and monitoring the cluster health of your VM server farm. Because it does not handle general VM management, you also need Hyper-V Manager that allows you to manage virtual switches or storage directly.
- System Center Virtual Machine Manager: Unlike the other tools, System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) requires an additional license. This enterprise tool is part of Microsoft System Center Suite and provides a “single-pane-of-glass” experience for managing Hyper-V hosts, clusters, and hybrid cloud environments. SCVMM is designed for large-scale environments with complex needs including the management of heterogeneous hypervisors.
Azure Stack HCI
Azure Stack HCI has been emerging as a compelling alternative to VMware’s virtualization platform in recent years. It uses Hyper-V technology and works on commodity hardware, making it easy to integrate with existing Windows systems. Built on the Microsoft Hyper-V foundation, Azure Stack HCI delivers comparable virtualization features such as high availability and resource management. It runs on commodity hardware and integrates seamlessly with Windows environments.
A key advantage is that it connects your local servers with Microsoft's cloud, so you can manage your on-site virtual machines using the same tools as Azure cloud resources. This creates a unified experience between your physical location and the cloud. For organizations frustrated with VMware's complex licensing, Azure Stack HCI offers a more straightforward pricing approach.
- Offers predictable pricing through a per-core subscription, potentially making it more cost-effective than VMware for many use cases.
- Uses existing Windows Server licenses (via Azure Hybrid Benefit) and avoids VMware’s subscription costs
- Includes three years of free Extended Security Updates for Windows Server and SQL Server 2008/2012
- Offers a more transparent, consumption-based pricing model compared to VMware's complex licensing structure
In addition, single-vendor support from Microsoft eliminates the complexity of managing multiple vendor relationships and potentially conflicting support responsibilities in multivendor environments. It integrates the tools your Windows teams already use to streamline virtualization management, reduce costs, and enable hybrid cloud for seamless VMware replacement.
Need Help in Clarifying Alternatives
Your VMware environment represents years of careful planning, implementation, and refinement. Transitioning to an alternative virtualization platform requires thoughtful consideration and strategic planning rather than hasty decision-making. While your teams have learned to master VMware, they are probably less familiar with the viable alternatives out there. That’s where our internal team of virtualization experts comes in. At IntegraONE, we take the time to understand your organization’s specific needs and guide you through the best-fit solutions. There is a lot of confusion since the Broadcom purchase of VMware. Let us help add some clarity to it all. Want to learn more about how you can avoid the price hikes for VMware? Reach out to your IntegraONE Account Manager today, or email sales @integraone.com.
