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.
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.
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.
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.
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.