Lift and Shift away from VMWare

Are you looking for alternatives to VMware solutions due to Broadcom's new licensing? Are you using VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) or VMware Tanzu? If so, a lift-and-shift project should be on your assessment list.

But isn't a lift-and-shift project bad? It depends.

In general, I'm not a fan of on-prem lift-and-shift projects. I've seen too many train crashes. However, there are scenarios where a lift-and-shift approach can be beneficial, particularly when it comes to transitioning from VMware to a cloud-based infrastructure.

Let's first define a lift-and-shift project. It involves moving a copy of an existing application and data to cloud infrastructure with minimal or no redesigning or modification. 

With VMware, you have already virtualized your compute and data resources. At its core, cloud infrastructure is all about the virtualization of compute, storage, and network resources with a standardized control plane. AWS, Azure, and GCP enhance this by adding services that ease or eliminate the management process. For example, AWS RDS takes care of patching your database server for you.

If you are on VMware, these are prime candidates to migrate to IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), the foundational building block of the cloud.

Here is the catch: it doesn't have to be a public cloud. But the public cloud should be evaluated as there are use cases where it can be a lower-cost option. Public clouds offer extensive scalability, a wide array of services, and the ability to pay only for what you use. However, it's essential to evaluate your specific needs to determine if a public, private, or hybrid cloud approach is best for your organization.

When migrating from VMware, the most important aspect to evaluate is your control plane. You need to ensure that how you interface with VMware—from the console to the API—will be supported in your new solution. This includes considering how you manage and orchestrate your virtual environments and ensuring that the tools and processes you rely on are compatible with your new cloud environment.

Furthermore, a lift-and-shift project from VMware involves understanding the nuances of different cloud providers and how their services align with your current VMware environment. For instance, Broadcom offers VMware Cloud on AWS, which can be a seamless transition path for existing VMware workloads while providing access to AWS's extensive suite of services.

Additionally, consider the potential benefits of moving to a platform like CloudStack or OpenStack. These open-source cloud computing platforms offer greater flexibility and control over your infrastructure, eliminating dependency on expensive proprietary software.

In conclusion, a lift-and-shift project away from VMware requires careful planning and consideration. It’s crucial to assess your current environment, understand the control plane requirements, and evaluate both public and private cloud options. By doing so, you can ensure a smooth transition, maintaining operational continuity while potentially reducing costs and increasing flexibility.