When Kubernetes Can Be a True Alternative to VMware

Following Broadcom’s acquisition of the US-based tech company VMware, the VMware partner program has undergone a major restructuring. Instead of the previous open model, VMware is now switching to an invitation-only system, where only selected partners are allowed to collaborate. Industry observers see this as a significant disadvantage for smaller IT firms, including many Swiss IT service providers. 

As a result, many IT leaders in the global tech community are currently evaluating alternatives to VMware. One question that keeps coming up: Can the container orchestration platform Kubernetes (K8s) serve as a viable alternative to VMware – and if so, in what scenarios? This discussion is especially relevant now that platforms like Xelon Cloud Infrastructure are gaining significant traction in Switzerland.

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at Kubernetes and explore what it would take for K8s to replace VMware. 

What is Kubernetes (K8s)? 

Kubernetes (often abbreviated as K8s) is an open-source platform that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. Originally developed by Google engineers, it’s now handled by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF). 

Fun fact: The abbreviation “K8s” comes from the eight letters between the “K” and the “s” in Kubernetes. 

These are the key features of Kubernetes 

1. Container orchestration: Kubernetes controls and manages containers running in environments such as Docker. It helps coordinate multiple containers across different hosts. 
2. Automatic scaling: Depending on workload, Kubernetes can automatically scale the number of running containers to meet demand. 
3. Self-healing: If a container crashes, Kubernetes restarts or replaces it to ensure application availability. 
4. Load balancing: Kubernetes automatically distributes network traffic across multiple containers to maintain optimal performance and uptime. 
5. Deployment and rollbacks: Kubernetes supports gradual application updates and makes it easy to roll back changes if issues occur. 

Kubernetes is gaining ground in the IT Services sector 

Kubernetes has become an integral part of modern software development. But beyond software developers and SaaS companies, more and more IT service providers are seeing the value of adding the modern container technology Kubernetes to their service portfolios. Building stable, highly available applications, however, not only requires deep expertise in container orchestration but also involves significant effort in maintenance, security updates, and scaling. 

With the Xelon Kubernetes Service in the Swiss Cloud, running on Xelon Cloud Infrastructure, IT service providers now have access to a fully managed Kubernetes solution that can be resold under their own brand. This allows them to offer Kubernetes clusters to their customers without having to manage the underlying infrastructure. They retain full control over the customer experience, as the Xelon Kubernetes Service can be white-labeled and seamlessly integrated into existing service offerings. 

From a technical perspective, the Xelon Kubernetes Service provides full access to the Kubernetes API. Through API interfaces, the platform can be integrated into existing systems. All customer data and applications run in Swiss data centers and are subject to Swiss law. This excludes access by foreign legislation such as the US Cloud Act. For organizations in regulated industries like finance, healthcare, or public administration, this is becoming an increasingly important factor. 

In which use cases can Kubernetes replace VMware? 

To understand the differences between VMware and Kubernetes, it’s important to look at their core functions. VMware is a virtualization platform that abstracts physical hardware into virtual machines (VMs), providing a stable infrastructure for traditional applications. Kubernetes, on the other hand, is a container orchestration platform that automates the operation, scaling, and management of containerized applications. While VMware virtualizes the infrastructure layer, Kubernetes operates at the application layer. 

Kubernetes is therefore not a ready-made, one-to-one replacement for VMware, but rather a step toward a Cloud-native IT architecture. For companies investing long-term in Cloud-native technologies, microservices, and automation, Kubernetes can be an attractive alternative to VMware. Sovereign Cloud infrastructure such as Xelon Public Cloud provides a safe, stable and scalable base to modernize IT environments. This can gradually reduce dependence on VMware until a complete transition becomes possible.

Transitioning to Kubernetes involves a comprehensive modernization of the existing IT landscape and the development of new skill sets. Especially for smaller IT service providers, adopting Kubernetes can initially be resource intensive. To truly replace VMware, companies need to do more than simply swap technologies; it requires a clear IT strategy, employees with experience in container technologies, and an IT architecture designed around containers and automation. 

Would you like to learn more about the conditions under which Kubernetes can be a viable alternative to VMware? Are you wondering whether Kubernetes could replace VMware in your organization in the medium to long term? 
Book a free consultation with us, we’ll be happy to answer all your questions.