The future of virtualisation

The future of virtualisation!

Virtualisation is pivotal in modern IT infrastructure, as it creates virtual environments that allow multiple operating systems and applications to run on a single physical server. This maximises hardware utilisation and enhances flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness—key benefits essential in today’s fast-paced, resource-conscious business environment. However, the virtualisation landscape is transforming due to significant industry shifts, such as Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware and Microsoft’s recent announcement to discontinue free Hyper-V licenses starting January 2025.

These changes drive many organizations to reconsider their virtualisation strategies, exploring alternatives offering robust performance, reliability, and better cost structures. Proxmox Virtual Environment (PVE) is emerging as a strong contender, providing an open-source, enterprise-grade virtualisation platform that competes with established solutions. Built on Debian Linux, Proxmox supports both KVM (for full virtualization) and LXC (for lightweight container virtualization).

Proxmox offers an intuitive web-based management interface and robust features, such as high availability, live migration, backup/restore functionality, and clustering.

Benefits of Migrating to Proxmox

1. Cost Efficiency and Flexibility
   Proxmox stands out for its open-source foundation, providing a powerful virtualization platform without licensing costs. Unlike VMware, which involves substantial fees, Proxmox offers a straightforward and predictable pricing model, making it particularly attractive for businesses aiming to reduce operational expenses. Additionally, Proxmox’s flexibility supports a mix of KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) and LXC (Linux Containers), enabling better resource allocation and tailored virtualisation solutions.
2. Comprehensive Features Comparable to Leading Platforms
   Proxmox offers a range of robust features that match, and in some cases exceed, those of VMware and Hyper-V. Notable features include high availability (HA), live migration, backups, and built-in clustering. The high availability feature ensures critical services remain accessible in case of node failures, which is crucial for maintaining business continuity.
3. Efficient Management and Easy Learning Curve
   The Proxmox web interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, providing a single-pane-of-glass experience for managing virtual machines, containers, storage, and networking. This simplicity reduces training time for administrators familiar with VMware or Hyper-V, as Proxmox’s web-based management console is straightforward and user-friendly. The Proxmox command-line interface (CLI) is also available for power users who prefer more granular control over their virtual environment.
4. Community Support and Extensive Documentation
   As an open-source platform, Proxmox benefits from a thriving global community where users regularly share solutions, scripts, and support. The Proxmox project maintains comprehensive documentation, making troubleshooting issues easy or enhancing platform knowledge. This level of support can save businesses time and resources compared to proprietary platforms with more limited or costly support options.
5. Secure and Actively Developed
   Security is paramount in virtualisation, and Proxmox has proven its commitment to regular updates and patches. Additionally, since it’s open-source, Proxmox benefits from transparency and community-driven security audits. The platform is also highly customizable, allowing businesses to tailor security protocols to their needs.

Potential Disadvantages of Proxmox

1. Lacks Proprietary Integrations
   While Proxmox excels in compatibility, businesses heavily invested in specific VMware or Hyper-V proprietary integrations may face limitations when migrating to Proxmox. Certain VMware-exclusive features or applications may require adjustments or alternatives when transitioning.
2. Smaller Enterprise Support Base
   Proxmox does not have the same level of enterprise-level support as VMware, which might concern larger organizations prioritising premium support and tailored assistance. However, Proxmox’s robust community and the option to purchase enterprise support for many small—to medium-sized businesses provide sufficient coverage.
3. Potential Learning Curve for Complex Configurations
   Although Proxmox is user-friendly for basic administration, more complex configurations, such as multi-node clustering, storage solutions, or advanced networking, can require time and training to master. Organizations moving from proprietary platforms with rich built-in support might find Proxmox’s open-source nature requires deeper technical understanding.

Demo Environment for VMware and Hyper-V Migrations to Proxmox

To help organisations evaluate Proxmox’s capabilities firsthand, we offer a live session with a virtualisation engineer and our demo environment running on a complete Proxmox Virtual Environment (Proxmox VE), cluster that is configured with:

• a three (3) node cluster,
• is running High Availability (HA),
• is running Ceph storage cluster (Microsoft Storage Server and VMWare vSAN alternative),
• has Proxmox Backup Environment (BE) configured for real-time backups to a separate live server (not a virtual machine),
• full vLAN set-up (Firewall and Switch configured), for virtual networks and how a virtual machine can get a different IP address,
• both layer 2 & 3 networking functionality via WatchGuard Firewall, with 10Gbit uplink to 10Gbit switch,
• 1Gbit networking for node and system management,
• 10Gbit networking for network, internet and storage connectivity,
• 10Gbit networking for Ceph storage cluster replication,
• VMware ESXi 7.0 server running live virtual machines to test live migrations,
• Proxmox VE, is directly connected to VMware VMFS,
• Microsoft Windows Server 2022 running live virtual machines to test offline migrations, and
• built-in ISO virtual machine for managing ISO images.

 

This demonstration setup allows businesses to test VMware and Hyper-V migrations using basic Windows or Linux-based virtual machines, providing a clear and interactive view of the process. The demo includes live migration and high availability configurations, giving IT teams insight into Proxmox’s ability to handle real-world workloads seamlessly.

This experience aims to showcase Proxmox’s effectiveness in managing VM workloads while offering flexibility and control at an economical price. If you want some pricing information about Proxmox VE, you can see this pricing directly on their website here.

If you would like a demonstration of Proxmox, any of its features, or how we can migrate a Microsoft Hyper-V or VMware virtual machine to Proxmox, lock in a time in our calendar, and we can demonstrate how this virtualisation solution can work for you.
Schedule a Remote Session

Shifts in the Virtualisation Landscape: Why Now is the Time for Proxmox

With Microsoft discontinuing its free Hyper-V licensing in January 2025, businesses reliant on free Hyper-V deployments must seek alternative solutions to maintain cost-effectiveness. This change could increase overall operational expenses for organizations that relied on Hyper-V for cost-effective virtualization. Proxmox, as an open-source and affordable solution, emerges as a strong candidate for those affected by this shift.

Meanwhile, Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware has introduced uncertainties regarding VMware’s future development and pricing structure. As VMware becomes part of a larger, profit-driven corporation, businesses are concerned about potential price hikes and support changes.

Proxmox offers a stable, community-driven platform free from corporate mergers and acquisitions, which makes it an appealing alternative for companies wary of VMware’s evolving corporate landscape.

Proxmox as the Next Step in Virtualisation

For businesses seeking cost-effective, feature-rich virtualisation, Proxmox is a strong contender. With licensing changes in Hyper-V and VMware’s acquisition by Broadcom, organizations are prompted to evaluate alternatives that provide reliability, flexibility, and robust support without breaking the bank. Proxmox delivers on these fronts, offering an open-source solution backed by an active community, comprehensive features, and a straightforward interface.

Our Proxmox demo environment provides an ideal platform to explore these capabilities. It demonstrates the ease of migrating VMware and Hyper-V virtual machines to Proxmox.

Contact us today to experience firsthand how Proxmox can serve as a powerful, future-proof solution for your organization’s virtualization needs.