Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/13/anexia_vmware_to_kvm_migration/
Source: The Register
Title: Euro-cloud Anexia moves 12,000 VMs off VMware to homebrew KVM platform
Feedly Summary: Faced with huge license cost increase, provider and customers were both happy make migration a mission
Exclusive Broadcom has lost another large customer for its VMware platform: Austrian cloud provider Anexia has moved 12,000 VMs, some of them rented by major European businesses, to an open-source system based on the KVM hypervisor.…
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The article discusses Anexia’s transition from VMware to an open-source KVM-based platform following significant licensing cost increases imposed by Broadcom after its acquisition of VMware. CEO Alexander Windbichler highlights the challenges of this migration and the shift towards becoming more self-sufficient and open-source as a strategic necessity for their business sustainability.
Detailed Description:
– Anexia, an Austrian cloud provider, has moved 12,000 virtual machines (VMs) from VMware to an open-source system based on the KVM hypervisor due to exorbitant licensing fees after Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware.
– CEO Alexander Windbichler reported that the cost increases were unsustainable for Anexia, exceeding 500%, making it impossible to compete in the market.
– The financial strain was exacerbated by Broadcom’s new terms, which required upfront payments and multi-year commitments, impacting their cash flow.
– Anexia considered legal action against Broadcom’s price hikes but opted for the migration to a KVM platform, supported by their ownership of Netcup, which already used a KVM-based platform.
– The company had created an abstraction layer called “Anexia Engine” to mask VMware from customers, facilitating a smoother transition during the migration process.
– Windbichler developed a customer presentation depicting the migration as a mission-driven move, which surprisingly was well-received, aided by negative public sentiment towards Broadcom.
– Anexia completed the migration of 12,000 VMs through a sophisticated tool that simplified the process for customers, ensuring seamless transitions with minimal downtime.
– The successful migration reinforced Anexia’s financial position and allowed for re-investment in the open-source platform, marking a pivotal moment in their operations.
– Windbichler anticipates more companies will follow suit in moving away from VMware, citing a significant loss of trust in Broadcom’s practices.
– Additionally, involvement with regulators has been noted, suggesting that the acquisition of VMware by Broadcom has sparked broader concerns within the EU regarding fair competition.
This case highlights key themes relevant to security and compliance professionals, such as the impact of vendor lock-in, the importance of open-source solutions for resilience, and the potential for regulatory scrutiny following significant corporate acquisitions.