The Open Infrastructure Foundation (OpenInfra) has officially announced the intent to join the Linux Foundation as a top-tier foundation, similar to CNCF and OpenSSF.  This marks a significant milestone in the evolution of open source infrastructure and putting three critical infrastructure technologies – Linux kernel, Kubernetes and OpenStack – under the umbrella of the Linux Foundation.

I sat down with Rob Hirschfeld, CEO and Co-Founder of RackN, to understand the impact of this move on the ecosystem as he has been involved with OpenStack since its early days. We also analyzed what this shift means for Infrastructure as Code (IaC) or the evolving VMware ecosystem, as many customers seek alternatives in the wake of VMware’s shifting landscape post-Broadcom acquisition.

A New Era for OpenStack and Open Infrastructure

For tech influencers like me, OpenStack holds a special place in the history of cloud computing. Hirschfeld, shares his reflections on this transformation, stating, “I’ve never been part of a more connected, sincere community… OpenStack coming into the Linux Foundation is really a seminal moment in thinking through how the foundation is governed.”

This move aims to refine governance models, ensuring OpenInfra can better serve enterprises navigating complex infrastructure needs. As OpenInfra becomes part of the Linux Foundation, it gains access to an expansive ecosystem that includes Kubernetes, the Linux kernel, and more.

The VMware Alternative Landscape

VMware has long been the gold standard in enterprise virtualization, primarily due to its robust management tooling, including vSphere and vCenter. However, since Broadcom’s acquisition, licensing and pricing changes have led many enterprises to explore alternatives.

“VMware is hands down the most sophisticated, performant hypervisor available,” notes Hirschfeld. “The lock-in occurs not just because of ESX and ESXi, but also due to the entire management ecosystem VMware has built around them.”

So, what are the alternatives? The market is actively evaluating multiple options:

• OpenStack & OpenInfra: A mature platform for infrastructure management with strong networking and storage capabilities.
• KVM-Based Solutions: Most non-VMware platforms, including OpenStack, leverage Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) as the underlying hypervisor.
• Proxmox: A leading open-source virtualization platform, though its adoption in enterprise environments is often limited by support concerns.
• KubeVirt & OpenShift Virtualization: Kubernetes-native virtualization solutions that allow enterprises to run VMs alongside containerized workloads.

The Role of Kubernetes and OpenShift Virtualization

One of the most debated topics in virtualization today is the role Kubernetes plays in the ecosystem. While Kubernetes is widely adopted for container orchestration, its integration into virtualization strategies remains complex.

Hirschfeld clarifies, “Kubernetes itself seems very complex… but enterprises don’t need to become Kubernetes developers to leverage it as a virtualization platform.”

This is where OpenShift Virtualization comes into play, layering management tools on top of KubeVirt to offer a viable alternative to VMware. “What we’re seeing is tremendous interest in OpenShift Virtualization as an enterprise-ready alternative,” Hirschfeld adds.

Overcoming Migration Challenges

Despite the excitement around these alternatives, challenges remain. Migration away from VMware is not a one-time shift but rather a phased transition. Hirschfeld highlighted key obstacles, including:

• Networking & Storage Complexity: Enterprise adoption hinges on well-architected solutions for networking isolation and persistent storage.
• Management Tooling & Support: Many organizations require enterprise support, making vendor-backed distributions crucial.
• Gradual Workload Transition: Companies should aim to reduce VMware dependency from 80% to 20% rather than expecting an immediate replacement.

Avoiding Vendor Lock-in in the New Ecosystem

A key lesson from VMware’s dominance is the need to avoid tight vendor lock-in. While Red Hat’s OpenShift is a leading alternative, enterprises should maintain flexibility.

“When enterprises use open source, they get distros from vendors,” Hirschfeld explains. “The goal isn’t to avoid vendors altogether but to ensure vendor neutrality and maintain control over infrastructure decisions.”

A merge, not a fork in the road

As OpenInfra integrates into the Linux Foundation, its future looks promising. The focus will likely shift toward Kubernetes integration and streamlined virtualization management, addressing some of the gaps left by VMware’s potential decline.

Ultimately, enterprises must take a strategic, phased approach to exploring VMware alternatives. Whether through OpenStack, KubeVirt, OpenShift Virtualization, or other solutions, the key is to build a flexible, vendor-neutral infrastructure that stands the test of time.

As Hirschfeld sums up, “The key here is the job you do governing bare metal. That strength will speed and simplify everything else you build on top of it.”

For enterprises at the crossroads of virtualization strategy, the time to evaluate alternatives is now. The shift in the ecosystem is not just about replacing VMware but about building a more open, adaptable, and resilient infrastructure future.

Guest: Rob Hirschfeld (LinkedIn)
Company: RackN
Show: KubeStruck