For many years VMware was the standard for virtualization, both in companies and in large data centers. After VMware became part of Broadcom, licensing moved to subscriptions and bundles, and for many small and medium companies the bill for the same servers went up significantly.
That is why more and more companies are looking at Proxmox VE - an open-source virtualization platform that does the same job at a much more reasonable price. Below is when the migration pays off, how it works without stopping the business and what to check before you start.
In short:
- Proxmox VE is a mature platform for virtual machines, backups and high availability, with much lower license costs than VMware.
- Migration pays off mostly when VMware licenses are up for renewal or when the servers are being replaced.
- A well-planned migration runs with no downtime, or with a short, agreed interruption.
- Before migrating you need a full inventory of the machines and a verified backup.
When the migration pays off
- VMware licenses or support are expiring and the new offer is much more expensive.
- The servers are being replaced - a good moment to change the platform as well.
- You have several servers and want high availability (machines restarting on another server after a failure) without expensive licenses.
- You want backups of the virtual machines in the same system, without a separate expensive product.
When it is not urgent: if your licenses are paid for years ahead and the system runs reliably, the migration can be planned for the next server replacement.
What Proxmox offers
- Virtual machines and containers on one or several servers, managed from one panel.
- High availability - when a server fails, the machines start on another.
- Shared storage (for example Ceph) without a separate expensive storage array.
- Backups with Proxmox Backup Server - with many versions back and fast restore.
- A support subscription per server - you pay for updates and support, not for every virtual machine.
More about virtualization in general in server virtualization for business.
How the migration works
- Inventory: which machines there are, what resources they use, which are critical and when an interruption is acceptable.
- A verified backup of every machine before starting. See backing up company data.
- Preparing Proxmox - on new servers or on a freed-up old one.
- Moving the machines one by one, starting with the less important ones to test the process.
- Switching over the critical machines at an agreed time - in the evening or at the weekend when needed.
- Checking every program after the move, and only then switching off the old environment.
How long it takes depends on the number and size of the machines and on how complex the environment is. The goal is for work not to stop: most machines are moved while everyone keeps working, and the interruption, if there is one, is short and agreed in advance.
What to check beforehand
- Programs with licenses tied to the hardware - some need a new key after the move.
- Specific requirements from the vendor of your accounting or other software.
- Backups that depend on VMware - you need a new backup solution.
- People: who will look after the new environment and do they know how. See also disaster recovery plan for businesses.
How much you save
The exact amount depends on the number of servers and processors, but Proxmox licenses are significantly cheaper than the new VMware subscriptions, and backups and high availability don't require separate expensive products. For more ways to save, see how to reduce your company's IT costs.
How we do it
We have migrated clients from various industries from VMware to Proxmox, usually with several servers each. Every migration starts with an inventory and a verified backup, the machines are moved one by one and we aim for no downtime. We work with Proxmox and Ceph, and after the migration we monitor the servers 24/7 as part of support.
Frequently asked questions
Is Proxmox reliable enough for a company?
Yes. Proxmox VE has been used for years in companies and data centers, and the paid subscription brings stable updates and support from the vendor.
Will work stop during the migration?
With good planning - no, or only briefly and at an agreed time. Most machines are moved while everyone keeps working.
How long does the migration take?
It depends on the number and size of the virtual machines and on the complexity of the environment. That is why the first step is an inventory, after which the exact plan is known.
Do we need new servers?
Not necessarily. Proxmox runs on most servers that run VMware today, as long as they are in good condition with supported hardware.
What happens to the backups?
They move to Proxmox Backup Server or another backup solution. The old VMware backups are kept until the new ones have been verified.
Let's talk about your needs and we will offer you the best solution and price.
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