It’s no secret that Broadcom’s takeover of VMware continues to cause a stir, particularly in terms of increased licensing costs. As a result, many companies are reassessing their strategy, as they look to reduce their dependency on this supplier and preserve the flexibility of their infrastructure.
OpenStack is an open source cloud management platform, whereas VMware is a virtualisation solution. They both enable users to manage hybrid and private cloud infrastructures, but they differ in terms of architecture, ecosystems and functionalities.
OpenStack can be used alongside VMware to take advantage of the flexibility and scalability offered by an open source solution, while keeping certain VMware features. For example, VMware vSphere is supported under OpenStack. The two tools are rivals when it comes to managing and orchestrating large-scale IT infrastructures, particularly for private cloud deployments.
This article compares OpenStack and VMware on several key aspects, to help you choose the solution that best suits your cloud infrastructure needs.
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Introducing VMware
VMware vSphere is a complete virtualisation solution based on proprietary code, including the ESXi hypervisor and the vCenter Server management platform.
One of its key strengths lies in the integration of automation and artificial intelligence tools to facilitate large-scale operations. The platform has extended its offering to include solutions for storage (vSAN), networking (NSX) and infrastructure automation and management (vRealize).
VMware therefore provides an integrated turnkey solution that simplifies the management of virtualised environments for businesses, particularly in traditional data centres.
OpenStack: an overview
OpenStack is an open source cloud management platform designed to deploy and manage scalable private clouds. It provides infrastructure and requires a hypervisor in order to be operated. KVM is often used with OpenStack, but VMware vSphere can also be used.
Comprising modular projects such as Nova for compute, Cinder for block storage, and Neutron for networking, OpenStack provides an IaaS solution with support for the integration of third-party PaaS services. The platform also includes Horizon, a user interface for administration, and benefits from an ecosystem of integrations and extensions.
OpenStack is designed to run on standard hardware and supports hyperconverged architecture. It is therefore a broader solution than VMware, enabling the creation of private or public clouds using modular components.
Performance and scalability
VM performance
The performance of virtual machines depends on several factors:
- Provisioning speed: VMware has automation tools like vRealize Automation that can speed up the VM provisioning process. OpenStack can achieve competitive provisioning speeds, which are highly dependent on infrastructure configuration and optimisation. So, if provisioning speed is a top priority, VMware is often the best option.
- Response times and latency: VMware is optimised for consistent performance thanks to its built-in features, whereas OpenStack offers variable performance depending on the configuration of the backend, i.e. the underlying infrastructure, such as servers, databases, networks and storage services.
- Efficient resource management: VMware uses tools like DRS to balance workloads and optimise resource utilisation. OpenStack, with its various modules, requires finer configuration to achieve optimum performance.
To sum up, VMware tends to offer better VM performance with less configuration effort, as it benefits from specific optimisation for virtualisation. OpenStack can also achieve good performance, but this is highly dependent on infrastructure optimisation and component management.
Scalability of solutions
On this point, neither solution is, objectively, better than the other. They are different, and each has its advantages.
OpenStack is primarily designed to scale horizontally across many servers, making it highly efficient for large-scale clouds where adding nodes is a frequent requirement in order to manage large amounts of resources and large workloads.
As for VMware, it can also scale vertically or horizontally, which means it is highly flexible and suited to environments that require both the addition of new servers and an increase in the capacity of existing ones.
Feature comparison between OpenStack and VMware
High availability
Both solutions meet this need, albeit with different approaches and levels of complexity.
VMware offers an integrated feature called vSphere High Availability, which monitors hosts and VMs. If a physical host fails, vSphere HA automatically restarts VMs on another host within the cluster. Other tools such as vMotion for live VM migration and Distributed Resource Scheduler for load balancing help maintain availability.
OpenStack can also be configured for high availability, but with a more complex configuration. The Nova (compute), Neutron (network) and Cinder (storage) components can be configured for high availability using techniques such as clustering, service redundancy, and solutions like Pacemaker and Corosync.
Storage options
The storage options available in OpenStack are more varied and more dependent on backend choices than in VMware. OpenStack offers greater flexibility thanks to its modular, open-source architecture, while VMware offers an integrated, proprietary solution.
| Functionality | OpenStack | VMware vSphere |
|---|---|---|
| Software-defined storage (SDS) | Ceph, Swift, Cinder (SDS management via LVM, Ceph, etc.) | VMware vSAN |
| File systems | CephFS, POSIX file systems (depending on backend chosen) | VMFS |
| Storage protocols | iSCSI, FC, NVMe-oF, NFS, – (depending on backend selected) | iSCSI, FC, NVMe-oF, NFS |
| Storage scalability | Scalable through the addition of disks or nodes, great flexibility with Ceph or Swift | Scalable through the addition of disks or nodes |
| Performance optimisation | Caching, data distribution with Ceph | Advanced storage performance features with DRS, storage I/O control |
| Deduplication and compression | Supported (depending on backend chosen, e.g. Ceph) | Supported |
| SDS licenses | Open-source, with optional commercial support (e.g. Red Hat Ceph Storage) | Proprietary, subscription-based |
| Compatibility with external storage solutions | Broad compatibility with SANs, third-party NAS via Cinder, management via iSCSI, NFS, etc. | Compatible with most SANs, third-party NAS via standard protocols (iSCSI, NFS, etc.) |
Backup and restoration
VMware and OpenStack have several things in common:
- Support for full VM backup.
Graphical user interface (GUI) and command line interface (CLI). - Snapshots and cloning functionalities are supported by both platforms.
- Full VM restoration from backups is possible on both platforms, with integrated solutions in VMware and more customised configurations in OpenStack.
- Integration with third-party backup solutions, to extend backup and restore capabilities.
- Disaster recovery plans, with the option of data replication and rapid restoration in the event of a major breakdown.
The major difference lies in native integration: VMware offers integrated backup and restore solutions, such as VMware vSphere Data Protection (VDP) or Site Recovery Manager (SRM). OpenStack, on the other hand, requires individual components such as Cinder, and also third-party solutions or custom scripting.
That said, both of them can work with VEEAM. For VMware, VEEAM provides a backup solution with advanced features, which integrates very well with the VMware ecosystem, and offers high availability and disaster recovery options.
For OpenStack, VEEAM offers backup solutions, whose integration is less effective. Backup management in OpenStack relies in part on the use of Cinder for volume management, but the functionalities offered by VEEAM are more limited compared to VMware.
Security and updates
Both tools are effective in this area, but their approach is different. VMware prefers modularity, with several security products (NSX, VMware Carbon Black, etc.) that can be integrated.
OpenStack integrates security features directly into its modules, such as identity and access management (Keystone), data encryption (Cinder, Swift, etc.), and network segmentation (Neutron).
They each offer:
- Two-factor authentication,
- Role-based administration,
- Encryption of data at rest and in transit,
- Reporting and auditing tools,
- Integration with Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions,
- Segmentation of virtual networks,
- Standardised safety frameworks.
OpenStack and VMware cost and licence type
OpenStack licensing model
With its open source model, OpenStack users don’t have to pay any licensing fees to use the core software. The source code can be used, modified and distributed free of charge.
For those who need technical support, advanced features and integration services, several companies, such as Red Hat, Canonical and Mirantis, offer commercial versions of OpenStack.
VMware licensing model
Since Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, two significant changes have taken place:
- VMware has replaced its perpetual licence model with a subscription model.
- Some products are no longer offered, and those that are (vSAN, vSphere, NSX, etc.) are now grouped together in bundles.
The 4 main offers are:
- VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF), a complete solution with a vSphere Enterprise + infrastructure that integrates vSAN, NSX and the Aria suite; add-ons include DRP as a service and the Tanzu range.
- VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF), a more limited offering than VCF, which includes the Enterprise + infrastructure, the Aria suite in standard mode with Aria Ops, vSAN and Tanzu. This bundle does not include NSX, however.
- VMware vSphere Standard (VVS), the basic solution for virtualisation, offering standard vSphere infrastructure, hypervisors and support. Add-ons can be used to strengthen security, particularly as regards on-demand disaster recovery.
- VMware vSphere Essentials Plus Kit (VVEP), the smallest bundle available. It is designed for low-level virtualisation needs. It is limited to 96 cores for around 3 hypervisors, and the add-ons also enable on-demand ARP.
Cost comparison
As we have seen, OpenStack itself is free. Any costs come from services related to the underlying infrastructure, deployment and support.
VMware, on the other hand, charges licence fees, which often offer technical support, which can reduce the need for in-house expertise in management and troubleshooting. There are different levels of support depending on the type of licence and the service contracts. VMware depends on specific hardware, too.
In the past, VMware offered a free version of ESXi, but, since the Broadcom takeover, this is no longer the case.
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Easy to use and install
OpenStack user interface
The OpenStack dashboard is Horizon, the user interface for managing OpenStack components and users. Horizon’s design and functionality can be customised.
VMware user interface
VMware’s extensive ecosystem uses vCenter Server as a centralised tool for managing all VMs. This interface is designed to monitor and control the entire virtual infrastructure, with advanced features for automation, resource management and performance analysis. It can be more complicated to use, however.
Installation process
VMware ESXi installation requires at least:
- 2 CPU cores,
- a 64-bit processor with support for hardware virtualisation (Intel VT-x or AMD-V),
- 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended),
- 32 GB of disk space.
For optimum configuration, 4 or more CPU cores, 32 GB of RAM and a larger amount of disk space are recommended.
Start by deploying an ISO image, then follow the installation wizard. Once installation is complete, configure the basic network settings and access the user interface via VMware vSphere Client or vCenter.
The hardware and software needed to install OpenStack require:
- a multi-core x86_64 processor,
- 8 GB of RAM,
- 100 GB of disk space.
OpenStack can be installed either manually, i.e. by installing and configuring each component one by one, or automatically, using tools such as DevStack and Packstack.
Support and community
Support for VMware
VMware stands out for its enterprise-level support, with SLAs, direct technical assistance and comprehensive, free online documentation. This covers not only ESXi and vSphere, but also integration with other VMware solutions such as NSX, vSAN, and vRealize. VMware also offers a variety of paid support services, including specialised training courses.
Support for OpenStack
The active OpenStack community and the availability of third-party support solutions (Red Hat OpenStack Platform, Canonical, Mirantis…) are proving highly effective. Many companies are discovering that the support of the OpenStack community, combined with the choice of specialist third-party suppliers, can meet their needs effectively, often at a reduced cost.
Community activities and resources
Although VMware is proprietary software, it comes with the benefit of a large community of active business users, with a particularly strong presence on VMware community forums and at events such as VMworld. VMware organises numerous events and conferences, helping to strengthen the involvement of its community.
The worldwide OpenStack community plays a key role in the continuous improvement and expansion of the platform. Thanks to this collaborative development model, OpenStack evolves rapidly. What’s more, the community is constantly enriching documentation, self-help forums and other resources in order to support users.
Qim info will help you choose between OpenStack and VMware and deploy the solution you choose.
At Qim Info, we understand that every company has unique IT infrastructure needs. That’s why we start with an in-depth analysis of your objectives, constraints and resources, to guide you as you make a choice between OpenStack and VMware.
Drawing on our expertise in cloud management and virtualisation, we offer you an unbiased comparison of the two solutions, helping you to identify the one that fits your strategy best.
Once the decision has been made, our team of experts will support you from start to finish in the deployment of your chosen solution. Whether you opt for the flexibility of OpenStack or the robustness of VMware, we’ll make sure that integration is seamless and that no disruption is caused to your operations. From initial planning to full integration, we ensure that every step is optimised, so as to maximise the performance and security of your infrastructure.
After deployment, Qim Info stays by your side to help you make the most of your new infrastructure. We offer ongoing support and optimisation services to ensure that your solution evolves with your needs and continues to support your company’s growth.
In conclusion, although VMware and OpenStack are often perceived as rival solutions, it’s important to recognise that they can also complement each other effectively. It is not always necessary to choose between the two. Indeed, although OpenStack is more complicated to understand and deploy due to its open source nature and modularity, it can enhance the flexibility and scalability of your infrastructure. VMware, on the other hand, excels through its deep integration, ease of management and proven stability. This hybrid approach reduces dependence on VMware without completely severing ties, offering a balanced solution that combines the best of both worlds in order to meet your specific needs. Our team at Cloud & DevOps Solutions would be delighted to discuss this with you.
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