Research Finder
Find by Keyword
Is Kubernetes VM’s Saviour?
Portworx 3.3 aims to slash VM costs, unify data, and ease Kubernetes migration amidst Broadcom's VMware shifts.
Key Highlights:
- Portworx Enterprise 3.3 extends container data management to support VM workloads at scale.
- The update aims to deliver significant cost savings compared to traditional virtualization alternatives.
- It provides a unified management plane for both VMs and containers on Kubernetes.
- The platform is designed to provide high performance read/write capabilities for KubeVirt VMs.
The News
Pure Storage has unveiled Portworx Enterprise 3.3, an update designed to extend its container data management platform to support large-scale virtual machine workloads. This move is architected to address virtualization cost concerns and simplify the transition to Kubernetes. The update aims to unify data management for VMs and containers. Find out more by reading the press release here.
Analyst Take
The ripples from Broadcom's VMware acquisition are undeniable, prompting many to reassess virtualization strategies across the enterprise landscape, even if many will remain on the VMware stack. Organizations are actively evaluating alternatives and Kubernetes (K8S) has emerged as a compelling solution for a number of workloads. The platform's capacity to support both virtual machines and containers offers a unified approach to cloud-native application development and infrastructure modernization. The key trend I am observing is that a substantial majority of enterprises are planning to migrate or modernize their VMs to Kubernetes whether they plan to migrate from VMware or not. The industry is in a state of flux.
What was Announced
Portworx Enterprise 3.3 is architected to deliver several key enhancements. Primarily, it extends the platform’s data management capabilities to include VM workloads, allowing for unified management alongside containerized applications. The introduction of RWX Block for KubeVirt VMs, running on FlashArray or across any storage vendor, is designed to enable high-performance read/write operations. Furthermore, the platform offers enterprise-grade data management and protection, including synchronized disaster recovery for VMs with zero RPO and file-level backups for Linux VMs. This granular backup and restore capability is a significant advancement. The platform also aims to deliver broad ecosystem integrations with leading KubeVirt solutions from SUSE, Spectro Cloud, and Kubermatic, in addition to its existing Red Hat collaboration. The platform is designed to allow customers to keep VMs running on Kubernetes without needing to move them to cloud-native, giving those customers time to plan their own modernization journey.
The claims of 30-50% cost savings compared to traditional alternatives are significant. However, it is important to note that actual savings will depend on specific implementation and usage patterns. The unified management plane is a compelling feature, as it simplifies operations and reduces complexity. The high-performance read/write capabilities are essential for mission-critical workloads, and the granular backup and restore options provide enhanced data protection.
Looking Ahead
As I said in the press release: “Portworx Enterprise 3.3 represents a game-changer for organizations modernizing their virtualization environment, delivering a robust, cost-efficient platform that seamlessly supports both VMs and containers on Kubernetes. With Portworx projecting cost savings of 30-50% compared to traditional alternatives, this solution empowers enterprises to optimize their infrastructure without compromising performance or scalability, making it a robust choice for production environments at scale.” - I stand by.
Looking more widely, based on what I am observing, the convergence of VM and container management on Kubernetes is a pivotal trend. The ability to manage both types of workloads from a single platform is designed to streamline operations and reduce costs. The key trend that I am going to be looking out for is the actual adoption rate of Portworx 3.3 and its impact on enterprise virtualization strategies.
When you look at the market as a whole, the announcement today continues to position Pure Storage as a key player in the Kubernetes ecosystem. The competitive landscape is intense, with other vendors also offering solutions for VM management on Kubernetes. HyperFRAME will be tracking how the company does in future quarters regarding customer satisfaction and the ability for these customers to show real-world savings - put simply, show me the receipts. Based on my analysis of the market, my perspective is that Pure Storage's strategic focus on simplifying the transition to Kubernetes is well-timed. The ability to go at one's own pace during digital transformation is a very important value proposition. The ability to keep running VMs on Kubernetes is a very powerful offering. Game on.
Steven Dickens | CEO HyperFRAME Research
Regarded as a luminary at the intersection of technology and business transformation, Steven Dickens is the CEO and Principal Analyst at HyperFRAME Research.
Ranked consistently among the Top 10 Analysts by AR Insights and a contributor to Forbes, Steven's expert perspectives are sought after by tier one media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and CNBC, and he is a regular on TV networks including the Schwab Network and Bloomberg.