Mirantis k0rdent Virtualization: Bridging VMs and Containers with Modern Hybrid Infrastructure for AI and Legacy Workloads

Most enterprises today have a broad portfolio of both legacy virtualized and modern cloud native applications, making it challenging to rigorously manage heterogeneous infrastructure with different sets of tools. Mirantis k0rdent Virtualization mitigates this challenge by providing a single Kubernetes-native platform to manage both virtual machines (VMs) and containerized applications for modern distributed AI workloads.

Unified Infrastructure for Every Workload

Mirantis k0rdent Virtualization connects traditional virtualization with modern containerization. This combined approach allows organizations to adopt cloud-native practices for greenfield applications or other containerized workloads, while continuing to support VM-based workloads that are still critical to their business. Using a unified platform for both types of workloads simplifies Day 2 operations and eases technology transitions, as many organizations migrate from traditional VMware virtualization to containers and microservices.

Key Advantages: Setting k0rdent Apart

Mirantis k0rdent Virtualization distinguishes itself with three key differentiators:

Based on the k0rdent Environment

Mirantis k0rdent Virtualization uses the open source k0rdent Distributed Container Management Environment (DCME), which can deploy, manage, and scale composable Kubernetes clusters and services in public clouds and on-prem. Mirantis k0rdent Virtualization runs on Mirantis k0rdent Enterprise, which hardens and validates k0rdent, delivers it through a secure software supply chain, and backs it with enterprise support and expert onboarding and implementation services.

k0rdent leverages the open source k0s Kubernetes distribution, which has a small footprint and is self-contained with no dependencies. k0s is designed to perform well across various environments, from data centers to AI inferencing at the edge.

Flexibility and Modular Architecture

Mirantis k0rdent Virtualization is designed for adaptability. It supports a range of operating systems, including Ubuntu, RHEL, and Rocky Linux, and includes a modular architecture for integrating Container Network Interface (CNI) and Container Storage Interface (CSI) components. This modular design enables organizations to easily optimize configurations for specific use case requirements and avoid vendor lock-in.

Fully-Managed Remote Operations with OpsCare Plus

Mirantis offers OpsCare Plus, a fully-managed remote operations support offering with guaranteed service level agreements (SLAs), at a lower cost than competing products. OpsCare Plus maximizes the reliability of Mirantis k0rdent Virtualization environment and simplifies maintenance for partners and customers.

Supporting Application Modernization

Mirantis has industry-leading expertise in managing large KVM-based cloud environments, serving industry leaders such as Adobe, Booking.com, and Inmarsat. Over the years, we’ve also acquired the deep technical knowledge and real-world experience to support complex VM migrations and broader modernization efforts for demanding enterprise customers. Mirantis k0rdent Virtualization is built to provide a stable, secure, and adaptable platform for application modernization, which typically requires a phased and long-term approach.

Enabling the Growing Application Modernization Services Ecosystem

The market for application modernization services is growing, driven by the pressure businesses face to increase agility and stay competitive in their industry. Mirantis k0rdent Virtualization running on Mirantis k0rdent Enterprise offers a platform for service providers to deliver Application Modernization Services as well as other related services to aid in modernization.

An Alternative to VMware

Mirantis k0rdent Virtualization is strategically positioned as an alternative to VMware products such as vSphere, ESXi, and vRealize. It offers an intuitive web UI for VMware admins and can scale environments to hundreds of virtual machines, offering a viable alternative for production enterprise deployments.

Mirantis k0rdent Virtualization distinguishes itself as an alternative to traditional VMware virtualization in the following ways:

Open Source vs. Proprietary Platforms

Open source platforms like k0rdent and KubeVirt are built through community-driven development, offering inherent flexibility and fostering transparency. In contrast, proprietary platforms provide limited visibility into product development and roadmaps. Organizations using VMware have little control over the platform’s direction, and are susceptible to disruptive changes in not only product features, but also pricing, support and service terms, as the industry witnessed after Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware. Mirantis k0rdent Virtualization offers a more flexible, transparent, and future-proof alternative that frees organizations from vendor lock-in.

Kubernetes as a Modern Standard

Kubernetes is now widely used for managing applications and infrastructure. VMware is no longer central in key areas, such as AI, automation, and cloud-native computing. In an increasingly Kubernetes-centric world, organizations may face challenges hiring and training engineers for VMware-specific roles. Furthermore, the lack of Kubernetes integration negatively impacts key processes such as automation, the adoption of GitOps methodologies, and overall infrastructure agility. 

Embracing Future-Ready Infrastructure

Mirantis k0rdent Virtualization bridges the gap between legacy virtualization and cloud native infrastructure. By leveraging Kubernetes as the standard for modern infrastructure, and with k0rdent offering a path towards unified hybrid multi-cloud capabilities, Mirantis k0rdent Virtualization empowers enterprises with the future-proof infrastructure they need to support long-term agility and innovation.

To learn more about Mirantis k0rdent Virtualization, download the datasheet.