As organizations accelerate their digital transformation, many face a common challenge: how to modernize infrastructure without disrupting existing workloads. Traditional virtual machines (VMs) still power critical legacy applications, while containers dominate modern, cloud-native development.
So how do you bring both worlds together efficiently?
The answer lies in OpenShift Virtualization — a solution from Red Hat that allows you to run virtual machines and containers on a single, unified platform.
In this article, we’ll explore what OpenShift Virtualization is, why it matters, its key functions, and real-world use cases.
What Is OpenShift Virtualization?
OpenShift Virtualization is a feature within Red Hat OpenShift that enables organizations to run Virtual Machines (VMs) alongside containers inside the same Kubernetes cluster.
Traditionally, businesses relied on separate virtualization platforms such as VMware to manage VMs. Containers, meanwhile, operate within Kubernetes environments. This separation often leads to:
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Multiple infrastructures to maintain
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Different management tools
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Increased operational complexity
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Higher infrastructure and licensing costs
OpenShift Virtualization eliminates this divide.
Instead of managing virtualization and containerization separately, you can handle both workloads natively within Kubernetes, using a single control plane and a unified operational model.
Why Use OpenShift Virtualization?
1. One Platform, Not Two
The biggest advantage of OpenShift Virtualization is consolidation.
You no longer need:
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One infrastructure for VMs
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Another infrastructure for containers
Everything runs in one OpenShift environment. This reduces:
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Infrastructure complexity
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Operational overhead
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Tool switching
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Risk from fragmented systems
By unifying your platform, your IT team can focus on innovation instead of maintenance.
2. Kubernetes-Native VM Management
A key function of OpenShift Virtualization is enabling Kubernetes-native virtualization.
But what does that mean?
It means virtual machines are managed using the same tools, processes, and automation models as containers. Your team can:
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Deploy VMs using Kubernetes manifests
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Apply policies consistently
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Monitor workloads through the same dashboard
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Automate operations with the same orchestration tools
VMs are treated similarly to containers within the cluster — creating consistency across all workloads.
This unified approach simplifies operations and shortens the learning curve for infrastructure teams.
Key Benefits of OpenShift Virtualization
Seamless VM and Container Coexistence
With OpenShift Virtualization, VMs and containers run side by side within the same cluster. They can communicate with each other as if they are on the same network.
This is particularly valuable for organizations that:
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Are gradually modernizing applications
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Still rely on legacy systems
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Need hybrid workload environments
You don’t have to choose between traditional and cloud-native infrastructure — you can run both together.
Migration Without Application Changes
One of the biggest concerns in modernization projects is application disruption.
Imagine you have a legacy application that has been running on VMware for years. Rewriting or reconfiguring it for containers may require time, budget, and risk.
With OpenShift Virtualization, you can:
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Move the VM directly into OpenShift
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Avoid modifying the application inside the VM
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Maintain operational continuity
This allows you to modernize your infrastructure without immediately refactoring your applications.
Unified Management Console
Another powerful advantage is centralized management.
Instead of switching between:
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Virtualization dashboards
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Container orchestration tools
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Separate monitoring systems
Everything can be managed from a single OpenShift console.
This improves visibility, governance, and operational efficiency across teams.
Common Use Cases of OpenShift Virtualization
1. Migrating from Another Virtualization Platform
Organizations looking to reduce dependency on traditional virtualization vendors can migrate their workloads into OpenShift.
This enables:
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Consolidation of infrastructure
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Cost optimization
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Simplified long-term operations
Migration becomes part of a broader modernization strategy rather than a standalone project.
2. Running VM and Container Workloads Together
Many enterprises operate hybrid environments where:
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Core systems run on VMs
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New microservices are container-based
OpenShift Virtualization allows both workloads to operate within the same platform and communicate seamlessly.
This is ideal for:
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Financial institutions
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Government organizations
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Enterprises with complex legacy systems
3. Gradual Modernization Strategy
Not every organization can move to containers overnight.
OpenShift Virtualization supports phased modernization:
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Move existing VMs into OpenShift
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Gradually refactor applications into containers
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Transition fully to cloud-native architecture over time
This reduces risk and aligns modernization with business priorities.
How OpenShift Virtualization Supports Digital Transformation
Digital transformation requires agility, scalability, and operational efficiency.
By combining VM and container management into a single Kubernetes-native platform, OpenShift Virtualization helps organizations:
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Accelerate cloud adoption
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Reduce infrastructure silos
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Improve workload portability
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Simplify DevOps processes
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Increase operational consistency
Instead of maintaining parallel systems, businesses can standardize on one strategic platform.
Is OpenShift Virtualization Right for Your Organization?
You should consider OpenShift Virtualization if your organization:
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Still relies heavily on virtual machines
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Is adopting containers and Kubernetes
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Wants to reduce infrastructure complexity
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Needs a cost-efficient migration path
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Plans to modernize gradually without disruption
It provides a practical bridge between traditional virtualization and cloud-native innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is OpenShift Virtualization?
OpenShift Virtualization is a feature of Red Hat OpenShift that allows organizations to run and manage virtual machines (VMs) alongside containers within the same Kubernetes-based platform. It provides a unified approach to managing traditional and cloud-native workloads.
How does OpenShift Virtualization work?
OpenShift Virtualization uses Kubernetes-native technologies to manage virtual machines within an OpenShift cluster. This allows teams to deploy, monitor, automate, and manage VMs using many of the same tools and operational processes used for containerized applications.
What are the benefits of OpenShift Virtualization?
OpenShift Virtualization can help organizations simplify infrastructure management by running VMs and containers on a single platform. Benefits include reduced infrastructure complexity, centralized management, operational consistency, workload consolidation, and support for gradual application modernization.
Can OpenShift Virtualization run VMs and containers together?
Yes. OpenShift Virtualization allows virtual machines and containers to run side by side within the same OpenShift environment. This makes it suitable for organizations that need to maintain legacy VM-based applications while developing and deploying modern containerized workloads.
Is OpenShift Virtualization an alternative to VMware?
OpenShift Virtualization can be considered as an alternative virtualization platform for organizations evaluating their long-term infrastructure strategy. It enables VM workloads to run on OpenShift alongside containers, helping businesses consolidate virtualization and Kubernetes management on a single platform.
Can you migrate VMware virtual machines to OpenShift Virtualization?
Yes. Organizations can migrate existing VM workloads from traditional virtualization platforms into OpenShift Virtualization. This can provide a path toward infrastructure modernization while allowing applications to continue running as virtual machines before they are eventually refactored into containers, when appropriate.
What is Kubernetes-native virtualization?
Kubernetes-native virtualization means managing virtual machines using Kubernetes-based tools, APIs, and operational processes. With OpenShift Virtualization, VMs become part of the same management environment as containers, allowing teams to use a more consistent approach to deployment, automation, monitoring, and governance.
Is OpenShift Virtualization suitable for legacy applications?
Yes. OpenShift Virtualization can be useful for organizations that still depend on legacy applications that cannot easily be converted into containers. These applications can continue running as VMs while newer applications are developed and deployed as containers on the same platform.
What is the difference between OpenShift Virtualization and containers?
OpenShift Virtualization is designed to run virtual machines, while containers package applications and their dependencies into lightweight, portable workloads. VMs are useful for workloads that require a full operating system environment, while containers are commonly used for modern cloud-native applications and microservices. OpenShift Virtualization allows both approaches to coexist.
Why should businesses use OpenShift Virtualization?
Businesses may consider OpenShift Virtualization when they want to simplify infrastructure, modernize legacy workloads, adopt Kubernetes, or reduce the need to manage separate virtualization and container platforms. It provides a gradual modernization path without requiring organizations to immediately replace all existing VM-based applications.
Final Thoughts
OpenShift Virtualization represents a strategic evolution in infrastructure management.
Rather than forcing organizations to choose between VMs and containers, it allows both to coexist — fully integrated, Kubernetes-native, and managed from a single platform.
By simplifying operations, enabling seamless migration, and supporting gradual modernization, it becomes a powerful solution for enterprises navigating today’s hybrid IT landscape.
If you're planning to simplify your infrastructure, reduce dependency on multiple platforms, and move toward a Kubernetes-native future, now is the time to explore your options.
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Let’s discuss how OpenShift Virtualization can support your infrastructure strategy.
