The VMware Migration Assessment Checklist is a 25-point structured discovery framework for organizations evaluating a VMware exit, covering workload inventory, dependency mapping (vSAN, NSX, vCloud Director, vRealize), network and storage redesign, multi-tenancy modelling, AI/GPU workloads, sovereignty and compliance (DORA, NIS2), operational readiness, and cost trajectory. It is aimed at infrastructure leads, platform engineers, CIO offices, and procurement teams in early evaluation. Aenix uses the same checklist during its 14-day Platform Readiness Assessment and offers it free as a downloadable PDF. The recommended destination is Cozystack, the Apache 2.0 CNCF project Aenix builds, which runs VMs and containers on one Kubernetes API via KubeVirt with Cilium networking and LINSTOR/DRBD storage.
A 25-point checklist for organizations evaluating a VMware exit. Covers inventory, dependencies, networking, storage, multi-tenancy, AI/GPU, sovereignty, and operational readiness. Used by Ænix during 14-day Platform Readiness Assessments and offered free to teams in early evaluation.
Pairs with: Ænix Public Cloud Platform for hosting providers exiting VMware Cloud Director; Private Cloud Platform for regulated enterprises exiting VCF.
What’s in the checklist
- Inventory — workload count, OS mix, criticality tiers
- Dependencies — vSAN, NSX, vCD, vRealize, custom integrations
- Network and storage redesign — what maps directly, what needs new architecture
- Multi-tenancy model — vCD organizations to Cozystack Tenant CRD
- AI/GPU workloads — VMware vGPU vs KubeVirt vGPU
- Sovereignty and compliance — DORA/NIS2 alignment, key custody
- Operational readiness — runbooks, on-call, knowledge transfer
- Cost trajectory — TCO inputs, commitment expirations, repatriation candidates
25-point checklist8 areasFree PDF
feeds
14-day Platform Readiness AssessmentTCO modellingArchitecture design
targets
Cozystack destinationVMs + containers on one Kubernetes API
Who uses this
- Infrastructure leads in early evaluation phase
- Platform engineers preparing for assessment engagement
- CIO offices preparing board recommendation
- Procurement teams scoping RFP
After downloading
The checklist gives you the structured discovery your organization can do internally. For deeper assessment with TCO modelling and architecture design, see Platform Readiness Assessment or VMware migration hub.
Ænix is the team behind Cozystack (CNCF Project), and we offer Ænix Platform — our commercial productized offering based on Cozystack.
Frequently asked questions
What does the VMware migration checklist cover?
Eight areas: workload inventory and criticality tiers, dependencies (vSAN, NSX, vCloud Director, vRealize), network and storage redesign, multi-tenancy modelling, AI/GPU workloads, sovereignty and compliance, operational readiness, and cost trajectory.
How much does the checklist cost?
It is free. The download is a lead magnet, so it asks for an email address but carries no charge or commitment.
What platform does the checklist recommend migrating to?
Cozystack, the Apache 2.0 CNCF project Aenix builds. It runs VMs and containers on one Kubernetes API using KubeVirt, with Cilium networking and LINSTOR/DRBD storage. vCloud Director organizations map to the Cozystack Tenant CRD.
How does the checklist map vCloud Director multi-tenancy?
It translates vCloud Director organizations to the Cozystack Tenant CRD, the native multi-tenancy primitive, so hosting providers can model existing tenant boundaries on the new platform.
Can I get a deeper assessment than the checklist provides?
Yes. The checklist supports internal discovery; for TCO modelling and architecture design, Aenix runs a 14-day Platform Readiness Assessment. Ænix Platform pricing starts at Basic $1,250/mo for 10 nodes, with Standard, Plus, and Enterprise tiers.
Does the checklist address AI and GPU workloads?
Yes. It compares VMware vGPU to KubeVirt vGPU so teams running GPU-backed AI/ML workloads can plan how those map onto a Kubernetes-based platform after a VMware exit.
