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Businesses everywhere are strategically investing in private cloud infrastructure for enhanced control, security, and to meet specific compliance requirements. However, navigating the landscape of available tools can be challenging. Choosing the right platform for managing both your traditional virtual machines (VMs) and modern containerized applications is crucial for long-term success.

This blog post dives into a comparative analysis of leading private cloud solutions – VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF), Microsoft Azure Stack HCI, Red Hat OpenShift, SUSE Rancher (and Harvester) providing insights to help you make informed decisions.

Understanding the Landscape: A Comparative Look

Understanding the Landscape: A Comparative Look

Feature VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) Microsoft Azure Stack HCI Red Hat OpenShift SUSE Rancher (and Harvester)
Primary Focus Integrated platform for VMs and containers; a complete software-defined data center (SDDC) stack. HCI operating system delivered as an Azure service to extend on-premises infrastructure with Azure capabilities. Container orchestration platform built on Kubernetes. Kubernetes management platform for multiple clusters.
VM Management Native and deeply integrated via vSphere. Part of a unified, highly mature platform with vSAN and NSX. Native via Hyper-V. Part of the core architecture and leverages familiar Windows Server tools. Managed via OpenShift Virtualization (KubeVirt). VMs are treated as Kubernetes pods. Managed via Harvester, a Kubernetes-native HCI. Integrated with Rancher for a single management plane.
Container Management Integrated via VMware Tanzu. Provides a Kubernetes distribution and management tools built into the VCF stack. Integrated via Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), which is enabled by Azure Arc. A tight integration with Azure. Native and core capability. OpenShift is a comprehensive enterprise Kubernetes platform. Native and core capability. Rancher’s primary purpose is to simplify Kubernetes cluster management.
Underlying Architecture Virtualization-first. Built on the foundational vSphere hypervisor, with a software-defined stack for storage (vSAN), networking (NSX), and management (Aria). Hypervisor-first (Hyper-V). A subscription-based OS that runs on validated hardware and is tightly coupled with Azure. Kubernetes-native. Built on Kubernetes and the Linux operating system (RHEL). Virtualization is an add-on. Kubernetes-native HCI. Harvester is built on Kubernetes with KVM. Rancher is a management layer.
Operational Model Consistent and unified. A single, automated lifecycle for the entire stack (vSphere, vSAN, NSX, Tanzu) managed by SDDC Manager. Hybrid-centric. Managed via Windows Admin Center and the Azure portal, providing a single pane of glass for both on-premises and cloud resources. Developer-centric. Focuses on empowering developers with a rich set of tools and services. Simplifies multi-cluster management. Provides a single GUI for managing many Kubernetes clusters from different providers.
Security Intrinsic security with NSX for micro-segmentation and firewalling built into the platform at the network layer. Built-in security with features like Virtualization-based Security (VBS) and Azure-based security services via Azure Arc. Built-in security with extensive features like container scanning, image signing, and granular access control. Focus on cluster security. Provides security hardening guides and CIS benchmark scans for Kubernetes clusters.
Integrated Billing & Chargeback Integrated via VMware Aria Operations for billing and cost management. Provides showback and chargeback capabilities for departments and users based on resource consumption. Billing is tied to the Azure subscription, but third-party tools are required for granular chargeback and showback within the on-premises environment. Requires third-party tools or manual configuration with Red Hat Insights Cost Management. It is not an out-of-the-box feature for multi-tenancy. No native integrated billing. Requires integration with third-party tools for chargeback/showback based on resource usage.
Approximate Cost High. Sold as a subscription per physical core. A typical price is ~$350/core/year. This includes a full software stack (vSphere, vSAN, NSX, Tanzu, and Aria). Moderate to Low. Billed per physical core on a monthly basis, approx. ~$10/core/month for the base HCI OS. The cost can be zero if you have a Windows Server Datacenter with Software Assurance. Additional Azure services are billed separately. High. Generally priced per vCPU or per core. Can be very expensive, especially for larger on-prem deployments, but offers substantial value for cloud-native development. Low to Moderate. Free open-source version available. Enterprise support is subscription-based, often per node. The cost is typically lower than VCF or OpenShift.
Ideal Use Case Organisations seeking a pre-integrated, turnkey private cloud with a consistent operational model for both VMs and containers. Ideal for enterprises with an existing VMware footprint. Businesses with a strong Microsoft ecosystem and a desire for deep integration with Azure services. Perfect for a Windows-first strategy. Businesses focused on accelerating cloud-native development and modernizing applications. Best for container-first strategies. Teams that need to manage multiple, diverse Kubernetes clusters from a single control plane. Also good for small-scale HCI deployments.
Summary and Recommendations

Summary and Recommendations

Choosing the right private cloud platform is a significant decision that can impact your IT agility, efficiency, and overall business strategy. Here’s a summary of our findings and some tailored recommendations:

  • VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF): VCF emerges as a robust, highly integrated platform ideal for organisations with a significant existing VMware investment looking for a seamless evolution to a hybrid cloud with consistent operations. While the cost can be higher, the deep integration and automation across the entire SDDC stack can lead to long-term operational efficiencies.
    Recommendation: Well-suited for established enterprises with a strong VMware footprint seeking a comprehensive and mature private cloud solution capable of handling both VMs and containers with integrated management.
  • Microsoft Azure Stack HCI: This offering is a compelling choice for businesses deeply invested in the Microsoft ecosystem. Its tight integration with Azure services via Azure Arc provides a hybrid-first approach with familiar Windows Server tools. The cost can be attractive, especially for those with existing Microsoft licensing.
    Recommendation: A strong contender for businesses heavily reliant on Microsoft technologies and looking for a seamless extension of their on-premises environment with Azure hybrid capabilities.
  • Red Hat OpenShift: OpenShift is the platform of choice for organisations prioritising cloud-native application development and embracing a container-first strategy. While it can manage VMs, its strength lies in its comprehensive Kubernetes capabilities and developer-focused tooling. The cost can be substantial, but the value for accelerating application modernization is significant.
    Recommendation: Ideal for software development companies or businesses undergoing significant digital transformation and prioritising containerized applications and developer productivity.
  • SUSE Rancher (and Harvester): Rancher offers a flexible and cost-effective solution for managing multiple Kubernetes clusters across various environments. Combined with Harvester, it provides a Kubernetes-native HCI for VM management. It’s a strong option for organizations seeking to avoid vendor lock-in and manage diverse Kubernetes deployments.
    Recommendation: A good fit for businesses looking for a more open and flexible approach to container management across hybrid environments, potentially with a lower entry cost compared to some alternatives.

Get Expert Guidance for Your Hybrid Cloud Journey

Get Expert Guidance for Your Hybrid Cloud Journey

Ultimately, the best private cloud solution for your business depends on your specific requirements, existing infrastructure, team expertise, and budget. We encourage you to conduct a thorough evaluation and potentially pilot different platforms to determine the optimal fit for your organisation’s unique needs.

Talk to our experts at Crayon to help craft your pathway to a Hybrid Cloud that is future proof.

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