VMware rival OpenNebula has unveiled the latest iteration of its cloud and edge computing platform as it looks to position itself as an open-source substitute to the vendor.

The OpenNebula 7.0 update, dubbed “Phoenix,” includes tools specifically designed to migrate firms from VMware, with the re-virtualization offering listed proudly at the top of the update webpage.

Even the name was derived as part of the strategy to snap up customers unhappy with controversial changes to how VMware offers its software solutions, chosen to “reflect a broader industry transformation… organizations rising from aging infrastructure and rigid vendor lock-in to embrace open, sovereign, and intelligent cloud solutions.”

Tools and integrations like AI-powered DRS (Distributed Resource Scheduler), native NetApp iSCSI, and Veeam backup integration are among the features OpenNebula claims “significantly streamlines and simplifies the transition process” away from the vendor.

OneDRS, OpenNebula's AI-powered alternative to VMware DRS, is designed to help support tracking custom resources like vGPUs or software licenses, power predictive scheduling, and apply cluster-level quotas for resource consumption.

In addition to features designed to snap up VMware’s exes, the OpenNebula 7.0 update also included support for so-called AI factories, including enhanced PCI passthrough that supports Nvidia vGPUs to power AI and HPC workloads. Users are able to configure vGPU profiles and PCI devices per host or cluster, and leverage libraries of AI tools via integrations with OpenAI and Hugging Face.

Also covered in OpenNebula 7.0 are strengthened Kubernetes offerings and enhanced networking capabilities, with users able to more easily access external services like OneGate.

Ruben S. Montero, OpenNebula Systems’ chief technology advisor, wrote in a blog post: “Version 7.0 marks the first release in our next-generation series, introducing a major architectural leap with a redefined cloud-edge orchestration engine. This new foundation is designed to support distributed, sovereign, and intelligent infrastructure across hybrid and multi-provider environments.

“We are already working on version 7.2, which will continue to deliver cutting-edge innovations as part of this strategic evolution.”

Despite VMware claiming it has converted more than 87 percent of its 10,000 largest customers to its revised subscription model, that hasn’t stopped customers from jumping ship.

Among those quickly gobbling up VMware customers, aside from OpenNebula, are Nutanix, which recently told SDxCentral that its GPT-in-a-Box platform and accompanying Kubernetes offerings have helped customer numbers rise from 400 a quarter before the acquisition to around 700.