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    How to seamlessly migrate VMware to AWS (updated 2026)

    JAN. 31, 2025
    7 Min Read
    by
    Lumenalta
    Migrating VMware workloads to AWS provides a direct path to scalable, cost-efficient infrastructure without the limitations of on-premises hardware.
    Organizations looking to modernize their IT operations can reduce infrastructure overhead, optimize workload performance, and integrate with cloud-native services. With careful planning and the right migration strategy, workloads can transition seamlessly while maintaining security, compliance, and operational continuity. A structured approach ensures that businesses maximize the benefits of AWS while controlling costs and minimizing disruptions.
    Key takeaways
    • 1. Migrating VMware workloads to AWS reduces infrastructure costs, increases scalability, and integrates applications with cloud-native services.
    • 2. Selecting the right migration strategy—lift-and-shift, replatforming, or refactoring—determines how workloads transition and optimize within AWS.
    • 3. VMware Cloud on AWS provides a dedicated VMware environment within AWS, making hybrid cloud deployment easier without major reconfigurations.
    • 4. Post-migration monitoring using AWS tools ensures security, cost control, and system performance while maintaining compliance.
    • 5. Optimizing AWS costs after migration involves right-sizing resources, selecting cost-effective pricing models, and managing data transfer expenses.

    Overview of VMware and AWS ecosystems

    Enterprises rely on VMware and AWS to manage workloads, enhance scalability, and support digital infrastructure. VMware specializes in virtualization, offering a software-defined approach that optimizes on-premises and hybrid cloud environments. It provides workload mobility, centralized management, and integration capabilities that simplify IT operations. AWS delivers a broad set of cloud computing services, including compute, storage, networking, and machine learning, allowing organizations to scale resources on demand while maintaining high availability.
    IT teams often migrate VMware workloads to AWS to reduce infrastructure costs, improve system resilience, and exploit cloud-native capabilities. AWS supports various migration approaches, allowing organizations to move workloads with minimal disruption. Careful planning is required to maintain performance, security, and compliance throughout the transition. Understanding how VMware and AWS align helps businesses select the right migration strategy, optimize workload performance, and control costs effectively.

    “Migrating VMware workloads to AWS provides a direct path to scalable, cost-efficient infrastructure without the limitations of on-premises hardware.”

    VMware to AWS migration benefits and disadvantages

    Shifting VMware workloads to AWS introduces opportunities for scalability, cost savings, and access to advanced cloud services. Many organizations choose this approach to reduce reliance on physical infrastructure, improve operational efficiency, and extend IT capabilities. While cloud adoption simplifies many aspects of workload management, it also presents cost, security, and system compatibility challenges. A well-structured migration strategy minimizes risks and maximizes long-term benefits.

    Benefits of migrating VMware to AWS

    • Greater scalability and flexibility: Cloud-based infrastructure removes hardware limitations, allowing workloads to expand based on need. VMware environments often require on-premises servers with fixed capacity, making adjustments more complex. Running VMware on AWS provides access to flexible computing power, making it easier to meet workload requirements without additional hardware investments.
    • Lower infrastructure costs and operational overhead: Moving VMware workloads to AWS eliminates capital expenses associated with data centers, physical maintenance, and hardware upgrades. Cloud pricing models, including Reserved Instances and Savings Plans, reduce long-term costs while matching spending to actual usage. IT teams also gain efficiency by shifting routine maintenance tasks, such as patching and system monitoring, to AWS services.
    • Access to cloud-native services and modernization pathways: AWS provides an extensive range of cloud-based services that complement VMware environments. With managed database solutions, automation tools, and scalable storage options, application modernization becomes more attainable. Running VMware workloads on AWS creates a foundation for incremental cloud adoption, allowing organizations to modernize applications over time without disrupting core operations.
    • Stronger disaster recovery and business continuity: Failover strategies improve with AWS's global infrastructure, which supports workload replication across multiple regions. Organizations can implement cloud-based disaster recovery to reduce downtime risks and improve resilience against hardware failures. Automated backups, failover clusters, and point-in-time recovery provide additional protection against data loss.
    • Improved global access and workload distribution: AWS offers a broad network of data centers, supporting lower latency and better performance for distributed teams and customers. Workloads can be deployed closer to end users, reducing delays and improving reliability. This is especially useful for organizations with geographically dispersed operations that require consistent system performance across different regions.

    Disadvantages of migrating VMware to AWS

    • Compatibility and reconfiguration challenges: Some applications may require modifications before running efficiently in AWS. Custom configurations, legacy dependencies, or specialized integrations can introduce complexity. A pre-migration assessment helps identify potential issues and determine the level of reconfiguration required.
    • Network performance and latency concerns: Cloud migration introduces new networking considerations. Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) configurations, security group policies, and data transfer optimization require careful planning. Latency-sensitive applications may require fine-tuning to maintain performance, particularly in hybrid or multi-cloud deployments.
    • Security and compliance modifications: On-premises security models do not always translate directly to cloud environments. AWS follows a shared responsibility model, meaning organizations must configure identity and access controls, encryption, and network security according to cloud best practices. Compliance audits may require additional adjustments to data protection and governance policies.
    • Knowledge gaps and training requirements: IT teams managing traditional VMware environments may need additional training to work effectively with AWS tools and cloud-based operations. Learning automation, infrastructure-as-code, and cloud networking concepts requires time and hands-on experience. Training programs and certification pathways help teams develop the necessary expertise for cloud management.
    • Initial migration expenses and workload testing: Although AWS provides long-term cost benefits, migration involves upfront expenses, including data transfer fees, reconfiguration efforts, and possible third-party consulting services. Testing workloads in AWS before full-scale deployment helps reduce risks and improve migration accuracy. Selecting the right migration strategy minimizes unexpected costs and operational disruptions.
    A well-planned VMware to AWS migration enhances flexibility, reduces infrastructure burdens, and expands access to modern cloud services. Addressing potential challenges early allows IT teams to optimize workloads while maintaining security, compliance, and performance requirements.

    Planning your VMware to AWS migration

    Successful VMware to AWS migration requires a structured plan that minimizes disruptions and aligns with business priorities. Every workload has unique dependencies, security requirements, and performance considerations, making assessing existing infrastructure essential before migrating. Identifying the right strategy and tools helps streamline the process and prevent unexpected setbacks.
    A thorough assessment of current VMware workloads provides insights into application dependencies, licensing constraints, and network configurations. Mapping workloads to AWS services allows IT teams to determine the most effective migration approach through lift-and-shift, re-platforming, or full application modernization. Security and compliance requirements must also be evaluated to maintain data protection and regulatory adherence.
    Stakeholder alignment plays a key role in migration success. Engaging IT, finance, and security teams early in the process helps establish expectations around cost, performance, and governance. Testing workloads in a non-production AWS environment provides a clearer picture of post-migration performance and identifies potential compatibility issues before full deployment.
    Clear timelines, cost estimates, and risk mitigation strategies support a smooth transition. A well-planned approach minimizes downtime, optimizes resource allocation, and allows IT teams to focus on operational improvements once workloads run in AWS. Proper planning ensures that the migration delivers measurable benefits, such as improved efficiency, reduced infrastructure costs, and enhanced scalability.

    Step-by-step guide on how to migrate VMware to AWS

    Shifting VMware workloads to AWS requires a structured approach that minimizes disruptions, optimizes resources, and aligns with business priorities. Every workload has unique requirements, making it essential to assess the current infrastructure, define a strategy, and select the right tools before migration. A well-executed plan supports operational continuity, cost efficiency, and long-term scalability.
    Each phase of the migration process plays a key role in ensuring a smooth transition. A detailed assessment of the existing VMware environment helps IT teams understand workload dependencies, security configurations, and performance baselines. Choosing the right migration strategy allows organizations to move applications efficiently without compromising stability. Testing workloads in AWS before full deployment identifies potential compatibility issues, reducing the risk of unexpected failures.

    1. Assess existing VMware workloads

    A comprehensive evaluation of the current VMware infrastructure clarifies application performance, security requirements, and workload dependencies. Key areas to examine include:
    • Compute, storage, and networking configurations
    • Application dependencies and licensing considerations
    • Security policies and regulatory compliance standards
    • Current resource utilization and capacity planning
    A clear understanding of these factors allows IT teams to map VMware workloads to appropriate AWS services while avoiding unnecessary costs and performance issues.

    2. Define the migration strategy

    The right migration strategy depends on workload complexity, performance goals, and modernization plans. The most common approaches include:
    • Lift-and-shift (rehosting): Moves VMware workloads to AWS with minimal changes, using services like AWS Application Migration Service.
    • Replatforming: Introduces optimizations like switching databases or implementing auto-scaling features while maintaining the core application architecture.
    • Refactoring: Redesigns applications to take full advantage of AWS-native services, improving efficiency and long-term cost savings.
    Establishing a migration timeline, cost estimates, and performance benchmarks helps IT teams manage risks and maintain system availability.

    3. Set up AWS infrastructure

    Preparing AWS resources before migration reduces downtime and improves workload stability. This phase involves:
    • Creating an AWS account and configuring Identity and Access Management (IAM) roles
    • Establishing Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) settings for secure networking
    • Setting up Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) instances and Amazon Elastic Block Store (EBS) volumes
    • Defining security groups, encryption policies, and firewall settings
    Pre-configured environments simplify workload deployment while maintaining security and compliance requirements.

    4. Choose the right migration tools

    AWS provides several tools to support VMware workload migration. Selecting the appropriate tool depends on the complexity of the migration:
    • AWS Application Migration Service (MGN): Automates rehosting by replicating workloads in real-time.
    • VMware Cloud on AWS: Extends on-premises VMware environments into AWS for hybrid cloud flexibility.
    • AWS Snowball Edge: Transfers large volumes of data when network bandwidth is limited.
    Selecting the right tool improves migration speed and reduces operational risks.

    5. Migrate workloads to AWS

    Executing the migration requires careful coordination to maintain business continuity. This includes:
    • Replicating VMware workloads in AWS using the selected migration tool
    • Testing applications in AWS to confirm data integrity and performance
    • Conducting incremental workload transfers to minimize service disruptions
    • Implementing rollback procedures in case adjustments are needed
    A controlled migration process prevents downtime and ensures a seamless transition for end users.

    6. Optimize and validate performance

    Post-migration tuning helps align AWS resources with workload requirements. IT teams should:
    • Right-size compute and storage allocations to optimize costs
    • Configure auto-scaling, load balancing, and monitoring tools
    • Verify security policies and access controls
    • Use AWS CloudWatch and AWS Trusted Advisor to monitor application health
    Continuous performance tracking helps identify optimization opportunities while maintaining system reliability.

    7. Decommission legacy VMware infrastructure

    Once workloads are stable in AWS, legacy VMware environments can be phased out to eliminate unnecessary costs. The final steps include:
    • Validating application stability and user experience in AWS
    • Retiring or repurposing on-premises VMware hardware
    • Updating documentation, access controls, and operational procedures
    Shifting VMware workloads to AWS provides scalability, cost savings, and access to advanced cloud services. A structured approach allows IT teams to manage risks, streamline migration, and maximize long-term value.

    Migrating VMware Cloud on AWS

    VMware Cloud on AWS offers a seamless way to extend VMware environments into the cloud without rearchitecting workloads. This service provides a dedicated VMware infrastructure running on AWS, allowing IT teams to migrate applications with minimal modifications while maintaining existing management tools, security configurations, and operational processes. Organizations that require a hybrid cloud strategy or need to offload on-premises capacity without disrupting critical applications often select VMware Cloud on AWS as a preferred migration option.
    The migration begins with setting up a VMware Cloud on AWS Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC). This environment includes VMware vSphere, vSAN, and NSX, providing a fully managed VMware stack that integrates directly with AWS services. Once the SDDC is configured, workloads can be moved using VMware HCX, a tool that automates live migration, bulk migration, and network extension.
    Running VMware workloads on AWS offers several benefits. Organizations retain full control over VMware-based applications while gaining access to AWS-native services to modernize workloads over time. This approach supports hybrid deployments, making shifting workloads between on-premises infrastructure and AWS easier without rewriting applications. Networking between VMware Cloud on AWS and native AWS services is simplified through direct integrations, enabling workloads to interact with cloud-based databases, analytics tools, and machine learning services.
    While VMware Cloud on AWS simplifies migration, cost considerations must be evaluated. The service follows a subscription-based pricing model, and resource allocations should be optimized to prevent unnecessary expenses. Monitoring usage and adjusting instance sizes based on workload demand helps control costs while maintaining performance.
    Organizations that utilize VMware Cloud on AWS benefit from operational consistency, improved scalability, and direct access to AWS’s global infrastructure. This migration option provides a straightforward way to shift workloads to the cloud while maintaining compatibility with existing VMware-based environments.

    “AWS pricing models, including Reserved Instances and Savings Plans, reduce long-term costs while matching spending to actual usage.”

    Post-migration monitoring checklist

    Once VMware workloads run on AWS, ongoing monitoring is essential to maintain performance, security, and cost efficiency. A structured post-migration checklist helps IT teams track key metrics, identify optimization opportunities, and prevent service disruptions. Regular audits ensure that workloads operate as expected while aligning with business goals.
    • Verify workload performance: Measure CPU, memory, and disk utilization against pre-migration benchmarks. AWS CloudWatch provides real-time monitoring to detect performance bottlenecks.
    • Monitor network connectivity: Check Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) configurations, security group rules, and latency levels to confirm that applications communicate properly across AWS resources.
    • Validate security settings: Audit IAM roles, access controls, encryption policies, and firewall rules to prevent unauthorized access and meet compliance requirements.
    • Optimize resource utilization: Identify overprovisioned instances and unused storage volumes. AWS Trusted Advisor offers recommendations for reducing costs without impacting workload stability.
    • Check backup and disaster recovery configurations: Confirm that backup schedules, retention policies, and disaster recovery plans align with business continuity requirements. AWS Backup and AWS Disaster Recovery provide automated failover solutions.
    • Assess cost efficiency: Review AWS Cost Explorer and AWS Billing reports to track spending, identify unexpected charges, and adjust resource allocation as needed.
    • Ensure software licensing compliance: Verify that applications running on AWS adhere to licensing agreements, especially for VMware-specific software and third-party solutions.
    • Conduct user acceptance testing: Gather end-user feedback to confirm that migrated applications function correctly and meet performance expectations.
    • Enable logging and alerts: Configure AWS CloudTrail, AWS Config, and Amazon GuardDuty to log system activity, track configuration changes, and detect security threats.
    • Document system changes and update operational procedures: Maintain up-to-date documentation reflecting AWS configurations, security policies, and workload management practices.
    A well-maintained monitoring strategy improves system reliability, optimizes resource usage, and prevents unexpected disruptions. Regular reviews and adjustments help IT teams maximize the benefits of running VMware workloads on AWS while maintaining security, compliance, and cost control.

    Optimizing VMware to AWS migration costs

    Managing costs effectively after migrating VMware workloads to AWS is essential for maximizing financial returns and avoiding unnecessary expenses. Cloud-based infrastructure introduces flexibility, but resource consumption can escalate without proper optimization, leading to higher operational costs. A structured cost-management approach helps organizations align spending with business objectives while maintaining workload efficiency.
    AWS offers various pricing models that reduce long-term costs. Reserved Instances and Savings Plans provide discounted rates for predictable workloads, while Spot Instances allow organizations to take advantage of excess AWS capacity at reduced prices. Right-sizing compute and storage resources based on actual workload demand prevents overprovisioning, helping IT teams control spending without sacrificing performance.
    Storage costs can be managed by selecting the right Amazon Elastic Block Store (EBS) volume types and optimizing data retention policies. Archiving infrequently accessed data using Amazon S3 Glacier reduces storage expenses while maintaining compliance with data retention requirements. Automated lifecycle policies help transition data between storage classes based on usage patterns, minimizing storage-related costs. Network costs should also be considered when running VMware workloads on AWS. Data transfer between availability zones, regions, and on-premises infrastructure can impact billing. Implementing Amazon VPC endpoints reduces cross-region data transfer fees, while content delivery solutions like Amazon CloudFront optimize bandwidth usage.
    Cost visibility tools such as AWS Cost Explorer and AWS Budgets provide real-time insights into cloud spending. Setting budget thresholds and automated alerts allows IT teams to track usage and adjust resources proactively. Periodic cost audits help identify inefficiencies and refine resource allocations. Managing licensing fees for VMware and third-party software is another key factor in cost optimization. Consolidating licensing agreements and utilizing Bring Your Own License (BYOL) models helps organizations maintain compliance while reducing licensing costs.
    A cost-conscious approach to VMware to AWS migration ensures that workloads operate efficiently while controlling expenses. Continuous monitoring, resource right-sizing, and strategic use of AWS pricing models help businesses maximize financial benefits while maintaining workload performance and scalability.
    Cloud migration is more than just moving workloads—it’s an opportunity to build a brighter, more resilient infrastructure. AWS provides the scalability and efficiency needed to optimize operations while controlling costs. At Lumenalta, we specialize in delivering tailored cloud solutions that align with business goals, giving you the flexibility to grow. Let’s build a future-ready infrastructure together.
    table-of-contents

    Common questions about migrating VMware to AWS

    How do I migrate VMware workloads to AWS without downtime?

    What are the cost considerations for VMware to AWS migration?

    Is VMware Cloud on AWS better than rehosting VMware workloads in AWS?

    How can I maintain security when migrating VMware workloads to AWS?

    What are the biggest challenges when migrating VMware workloads to AWS?

    Want to learn how cloud migration services can bring more transparency and trust to your operations?

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