Recently, we’ve been focusing on Kubernetes Virtualization a lot, both behind the scenes with and in our content. Our latest complimentary Gartner® report offering, KubeVirt Will Require Radical Changes to Traditional I&O, is no different. The report, by analyst Michael Warrilow, predicts a fundamental shift in how enterprises approach virtualization. As organizations seek alternatives to traditional hypervisors, Kubernetes-based virtualization is emerging as a strategic path forward.
The report provides valuable analysis of the KubeVirt landscape, examining both its technical capabilities and organizational impacts. It highlights how KubeVirt enables virtual machines to run alongside containers while cautioning about the operational changes required for successful adoption. The research offers practical recommendations for enterprises considering this transition, including starting with non-production workloads and aligning adoption with broader Kubernetes strategies.
Why KubeVirt Matters Now
KubeVirt isn’t as much a disruptive force as it is a natural evolution in infrastructure. OpenShift Virtualization, built on KubeVirt technology, is proving itself as more than just a developer tool – it’s maturing into a complete virtualization platform capable of enterprise workloads. What makes this approach compelling is its ability to integrate with modern Kubernetes ecosystems while maintaining the stability traditional infrastructure teams require.
The Skill Gap Concern
While it’s important for infrastructure teams to adopt DevOps practices and Kubernetes expertise, it doesn’t have to be immediate. Gartner® suggests starting small with low-risk environments like test labs or container-friendly applications. This gives teams room to learn while keeping production systems stable. We’ve seen this work well – many organizations begin by using KubeVirt for developer environments before moving to critical workloads.
The key is finding tools that bridge the gap. Solutions like OpenShift Virtualization give teams familiar management interfaces while everything else happens under the hood. The goal isn’t to transform your team immediately, but to help them adapt to new tools while maintaining operational stability.
The Advantages of Kubernetes Virtualization
The true value of KubeVirt is in its potential to modernize infrastructure without creating vendor lock-in. Organizations with this approach gain:
- Reduced dependence on proprietary hypervisors
- A unified platform for both VM and container workloads
- Automated operations that simplify management
Crucially, this decision doesn’t require abandoning existing operational models or forcing cultural changes where they aren’t needed.
The Next Steps
If you’re thinking about virtualization options, this report gives you exactly what to expect with KubeVirt. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows – there are real challenges to work through – but the potential payoff makes it worth a look.
We’re offering the full report complimentary because we think it’s important information for anyone running infrastructure today. Grab your copy, give it a read, and see where KubeVirt might fit in your plans.
Disclaimers
Gartner, KubeVirt Will Require Radical Changes to Traditional I&O, Michael Warrilow, 24 February 2025
Gartner is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.
Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Garter disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research. Including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
