UK — The Register

Architect creates open-source replacement for VM migration tool VMware has hidden

SoftwareNovember 3, 20261 min read

A cloud architect has built a free, open-source tool called OpenVDDK. It copies the job of a VMware tool that VMware pulled from public downloads, and it helps people move virtual machines away from VMware.

What happened

VMware removed public downloads of its Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK). Cloud architect Andrija Panić then wrote a replacement called OpenVDDK. It lets other tools read the virtual disks of a virtual machine (a computer that runs inside another computer). Many migration tools use this to move data off VMware.

Why VDDK mattered

VDDK is a set of code libraries that software can use to read and change virtual disks. Users and VMware's rivals also used it to move virtual machines to other platforms. In August, VMware limited VDDK downloads to its partners, so customers could no longer get it and some migration tools became less useful.

Key facts

OpenVDDK is released under the Apache license, which is a free open-source license.
It was tested on VMware vSphere versions 6.7 U3, 7.0.3, 8.0.3 and 9.1.1.
It can only read disks, not write to them. It is meant for backup and migration.
Reports say a German cloud provider used it to migrate a large file server, and a US company used it to move to Apache CloudStack/KVM.

Why it matters

People should be able to move or back up their own data without depending on one company's download page. OpenVDDK gives migration tools a way to keep working. Panić also says the reports are not formal audits, so users should still test it carefully before relying on it.

What to watch

Whether Red Hat and other companies use OpenVDDK to fix their migration tools.
Whether more businesses report success using it in real production systems.
How other options, such as OpenNebula's OneSwap and Nutanix's Move tool, compare over time.

Glossary

VDDK: VMware's Virtual Disk Development Kit, a set of code libraries that let software read and change virtual disks.
OpenVDDK: A free, open-source replacement for VDDK that can read virtual disks for backup and migration.
VMware: A company that makes software for running many virtual machines on one physical server.
Apache license: A free software license that lets people use, change and share the code.
OneSwap: A migration tool from OpenNebula for moving workloads away from VMware.

Tuesday: SUSE cuts many jobs, US newspapers sue Brave Software

Linux company SUSE has announced a sweeping round of layoffs, with its CEO citing automation and AI as the reason for what he called a "painful decision." Separately, the New York Times and other US newspapers have sued Brave Software in federal court in Manhattan over alleged copyright infringement and unauthorized use of articles for AI training. Reports say about a tenth of SUSE's staff face dismissal.

SoftwareArs TechnicaNov 3

Googling "Zelda" today offers a glimpse of how search worked in 1998

Searching "Zelda" or "Ocarina of Time" on Google triggers a search Easter egg that transforms the results page into a retro 1998-style layout. An animated Master Sword in the corner activates a time-skipping animation, leading to a simple list of blue links with retro Google branding. The page shows seven curated links, such as Nintendo's official Zelda page, Wikipedia, and Amazon, rather than a real search, in celebration of the upcoming Ocarina of Time remaster.

SoftwareTechCrunchNov 3

Web host Squarespace lays off 19% of its employees

Squarespace, a web company that helps customers build and host websites, is laying off about 19% of its global workforce, roughly 300 employees, as part of a restructuring. The company said the changes are meant to simplify operations, sharpen priorities and help it move faster as it pursues its next phase of growth. The cuts come as AI-driven "vibe-coding" website builders have reshaped the industry, and Squarespace has pushed into AI with its Blueprint tool and upcoming Forma platform.

Softwareheise onlineNov 3

Legacy Modernization Challenge: Strategies for the Future

Legacy software systems remain widespread in companies and public bodies because they are stable, reliable, and high-performing, but integrating them with modern innovations is difficult. Modernization carries risks such as system outages and compliance problems, since these systems hold decades of business logic, so projects are often delayed. The article outlines how organizations can approach the transformation systematically, combining strategic, technical, and organizational measures.