Broadcom open-sources Kubernetes VM API, pushes for cross-platform standards
Broadcom open-sourced its VM API for Kubernetes and contributed it to the CNCF Sandbox. At KubeCon, the company also announced a new working group to standardize app behavior across Kubernetes distributions and added over 20 validated partner tools to VMware vSphere Kubernetes Service.
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30 SEC SUMMARY
- Broadcom released its VM API as open-source software and donated it to the CNCF Sandbox, creating a standard way to manage VMs with Kubernetes.
- The project lets enterprises keep their existing VM setups while treating VMs and containers the same way in Kubernetes.
- A new working group, co-chaired by Broadcom, aims to standardize how apps run across Kubernetes distributions—cutting redundant certification work for vendors.
- At KubeCon, Broadcom revealed over 20 newly validated third-party tools for VMware vSphere Kubernetes Service, bringing its total ecosystem to more than 90 vendors.
- A Linux Foundation survey found 53% of production apps still run on VMs, and 34% of organizations expanding VM use say AI workloads are a key reason.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- CNCF Sandbox takes Broadcom’s VM API
- One API for VMs and containers
- Broadcom leads push for consistent app behavior
- Broadcom adds 20+ validated tools to VKS ecosystem
- KubeCon highlights: VMs still power most AI workloads
- Building on AI and virtualization efforts
- What this means
- Key takeaways
- Sources
CNCF Sandbox takes Broadcom’s VM API
Broadcom released its VM API as open-source software and donated the project to the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF). On November 9, CNCF accepted it into the Sandbox program, marking the first industry-backed effort to standardize VM management in Kubernetes.
The API lets teams use Kubernetes’ built-in tools to provision and manage virtual machines the same way they handle containers. That means a single control plane for both, whether running on Google Cloud, AWS, or on-premises infrastructure.
One API for VMs and containers
The VM API uses Kubernetes’ declarative model to manage VMs and containers together. Teams can deploy VMs across cloud providers or on-prem hardware without sacrificing performance or security.
Prashanth Shenoy, Broadcom’s chief marketing officer for cloud platform and infrastructure, said the goal is to make VMs "first-class citizens" in Kubernetes. "Enterprises can keep their existing virtualization setups," he added. "They won’t have to replace them."
Broadcom leads push for consistent app behavior
Broadcom wants apps to behave the same way no matter which Kubernetes distribution runs them. To make that happen, the company is co-chairing a new Workload Conformance Working Group. The group will define clear expectations for app performance and reliability across platforms.
Current conformance programs only check whether a Kubernetes distribution supports standard APIs. They don’t guarantee apps will work identically everywhere. A new workload conformance standard could spare software vendors from certifying their apps separately for each distribution.
Broadcom adds 20+ validated tools to VKS ecosystem
Broadcom validated more than 20 new partner solutions for VMware vSphere Kubernetes Service (VKS) at KubeCon. That brings the total number of independent software vendors in the VKS ecosystem to over 90.
The new tools cover observability, security, data management, AI, networking and storage. Broadcom says validated partners help enterprise teams deploy Kubernetes faster and more confidently.
KubeCon highlights: VMs still power most AI workloads
Broadcom made these announcements at KubeCon North America in Salt Lake City. They reflect a broader industry shift: blending traditional enterprise apps with cloud-native and AI workloads.
A Linux Foundation survey of 492 practitioners found that VMs still run 53% of production applications. Of the organizations expanding their VM deployments, 34% cite AI and agentic workloads as a key reason.
Building on AI and virtualization efforts
In August, Broadcom updated its VMware portfolio to speed up AI deployments and cut costs. The new tools can set up private AI environments in minutes. The open-source VM API builds on that work by letting teams manage VMs and containers the same way—simplifying AI workloads.
This trend isn’t unique to Broadcom. Fortanix recently extended Confidential AI to Kubernetes through the CNCF’s Confidential Containers project. Both efforts aim to improve security and portability for AI and enterprise workloads.
What this means
Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.
Broadcom’s push to open-source its VM API and standardize app behavior across Kubernetes could eliminate the long-standing divide between VMs and containers. Enterprises may soon run AI and legacy workloads side by side without locking into a single vendor or facing extra certification costs.
Key takeaways
- Broadcom’s VM API project in CNCF Sandbox sets the stage for a single standard to manage VMs and containers in Kubernetes.
- The new Workload Conformance Working Group could remove the need for software vendors to certify apps separately for each Kubernetes distribution.
- With over 90 validated vendors now in the VKS ecosystem, enterprises can choose from a broader set of pre-tested tools for observability, security, and AI.
- Since VMs still power most production apps—especially for AI—unifying their management with containers could accelerate hybrid workload adoption.
Related on Lazyfounder
Sources
- SiliconANGLE · 2026-11-09
Broadcom open-sources its Kubernetes VM manager
This story is an original summary drafted with AI by Lazyfounder from the reporting listed above and checked by automated validation. Facts are attributed to their original publishers; sections marked as analysis are Lazyfounder's. Where a source is in another language, facts were machine-translated and quotations are reported, not reproduced. Read the original coverage via the links, and see our AI policy and corrections policy.
About the author
Editor, Lazyfounder
Tarun Mottlia edits LazyFounders, covering Indian startups, funding rounds, AI and product launches. Every story on the site is AI-assisted and checked against its cited sources before publication.
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