10X Faster: How BCBS Migrated VMs to Kubernetes with Portworx

BCBS of Alabama is modernizing virtualization to OpenShift but faced issues with a lagging storage vendor CSI driver blocking upgrades and VM migrations. Portworx provided a storage-agnostic solution to keep pace with OpenShift’s rapid cadence. Portworx resolved critical CSI pain, enabling upgrades, reducing OS overhead, and simplifying operations.

The Challenge

BCBS of Alabama needed to migrate their VMs to Kubernetes using OpenShift Virtualization. Their storage vendor-supplied CSI driver lagged OpenShift releases and introduced operator/VM migration issues, blocking desired upgrades and operations. The team needed a storage-agnostic solution that kept pace with OpenShift’s rapid cadence and worked across their environment.

The Solution

BCBS installed Portworx and is migrating VMs to OpenShift Virtualization. Portworx’s storage-agnostic design preserved existing storage investments while aligning with OpenShift updates. The team highlighted strong support from Portworx engineering and customer support. BCBS also aims to exit VMware for dev/tooling due to limitations and licensing concerns.

The Results

Portworx solved critical CSI/operator pain and enabled progress on OpenShift upgrades and migrations.The BCBS of Alabama team expects reduced resource and operating overhead, simpler patching and upgrades, and faster iteration as their use of containers and Kubernetes expands. A positive support experience has been a key factor in successful implementation to date.