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OpenVDDK released as open-source replacement for restricted VMware disk libraries

Brief written by the FOSSWire AI editor from The Register How we write

1 min read

Key Takeaway

OpenVDDK provides a drop-in, read-only replacement for VMware's libvixDiskLib to enable VM migration and backups without proprietary tools.

Summary

Cloud architect Andrija Panić has launched OpenVDDK, an open-source project designed to replace VMware's Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK). This development follows VMware's decision in August to restrict VDDK downloads to partners only, which hindered the ability of users and competitors to migrate virtual machines or perform backups.

OpenVDDK is written in Go with a thin C layer to ensure it functions as a direct replacement for the proprietary libvixDiskLib.so.8.0.3 library. While it is limited to read-only operations for disk access, it aims to restore functionality to various migration pipelines and backup utilities that rely on VMware's disk-reading capabilities.

Technical implementation and compatibility

  • Architecture: The tool is implemented in Go and utilizes a thin C layer to expose the exact same C interface, library name, and symbol versions as the original VMware code.
  • Functionality Scope: The library is strictly read-only, supporting disk access for backup and migration tasks but lacking any write capabilities.
  • Compatibility Testing: The project has been verified against vSphere versions 6.7 U3, 7.0.3, 8.0.3, and 9.1.1, with successful disk read matches reported on standalone ESXi hosts via vCenter.
  • Integration Support: It is designed to work with existing tools such as virt-v2v, nbdkit, Proxmox VE, Apache CloudStack, Forklift, and Migration Toolkit for OpenShift (MTV).

Why it matters

This release provides a critical workaround for Linux administrators and cloud providers needing to migrate workloads away from VMware without proprietary dependencies. By offering an Apache-licensed alternative, it empowers open-source virtualization platforms like KVM and Proxmox to maintain reliable migration paths for enterprise customers.

What to do

  • If you rely on VMware migration or backup tools that need libvixDiskLib.so.8.0.3, consider evaluating OpenVDDK as a drop-in replacement.
  • Watch for compatibility with your specific vSphere version, as testing has been reported on versions 6.7 U3, 7.0.3, 8.0.3, and 9.1.1.
  • Be aware this is a read-only library: it supports backup and migration but cannot write to disks.
  • Note that successful production use has been reported but is not independently audited, so test thoroughly in your environment before relying on it.

Original reference: www.theregister.com →