Architecture Led Cloud Modernization: A Framework for Enterprise Migration from VMware to OpenShift and AWS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63282/3050-922X.IJERET-V5I1P114Keywords:
Cloud Modernization, Red Hat Openshift, Aws Enterprise Migration, Kubernetes, VMware Migration, ROSA, Microservices Architecture, Application ModernizationAbstract
Enterprises are under sustained pressure to deliver software faster while improving reliability security and cost efficiency. Virtual machine centric platforms such as VMware vSphere remain highly capable for many workloads yet they often reinforce operating models built around static capacity manual change control and infrastructure coupling that slows product delivery. Container platforms and managed cloud services address these constraints by shifting elasticity resiliency and automation into the platform layer. This paper proposes an Architecture Led Cloud Modernization Framework (ALCMF) for migrating complex enterprise workloads from VMware based on premises environments to Red Hat OpenShift running on Amazon Web Services using Red Hat OpenShift Service on AWS (ROSA). Unlike tactical rehosting approaches, the framework starts with architecture and quality attributes and then selects a modernization strategy per workload. It combines migration process guidance from cloud migration literature with cloud native design principles including microservices container isolation policy driven security and automated delivery pipelines. The framework decomposes migration into five phases: discovery and dependency mapping target state design strategy selection execution and continuous optimization. For each phase the paper details practical technical decisions in networking storage identity governance observability and security controls. We also provide reference architecture for ROSA on AWS that supports multi–Availability Zone resiliency least privilege access network policy enforcement service mesh-based traffic security and measurable operational outcomes. A case study style evaluation illustrates how architecture led decisions reduce downtime, improve deployment frequency and enable systematic cost management through autoscaling and rightsizing. The result is a repeatable modernization approach that reduces migration risk while enabling a durable shift toward platform engineering and product-oriented delivery
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