VergeIO has released VergeOS 26.2, a new version of its infrastructure platform aimed at easing VMware exits for companies that still have workloads that are hard to migrate. The update brings faster virtual machine transfers, support for Microsoft Failover Clustering on top of the VergeFS distributed storage system, and a simplified setup for remote data centers that can run on a single server. The company says initial and final migration transfers can now complete up to 120% faster than in version 26.1.
VergeOS 26.2 in 30 seconds
- VergeIO has added asynchronous I/O to Network Block Device (NBD) transfers to speed up virtual machine migrations from VMware.
- The company says initial and final transfers are up to 120% faster than in VergeOS 26.1, based on its own testing.
- VergeFS now supports Microsoft Failover Clustering, with shared disks and SCSI-3 persistent reservations — a setup relevant for SQL Server clusters.
- Distributed data centers can run at remote sites with one server and two network connections, without relying on a permanent link to the core network.
- The release has been available since October 13, 2026, according to VergeIO’s announcement.
The update tackles a common problem in VMware replacement projects: conventional virtual machines tend to be migrated first, while systems with high-availability requirements, shared storage, or specific dependencies can delay the final retirement of the old environment.
VergeIO aims to cover part of those cases with a platform that combines virtualization and storage on an organization’s own servers. The stated goal is to let companies migrate more workloads without having to keep a parallel VMware infrastructure running longer than necessary. The announced improvements are relevant for weighing that possibility, though the outcome will depend on the configuration and needs of each deployment.
Faster NBD Transfers to Cut Cutover Time
VergeOS 26.2 adds asynchronous input/output (I/O) to transfers made via Network Block Device (NBD), the mechanism the platform uses to move virtual disk data during migration.
According to VergeIO, the change speeds up both the initial full transfer and the final transfer that takes place before the workload goes live in the new environment. The company puts the improvement at up to 120% compared with VergeOS 26.1, and backs the announcement with a comparison in which the updated process finishes in less than half the time.
The difference matters because a migration doesn’t depend only on how long it takes to copy the data the first time. When a virtual machine keeps running during the initial transfer, its storage blocks can change. The system has to account for those changes and sync the pending data before the final cutover.
VergeIO already used changed block tracking to reduce the work needed in that last phase. What’s new in version 26.2 is the addition of asynchronous I/O to NBD transfers, aimed at cutting copy time even further.
A shorter cutover can simplify migration planning and reduce the window during which an application has to be stopped or switch environments. That said, the 120% figure comes from testing reported by the vendor. The announcement doesn’t detail every lab condition, the sizes of the virtual machines, the storage used, or the network speeds involved. For that reason, it shouldn’t be read as a guaranteed improvement for every infrastructure.
VergeFS Adds Support for Windows and SQL Server Clusters
The second new feature targets workloads that require high availability. Microsoft Failover Clustering lets administrators group Windows servers so that certain services can keep running if one node fails. SQL Server is one of the applications that can use this architecture.
These setups require shared storage and mechanisms that coordinate how different nodes access the disks. Among them are SCSI-3 persistent reservations, which help control which systems can access particular storage resources.
Until now, these requirements could force organizations to keep a dedicated storage array or hold on to part of their VMware infrastructure while the migration was completed. In other cases, companies could end up running two hypervisors for an extended period, with the added cost and complexity of maintaining both environments.
With VergeOS 26.2, VergeIO is announcing support for Microsoft Failover Clustering on top of VergeFS, its built-in storage system. The company describes VergeFS as a solution that pools the drives available across servers to provide distributed storage without necessarily relying on an external array.
Support for shared disks and SCSI-3 persistent reservations addresses one of the technical barriers that can come up when moving Windows clusters. In the scenario VergeIO illustrates, general-purpose virtual machines are migrated first while the SQL Server cluster stays on VMware. With the new version, the cluster’s nodes can be spread across VergeOS servers and use a shared disk provided by VergeFS. Once the remaining workloads are migrated, the hardware that used to run ESXi can be folded into the new infrastructure.
This example describes the workflow the vendor proposes, not a guarantee of automatic migration for every cluster. Companies will need to check the compatibility of their Windows Server and SQL Server versions, their storage policies, their availability requirements, and their recovery procedures before making the switch in production.
One Server for Remote Data Centers
The third improvement affects organizations with multiple locations, such as stores, small offices, or distributed sites that need to run services locally and replicate data back to a central facility.
VergeIO says VergeOS 26.2 lets these remote data centers be deployed with a single server and two network connections, without requiring a connection to the core network for the site to operate. According to the announcement, the remote infrastructure can replicate back to a central VergeOS deployment.
Lowering hardware requirements can be useful in locations with limited space, limited technical staff, or modest processing needs. It can also simplify the rollout of local services that need to keep running even if communication with headquarters is interrupted.
The right setup will depend on each location’s needs. A single server doesn’t, on its own, offer the same fault tolerance as a cluster made up of several local machines, so companies will need to weigh which services can run at that level of redundancy and what recovery mechanisms they need.
VergeIO is presenting the new version as part of its strategy to replace legacy infrastructure platforms, reuse existing servers, and prepare environments for private AI workloads. Those are the company’s broader commercial talking points; the VergeOS 26.2 announcement itself focuses specifically on migration improvements, Windows clusters, and distributed deployments.
The release has been available since October 13, 2026. VergeIO has also announced a webinar for October 22 at 12:00 p.m. U.S. Central Time, where its technical staff plan to explain and demo the new capabilities. For more on how VMware customers are navigating their options since the Broadcom acquisition, see our coverage of the VMware market two years after Broadcom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does VergeOS 26.2 improve in VMware migrations?
It adds asynchronous I/O to NBD transfers. VergeIO says initial and final transfers can be up to 120% faster than in VergeOS 26.1, though actual results will depend on each environment.
Can VergeOS 26.2 migrate SQL Server clusters from VMware?
The update adds support for Microsoft Failover Clustering on top of VergeFS, with shared disks and SCSI-3 persistent reservations. Actual compatibility needs to be validated against the versions and configuration of each deployment.
What does a remote data center need with VergeOS 26.2?
According to VergeIO, it can run with one server and two network connections, without needing a connection to the core network to operate locally. Replication back to the VergeOS core keeps data communication with the central infrastructure where needed.
When is VergeOS 26.2 available?
VergeIO announced its availability on October 13, 2026. The company has published a technical data sheet for the release and a registration page for a webinar covering its new features.
