FEATUREDApplication Development & Modernization
REUEL MURRAY | Principal Solutions Architect
Last week in Washington, D.C., Nutanix unveiled a series of announcements at its annual NEXT conference with significant implications for enterprise IT strategies. BlueAlly attended the conference, and we highlighted the most critical insights that could transform your infrastructure decisions in the year ahead.
Cloud Native Receives Significant Boost with AOS General Availability Launch
After a three-year wait since the original “Project Beacon” announcement, Nutanix has launched Cloud Native AOS, which is now generally available. This innovation empowers organizations to extend Nutanix’s respected storage and data services to Kubernetes environments without relying on traditional hypervisors.
For organizations advancing containerized application strategies, this means:
- Deploying AOS software directly as Kubernetes containers in cloud or bare-metal setups
- Native support for Amazon EKS at launch, with additional platforms expected to follow
- Eliminating performance-draining nested virtualization
- Seamlessly running Nutanix data services alongside container workloads
This development establishes Nutanix as a strong contender in the cloud-native market, where traditional HCI vendors have struggled to gain a foothold.
Enterprise AI Progresses Beyond “GPT-in-a-Box”
The upgraded Nutanix Enterprise AI (NAI) illustrates Nutanix’s dedication to making enterprise AI deployment feasible rather than merely theoretical. Moving well past last year’s “GPT-in-a-Box” model, NAI now boasts deeper Nvidia integration and advanced agentic functions.
Notable advancements include:
- Streamlined deployment and management of AI agents across varied environments
- A centralized LLM repository featuring secure endpoints for AI applications
- Full compatibility with Nvidia’s Nemo framework and NIM inference microservices
- Enterprise-grade AI workflows equipped with essential guardrails, re-ranking, and embedding capabilities
For organizations cautiously venturing into generative AI while maintaining governance and security, NAI offers a well-structured path forward that harmonizes innovation with oversight.
Surpassing the Storage Barrier: External Storage Collaborations
One of the most pivotal architectural changes is Nutanix’s new embrace of external storage through two major partnerships that fundamentally alter their go-to-market strategy.
Dell PowerFlex Integration
Nutanix announced the general availability of its Dell PowerFlex support, marking the first time Nutanix supports separating storage from compute within their traditional HCI model:
- Nutanix Cloud Platform with AHV for compute paired with Dell PowerFlex for storage
- Support for massive 150TB Direct Flash Modules, with 300TB drives on the horizon
- NVMe/TCP interconnection for enhanced performance
- Robust enterprise features, including asynchronous replication, with ActiveDR and ActiveCluster capabilities planned for the future
Pure Storage FlashArray Partnership
This highly anticipated partnership unites two trailblazers in infrastructure:
- Scaling capabilities of up to ten storage arrays and 20 controllers
- Enhanced data reduction using both compression and deduplication
- NVMe/TCP interconnection to support high-performance workloads
- Anticipated integration with Cisco’s FlashStack converged infrastructure platform
These alliances significantly broaden Nutanix’s addressable market and offer enterprises with established storage systems flexibility.
Expanding Multi-Cloud Reach with NC2
Nutanix Cloud Clusters (NC2) continues to evolve with two key developments:
- Google Cloud support is transitioning from private preview to wider availability, completing Nutanix’s coverage across all three primary hyperscalers.
- Support for AWS’s latest Intel i7 Sapphire Rapids CPU instances with AMX extensions, tailored explicitly for AI inference and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) workloads
This comprehensive cloud support sets Nutanix apart in the hybrid cloud market by providing genuine workload portability without re-platforming.
Implications for Your IT Strategy
As your technology partner, we understand that these announcements have several important implications:
- Expanded deployment options: The traditional HCI-only approach has transformed into a versatile range of deployment models, including hyperconverged, disaggregated, and cloud-native.
- A credible VMware alternative: With these enterprise-grade functions and strategic alliances, Nutanix provides a compelling migration path for organizations reassessing their VMware strategy post the Broadcom acquisition.
- AI readiness: The enhancements in NAI offer a well-structured method for adopting AI innovations while ensuring required governance and control.
- Authentic hybrid architecture: The capability to run identical technology stacks across on-premises, edge, and all three major public clouds foster genuine application portability.
BlueAlly: Your Trusted Partner for Nutanix Solutions
At BlueAlly, we pride ourselves on being a leading provider of innovative IT solutions. As a Nutanix Premier Partner, we have the expertise and resources to help you along your Nutanix journey. Our team of certified professionals is dedicated to delivering tailored solutions that meet your business’s unique needs.
Why Choose BlueAlly for Nutanix?
- Expertise and Experience: With extensive experience deploying and managing Nutanix environments, we understand the platform’s intricacies. Our skilled team is ready to assist you at every stage of your Nutanix journey, from the initial planning to implementation and ongoing support.
- Customized Solutions: Every organization has its challenges and goals. BlueAlly works closely with you to design and implement customized Nutanix solutions that align with your business objectives, ensuring optimal performance and scalability.
- Comprehensive Support: Our commitment to your success doesn’t end with deployment. We offer ongoing support and strategic consulting to help you navigate the evolving IT landscape and ensure you maximize Nutanix’s capabilities as your business grows.
By partnering with BlueAlly for your Nutanix needs, you gain a trusted ally committed to driving innovation and success within your organization. Let us help you unlock the full potential of your Nutanix environment and transform your IT landscape. Contact us today to discuss how we can support your journey with Nutanix!