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Nutanix is software that turns standard servers into one hyper-converged cluster, combining compute, storage and virtualisation. Instead of separate servers, SAN storage and a hypervisor to manage, you run everything from a single platform.
Fortuna Data supplies Nutanix on Lenovo ThinkAgile HX systems and helps UK organisations plan, size and migrate to it. We have been helping businesses with storage since 1994.
Nutanix makes hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) software. Its core product, Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI), runs on a cluster of servers and pools their processors, memory and drives into one shared system.
Virtual machines and applications run on the cluster, and storage is spread across all the servers, so there is no separate storage array to buy and manage.
New to HCI? Read: What is hyper-converged infrastructure?
The main parts of the platform:
Add capacity or performance by adding servers (nodes) to the cluster.
AHV is the virtualisation layer built into Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure. Its use is included with an NCI licence, so there is no separate hypervisor to license.
Key features:
Nutanix also supports VMware ESXi as the hypervisor if you prefer.
New to hypervisors? Read: What is a hypervisor?
Prism is the web console used to manage the whole Nutanix cluster: virtual machines, storage, networking and updates, all from one screen. Nutanix describes it as one interface for on-premises, edge and public cloud environments.
Tell us about your current servers, storage and virtual machines, and a specialist will size a Nutanix cluster for you.
| 3-tier | Nutanix HCI | |
|---|---|---|
| Components | Separate servers, storage network and SAN array | One cluster of servers running Nutanix |
| Management | Several tools for servers, network and storage | One console (Prism) |
| Growing | Upgrade servers and storage separately | Add nodes to the cluster |
| Best for | Very large or specialised storage needs | Virtualised workloads, branch offices, simpler management |
Not sure which fits? Read: What is 3-tier architecture?
Since Broadcom changed VMware licensing, many organisations are reviewing their virtualisation platform.
Nutanix provides a free migration tool, Nutanix Move, which moves virtual machines to AHV from VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V and public clouds such as AWS.
We can help you plan the migration, size the new cluster and move your workloads.
Lenovo ThinkAgile HX systems are servers built and tested to run Nutanix. They come preloaded with Nutanix software, and Nutanix licences and support can be bought with them.
Current models include the ThinkAgile HX630 V4 (1U), HX650 V4 (2U) and HX650a V4 (2U, all-flash NVMe), as well as V3 models.
Read more: Lenovo ThinkAgile HX
Comparing platforms? See Lenovo ThinkAgile MX for Microsoft Azure Local
Nutanix is hyper-converged infrastructure software that combines compute, storage and virtualisation on a cluster of standard servers, managed from one console.
AHV is the Nutanix hypervisor. It is built into Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure, and its use is included with an NCI licence.
Yes. Many organisations use Nutanix with AHV instead of VMware, and Nutanix Move can migrate virtual machines from VMware ESXi. Nutanix can also run VMware ESXi as the hypervisor.
Nutanix runs on certified servers from several vendors. We supply it on Lenovo ThinkAgile HX systems, which come preloaded with Nutanix software.
A SAN is a separate storage array shared by servers over a storage network. Nutanix puts the storage inside the servers and pools it across the cluster, so no separate array is needed. See our SAN storage guide.
It depends on the number of nodes, the hardware and the Nutanix licences you need. Contact us with your requirements and we will provide a quote.
Tell us what you run today and what you want to change. We will recommend the right Nutanix setup and give you a clear UK quote.
Prefer email? Write to solutions@data-storage.uk
