Nutanix Cloud Platform

Basic Information

• Model: Nutanix Cloud Platform (NCP)
• Version: The latest stable version is Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI) 7.3, which includes AOS 7.3 and Prism 7.3.
• Release Date: The Nutanix Cloud Platform, as a unified portfolio, became globally available on February 15, 2022. AOS 7.3 was released around June 2025.
• Minimum Requirements: Requires a minimum of three nodes for a production cluster to leverage high-availability features, though a single node can be used for testing. Each node typically requires Intel CPUs with VT-x support (minimum four cores, with two dedicated to the Controller VM), a minimum of 16 GB system memory (32 GB or higher recommended), and specific storage configurations including hot tier flash (200 GB SSD or greater) and cold tier storage (500 GB or greater available).
• Supported Operating Systems: Supports Nutanix AHV, VMware ESXi, and Microsoft Hyper-V as hypervisors. Guest operating systems include various versions of Microsoft Windows Server (e.g., 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025) and Linux distributions (e.g., RHEL 8.x, 9.x, Oracle Linux 8.x, 9.x).
• Latest Stable Version: NCI 7.3 (AOS 7.3, Prism 7.3).
• End of Support Date: Nutanix follows an End of Support Life (EOSL) and End of Maintenance (EOM) policy. For AOS 7.3, the End of Maintenance is September 2026, and the End of Support Life is June 2027. EOM indicates that no new features or fixes are released for the hardware, while EOSL signifies the cessation of all support.
• End of Life Date: Aligned with the End of Support Life (EOSL) policy for software and hardware.
• License Type: Primarily subscription-based. Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure (NCI) offers Starter, Pro, and Ultimate tiers, licensed by CPU cores. Specialized VDI licensing is available per user. Nutanix Cloud Manager (NCM) is also licensed per CPU core. Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) is licensed per usable TiB. Nutanix Cloud Clusters (NC2) supports Pay-as-you-Go (PAYG) and Bring Your Own License (BYOL) models.
• Deployment Model: Deployable on-premises, in public clouds via Nutanix Cloud Clusters (NC2) on platforms like AWS, Azure, and OVHcloud, in colocation facilities, or at the edge.

Technical Requirements

• RAM: Minimum 16 GB per node, with 32 GB or higher recommended for optimal performance. Virtual machines running Nutanix agents require at least 4 GB RAM beyond the operating system and application requirements.
• Processor: Intel CPUs with VT-x support are required. A minimum of four cores is necessary, with two cores dedicated to the Controller VM (CVM). For database workloads, Intel Gold or Platinum processors are recommended.
• Storage: Utilizes a distributed storage fabric. Requirements include a hot tier with a single 200 GB SSD or greater and a cold tier with 500 GB or greater available capacity, supporting up to 18 TB (e.g., 3 x 6 TB HDDs) for Community Edition. The platform supports various storage types including SSD, NVMe, and HDD.
• Display: Management is primarily via a web-based user interface, so a dedicated display is not a core requirement for the platform itself.
• Ports: Requires Intel-based Network Interface Cards (NICs). Specific network configurations are necessary for the CVM and hypervisor hosts, often recommending connection to the same pair of switches.
• Operating System: The underlying operating system is typically the hypervisor (Nutanix AHV, VMware ESXi, or Microsoft Hyper-V).

Analysis of Technical Requirements

The Nutanix Cloud Platform is designed for scalability and flexibility, supporting a range of hardware configurations from small edge deployments to large enterprise data centers. The minimum requirements are modest, allowing for entry-level adoption, particularly with its Community Edition. However, optimal performance, especially for demanding workloads like databases, necessitates higher-end processors and ample memory. The platform's software-defined nature abstracts much of the underlying hardware complexity, but robust networking and appropriate storage tiers (flash for performance, HDD for capacity) are crucial for realizing its full potential. The requirement for a minimum of three nodes for production clusters underscores its focus on high availability and data resilience. The platform's ability to run on various hypervisors provides significant choice, allowing organizations to leverage existing virtualization investments or adopt Nutanix's native AHV for a fully integrated experience.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: NCI 7.3, encompassing AOS 7.3 and Prism 7.3.
• OS Support: Supports Nutanix AHV, VMware ESXi, and Microsoft Hyper-V as hypervisors. It also supports a broad range of guest operating systems, including recent versions of Microsoft Windows Server and various Linux distributions (e.g., RHEL, Oracle Linux).
• End of Support Date: Nutanix provides a clear End of Maintenance (EOM) and End of Support Life (EOSL) policy. For AOS 7.3, EOM is September 2026, and EOSL is June 2027.
• Localization: Information on specific localization languages for the management interfaces was not explicitly found in the provided data.
• Available Drivers: Nutanix maintains a hardware compatibility list (HCL) and provides necessary drivers for supported hardware platforms and hypervisors.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

Nutanix Cloud Platform demonstrates strong support and compatibility, primarily due to its multi-hypervisor support (AHV, ESXi, Hyper-V) and extensive guest OS compatibility. This flexibility allows organizations to integrate Nutanix into diverse IT environments and migrate workloads without significant re-platforming. The clear lifecycle policies for software releases (EOM, EOSL) provide predictability for planning upgrades and maintenance. While specific localization details were not found, the global presence of Nutanix suggests broad language support for its management tools. The platform's "Nutanix Ready" certification program further ensures compatibility with a wide ecosystem of third-party solutions.

Security Status

• Security Features: The platform is designed to be secure, resilient, and self-healing. Key features include data and network security, microsegmentation, and native VM-level data encryption. NCI 7.3 introduces enhanced password management and encryption capabilities.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Nutanix maintains a Vulnerability Database (NXVD) and provides security advisories. While specific current vulnerabilities were not detailed, the company actively addresses security concerns.
• Blacklist Status: Not applicable to the platform itself.
• Certifications: Supports FIPS compliance, particularly in the context of Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP) installations. Nutanix also focuses on compliance with data sovereignty and regulatory standards, especially in cloud deployments like NC2 on OVHcloud.
• Encryption Support: Offers data-at-rest encryption and supports native Key Management Services (KMS). Encryption enhancements are part of recent updates.
• Authentication Methods: Supports enterprise authentication methods such as LDAP and Active Directory. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is implemented, with Prism Central roles managing access to various components and services. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is typically supported through integration with identity providers.
• General Recommendations: Regular monitoring, timely application of security patches, and adherence to best practices for user authentication and access control are recommended.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

Nutanix Cloud Platform exhibits a robust security posture, built on a foundation of integrated security features. The emphasis on microsegmentation, data encryption (at rest and in transit), and strong authentication methods provides comprehensive protection for workloads and data. The platform's self-healing capabilities contribute to resilience against security incidents. While specific vulnerability details are managed through advisories, the commitment to certifications like FIPS and support for data sovereignty requirements underscore its enterprise-grade security. The centralized management through Prism Central, with its RBAC capabilities, helps enforce consistent security policies across the hybrid cloud environment. Overall, the platform is designed with security in mind, offering a secure foundation for critical applications.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: Specific, publicly available benchmark scores (e.g., SPEC, VMmark) for the entire Nutanix Cloud Platform were not explicitly detailed in the provided information.
• Real-World Performance Metrics: The platform provides high-performance, premium-grade storage. New features have shown up to a 2x storage performance increase for database workloads and a 3x increase for big data workloads without complex reconfiguration. It delivers distributed, performant, and resilient storage that scales linearly.
• Power Consumption: Hybrid multicloud deployments on Nutanix have demonstrated significant efficiency gains, including reduced rack space by up to 80% and energy consumption cuts of 60%-80% for some organizations.
• Carbon Footprint: Directly correlated with power consumption, the platform's efficiency improvements contribute to a reduced carbon footprint, with one organization cutting emissions by 200 metric tons per year.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Nutanix is positioned as a strong alternative to traditional virtualization and HCI solutions, including VMware. It faces competition from other players like Red Hat in attracting customers transitioning to modern applications.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

The Nutanix Cloud Platform is engineered for high performance and scalability, particularly in its core functions of compute and storage. While explicit industry benchmark figures are not readily available, real-world metrics highlight substantial performance improvements for demanding workloads like databases and big data. The linear scalability of its distributed storage fabric ensures consistent performance as the environment grows. Beyond raw speed, the platform excels in operational efficiency, significantly reducing power consumption and physical footprint, which translates to lower operational costs and a smaller carbon footprint. This efficiency, combined with its ability to run diverse workloads across various hypervisors, positions Nutanix as a competitive solution in the hybrid multicloud landscape, offering a compelling alternative to traditional infrastructure models.

User Reviews & Feedback

User feedback generally highlights the Nutanix Cloud Platform's strengths in simplifying IT operations and providing a consistent experience across different environments.

• Strengths: Users frequently praise the platform's simplicity, ease of management, and flexibility. The unified platform and consistent cloud operating model are highly valued for breaking down traditional IT silos. Its strong cost management and adequate liquidity are also noted. The ability to run any application and manage data anywhere, across on-premises and public clouds, is a significant advantage.
• Weaknesses: Some feedback indicates that Nutanix faces intensifying competition, particularly from Red Hat, which may impact its market share. There is also a perception that Nutanix might be more focused on traditional application clients, potentially limiting its appeal for organizations rapidly transitioning to modern, cloud-native applications.
• Recommended Use Cases: The platform is widely recommended for building hybrid multicloud infrastructures, supporting virtual machines and containers, VDI deployments, database hosting, and edge computing. Its integrated disaster recovery capabilities are also a strong point for business continuity.

Summary

The Nutanix Cloud Platform (NCP) stands as a robust, software-defined solution designed to unify and simplify hybrid multicloud environments. Its core strength lies in providing a consistent operating model across on-premises, public cloud, and edge deployments, leveraging its hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) foundation. The platform supports multiple hypervisors, including its native AHV, VMware ESXi, and Microsoft Hyper-V, offering significant flexibility and choice for organizations. Licensing is subscription-based, with tiered options (Starter, Pro, Ultimate) tailored to various deployment scales and feature requirements.

Technically, NCP demands enterprise-grade hardware, with scalable CPU, RAM, and distributed storage configurations, ensuring high performance and resilience. Its security features are comprehensive, encompassing microsegmentation, data encryption, and robust authentication, backed by clear vulnerability management and compliance certifications. Performance metrics, while not always presented as raw benchmarks, indicate substantial efficiency gains in storage performance and significant reductions in power consumption and carbon footprint in real-world scenarios.

User feedback consistently points to simplicity, ease of management, and operational consistency as key strengths, enabling IT teams to streamline operations and focus on business outcomes. While facing strong competition, particularly in the evolving cloud-native landscape, Nutanix is highly recommended for organizations seeking a unified platform for diverse workloads, including virtual machines, containers, VDI, and databases, across hybrid cloud architectures.

In assessment, the Nutanix Cloud Platform is a mature and highly capable solution for modern enterprise IT. Its strengths in flexibility, simplified management, and integrated security make it a compelling choice for organizations navigating the complexities of hybrid multicloud. Areas for continued focus might include further enhancing its appeal for cutting-edge cloud-native application development to address competitive pressures. Overall, NCP provides a strong foundation for building resilient, scalable, and efficient IT infrastructure.

Please note: The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.