How Nutanix helps architect & manage hyperconverged cloud infrastructure

Companies today struggle more and more to handle data, apps, and workloads in several cloud setups. Mixing on-site systems with public cloud platforms—often called a multi-cloud setup—has made many firms rethink how they deal with infrastructure. Nutanix is at the forefront of hyperconverged infrastructure, simplifying these complex issues. It offers a unified, productive, budget-friendly way for businesses to build and run multi-cloud systems.

This article looks at how Nutanix backs hyperconverged cloud infrastructure and breaks down the key perks for companies wanting to get the most out of their cloud plans.

What is hyperconverged infrastructure?

Hyperconverged infrastructure is a computing setup that combines processing power, data storage, and network connections in one package managed by a software-defined platform. This approach to IT makes data centers easier to run by eliminating the need for different specialized machines and cutting down on the hassle of dealing with various systems and tools. 

HCI is particularly valuable for organizations seeking to create a seamless hybrid cloud environment, as it supports workloads across on-premises data centers, private and public clouds, and even edge locations. The Nutanix platform enhances HCI capabilities by delivering a consistent, scalable operating model that simplifies infrastructure management across all these environments. A single, consolidated platform allows IT teams to allocate and manage resources more effectively, supporting a wide range of applications, from virtual desktops and databases to big data and DevOps tasks.

Nutanix’s unified approach to multi-cloud

Handling of cloud resources across multiple environments can be complex and expensive. Nutanix solves this problem by offering a unified operating model for public and private clouds, which lets companies deploy and manage workloads easily. The platform standardizes infrastructure across environments, eliminating the need for separate cloud-specific stacks. This has an impact on operational complexity and influences productivity.

Nutanix Central is Nutanix's answer to centralized management. It allows IT teams to watch and control resources in all environments from one dashboard. This makes life easier for teams who would otherwise have to switch between many tools, helping them keep cloud costs in check.

Key benefits of Nutanix HCI in cloud architectures

1. Cost efficiency through virtualization 

Nutanix HCI helps companies maximize their cloud investment by pooling and allocating resources across platforms. By treating infrastructure as a flexible pool of resources instead of fixed isolated instances, Nutanix enables higher utilization rates, which may lower the total cost of ownership. Nutanix's efficient use of bare-metal nodes and resource pooling results in more cost savings.

Also, Nutanix's FinOps tools give insight into cloud costs, allowing businesses to monitor and improve their spending. Nutanix makes it possible to assess when certain workloads might be cheaper to run on-premises for organizations feeling the pressure of rising cloud expenses.

2. Streamlined operations and maintenance 

Keeping cloud environments up-to-date can be challenging when dealing with multiple clouds. Nutanix makes this easier with its One-Click Upgrades feature. This tool automates updates across the whole stack - from computing to storage to networking. IT teams can use this feature to apply security patches and updates to cloud and on-site environments without causing much disruption. As a result, it boosts security and keeps applications running for longer periods. 

3. Integrated security and data protection 

Security is a key concern in any cloud setup, and Nutanix tackles this with a robust unified security model that combines all types of data—block, file, and object storage. This setup includes data safeguards at rest and in transit, micro-segmentation to stop unauthorized access, and ransomware protection via Nutanix Data Lens, which spots unusual data access patterns to protect against possible threats.

By bringing together security measures within its platform, Nutanix gives IT teams an easier way to handle security across environments. Companies dealing with sensitive data, like healthcare or financial info, can benefit from Nutanix's built-in encryption, secure virtual private clouds, and features focused on compliance that ensure data security without extra complexity.

4. Support for AI and machine learning workloads 

Nutanix understands that AI and machine learning play a big role in business innovation, so they've built their infrastructure to handle AI/ML tasks with features like GPU support and container-ready setups. These are key to meet the heavy processing needs of AI applications. Nutanix also works with Kubernetes and container storage interfaces, so users can run containerized apps across multiple clouds, making sure AI/ML projects perform well and can grow as needed. 

5. Flexibility for cloud repatriation

Moving workloads back from the cloud—often called “cloud repatriation”—isn't always easy. Nutanix's Move tool makes this job simpler. It lets businesses shift apps from the cloud to their systems without with minimal disruption. This flexibility allows companies to keep checking and improving how they use their tech based on what they need at the time. 

Preparing for the future of multi-cloud with Nutanix

Nutanix's hyperconverged platform doesn’t just handle today’s workloads; it is designed to move with the pace of the future. As AI and data-intensive applications continue to evolve, Nutanix offers the scalability and flexibility to support these technologies. By offering a centralized approach, Nutanix ensures that companies can keep up with technological advancements without additional infrastructure.

Nutanix's hyperconverged infrastructure approach offers a clear path for organizations aiming to simplify and optimize their multi-cloud strategies. By combining computing, storage, and network tools, Nutanix reduces complexity and operational overhead, letting teams zero in on adding value instead of managing infrastructure. 

Top 4 Major Acquisitions in 2024 That Will Change ...

How Chaos Genius’ Data FinOps solution optimizes ...