Summary
Nutanix has launched Cloud Native AOS, a containerized version of its core operating system, eliminating the need for a hypervisor. This allows for flexible deployment across public cloud and bare-metal infrastructure, extending enterprise-grade data services to containerized applications. This move positions Nutanix as a key player in the hybrid multicloud arena, bridging the gap between traditional and cloud-native environments.
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** Main Story**
Nutanix has made a significant stride in the cloud-native landscape with the launch of Cloud Native AOS. This innovative offering allows Nutanix’s core operating system, AOS, to run directly within Kubernetes environments. This removes the reliance on a hypervisor, enabling deployment across diverse infrastructures, from public clouds like AWS to on-premises bare-metal servers.
Bridging the Gap in Hybrid Multicloud
This strategic move addresses a crucial challenge in hybrid multicloud architectures: managing persistent data across disparate Kubernetes environments. Cloud Native AOS extends Nutanix’s enterprise-grade data services, such as integrated disaster recovery and application mobility, to containerized applications, regardless of where they reside. Developers gain the ability to use Kubernetes APIs to provision, manage, and secure data seamlessly across various environments.
A Shift Towards Cloud-Native and AI
The launch of Cloud Native AOS coincides with Nutanix’s broader push into the cloud-native and AI domains. The company is actively fostering partnerships, such as its collaboration with Nvidia, to enhance its AI capabilities. This integration positions Nutanix as a vital link between raw infrastructure and AI model deployment and management. Furthermore, Nutanix has strengthened its integrations with Pure Storage, aiming to provide a more open and adaptable alternative to VMware-centric stacks.
Embracing a Hypervisor-Independent Future
By decoupling AOS from its traditional hypervisor dependency, Nutanix is embracing a future where workloads can run on virtual machines, containers, and AI frameworks within a unified platform. This approach empowers enterprise IT teams to manage their diverse workloads without compromising control, performance, or data mobility. Cloud Native AOS is initially available on Amazon’s Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS), with general availability expected in the summer of 2025. Support for on-premises bare-metal servers is slated for 2026, with early access anticipated by the end of this year.
This development marks a significant evolution for Nutanix, transitioning from its hyperconverged infrastructure roots to a more versatile software platform. This platform empowers organizations to run their workloads wherever they choose, be it in the public cloud, on-premises, or at the edge. This flexibility allows businesses to optimize their IT infrastructure based on their specific needs and priorities. Nutanix’s forward-thinking strategy demonstrates its commitment to supporting the evolving needs of modern enterprises in an increasingly cloud-native world.
So, does this mean my Kubernetes clusters can finally have integrated disaster recovery without me cobbling together a Frankensteinian solution? Summer 2025 feels like a lifetime away.
That’s exactly the idea! We’re aiming to provide a more streamlined and integrated disaster recovery solution for Kubernetes. We understand Summer 2025 seems distant, but the early access program slated for the end of this year might offer a sneak peek and a chance to get involved sooner!
Editor: StorageTech.News
Thank you to our Sponsor Esdebe
The ability to provision and manage data through Kubernetes APIs across different environments seems like a game-changer for hybrid multicloud deployments. How will this impact the role of traditional storage admins and their skill sets?
Great question! The shift towards Kubernetes APIs definitely changes the landscape for storage admins. It will be important for them to develop expertise in container orchestration, infrastructure-as-code, and cloud-native storage solutions. They will be crucial in bridging the gap between traditional storage and the cloud-native world, ensuring data governance and security across diverse environments.
Editor: StorageTech.News
Thank you to our Sponsor Esdebe
Interesting that Nutanix is decoupling AOS from the hypervisor. This offers increased deployment flexibility, but how will this affect existing Nutanix customers who have heavily invested in their hyperconverged infrastructure solutions? Will there be a clear migration path and continued support for their current setups?
That’s a crucial question! We understand the importance of a smooth transition for our existing customers. Nutanix is committed to providing clear migration paths and continued support for current setups. We are releasing details about the specific programs soon, so watch this space. This is not a rip and replace approach!
Editor: StorageTech.News
Thank you to our Sponsor Esdebe