Nutanix is expanding its platform strategy with the introduction of support for external storage. Such expansion marks a significant transition from a purely HCI-driven model toward a more flexible, open infrastructure ecosystem.
This development aligns with the growing need for businesses to integrate existing storage arrays with Nutanix. It also supports using compute-only cluster designs and NVMe-over-TCP as a new storage protocol.
This recap summarizes the key insights, announcements, and architectural details shared during our recent live session. It highlights how external storage fits into Nutanix's long-term vision. Learn what is supported today and what enterprises can expect as integrations continue to deepen.
As organizations modernize their data centers and navigate platform decisions, Nutanix now offers a clear path for teams wishing to "bring their own storage" while maintaining the unified management experience provided by Prism Central.
A new phase in the evolution of Nutanix infrastructure
Enterprises increasingly require the ability to combine Nutanix compute with external enterprise storage arrays. Many environments include long-standing investments in Pure Storage, PowerStore, or PowerFlex. All these architectures are optimized for high performance, storage density, or specific workload profiles.
By supporting external storage, Nutanix aims to address several real-world architectural scenarios:
- Companies that are seeking HCI flexibility rather than full convergence.
- Teams wanting to integrate Pure Storage FlashArray X/XL or Dell PowerFlex directly with Nutanix AHV.
- Environments requiring VM-level storage provisioning with per-VM volumes.
- Companies that are exploring NVMe-over-TCP for standardized, efficient storage connectivity.
- Enterprises evaluating Nutanix vs VMware storage options during platform transitions.
This shift broadens the use cases Nutanix can serve and helps future-proof existing infrastructure strategies.
Supported external storage solutions
The external storage roadmap is rolling out in phases. The following vendors are now part of the supported or announced ecosystem:
- Dell PowerFlex: Supported and generally available now as external storage for Nutanix Cloud Platform (with AHV)
- Pure Storage FlashArray X and XL: Announced and supported over NVMe-over-TCP, enabling integration with Nutanix Cloud Platform
- Dell PowerStore: Announced for upcoming support with Nutanix Cloud Platform / external storage in 2025
Future integrations will prioritize vendors that support NVMe-over-TCP, which Nutanix has designated as its exclusive protocol for external storage connectivity. This ensures consistent performance across vendors and avoids legacy protocols such as iSCSI, NFS, and Fibre Channel.
Enterprise IT teams looking for "Which storage arrays work with Nutanix external storage?" will find this list growing. More partners will join and add API-level integration.
How Nutanix external storage architecture works
When Nutanix is deployed in a compute-only configuration, local data disks are removed, but the full Nutanix software stack remains intact:
- Nutanix AOS
- Nutanix AHV hypervisor
- Prism / Prism Central management plane
- Networking using standard Ethernet and NVMe/TCP
In this model:
- Storage services such as snapshots, replication, and QoS are executed directly by the external array.
- Prism Central orchestrates and automates storage workflows, offering a single management plane.
- Each VM receives its own array-level volume (e.g., FA Volume on Pure Storage).
- VM-level policies (performance, protection, cloning) are applied directly through Nutanix but executed by the storage system.
Each virtual machine has its own dedicated volume on the storage array. This allows for better VM-focused storage management. It also gives more control over performance and protection policies.
Feature support and roadmap
Initial general availability
- Compute-only clusters using supported vendors
- VM-centric storage provisioning
- Prism Central management for storage operations
- AHV compatibility
- Disaster Recovery (async replication via CVM)
- Support for Flow, NDB, and Kubernetes (NCP) workloads
Not supported at launch
- End-user computing (EUC/VDI)
- Nutanix Unified Storage (Files/Object)
- Array-driven synchronous replication (will come via vendor integration)
- SMB or object workloads on external arrays
As storage vendors expand their APIs, deeper integration with Nutanix will become possible. This includes support for array-native features such as snapshots, replication, and other data-protection functions.
Hardware and licensing requirements
Supported compute hardware
- Cisco
- Dell
- HPE
- Lenovo (planned)
Nutanix NX hardware does not support external storage at this time. It is still intended for traditional HCI use cases.
Licensing
- Existing NCI licenses now include entitlement for external storage
- A new license type, NCI Compute (NCI-C), is available for compute-only clusters
This licensing model enables enterprises to adopt external storage without introducing complexity or additional license variations.
Why some companies choose Pure Storage + Nutanix
Integration with Pure Storage FlashArray is a long-awaited use case, particularly for customers exploring high-performance workloads, immutable snapshots, and the benefits of evergreen architecture.
Key capabilities (some arriving post-GA):
- Enterprise-grade snapshotting (Purity Snap)
- Near-sync replication (ActiveDR)
- Synchronous replication (ActiveCluster)
- Inline encryption and immutable snapshot support
- High density and predictable performance
For companies searching “How to connect Pure Storage to Nutanix AHV?”, this integration provides a clear architectural path.
Key benefits for enterprise IT teams
1. Architectural flexibility: Mix Nutanix compute with preferred storage platforms.
2. VM-centric storage management: Each VM receives its own dedicated volume with clear policies, simplifying automation.
3. Preservation of existing investments: Continue leveraging enterprise storage ecosystems while adopting Nutanix.
4. Unified operations through Prism Central: A consistent operational model across compute and storage.
5. Support for modern protocols: NVMe-over-TCP ensures standardization and future-readiness.
6. Enhanced data protection capabilities: Array-driven immutable snapshots and replication options are coming via future integrations.
With this shift toward external storage, many teams want to understand what's supported today, how the integration works, and the roadmap. Below are answers to the most frequent questions about Nutanix and external storage.
Does Nutanix support external storage?
Yes. Nutanix now supports external storage arrays through compute-only clusters using NVMe-over-TCP. This enables organizations to integrate platforms like Pure Storage FlashArray and Dell PowerFlex directly with Nutanix AHV and Prism Central.
Which external storage arrays are compatible with Nutanix?
The first supported and announced systems include Dell PowerFlex, Pure Storage FlashArray X/XL, and Dell PowerStore. More vendors will join, particularly those that support NVMe/TCP and provide API-level integration.
How does Nutanix connect to external storage?
Nutanix connects via NVMe-over-TCP, allowing each VM to receive a dedicated array volume. Prism Central manages provisioning and protection policies, while the storage array executes the operations.
Does Nutanix AHV support Pure Storage?
Yes. Support for Pure Storage FlashArray X and XL is rolling out. This enables Pure Storage volumes to be used with Nutanix AHV in compute-only clusters.
What are the benefits of using external storage with Nutanix?
Benefits include flexible design, control over VM storage, high storage capacity, and integration with advanced snapshotting and replication. You can also keep your current storage investments while updating your computing systems.
Is NVMe-over-TCP required?
Yes. Nutanix supports only NVMe-over-TCP for external storage. It's a standardized, efficient, and broadly adopted method for connecting storage arrays.
Can Nutanix Unified Storage (Files/Object) run on external storage?
Not initially. Early releases do not support NUS Files or Object Storage on external arrays, although this may change as the roadmap evolves.
Does disaster recovery work with external storage?
At launch, asynchronous replication runs through the Nutanix CVM. Future releases will enable array-native replication, such as Pure Storage’s ActiveDR and ActiveCluster.