Your Guide to Migrating to Nutanix with External Storage

Migrating to Nutanix is a strategic move towards simplicity, scalability, and hybrid multicloud agility. But what if your workloads still rely on external storage systems?

Good news: Nutanix now supports select external storage integration, allowing you to modernize your compute layer while preserving your existing storage investments. Whether you're running mission-critical databases, legacy apps, or large-scale file repositories, Nutanix makes it possible and practical.

Here are five key tips to help you migrate confidently to Nutanix with external storage, backed by proven technical strategies.

1. Start with a Strategic Migration Plan

Every successful migration begins with a clear roadmap. Identify which workloads are ready for Nutanix, assess dependencies on external storage, and define your goals, whether it's performance optimization, cost reduction, or operational simplicity.

Use the Nutanix Move migration tool to automate VM, workload and network migrations with minimal disruption. Move supports cross-hypervisor migration and offers rollback capabilities, making it ideal for phased transitions.

Why it matters: A well-defined strategy reduces risk, accelerates timelines, and promotes business continuity.

2. Integrate External Storage Seamlessly

Nutanix enables integration with select external storage systems, allowing you to connect existing arrays directly to your Nutanix environment without re-architecting your infrastructure.

Currently, Nutanix supports integration with Dell PowerFlex using its proprietary SDC-based protocol, and with Pure Storage via NVMe over Fabrics (NVMeoF/TCP).

This flexibility allows IT teams to:

• Maintain existing storage investments
• Avoid forklift upgrades
• Enable hybrid storage strategies

Learn more about Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure with External Storage.

Why it matters: Seamless integration reduces migration friction and preserves capital investments.

3.  Choice in Deploying Critical Workloads 

With Nutanix, you’re not forced to choose between performance and flexibility. Whether you're scaling mission-critical applications or managing large datasets, Nutanix supports external storage as a seamless extension of your infrastructure.

Customer Benefits:

• Operate workloads on Nutanix HCI or with qualified external storage platforms, giving you the flexibility to choose what works best
• Simplify operations with unified management across compute and external storage
• Support evolving business needs with scalable, adaptable infrastructure

Why it matters: You gain the freedom to deploy critical workloads where and how you need—backed by the simplicity and reliability of the Nutanix Cloud Platform.

4. Strengthen Application-Level Security Across Your Environment

Security starts at the application layer. The Nutanix Flow solution provides microsegmentation and policy-based controls to isolate workloads and reduce attack surfaces. These protections remain consistent across migrations, even when moving between platforms.

Migration Tips:

• Apply Flow policies to enforce workload isolation and minimize lateral movement
• Preserve NSX security configurations during migration with Nutanix Move
• Use the Nutanix Prism management console to monitor network activity and policy adherence

Why it matters: You protect sensitive data across your hybrid infrastructure.

5. Simplify Management with Unified Visibility in Prism

Once migrated, Nutanix Prism provides a unified interface to monitor and manage virtual machines with precision. IT teams gain deep visibility into VM performance, resource usage, and operational health — all from a single pane of glass.

Efficiency Gains:

• Real-time VM performance insights
• Granular resource tracking and optimization
• Automated alerts and guided remediation

Why it matters: Focused VM-level visibility helps IT teams proactively manage workloads, troubleshoot quickly, and maintain consistent performance across the environment.

What’s Next?

Migrating to Nutanix with external storage is more than a technical upgrade — it’s a strategic opportunity to future-proof your infrastructure while maximizing existing investments.

Here’s how to take the next step:

• Explore Nutanix Move: Discover how easily you can migrate VMs and network settings with minimal disruption. Get started with Nutanix Move →
• Dive deeper into external storage integration: Learn how Nutanix supports compatible storage systems. Read the integration overview →
• Talk to a Nutanix expert: Ready to build your migration plan? Our team can help tailor a strategy to your environment. Schedule a free consultation →

Migrating to Nutanix doesn’t mean starting over — it means moving forward. With the right tools, strategy, and support, you can modernize your infrastructure while keeping what works.

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