Nutanix Database Service (NDB) 2.9: Oracle Data Guard, Database Engine Enhancements, Data Protection and Security

We are thrilled to announce the general availability of the Nutanix Database Service (NDB) v2.9 release. Nutanix Database Service is a Database-as-a-Service (DBaaS) platform that enables teams to provision, operate, and scale databases across on-premises and hybrid cloud environments with minimal operational overhead. It supports popular SQL, NoSQL, and vector databases that include Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL with pgvector, EDB, MongoDB, MySQL, and MariaDB.

The Nutanix Database Service (NDB) 2.9 release introduces major advancements for Disaster Recovery (DR), High Availability (HA) and Security with Oracle Data Guard support and database engine enhancements for SQL Server and MySQL, and stronger data protection and security features—reinforcing Nutanix’s commitment to delivering resilient, enterprise-grade solutions for on-premises and hybrid multicloud environments.

Oracle Data Guard Support: Disaster Recovery for Oracle

NDB 2.9 introduces robust disaster recovery (DR) support for Oracle databases through Oracle Data Guard, including Cascaded Data Guard for multiple standby systems. Users can now set up a DR policy after provisioning, simplifying the configuration and management of disaster recovery directly within the NDB API, CLI, and UI.

Key highlights include:

• Topology Visualization: A graphical user interface (GUI) to monitor the health of DR replication and visualize the setup.
• Switchover and Failover Controls: Built-in options for conducting DR drills or executing failovers via APIs and the GUI.

This feature simplifies Oracle DR management, providing a seamless, integrated experience for enhanced business continuity. Discover more in our NDB Oracle Data Guard blog post.

Database Engine Enhancements: For SQL Server and MySQL

SQL Server Support for Multiple Database Groups

NDB 2.9 enhances Microsoft SQL Server support, allowing up to five Database Groups per VM, with each group supporting up to 35 databases—totaling 175 databases per server. Database Groups can include databases from multiple Always On Availability Groups (AGs), sharing a single Time Machine for coordinated snapshots and log backups. This simplifies management, reduces complexity compared to a single large group, and eliminates the need for separate Time Machines per database. Customers can now organize databases logically, assign custom backup schedules, bypass VSS-related limitations, and minimize Time Machine sprawl, improving scalability and operational efficiency.

MySQL HA Support

NDB now supports provisioning MySQL databases in High Availability (HA) configurations. These configurations use native MySQL components to create resilient clusters that continue serving database requests even in the event of node failure.

Key highlights include:

• Integrated Provisioning: HA clusters can be created directly from NDB, eliminating the need for external tooling or manual setup.
• Native MySQL Components: Built on MySQL’s own HA stack – InnoDB, Group Replication, and MySQL Router, delivering compatibility and performance without requiring third-party solutions.
• Operational Consistency: Unified workflows for HA across database engines.

This feature simplifies MySQL HA management, offering customers a streamlined experience for deploying mission-critical MySQL workloads.

Data Protection: Enhanced Time Machine and Control Plane Backup & Recovery Support

NDB 2.9 introduces powerful enhancements that boost visibility, scalability, and flexibility for database protection. New capabilities include Time Machine improvements and a documented solution for backing up and recovering the NDB control plane.

Time Machine Improvements 

Time Machine now includes built-in storage consumption reporting for smarter capacity management and seamless backup interoperability with Cohesity DataProtect for PostgreSQL to deliver flexible, reliable recovery.

Storage Consumption Reporting

Storage consumption reporting  is now built directly into the product’s dashboards and screens, giving customers detailed insights into how storage is used by databases, clones, and Time Machines—including snapshots and log backups—along with overall Nutanix cluster (Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure or Nutanix Cloud Clusters) storage and available capacity. This eliminates the guesswork that previously forced customers to adjust snapshot and log retention through trial and error, enabling proactive planning and more efficient space management.

Backup Interoperability with Cohesity DataProtect for PostgreSQL

NDB 2.9 also introduces interoperability with Cohesity DataProtect for PostgreSQL, enabling seamless integration between NDB Time Machine and Cohesity-based backups. This provides reliable 3-2-1 backup compliance and smooth point-in-time recovery (PITR) workflows for both NDB and Cohesity. These enhancements empower customers with greater flexibility and confidence in their database protection strategies. More information about this integration is available here. 

Control Plane Backup & Recovery

NDB 2.9 introduces a documented solution for backing up and restoring the NDB Control Plane, helping users protect against data loss or ransomware.

Backups are created using an NDB tool on the control plane VM and can be run manually, automated through tools like Ansible, or scheduled as a cron job. Stored in an S3-compatible object store provided by users, these backups can also be made immutable using native WORM capabilities.

Recovery involves redeploying NDB and restoring data following clear steps in the user guide. This enhancement gives users confidence to restore their control plane to a known-good state after accidental or malicious changes.

Security Enhancements: Fortifying Connectivity and Compliance

Security is an important element of NDB 2.9, with two notable improvements:

• WinRM over HTTPS: NDB 2.9 uses WinRM over HTTPS for all Windows-based SQL Server operations that require control-plane connectivity to database VMs. This secures communication during provisioning, registration, clone/restore, patching, upgrades, and related workflows.
• SELinux Enforcing Mode: NDB 2.9 fully supports SELinux in enforcing mode for Linux-based database deployments, addressing compliance requirements for large enterprises. This feature provides that critical files and processes are protected without requiring exceptions.

These enhancements make NDB 2.9 a more secure platform, particularly for organizations with stringent regulatory needs.

Looking Ahead

With the NDB 2.9 release, Nutanix continues to strengthen its position as a trusted partner for enterprise database management across on-premises and hybrid multicloud environments. The addition of Oracle Data Guard support, improved MySQL and SQL Server capabilities, and stronger data protection and security highlight Nutanix’s ongoing commitment to reliability, performance, and innovation. NDB 2.9 not only delivers meaningful advancements today but also lays the groundwork for a more adaptive and resilient Database-as-a-service future.

See NDB 2.9 in Action

Your database hybrid multicloud future starts here:

• Learn more about NDB.
• Take a test drive: Experience NDB capabilities.
• Dive into the detailed release notes: To explore how these features can benefit your organization.
• Learn from other NDB customers: Read how leading companies worldwide and across diverse industries are using NDB to successfully manage thousands of heterogeneous databases while pursuing their cost, performance and productivity objectives. 
• Questions: Please contact your Nutanix account team.

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