Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) Reviews

The Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) is for multiple use cases such as S3 for application use and providing files for users, including file servers; additionally, we are using the NUS for the cluster and other purposes.

For data-intensive workloads such as AI and ML in hybrid cloud environments, we have a different cluster where we are using NVMe and storage nodes that provide storage capacity with high performance; we are using the storage node as capacity from the Nutanix side to support this.

Overall, we see many benefits from using Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) for multiple purposes; we use Nutanix for our database automation, where we use the storage to store data, and we also use it for AI/ML workloads.

One of the best features of the Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) is that I find everything, all the solutions, in one single box; if you look into Nutanix, the HCI plus whatever storage is required as part of the requirements, such as if applications are hosted on Kubernetes or container platforms requiring S3, NFS, or any other protocol, we can access everything from a single system, eliminating the need to manage multiple systems and different storage in the data center, as one system from one OEM provides everything.

I have never seen any performance issues with the Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) for high-throughput and low-latency requirements in AI and ML workloads because we are using all NVMe as part of the storage.

The Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) has helped us consolidate our systems, thereby reducing our overall TCO significantly; we only deal with one OEM for any issues, allowing us to consolidate our infrastructure and reduce our data center footprint, so the overall TCO is a benefit to us.

While there are good aspects, I would like to see improvements in networking configuration, particularly regarding overlay and underlay, plus enhancements in micro-segmentation, as that would provide added advantages in security and data availability.

I have been working with the Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) for around six, six-plus years.

I have not had any performance issues with the Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS).

The Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) is scalable.

My experience with customer service and technical support of Nutanix is positive; the technical support is good and I do not encounter any challenges with it.

I have not used any different solutions before Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS).

We evaluated other options before choosing Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS); we previously worked with NetApp as our storage solution for a 3-tier architecture but not in the HCI context.

We did not purchase Nutanix through the AWS Marketplace; instead, we directly obtained it from a partner for our on-premise needs.

My experience with the pricing, setup cost, and licensing of the Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) is that it is competitive compared to other solutions available.

From a security point of view, my impression of the cybersecurity features in Nutanix when dealing with unstructured data like ransomware threats is positive; we are using the snapshots feature to ensure protection from ransomware and Flow for micro-segmentation as part of data security and segregation.

I have not had any issues with the security aspect or any challenges so far.

My advice to other organizations considering Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) is that if they are looking for consolidation and better TCO, or they want to run applications in their systems, Nutanix will be the right choice for them.

On a scale of one to ten, I rate this solution an eight.

On-premises

Our primary use cases include using the immutable defined storage as a solution for backup, where we have warm backup as the immutable data that we can store there, ensuring that the security of that data will not be changed, which is our last part of security in the data lake.

The immutable data and the object storage are important to us as they provide the same solution as the public clouds with buckets of data that we can store inside. We have always had it, and it's important to integrate our backup solution using this with data course.

The immutable data and object storage are important to us, providing the same solution as the public clouds with buckets of data. In our current situation, we have benefits with NUS that our infrastructure depends on, and we have more benefits by implementing NUS integrated with our infrastructure. This part of Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) is particularly valuable.

We have been using NUS for about four years.

Regarding downtime issues, we haven't had downtime in generations, and everything is going very well. I wouldn't be able to provide negative feedback on that aspect considering the cost benefits.

We plan to assess our storage needs by increasing with ten more nodes, which add up to our storage, and we plan to expand further in the future. Currently, we have purchased ten nodes with approximately six hundred terabytes for our workload.

When considering the difference in cost benefits, if you consider it only as a storage solution, you may find it expensive. However, if you see NUS as a solution with additional features, in my opinion, it's cheaper than others, providing middle-term cost benefits.

When it comes to the vendor or partner, Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) is the best partner we have, so you need a partnership with them.

Private Cloud

Other

The use case for Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) includes using Nutanix Files for storage. We migrated from a legacy NFS system to Nutanix NFS, which we use to store business-critical files. Additionally, we perform backups with snapshot storage at remote sites. We also use Nutanix Volumes for scaled-out volumes and backups. We plan to integrate Nutanix Object Storage for internal backups and storage solutions. I have recommended using Nutanix Lens for data growth pattern analysis and data visibility.

The features I like the most about Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) include the direct availability of NFS and iSCSI storage protocols. This setup removes dependability on a server running on virtualization, offering us direct access to these protocols. This feature enhances monitoring, growth pattern analysis, and manageability, all from a single console. Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) provides stability and self-healing with no problems to report, establishing a reliable storage solution.

I suggest more flexibility and resiliency for object storage, supporting more protocols. The licensing terms are restrictive, as they go by terabyte cost. It would be beneficial to reduce costs and offer flexibility to encourage more usage of raw storage. Including a more granular snapshot restoration process would greatly improve usability, allowing us to restore deleted files rather than the entire share.

I have been using Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) since 2019, which amounts to about four or five years now.

The stability of Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) is commendable. The solution offers self-healing, and I have not encountered any problems with stability so far.

Scalability is fine with Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS); it allows compatibility and building on top of existing infrastructure. The scale-out capability works well, enabling us to run both legacy and advanced hardware seamlessly.

Technical support is adequate, but it is challenging to reach a subject matter expert quickly. As a technical person, I find it difficult to get direct answers from SMEs instead of going through initial support levels. This process can delay resolution.

Neutral

Previously, I used solutions such as Citrix, VMware, and Hyper-V. I chose Nutanix for its flexibility, intelligence, and straightforward management, which suits my day-to-day work much better.

The initial setup was not difficult, but having some prior reading makes understanding easier. Nutanix provides good knowledge resources, making it tech-user-friendly, although not necessarily easy.

I recommend that Nutanix include file storage features in the pro license or Prism Pro, reducing the cost per terabyte. This would encourage more usage, make the product more accessible, and optimize the idle storage present in clusters.

In my previous experience, I evaluated solutions from Citrix, VMware, and Hyper-V.

I rate Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) a ten out of ten. The solution is excellent for stability, scalability, and valuable features, although improvements in licensing flexibility and more granular snapshot restoration would enhance it further.

Other

We use it for the application virtual machines and the database virtual machines.

Performance-wise, it is very impressive. We get local storage, which creates copies of data objects on each host. Therefore, even if there is a host failure, we can rebuild the virtual machine (VM) using the copies from other hosts. This setup enhances performance, especially since the storage access is local.

When it comes to licensing, we get favorable terms compared to other technologies on the market. For instance, we receive the ready boxes at a lower licensing price than competitors. The applications run smoothly on these boxes, adding to their reliability.

Cost efficiency is another significant advantage of our setup. Our private environment provides considerable savings compared to public offerings like AWS.

Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) provides an integrated environment that combines storage, computing, and networking resources into one cohesive system. This is a significant advantage. Additionally, we can easily migrate machines from any environment to Nutanix with the Move tool without the need for a license. Upgrading hosts, BIOS, or firmware for the physical hardware is also straightforward through Nutanix Prism. This ease of management makes Nutanix a convenient solution for our operations.

More training sessions should be organized by Nutanix, or they could consider creating training videos to help users learn about new features or tools that we introduce. This would provide a better way to gain knowledge in these areas.
The training programs could be improved. It's quite challenging to find adequate learning resources online, as there isn’t much available on the internet or YouTube. Users often have to rely on Nutanix documentation to learn how to use the platform. Therefore, it would be beneficial to offer knowledge transfer sessions that focus on installation steps and new tools.

I have been using Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) for three years and six months.

Regarding scalability, I would rate it an eight out of ten. Adding another node to scale the environment is straightforward and effective. Overall, I would also rate the scaling process as easy. By simply adding a node, we can increase the cluster's capacity.

I would rate the technical support for Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) as a solid eight out of ten. They respond very quickly.

Positive

Installation is straightforward. We simply need to install the foundation tool on a laptop, then provide the IP address, host name, and other details. The tool automatically creates the cluster and sets up the storage without any manual intervention needed during deployment.

It typically takes about four to five hours to set up a single cluster.

Five people manage the solution. 

Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) requires maintenance. Regarding maintenance, the solution requires occasional maintenance, particularly to upgrade to the latest versions or to ensure compatibility with any tools or hardware. This maintenance primarily involves node maintenance, not application maintenance. As for the time required for maintenance, it varies depending on the features being addressed, such as FTS (Full Text Search) or LTS (Long-Term Support). Typically, it takes around two to three hours to upgrade at least five hosts.

It is cheaper than the market. 

When comparing features, one of the major advantages is that migration is very fast. It allows for easy movement from one environment to another without the need to purchase any special licenses. In contrast, many other solutions on the market require specific licenses for various activities, such as migration or upgrades. This flexibility makes this solution more accessible and cost-effective.

In terms of security, we primarily depend on the network side. The networking team manages all aspects of network security. As most of our hosts are connected to the network, the primary threats generally originate from this area. We regularly conduct upgrades and apply patches based on our assessment of potential vulnerabilities, which helps minimize risks.

I would definitely recommend this product to others; it is very resilient.

My overall rating for Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) is eight out of ten.

On-premises

My total experience for data-intensive workloads, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning in a hybrid cloud environment, is over eight years. I have worked six to seven years on hybrid hypervisors and the hybrid cloud, delivering multiple projects in the cloud, including virtualization platforms.

Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) is software-defined storage that consolidates file, object, and block storage into a single platform. It is a very beneficial solution with advanced features. The platform runs natively on the Nutanix AHV or external environment and simplifies storage management while delivering performance, scalability, redundancy, and resiliency.

Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) offers data protection and availability features, including built-in replication, snapshot, erasure coding, and RF2, RF3 for data resilience, along with integration with Nutanix data protection and disaster recovery solutions.

One of the best features of Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) is the ability to deliver file, object, and block storage from a single unified storage platform, along with native integration into the Nutanix Prism for centralized and simplified management. This eliminates the need for separate storage, simplifying administration and allowing seamless scalability. The software-defined nature of Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) enables flexible deployment on-premises, at the edge, or in the cloud, making it ideal for hybrid environments.

The cybersecurity features are used for protecting unstructured data against threats such as ransomware.

I have five years experience with Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS), and I have been working with it for five to six years.

When using Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) for five years, the TCO can reduce by 30 to 40 percent. Using Nutanix for four years, the return on investment would be one crore in savings compared to the traditional data center TCO. When using a traditional 3-tier data center, the TCO for one crore over five years may apply. Nutanix provides a TCO ROI calculator on its website, which helps customers estimate cost savings compared to traditional infrastructure.

Data Lens uses SaaS (software as a service) and is one of the best features of the Nutanix Cloud platform. It is used for file analytics and governance, particularly for unstructured data stored in Nutanix files or objects.

Hyperconvergence plays a role in assessing whether the solution has reduced total cost of ownership. In TCO, Nutanix could reduce costs by 30 to 60 percent, depending on the use cases and scale. I find it to be cost-effective.

My use cases include storage, system storage, and distributed storage for virtual machines.

What I appreciate most about Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) is the efficiency in terms of storage capacity and reuse.

This efficiency improves my company by offering greater logical capacity per physical tera.

In day-to-day operations, this translates to a lower cost of ownership per tera.

The improvement in response times to business applications by Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) is notable, as it enhances response times.

At this moment, I cannot think of any improvements at the product level, everything is working extremely well.

I would like to see more components, although the analytical component is already included with Lens.

I have been using Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) for eight months.

The stability of Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) seems good so far, as the platform's availability is designed for that purpose.

The platform's scalability has not caused any problems; scaling hasn't been required yet, but the scaling functionality is available.

I have not needed to request technical service or customer service.

Positive

I have seen the return on investment when using Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) in lower ownership costs, as we have a traditional storage system where the value per tera is higher.

The experience with Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) prices and licenses is good, there is a good relationship.

I have considered options such as Unity or PowerStore from Dell.

I believe the cybersecurity qualities of Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) are an essential component in an organization's cyber resilience strategy to protect data from being compromised, accessed, or deleted due to cyber issues.

Cloud integration is important, not only with other platforms but also with Dell and storage systems that are not Pure Storage.

Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) excels in cost efficiency and value per tera, and it is software-defined storage that can be scaled flexibly.

I rate Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) nine out of ten.

On-premises

Other

We use Unified Storage for file sharing, application access, and backups.

The model at Dicegsa involves many sellers storing their information on Nutanix Unified Storage from different places in various ways. Nutanix allows us to avoid silos of information by consolidating everything into Unified Storage, so no data is lost and users have high trust in it. Phones, laptops, etc. get lost, but the data remains protected. 

Nutanix Unified Storage has enabled us to reduce the number of storage nodes. When it comes to renewing the technology, I prefer to buy NUS because it works better than traditional storage. In terabytes, we have reduced about 80 terabytes into two little boxes. It has affected us positively in that we do not have any outages. We have lost devices but the information is still available. 

The best Nutanix Unified Storage features are its recovery and data speeds. It has resolved the issue of accessing information quickly. NUS's throughput is quite good. However, our model still requires optimization for better results. It isn't the solution's fault but rather how our data is organized. The throughput is excellent, especially the data analytics, it has many conversions. A lot of information comes and goes, which is analyzed differently. The result is perfect.

It has immutability functionality within the backups that is out of the box. Nutanix delivers it and offers us an additional layer of security. I did not know the feature existed, I was pleasantly surprised when I found out about it.

Perhaps Unified Storage could be improved by including artificial intelligence to make searches more effective. Also, if someone has access who shouldn't, it could automatically update, so I do not need to physically remove permission. The platform could do it automatically. AI could make it more self-service.

We have used Unified Storage for three years.

In the three years we've used Nutanix Unified Storage, we've never had any issues aside from the ones we've generated. 

We are not yet at our limits, and what we purchased still supports our data, but I believe Nutanix Unified Storage has no problems scaling. It's a highly stable platform.

I rate Nutanix customer service nine out of 10. It's only nine because I do not believe in perfection. This is a critical subject for us. Normally, our suppliers deliver and leave. However, we have maintained a relationship with Nutanix for three years. We started with a single solution and decided we wanted to continue working with them. 

We recently renewed three other servers and will continue to grow with the same provider. We know each other, so it's easier to trust someone you've known for a while. Indeed, a community is growing and more clients join every day.

Positive

We previously had a Dell that was expensive and incomplete. We would have to complete it with something else that made it even more expensive and have the dependency on a resource. This was ultimately reduced thanks to NUS.

Deploying Nutanix Unified Storage was simple for the IT team, and we quickly integrated it in compliance with the minimum security mechanisms. We updated, migrated, and implemented it, so it wasn't too chaotic. There was a learning curve, but it wasn't so bad because our IT staff members aren't rookies. They already understand the concepts and how things are implemented, so it was fast.

We started with certain important people, focusing on the business aspects, not technology. We took advantage of technological renewal, the fact that it was time to renew and change components. In every deployment, people always react differently to change. At first, you don't trust the technology, but once you start realizing its potential, things become much more fluid. 

A consulting integrator called Mtsolutions, which is in Latin America. The name of the integrator was Ronald Paniahui, the experience was very positive.

It is difficult to say because we have never measured the ROI of Nutanix Unified Storage, but I can provide a concrete example. For example, a salesperson had a problem in January when her laptop stopped working. That loss of information costs a lot of money. We implemented Unified Storage in March, and something similar happened to another person in May, but they didn't lose their information. There was only minimal physical damage to the device.

We know there is operational efficiency and the information is easier to recover. If we were working the same old way, we would have needed people dedicated to many issues. Maybe this measurement has not been from a human resources perspective of how long it takes for a person to recover their information, where they do it, what they recover, etc. The business flow would not be the same if we still used another solution.

The price can always be improved. As a customer, you always seek reasonable solutions within your budget, and they give us little to do a lot. My IT team always has to justify that we are choosing an optimal solution, so the price could be a little lower.

I rate Nutanix Unified Storage nine out of 10. The platform sells itself without forcing you to like it.

On-premises

We are currently using Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) for Citrix Virtual Desktop. These virtual desktops are used as a jump host.

There are a lot of features in Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS). The file server is very good for the environment because previously we needed to create separate file servers. Now we can make them on Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) only. There are many features like Flow, which is for segmentation. I also have experience in administration.

There are some techniques in Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) that need to be improved. Sometimes, processes get stuck on the console, which requires intervention from the command lines. There are gaps between the GUI and command lines.

I have been using Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) for the last ten years.

For the first time, it was difficult because it was our initial deployment. After that, it has been very easy.

Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) is very stable. During updates or upgrades, it is stable and user-friendly. The upgrade process is simple: just click, click, click, next, next, next, finish.

Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) is very easy to scale. You can simply rack and mount the server or node you want and add it to the cluster anytime.

The customer service is better than VMware and other solutions. They come on the call and start troubleshooting immediately. The quality of support is good.

Neutral

I previously worked with VMware before moving on to Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS). I also have experience with Citrix and Hyper-V.

The initial setup was difficult the first time, but after that, it became very easy.

Just one person is required for the deployment. However, we need information from the network teams about requirements. During our recent deployment, I was in Mumbai, India, while my hardware was in Denver, US. We didn't use a deployment service. Our data center team connected the cables, and I managed the rest remotely.

I heard that VMware is costlier than Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS). Previously, I worked with a Nutanix partner, so I am aware of the pricing.

I would rate Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS) a perfect ten out of ten. You don’t have to do much; you just have to purchase the required hardware, rack it, power it on, connect the network cables, and add it to the cluster. That's it. Nutanix technical support is impressive, as they resolve issues immediately without unnecessary delays. My overall product rating is ten.

On-premises

It serves as a centralized network location accessible to all staff members within our district school district, including technology personnel, teachers, and administrators. We utilize it as a shared file repository, allowing individuals to access necessary files from any computer based on their assigned policies.

When we decided to implement Nutanix, we aimed to address several challenges. Firstly, we were dealing with an outdated NAS server that had been in place long before my tenure at the school district. It was over ten years old and required a hard drive replacement within the first year of my arrival due to failure. Secondly, we sought to minimize our data center's footprint by consolidating our infrastructure. Rather than adding more equipment to accommodate our needs, Nutanix allowed us to streamline services by consolidating them onto our existing virtualization platform.

It has effectively managed our unstructured data, including audio and video files. We've experienced smooth operations without any complaints regarding uploading or downloading videos. While video usage isn't as frequent, we primarily utilize it for downloading videos related to specific incidents for administrators or our police department. We've encountered no issues uploading files of any kind.

Transitioning from VMware to Nutanix has highlighted the overall flexibility of Nutanix's platform. Unlike VMware's three-tier system, Nutanix simplifies the learning curve by streamlining operations. The update process, in particular, has been favorable, with no critical issues encountered.

The resiliency of Nutanix hasn't been thoroughly tested in our environment so far. However, I routinely check fault tolerance settings to ensure they meet our requirements. During the update process, I've observed critical errors occur as hosts restart, but Nutanix's self-healing mechanism handles these issues seamlessly.

The benefit of using Nutanix is evident in several ways. Firstly, we've effectively compressed our storage while significantly expanding our overall storage pool. Previously, our service had a capacity of twenty-five terabytes, but with Nutanix, we've scaled up to a hundred and twenty terabytes physically and approximately fifty terabytes logically. This expansion has been accompanied by noticeable improvements in performance, particularly with reduced latency and IOPS well within the boundaries of our equipment.

All our resources are centralized in a single location for managing and running storage: our data center. We operate three Nutanix nodes within this center, effectively managing everything from one central location. We don't have any other locations outside of our data center running a Nutanix cluster.

Nutanix's capability to eliminate silos within our organization's storage infrastructure was discussed during our recent call with the engineer. Although we haven't explored this feature extensively yet, there's a forthcoming project where we anticipate leveraging it.One thing I'd appreciate is having a desktop application similar to what VMware offered. With VMware, I could download a separate client program onto my computer, allowing me to log in directly rather than accessing the host through a browser.

Currently, the most valuable aspect of our Nutanix implementation is its file storage functionality.

One thing I'd appreciate is having a desktop application similar to what VMware offered. With VMware, I could download a separate client program onto my computer, allowing me to log in directly rather than accessing the host through a browser.

We transitioned from a VMware environment to Nutanix over a year ago, during which we also introduced Unified File Storage capabilities alongside our existing Enterprise Storage solution.

The occurrence of lagging and downtime has been very minimal since we migrated most of our servers. It has been an improvement overall. Any lag that may occur would likely be imperceptible to the average user. Occasionally, I may receive minor warnings in reports, such as a recent anomaly where computation usage nearly reached a hundred percent during midday. However, this did not impact everyday use, and it was only noted upon reviewing the report later in the day.

I can't provide a definitive assessment of scalability as we initially started with a three-node cluster. However, in terms of deploying virtual machines, Nutanix has demonstrated greater efficiency with resources compared to our previous VMware setup. Previously, I often had to allocate significant amounts of RAM and CPU resources to servers. With Nutanix, resource allocation requirements are notably reduced. For instance, where I would typically allocate a four-core CPU and eight gigs of RAM, I can now achieve similar performance with just two cores for the CPU and two gigs of RAM. This efficiency in resource utilization suggests that we have ample runway to deploy more virtual machines as needed.

Before migrating to Nutanix, our infrastructure was based on VMware. Regarding other services, we utilize Unified Storage and operate within the hyper-converged Acropolis hypervisor environment for our virtual machines. This setup allows us to leverage the multi-cloud infrastructure aspect in conjunction with Unified Storage. The integration between Unified Storage and our Acropolis hypervisor environment has been excellent. The reporting functionality is highly readable, and I appreciate how it includes links to knowledge-based articles whenever critical errors occur.

When comparing the security features of Nutanix to VMware, we didn't delve deeply into security with VMware. However, with Nutanix Files, I appreciate the ransomware feature. This feature allows us to add known malicious file names to a list, preventing any uploads of those files into the system. I find this feature valuable, especially considering past incidents like the Log4J malicious code. If any other threats arise in the future, we can easily add them to the list for protection.

Initially, when we purchased the solution, I wasn't involved in the hardware selection process. Instead, a third-party technology firm handled the initial deployment since I lacked full certification or expertise in Nutanix at the time. However, since then, I've obtained the Nutanix Certified Associate certification.

Two individuals were involved in the deployment process, with one acting as an overseer while the other handled the entire implementation. Following the deployment, the latter provided me with an Excel sheet containing all the usernames, and passwords for Nutanix admin users, and an overview of the tasks completed.

The only maintenance task I handle is performing life cycle management updates, which I conduct twice a month. This includes software and firmware maintenance. As for physical maintenance, there haven't been any requirements since the nodes were purchased.

For new users considering Nutanix, my advice would be to first assess your specific goals and needs within your environment. Determine what you're aiming to achieve—is it more efficient virtual machines, a smaller footprint in your data center, or reduced energy consumption. In our case, transitioning from VMware to Nutanix significantly reduced our footprint from a full six-foot rack to just three small servers. This not only reduced space requirements but also improved energy efficiency. Additionally, if you're dealing with outdated hardware, Nutanix could be a viable option to explore. Considering recent changes, such as VMware's shift towards more subscription-based models and potentially less customer-oriented programs, evaluating Nutanix's offerings in alignment with your organization's mission and views may be worthwhile. Overall, I would rate it nine out of ten.

On-premises

It is utilized as a storage repository, serving as the file storage. It is also employed for enabling the export of any NFS share for web applications.

The flexibility of Nutanix Unified Storage is evident, particularly in its licensing model. Unlike before, where we had to meticulously calculate license allocations for different storage types, now we can simply purchase a specific amount of storage and utilize it as needed. This means we have the freedom to allocate storage for various purposes, whether it's for object storage, agent storage, or data block groups, without the hassle of rigid licensing constraints.

I'm well acquainted with the resilience offered by Nutanix. When you create a file server using Nutanix Files, the tool automatically sets up a cluster of virtual machines. Each of these virtual machines is a vital component of the file cluster. Should one virtual machine encounter an issue, others within the cluster step in to maintain high availability, ensuring uninterrupted service. It establishes a cluster of object servers, utilizing multiple VMs for resilience.

The Nutanix Data Lens is a product developed by Nutanix, operating in the cloud.  It provides valuable insights into the various types of data stored in my Nutanix Files. Recently, Data Lens introduced a new feature allowing connectivity to Nutanix Objects as well. However, I have been using it to analyze the data within Nutanix Files. It offers numerous dashboards to delve deep into the characteristics of stored data and provides helpful insights for data protection.

The benefits of utilizing Nutanix Unified Storage lie in its performance. With numerous virtual machines supporting critical business applications, any issues with one VM are quickly mitigated by others in the cluster, ensuring consistent performance and resilience. Managing and setting up file servers with Nutanix Files is straightforward and unmatched in simplicity. It doesn't require extensive expertise to handle storage tasks.

Unified Storage enables us to efficiently run and manage storage operations from any location. Currently, we operate from a single site in our production environment. As a healthcare research center under government jurisdiction, our main facility is located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We manage our data center there, and due to the presence of Nutanix, our storage management is consolidated in this single location.

I appreciate its storage licensing model, as it offers flexibility. With this model, you purchase a specific amount of storage and have the freedom to allocate it to different services as needed.

One notable feature is the ability to set hard limits on data consumption. Also, its compatibility with data lakes. This allows for data inspection within the cluster, providing a solution for potential attacks on object storage buckets.

"When creating a SMB share, Nutanix Files is restricted to 100 characters, whereas Windows allows for up to 254 characters."

I have been using it for approximately five years.

I would rate its stability capabilities ten out of ten.

Scalability is a strong aspect of this solution for my company's needs. Currently, we operate our Unified Storage cluster comprising eighteen nodes, supporting government processes. We plan to further expand our Unified Storage cluster. I would rate it nine out of ten.

Technical support has consistently been very helpful, often providing prompt responses to our inquiries. The speed of their response typically depends on the urgency of the case, whether it's classified as critical, normal, or given priority status. I would rate it nine out of ten.

Positive

Previously, we utilized a Windows share with the SMB protocol, for some types of data. We opted for Nutanix because of its streamlined approach to purchasing unified storage, enabling us to modernize our data storage practices. Nutanix offers enhanced performance capabilities, akin to working with Amazon S3 or Microsoft's Azure Blob storage, facilitating ease of use and adaptability for developing new applications aligned with Devops culture.

The initial setup may require some intermediate knowledge, but Nutanix provides thorough documentation which, if followed attentively, leads to smooth implementation.

Recently, I successfully created a new cluster of objects, overcoming initial challenges by delving deep into the documentation. While previously, such tasks were handled by the company providing the Nutanix solution, I now have the confidence and capability to independently deploy and manage clusters. 

For the implementation process, I can manage the process by myself, but certain requirements necessitate involvement from other teams. For instance, I need to collaborate with the security team regarding firewall configurations. Additionally, I must coordinate with the network team to obtain the necessary subnets for creating the cluster. I am also responsible for the maintenance.

While the price may not be the most affordable, I believe it offers good value for the benefits it provides. It offers simplicity and excellent performance. I consider it to offer the best balance of cost and benefits.

Before opting for Nutanix, we considering options like Dell and Cisco solutions for hyper-convergence. Nutanix wins. We have Nutanix Karbon (Kubernettes) and Nutanix Calm (Aplications Orchestrator) in our arsenal, but due to the limited number of collaborators on our team, we haven't yet deployed these solutions in our production environment. Additionally, within the upgrade Prism Central Pro to Ultimate version licensing product, there's a feature called Nutanix Cost Governance. This allows us to manage the costs associated with virtual machines like a public cloud. We can assign specific values to factors such as RAM, storage, and virtual CPUs for each virtual machine, consolidating them into a single cost for internal departments. It enhances visibility and tangibility regarding IT costs, making it easier to manage resources effectively.

If you're migrating from Windows File Server to Nutanix Files, my recommendation is to proceed gradually, involving different departments and prioritizing non-critical tasks initially. Thorough testing and careful planning are essential steps and would help mitigate risks and ensure a smoother transition. Overall, I would rate it nine out of ten.

On-premises