If you’re running Nutanix, you’ve got a choice: stick with VMware ESXi or move to Nutanix’s native hypervisor, AHV. It’s not a trivial decision, and the answer isn’t the same for everyone.
I’ve worked with both extensively. I’ve migrated a 200-VM environment to AHV in three weeks, and I’ve also told a client to stay on ESXi because their NSX investment made the switch pointless. This post breaks down what you need to know.
The Hypervisor Question
When Nutanix started, it was hypervisor-agnostic. That’s still technically true, but the landscape has shifted:
- AHV has matured significantly
- VMware licensing changes after Broadcom acquisition
- Feature development is AHV-first or AHV-only
The question isn’t “Is AHV ready?” anymore. It’s “What’s the right fit for my environment?”
Understanding AHV
AHV (Acropolis Hypervisor) is Nutanix’s native hypervisor, built on a hardened Linux kernel with KVM at its core.
Key Characteristics
- KVM-based: Proven, open-source virtualization technology
- Tightly integrated: Built specifically for Nutanix infrastructure
- Managed through Prism: No separate vCenter equivalent needed
- Included with Nutanix: No additional hypervisor licensing
- Developer-friendly: Extensive APIs with thorough documentation
What AHV Does Well
- Simplicity: One management plane for everything
- Cost: Included in your Nutanix license
- Integration: Native features like Flow, Calm, and DR work seamlessly
- Updates: Hypervisor updates through Prism with one-click upgrades
Understanding ESXi on Nutanix
Running ESXi on Nutanix gives you VMware’s hypervisor with Nutanix’s storage and HCI benefits.
What ESXi Brings
- Mature ecosystem: Decades of VMware tooling and expertise
- vSphere features: vMotion, DRS, HA
- Third-party integrations: Backup tools, monitoring, security products
- Familiarity: Your team likely knows VMware already
The Trade-offs
- Additional licensing: VMware licenses on top of Nutanix
- Two management planes: vCenter + Prism
- Feature limitations: Some Nutanix features are AHV-only
Feature Comparison
Core Virtualization
| Feature | AHV | ESXi on Nutanix |
|---|---|---|
| Live migration | Yes | Yes (vMotion) |
| High availability | Yes | Yes (vSphere HA) |
| Resource scheduling | Yes (ADS) | Yes (DRS) |
| GPU passthrough | Yes | Yes |
Nutanix-Specific Features
| Feature | AHV | ESXi on Nutanix |
|---|---|---|
| Flow (microsegmentation) | Yes | No |
| Calm (full features) | Yes | Partial |
| One-click hypervisor upgrades | Yes | No |
| Prism-only management | Yes | No (need vCenter) |
Licensing and Cost
AHV Licensing
Included with Nutanix. No additional hypervisor cost.
ESXi Licensing (Post-Broadcom)
VMware licensing changed significantly:
- Subscription-based
- Per-core pricing
- vCenter required
The delta can fund a lot of other projects.
Support Experience
Nutanix Support
Nutanix consistently scores 90+ NPS. One phone number for the entire stack.
VMware Support (Post-Broadcom)
The Broadcom acquisition has been rocky:
- Support staff reductions
- Longer response times reported
- Licensing confusion
Migration Considerations
The Nutanix Move Tool
Nutanix Move is free and makes migrations relatively painless. I’ve watched interns successfully migrate workloads after minimal training.
Move handles:
- Disk conversion automatically
- Driver injection for new hypervisor
- Network mapping
- Cutover scheduling
Real-World Migration Timelines
- 50-100 VMs: 1-2 week migration window
- 100-500 VMs: 4-6 weeks
- 500+ VMs: Phased approach over 2-3 months
When to Choose AHV
- Cost optimization is a priority
- You want simplicity (one management plane, one vendor)
- You want one support number
- You need Nutanix-native features (Flow, Calm)
- You’re starting fresh
When to Stay on ESXi
- Deep VMware ecosystem dependencies (NSX, vRealize)
- Specific application requirements (some vendors only support ESXi)
- Recent VMware investment
Real-World Decision Framework
Step 1: Inventory Your Environment
- How many VMs?
- What applications?
- What backup/DR tools?
- Current VMware licensing status?
Step 2: Identify VMware Dependencies
- Management tools
- Backup integrations
- Security products
Step 3: Calculate True Costs
Compare VMware licensing vs. simplified operations with AHV.
Step 4: Plan the Transition
Phased approach:
- New workloads on AHV
- Dev/test migration
- Non-critical production
- Critical workloads
- Decommission ESXi
Questions?
Q: Is AHV production-ready? A: Yes. AHV runs mission-critical workloads worldwide.
Q: How hard is it for my VMware team to learn? A: Most teams are productive within days. Nutanix University provides free training.
Q: How long does migration take? A: Faster than you might think. Plan for weeks, not months.
References
Making the hypervisor decision? Take your time, do the math, and plan the transition carefully. The migration tools work, the support is there, and the training is free.
Grab a slice, and let’s keep building.
Happy automating!