VMware's main challenger already embraces multiple storage options
Amazon Web Services has given Nutanix a lovely Christmas present: Support for its AHV hypervisor in hybrid cloud storage rigs.
AWS is keen on anything that drives demand for its services, and one of the tools it uses to get users interested in its cloudy storage offerings is the Storage Gateway, a tool that connects hypervisors to its Simple Storage Service (S3).
The cloud giant previously made Storage Gateway available as a workload for VMware’s ESXi, Microsoft’s Hyper-V, and Linux KVM.
On Monday, AWS announced support for AHV, too.
As AWS noted in its announcement, AHV is KVM-based, suggesting it wasn’t a stretch to add support for Nutanix.
Amazon’s enthusiasm for AHV emerged just 12 days after Nutanix delivered the integration with Pure Storage that it announced in May 2025. The company’s tie-up with Pure followed a similar deal with Dell. Both reflect Nutanix’s admission that while its native software-defined storage is an excellent offering, the majority of its current and potential customers aren’t going to stop using external arrays any time soon.
Nutanix is often the first name on any list of VMware alternatives written by organizations who feel that Broadcom’s acquisition of the virtualization giant means they need to consider the market for server virtualization and private cloud tools. Broadcom created such sentiments by focusing its sales efforts on Cloud Foundation, an integrated suite that powers private clouds, and making it hard for customers to buy its less capable products.
Broadcom argues that its customers will be better off adopting Cloud Foundation, and counters criticism that the bundle is expensive by arguing those who adopt it fully will enjoy swift and substantial ROI. Analyst firm Gartner, however, believes Broadcom’s actions will see VMware lose 35 percent of the workloads it currently manages within three years.
Nutanix execs have told The Register that its discussions with VMware users have shifted from inquisitive exploration to implementation contemplation.
With Nutanix on the cusp of potential growth, and already open to expanding its storage options, it’s unsurprising AWS wants to make sure it’s in a position to get its share of the action. ®