How AHV works
Open source at its core, Nutanix AHV extends advanced virtualization capabilities to modern hybrid cloud environments. It features a distributed systems core designed for the cloud to solve today’s complex enterprise IT challenges.
![Diagram of how AHV works](/https/www.nutanix.com/content/dam/nutanix/images/img-how-ahv-works.jpg)
Nutanix AHV is engineered
for unrivaled ease of use
Optimized consumer-grade UI is easy to learn for admins of all skill levels.
Tight integration with the HCI stack eliminates complexity while ensuring intuitive access to networking and storage functionality like microsegmentation and storage snapshots without integration complexities.
One unified control plane simplifies management and administration.
Nutanix Cloud Manager features one unified control plane and interface to manage virtualization, hyperconverged infrastructure, virtual networking, security, and automation.
Nutanix AHV is seamlessly integrated with the Nutanix Cloud Platform.
AHV is native to the Nutanix stack of advanced technologies, requires no additional installation or integration, and features full-stack management from a single, intuitive UI.
Nutanix Prism simplifies workflows for easier hypervisor and VM management.
Full enterprise-grade virtualization capabilities
Ensure high availability for all workloads
Advanced virtualization features include VM live migration, dynamic scheduling, VM HA, and metro clustering.
Highly optimized utilization and performance
Memory overcommit, VM affinity, vNUMA, automated CPU compatibility, AHV turbo and an optimized storage stack.
Lifecycle management across the entire stack
Cloud infrastructure upgrades with one click. Start with firmware and then automate rolling full-stack upgrades.
White paper: A virtualization solution for the enterprise cloud.
Pre-integrated networking and storage
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No additional configuration work is required.
Included in the Nutanix stack, AHV is easily up and running in a cluster deployment with no need to download additional documentation or advanced configurations.
Leverage AHV integration in the Nutanix stack
Nutanix supports multiple hypervisors while AHV enables microsegmentation, optimized storage paths, easy-to-manage virtual networking, and other native capabilities.
Everything you need to power your cloud
Hybrid cloud on your terms
Scale up and back with fast, just-in-time provisioning and move workloads quickly with minimal risk and bidirectional portability – all from one unified control plane across on-premises, the edge and the cloud.
Production-ready Kubernetes in a few clicks
We support a range of Enterprise K8S providers, including our Nutanix Kubernetes Engine (NKE), which makes it easy to deploy and configure Kubernetes clusters in a matter of minutes. It also features integrated Kubernetes storage, monitoring, logging, and alerting.
Nutanix Cloud Clusters (NC2) for Azure and AWS
NC2 makes it a snap to migrate on-premises applications and workloads to Azure and AWS. No need to refactor or re-architect applications, giving you the freedom to quickly move to the cloud of your choice.
Make life easier by unifying your private and public clouds.
![](/https/www.nutanix.com/content/dam/nutanix/global/products/clusters/ss-clusters-ui-2021.png)
Everything you need
without the cost and complexity
AHV is a lean virtualization solution that delivers self-healing security, automated data protection with disaster recovery, rich analytics, and more No software bloat, no costly shelf-ware and no hidden costs.
Nutanix is trusted by 25,000+ customers
![Ruffalo Noel Levitz logo](/https/www.nutanix.com/content/dam/nutanix/logos/with-padding/logo_ruffalo-noel-levitz.png.transform/width400/img.png)
"Nutanix works the way VMware should. Prism Central manages HCI and AHV virtualization. By easing the management burden, I’ve been able to focus on more strategic projects."
- Bret Snyder, Senior Server Engineer, Ruffalo Noel Levitz
![Nasdaq logo](/https/www.nutanix.com/content/dam/nutanix/logos/with-padding/logo_nasdaq.png.transform/width400/img.png)
"AHV Virtualization is one of the main distinguishing factors for Nutanix. The out-of-the-box experience is fantastic, and AHV virtualization has all the features we need."
- Jake Yang, Senior Director of Global Systems, Nasdaq
![Texas A&M University System logo](/https/www.nutanix.com/content/dam/nutanix/logos/with-padding/logo_texas-am.png.transform/width400/img.png)
"Nutanix enables us to keep up with our fast growth rate with a very small IT team. This would not have been possible if we hadn’t migrated to Nutanix and AHV."
- Cary Tschirhart, IT Manager and Information Security Officer, Texas A&M University System
Explore our latest resources
Additional resources
![](/https/www.nutanix.com/content/dam/nutanix/resource-thumbnails/transparent/thumb-ds-vmc-ahv.png.transform/width400/img.png)
Nutanix AHV is Webscale Virtualization
AHV enables a consistent hybrid cloud operating model across datacenters, the edge, and public clouds.
![AHV Mission Control](/https/www.nutanix.com/content/dam/nutanix/images/ahv-microsite/thumb-ahv.jpg.transform/width400/img.jpg)
AHV Mission Control
Learn how to deploy, configure, and manage Nutanix AHV in just a few minutes.
![Red Hat OpenShift on Nutanix HCI](/https/www.nutanix.com/content/dam/nutanix/resource-thumbnails/tech-notes/thumb-esg-technical-validation-red-hat.png.transform/width400/img.png)
Red Hat OpenShift on Nutanix HCI
Get a detailed evaluation of the Nutanix and Red Hat joint solution.
Hyperconverged test drive
Try the industry-leading hyperconverged infrastructure today.