Unlocking the Power of Nutanix Cloud Clusters (NC2): Sizing and Deployment on Azure and AWS

​Navigating the dynamic landscape of cloud computing requires solutions that offer flexibility, simplicity, and cost-efficiency. Nutanix Cloud Clusters (NC2) emerges as a beacon of innovation in the hybrid multi-cloud realm, providing a comprehensive platform that caters to diverse cloud deployment needs. This extensive guide dives deep into the world of NC2, exploring its intricate details, highlighting its advantages, and illuminating its deployment intricacies on Azure and AWS. Whether you are planning a migration to the cloud or optimizing your current cloud infrastructure, NC2 is a force to reckon with.

Demystifying Nutanix NC2

​Nutanix Cloud Clusters (NC2) stands as a testament to the evolution of cloud technology, bringing together the prowess of Nutanix's hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) stack – comprising Nutanix AOS, AHV, and Prism – into the public cloud arena. It accomplishes this feat by running on bare metal instances, facilitating seamless application migration from on-premises environments to renowned public cloud providers like Azure and AWS.

The Multifaceted Benefits of NC2

1. Simplicity: At the heart of NC2's value proposition lies a single management console that seamlessly orchestrates workloads across on-premises and public clouds. This unified approach simplifies operations, reducing operational costs while streamlining management.
2. Flexibility: NC2 is a jack of all trades, capable of supporting various workloads, including virtual machines, containers, and bare metal instances. This remarkable flexibility empowers organizations to select the ideal deployment model for their specific use cases.
3. Cost Efficiency: NC2 operates on a pay-as-you-go model, ensuring that customers pay only for the resources they utilize. This dynamic pricing structure not only reduces costs but also enhances resource optimization.

Exploring NC2's Use Cases

The versatility of NC2 makes it an invaluable asset for organizations. Here are some practical use cases:

• Lift-and-Shift Migrations: NC2 simplifies the migration of workloads from on-premises to public clouds without necessitating alterations to existing applications.
• Cloud-Native Applications: For cloud-native applications, such as microservices and containers, NC2 provides an optimal environment within a hybrid multi-cloud ecosystem.
• Disaster Recovery: NC2 facilitates the creation of disaster recovery sites in public clouds, fortifying workloads against on-premises disruptions.

Comparative Analysis: NC2 vs. VMware Offering

While Nutanix Cloud Clusters (NC2), VMware on AWS, and VMware Cloud on Azure all offer hybrid cloud solutions for running VMware workloads, each presents distinct characteristics:

Nutanix Cloud Clusters (NC2):

• Type: Hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) platform.
• Underlying Infrastructure: NC2 leverages bare metal instances to run the Nutanix AOS, AHV, and Prism software stack. This approach provides direct access to the underlying hardware.
• Management Console: Nutanix Prism offers a unified management console for both on-premises and public cloud workloads, streamlining operations.
• Supported Workloads: NC2 is highly versatile, accommodating various workloads, including virtual machines, containers, and bare metal instances.​
• Key Advantages: NC2 stands out with its robust flexibility and deep integration with Nutanix's HCI stack. It's an ideal choice for organizations seeking a unified platform to manage workloads across multiple environments.
  
  

VMware on AWS:

• Type: Managed service.
• Underlying Infrastructure: VMware on AWS operates on AWS infrastructure, providing pre-configured and managed environments for VMware workloads.
• Management Console: VMware vCenter is the primary management console for VMware on AWS deployments.
• Supported Workloads: While VMware on AWS supports virtual machines, it is primarily designed for running VMware workloads.
• Key Advantages: VMware on AWS excels in providing a seamless extension of VMware workloads to the cloud, making it an attractive choice for organizations heavily invested in VMware technologies.
  
  

 VMware Cloud on Azure:

• Type: Managed service.
• Underlying Infrastructure: VMware Cloud on Azure runs on Azure infrastructure, offering a managed environment for VMware workloads within the Azure ecosystem.
• Management Console: Similar to VMware on AWS, VMware Cloud on Azure relies on VMware vCenter for management.
• Supported Workloads: VMware Cloud on Azure primarily focuses on virtual machine workloads.
• ​Key Advantages: VMware Cloud on Azure is an excellent choice for organizations already entrenched in Azure, looking to leverage Azure's services while maintaining their VMware investments.

Tailoring Your NC2 Cluster to Perfection

Properly sizing your NC2 cluster is pivotal for unlocking its full potential. Several factors must be taken into account:
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1. Workload Type and Requirements: The nature and specific demands of your workloads will determine the size and configuration of your cluster. Critical applications may necessitate more robust clusters.
2. Number of Users and VMs: The scale of users and virtual machines (VMs) in your environment directly impacts cluster size. A larger user base and more VMs mandate a larger cluster.
3. Budget Considerations: Your budget plays a pivotal role in cluster sizing, as NC2 adheres to a pay-as-you-go model. You can effortlessly scale resources as per your financial constraints.

Nutanix facilitates the sizing process with tools like the Nutanix Sizer, which takes into account workload requirements and budget constraints, offering recommendations for cluster size and configuration. Here are the general guidelines:

• Small Clusters: Typically suited for development, testing, and staging workloads, comprising 3-5 nodes.
• Medium Clusters: Ideal for production workloads with substantial resource requirements, featuring 6-10 nodes.
• Large Clusters: Engineered for mission-critical production workloads demanding top-tier performance and resilience, exceeding 11 nodes.
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Node size and configuration must align with your workload specifications.

Deploying NC2: Azure vs. AWS

The deployment of NC2 on Azure and AWS introduces some noteworthy distinctions:

Azure:

• Underlying Infrastructure: Azure bare-metal instances, delivering superior performance.
• Networking: Leveraging Flow Virtual Networking, offering a versatile networking framework.
• Integrations: Deeper integration with Azure services.
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AWS:

• Underlying Infrastructure: AWS EC2 instances.
• Networking: Reliance on AWS VPC as the native networking layer.
• Integrations: Fewer integrations with AWS services compared to Azure.
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For a tightly integrated hybrid cloud and multi-cloud solution, opt for NC2 on Azure. Meanwhile, NC2 on AWS provides greater flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

Cluster Sizes and Limitations

NC2 cluster sizes remain consistent on Azure and AWS, spanning from a minimum of 3 nodes to a maximum of 28 nodes. However, certain limitations apply:
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Azure:

• Does not support single-node clusters in production environments.
• Does not support clusters spanning multiple Azure regions.

AWS:

• Does not support clusters spanning multiple AWS Availability Zones.

Getting Started with NC2: A Roadmap to Success

Embarking on your journey with Nutanix Cloud Clusters (NC2) involves a series of steps:
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1. Register for a Free Trial: Begin by signing up for a complimentary 30-day trial of NC2 on the Nutanix website.
2. Choose a Cloud Provider: NC2 is supported on both AWS and Azure, allowing you to select the provider that aligns with your strategic objectives.
3. Deploy a Cluster: Utilize the intuitive Nutanix Cloud Console to seamlessly deploy your NC2 cluster.
4. Configure Your Cluster: Tailor your cluster to specific requirements by creating networks, storage pools, and user configurations.
5. Start Running Workloads: Once your cluster is configured, unleash its power by deploying virtual machines, containers, and bare metal instances, all within your NC2 environment.

Supplement Your Journey

• Nutanix Cloud Clusters Documentation: Delve into detailed documentation for comprehensive insights into deploying, managing, and utilizing NC2.
• Nutanix Cloud Clusters Blog: Explore a repository of articles and tutorials dedicated to NC2, offering hands-on guidance and industry insights.
• Nutanix Community: Join a thriving community forum where you can pose questions, engage with fellow NC2 users, and seek expert advice.

​Nutanix Cloud Clusters (NC2) embodies the future of cloud computing, offering a trifecta of simplicity, flexibility, and cost-efficiency. Whether you are venturing into cloud migration, scaling existing infrastructure, or seeking to optimize your cloud operations, NC2 stands as a formidable ally. Thoroughly grasping the intricacies of sizing, deployment options, and cluster configurations will set you on a path to cloud excellence. Unlock the full potential of your cloud strategy with Nutanix NC2 – your bridge to a brighter cloud future.

​References

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