Running Nutanix Cloud Clusters Without Hyperscaler Tradeoffs

A different approach to extending Nutanix environments into the cloud 

Organizations are continuing to expand Nutanix environments beyond the data center. In many cases, this means evaluating how Nutanix Cloud Clusters (NC2) operates across different cloud models. 

While NC2 is available on hyperscale platforms, those implementations are tightly integrated into provider-native services for networking, identity, and lifecycle management. This introduces dependencies that can affect cost predictability, operational consistency, and architectural flexibility. 

An alternative approach is to run NC2 on dedicated infrastructure, where the cloud acts as an extension of existing environments rather than a fully abstracted platform. 

Where hyperscaler models introduce complexity 

For many teams, hyperscaler-based NC2 deployments introduce tradeoffs that are not always immediately visible. 

Consumption-based pricing models can make long-term cost planning more difficult, particularly for steady-state workloads. Native service dependencies can also require teams to adapt networking, access control, and operational processes to fit provider-specific constructs. 

Over time, this can create divergence between on-premises environments and cloud deployments, increasing operational overhead and reducing consistency across environments. 

A model built on dedicated infrastructure 

Running NC2 on OVHcloud takes a different approach. Instead of embedding the platform into a hyperscaler control plane, Nutanix clusters are deployed on dedicated bare metal infrastructure with clear separation between the application environment and the underlying cloud services. 

This model is designed to extend existing Nutanix environments without introducing additional abstraction layers or requiring changes to established operating models. 

The result is a cloud environment that behaves more like a natural extension of on-premises infrastructure. 

Faster time to value without added operational overhead 

One of the immediate differences in this model is how infrastructure is delivered. 

Clusters are provisioned as operational environments, eliminating the need for manual hardware preparation, imaging, or network configuration typically associated with traditional deployments. This reduces deployment timelines and allows teams to focus on workload placement rather than infrastructure setup. 

For organizations managing multiple environments, this approach simplifies expansion while maintaining consistency across deployments. 

Greater flexibility at the network and security layer 

Infrastructure design requirements can vary significantly depending on the workload, industry, and compliance considerations. 

This model allows organizations to define their own network architecture, including routing, segmentation, and security controls, rather than relying on predefined cloud constructs. As a result, teams can align cloud environments with existing policies and standards without introducing additional constraints. 

This level of flexibility is particularly relevant for environments with strict security requirements or complex networking needs. 

Cost predictability without variable consumption 

Cost management remains a primary consideration when extending workloads to the cloud. 

In this model, infrastructure and licensing costs are defined upfront, with no dependency on variable consumption metrics such as data transfer or fluctuating usage patterns. This provides greater visibility into monthly spend and supports more accurate budgeting over time. 

For organizations with fixed budgets or predictable workload demands, this approach reduces the financial uncertainty often associated with consumption-based cloud models. 

Consistent access to management and operations 

Maintaining consistent access to management tools is critical in multi-environment deployments. 

In this architecture, management access is delivered through dedicated endpoints that remain independent of workload traffic and network configurations. This ensures reliable access without requiring additional routing dependencies or integration with external identity services. 

For teams operating multiple clusters, this simplifies administration while maintaining separation between management and application traffic. 

What this means for Nutanix environments 

Running NC2 on dedicated infrastructure brings together several key advantages: 

• Nutanix clusters delivered as ready-to-use environments on dedicated hardware  
• Greater flexibility in defining network and security architectures  
• Predictable cost structures without variable consumption  
• Consistent operational models across on-premises and cloud environments  
• Flexible licensing options, including bring-your-own-license and bundled models  

This approach is not intended to replace hyperscaler-based deployments, but to provide an alternative for organizations that prioritize control, consistency, and cost predictability. 

When this model makes sense 

For many organizations, extending Nutanix environments to the cloud is not just about scalability. It is about maintaining operational consistency while adapting to new requirements. 

A dedicated infrastructure model is particularly well suited for: 

• Workloads with steady-state performance and cost requirements  
• Environments with strict security or compliance constraints  
• Organizations seeking to avoid operational divergence across environments  
• Teams that prioritize predictable costs over consumption-based flexibility  

Extending without reworking the foundation 

As cloud strategies continue to evolve, the ability to extend existing environments without introducing unnecessary complexity becomes increasingly important. 

Running NC2 on OVHcloud enables organizations to expand capacity, support new use cases, and improve resilience, all while maintaining the same operational approach used on-premises. 

For teams looking to balance flexibility with predictability, this model provides a clear path forward without requiring a fundamental shift in how infrastructure is managed. 

Special thanks to Marco Fabbri for sharing his experience with NC2 on OVHcloud. His original article provided valuable inspiration for this adapted version. 

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