AWS Supports Nutanix AHV in Hybrid Cloud Storage Solutions
January 2, 2026
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced support for Nutanix's AHV hypervisor in its hybrid cloud storage environments, marking a significant development in cloud/storage integration. This move is part of AWS's strategy to boost demand for its cloud storage services through its Storage Gateway, a tool that connects various hypervisors to its Simple Storage Service (S3).
Previously, AWS supported Storage Gateway for hypervisors like VMware’s ESXi, Microsoft’s Hyper-V, and Linux KVM. The recent addition of AHV support, which is based on KVM, aligns seamlessly with Nutanix's hypervisor architecture and indicates AWS's keen interest in expanding support for diverse virtualization platforms.
As highlighted in AWS's announcement, integrating AHV support was a straightforward process due to its KVM roots. This development comes just over a week after Nutanix partnered with Pure Storage for integrated storage solutions and following its collaboration with Dell. These strategic partnerships demonstrate Nutanix’s recognition that, despite its robust software-defined storage, many customers continue to rely on external storage arrays.
Nutanix Faces Competition and Market Challenges
Nutanix positions itself as a viable alternative to VMware, especially in light of recent industry shifts. The company's focus on expanding into sovereign cloud markets and diversifying its storage options signals its intent to remain competitive against major players like VMware, which is now controlled by Broadcom after its merger with BMC.
Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware has sparked concern among organizations wary of reduced competition and increased costs. The company promotes its Cloud Foundation suite as the preferred private cloud platform, claiming rapid ROI for fully adopted solutions. However, Gartner warns that Broadcom's strategy could lead to VMware losing up to 35% of its workloads over the next three years.
Strategic Moves and Market Outlook
Nutanix executives have indicated that discussions with VMware users are increasingly moving from exploratory conversations to active implementation plans. As Nutanix aims for growth and continues to enhance its storage and cloud offerings, AWS's support for AHV positions it well to capture a larger share of the hybrid and private cloud markets.
In the face of rising competition and shifting industry dynamics, AWS’s support for Nutanix AHV exemplifies its efforts to offer broader, flexible cloud storage solutions adaptable to various hypervisors and enterprise needs.