Nutanix remains committed to end-user computing (EUC) from the ground up; not just technologically, but also to tailoring its licensing specifically for EUC environments. As we get closer to the date when most G6 Nutanix NX hardware will reach the end of support life, it’s a good time to talk about some exciting changes coming to the software, including licensing updates and enforcement, the Citrix AHV plugin, and Nutanix cloud clusters (NC2).

Nutanix Hot Topic: Licensing

Nutanix has always been committed to enhancing its platform’s compatibility with the latest technologies while simplifying hybrid and virtual environment management. Its current focus on integrating with Citrix, supporting the latest Windows OS, and offering flexible licensing options is geared toward providing robust, scalable, and secure IT infrastructure solutions.

While other vendors like VMware now have more restrictive licensing models for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) enterprise features, Nutanix continues to evolve its licensing models to accommodate different deployment scenarios, offering more flexibility and streamlined management across various environments. This includes multi-type licensing options that cater to diverse organizational needs, ensuring businesses can take advantage of all the software’s solutions cost-effectively and compliantly.

As the only platform offering licensing specifically designed for EUC, Nutanix allows businesses to license based on the number of users. This enables unrestricted use of CPU, memory, and storage without additional costs. Software tiers match those of traditional server virtualization, ensuring VDI environments don’t miss out on any features.

What Businesses Need To Know

The latest Nutanix updates are part of a broader effort to enhance the platform’s robustness, flexibility, and ease of use. Key features and changes you should know about include:

• Users who integrate with Citrix should update the AHV plugin to ensure compatibility and smooth operation. The update is straightforward and can prevent any issues with VM provisioning that might arise from compatibility conflicts.
• Nutanix now offers tailored Windows 11 support on AHV to ensure the operating system runs efficiently on Nutanix infrastructure. This support addresses specific needs like Trusted Platform Module (TPM) support for security and compliance.
• The platform includes unified storage, which can handle objects, files, and volumes but is especially beneficial in EUC for managing user profiles and data locally through Nutanix Files.
• Updates in software licensing enforcement are also underway. For instance, the old “nag screen” that alerted users about non-compliance is gone. License enforcement will now be more stringent, especially in short-term release cycles introducing new features. These changes are expected to roll out with the next long-term service release scheduled for Summer 2024.
• For organizations exploring options like Windows 11 or Citrix alternatives like Parallels RAS, Nutanix is actively testing solutions while also looking into expanding environments to cloud platforms like AWS and Azure.
• The platform is preparing support for advanced features required by modern operating systems like Windows 11, including TPM and vTPM in VDI workloads. All users can transition to newer technologies smoothly and with full support.
• Nutanix’s ongoing commitment to adapting and providing robust solutions for EUC environments makes it the best platform for small- and medium-size businesses that might feel overlooked by larger vendors focused on enterprise needs.

Choice Solutions is here to help you navigate these updates seamlessly. Our experts are ready to provide personalized consultations and tailored solutions to maximize your IT infrastructure’s efficiency and performance. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and see how our proven EUC strategies ensure your business is prepared for the future of work.