Summary
Nutanix Move enables you to effortlessly migrate VMware ESXi workloads to Nutanix AHV on high-performance Everpure FlashArray, minimizing downtime and risk while scaling from small projects to large enterprise environments.
Moving between virtualization platforms is never about the hypervisor alone. It’s about ensuring workloads transition cleanly, quickly, and without introducing unnecessary risk.
Nutanix Move simplifies the transition from VMware ESXi to Nutanix AHV by providing a controlled and staged migration process that scales from small workload groups to large enterprise environments. When Everpure™ FlashArray™ is integrated with Nutanix as external storage, the migration remains straightforward and predictable.
A controlled, staged migration approach
Nutanix Move leverages staged synchronization. Rather than requiring long downtime windows, it performs an initial data seeding operation while the source virtual machine continues running. After the initial pass, incremental snapshots capture changed data on a configurable schedule, keeping the target VM closely aligned with production.
When it’s time to cut over, a final synchronization completes, and the VM is powered on in AHV. Because most of the data transfer has already occurred in the data seeding phase, downtime is typically limited.
This staged approach allows infrastructure teams to prepare migrations over more flexible timeframes and execute final cutovers during approved maintenance windows. Migration waves can be aligned with application groupings or business priorities, making the transition structured instead of disruptive.
Behind the scenes, Nutanix Move leverages VMware snapshots to enable this synchronization model. An initial snapshot seeds the bulk of the virtual machine data, and incremental snapshots capture ongoing changes leading up to cutover.
In environments using VMware vVols on FlashArray, the snapshots involved in staging are array-based at the storage layer. For many highly transactional workloads, this can provide a more efficient snapshot experience during migration with less VM overhead.
As with any migration, workload characteristics matter. Mission-critical, highly transactional, or write-intensive virtual machines should be evaluated when planning migration waves to ensure uptime and performance expectations are maintained throughout the process.
Storage alignment with FlashArray
From a storage perspective, migrations with Nutanix Move do not require architectural changes or special tuning.
When FlashArray is configured as external storage for a Nutanix AHV cluster, it operates as it normally would. No additional configuration is required to support migrations. During the Move workflow, administrators simply select the appropriate AHV storage container backed by FlashArray as the destination target for migrated virtual machines.
FlashArray data services such as inline deduplication and compression continue functioning as designed. In most environments, customers can expect to see data reduction ratios on AHV that are similar to what was previously observed in VMware environments. As with any migration activity, it remains important to consider overall array utilization and plan migration waves appropriately, particularly in environments experiencing sustained heavy write activity.
Scalable architecture with flexible deployment
The Nutanix Move appliance is deployed as a virtual machine and can run either on VMware ESXi or on the Nutanix AHV cluster, with most deployments placing it on the destination cluster. Once deployed, it connects to the source vCenter and the target AHV environment through a guided interface that simplifies source/target selection, network mapping, and destination container selection.
Migration plans can include small groups of virtual machines or larger waves, depending on unique environmental factors. For broader transitions involving hundreds of VMs, migrations are typically organized into multiple waves to maintain predictability.
In large environments, multiple Move appliances can be deployed in parallel. Each appliance operates independently, allowing teams to increase aggregate throughput, isolate migration waves, and maintain flexible scheduling across clusters, vCenters, or sites. As always, test migrations are recommended before executing large production waves.
Moving workloads without the heavy lifting
Migration doesn’t need to be a complex project that takes up evenings and weekends. Nutanix Move takes much of the guesswork out of shifting your VMware workloads, while Everpure FlashArray ensures they land on the high-performance storage foundation your business requires. It’s a straightforward way to bridge your environments and keep your focus on innovation rather than infrastructure.
See it in action
To see a simple Nutanix Move migration setup and cutover process in real time, watch the demo below:
Join us at Nutanix .NEXT in Chicago, April 7-9, 2026. Learn more about Everpure and Nutanix.
A Dynamic Duo
Learn about the Pure Storage and Nutanix partnership.
Watch Nutanix AHV Migrations in Action
Meet with Everpure and Nutanix experts at Nutanix .NEXT in Chicago to explore live demos, best practices, and real-world VMware ESXi–to–AHV migration designs using FlashArray external storage.
