Nutanix to bring Azure Virtual Desktop support to hybrid setups

Nutanix will soon offer support for Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop in hybrid environments. This move will enable organisations to run Azure Virtual Desktop workloads on premises via Nutanix's AHV hypervisor, while continuing to utilise Azure's cloud-based management and brokering services.

Hybrid deployment

The expanded support aims to provide organisations with the flexibility to deploy virtual desktops both on premises and in the cloud.

Customers will be able to combine local Nutanix infrastructure with Azure's scalability, including the ability to run Microsoft applications such as Microsoft 365 and Teams with optimisations and native security features.

This approach is designed for organisations that require strict control over data locality and security due to compliance or regulatory demands. Industries such as financial services, healthcare, and government often have to meet data-residency requirements. By running Azure Virtual Desktop locally on Nutanix AHV, they can maintain control over data while managing their environments through Azure.

Performance and compliance

Organisations with latency-sensitive or graphics-intensive workloads can gain performance benefits by running virtual desktops on premises. The architecture also enables use of Azure Arc-enabled servers to connect to Azure management stacks, allowing secure hybrid operations and streamlined access to Microsoft service integrations.

"The Nutanix Cloud Platform delivers a performant, resilient, cost-efficient, and secure infrastructure base for virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) workloads. This collaboration with Microsoft will empower our customers with more options for virtual desktops, whether they're modernising on premises or extending into hybrid cloud environments," said Tarkan Maner, Chief Commercial Officer, Nutanix.

Cost and licensing

Running Azure Virtual Desktop on Nutanix infrastructure allows organisations to leverage existing Microsoft licensing and IT resources.

This can help manage costs by making use of current investments while enabling hybrid-cloud burst capacity and disaster recovery as needed. The option is also intended to avoid vendor lock-in by letting customers select their preferred deployment model based on business and regulatory needs.

The Nutanix and Microsoft agreement ensures full integration with Microsoft Entra and security services, as well as ongoing support for up-to-date licensing and compliance requirements. Customers can tailor their environment according to evolving company policies or market conditions without structural restrictions.

"Azure Virtual Desktop is built to deliver a secured, scalable, and deeply integrated experience with Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, and Windows. Nutanix support for Azure Virtual Desktop will give customers more choice, whether they deploy in the cloud or on premises-without compromising on the modern security model or licensing efficiencies," said Scott Manchester, Vice President of product for Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop, Microsoft.

Development timeline

Support for Azure Virtual Desktop on the Nutanix Cloud Platform is currently in development. The partnership reflects growing demand from organisations seeking to optimise their IT environments for hybrid workforces, data sovereignty obligations, and stronger cost controls.