What virtualisation asks of storage
A hypervisor cluster needs shared storage every host can see, so VMs can move live and fail over without downtime. The hard part is consistency: hundreds of VMs generate a random, bursty I/O blend, so the platform must hold low latency under mixed load — not just post a big sequential number. Snapshots, clones and per-VM data efficiency matter too, because virtual estates sprawl fast.
Three sensible architectures: a shared all-flash SAN/unified array (the classic, storage and compute scaled independently); hyperconverged (HCI), where storage is distributed across the same nodes that run the VMs; and, increasingly, VMware-alternative private clouds built on Nutanix AHV. The right answer depends on scale, existing skills and whether you are consolidating or re-platforming.
Indicative best-fit guide for this workload — Servnet confirms the final design and pricing on quote.
What we’d put in front of you
NetApp AFF
Top pickUnified all-flash on ONTAP — superb data efficiency, instant VM clones and SnapMirror DR. The safe default for VMware/Hyper-V at scale.
Explore NetApp AFF →Pure FlashArray
SimplestEffortless to run, consistent low latency, and Evergreen non-disruptive upgrades — virtualisation storage that just stays out of the way.
Explore Pure FlashArray →Lenovo DG
One vendorONTAP data services on Lenovo hardware — ideal when you want one vendor for ThinkSystem servers and storage.
Explore Lenovo DG →Nutanix
HCI / AHVHyperconverged with the AHV hypervisor — collapses compute + storage and is the leading VMware-alternative private-cloud route.
Explore Nutanix →Indicative positioning for this workload — not a benchmark. We compare to your exact requirement.
Key decisions for virtualisation & private cloud
Virtualisation & Private Cloud storage — FAQs
SAN array or hyperconverged for virtualisation?
A shared all-flash array (NetApp AFF, Pure FlashArray, Lenovo DG) lets you scale storage and compute independently and suits larger or storage-heavy estates. Hyperconverged (Nutanix) collapses compute and storage onto the same nodes — simpler to grow node-by-node and the natural route if you are also moving off VMware. We size both impartially.
What storage works best with VMware?
All of the above integrate with VMware (VAAI/VVols, vCenter plug-ins). NetApp AFF and Pure FlashArray are the go-to shared-array choices; Nutanix is the leading platform if you are considering AHV as a VMware alternative. The deciding factors are scale, existing skills and your licensing strategy.
How much storage performance (IOPS) do I need?
For virtualisation it is about consistent latency under a random, mixed workload more than a peak number. Size to the IOPS of your busiest period across all VMs, add headroom for growth, and choose all-flash. Our Storage Solution Finder turns your VM count and profile into an indicative sizing.
Size it for your virtualisation & private cloud workload
Set your capacity, performance and protection needs in the Storage Solution Finder for an instant recommendation — or talk to our team for an impartial, vendor-neutral design and quote.
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