Nutanix NC2 Arrives on Google Cloud

Google Cloud is now an official landing zone for Nutanix Cloud Clusters. This expands the NC2 architecture into a third hyperscaler and gives customers more flexibility when planning hybrid and multicloud strategies. The value is not the additional cloud provider alone. The real change is how the NC2 model becomes a consistent control layer that spans on premises, AWS, Azure, and now Google Cloud.

Why a third hyperscaler makes NC2 a true multicloud platform

With two cloud providers you can extend capacity. With three you can design a multicloud strategy that stands on its own. The addition of Google Cloud removes the implicit binary choice between AWS and Azure. NC2 evolves from a dual cloud extension into a platform that operates independently of any single hyperscaler.

A third provider changes the geometry of the architecture. It introduces a stable operational perimeter rather than a linear extension from one environment to another. This reduces dependency on a dominant cloud and gives architects stronger options when planning workload placement, cost governance, regulatory compliance, and disaster recovery.

It also improves operational consistency. One of the main challenges of multicloud adoption is the fragmentation of tooling and skills across platforms. With NC2 available on three hyperscalers, teams can rely on a single operating model for networking, storage, lifecycle management, automation, and security. The result is lower friction and a more predictable adoption path.

Deployment architecture

NC2 on Google Cloud uses Google Compute Engine Bare Metal Solution resources as the underlying foundation. Nutanix AOS 6.8 and AHV run directly on these nodes with the same cluster semantics found in every other NC2 environment. The design maintains familiar principles.

• Prism Central remains the single management plane
• Prism Element manages the local cluster with feature parity
• The Nutanix networking stack integrates with Google Cloud VPC constructs
• Data services such as replication, snapshots, and protection policies stay consistent

This model keeps operational overhead low because architects and operators work with the same interfaces and the same automation patterns.

Connectivity and integration points

Networking is often the hardest part of multicloud design. NC2 on Google Cloud aligns with existing enterprise patterns by integrating with standard GCP constructs.

• Clusters attach to Google Cloud VPCs for east–west and north–south connectivity
• Private Service Connect can be used to expose or consume services securely
• Interconnect provides high throughput links for hybrid and multicloud data paths

The approach minimizes the learning curve for teams already familiar with GCP networking.

Use cases that benefit immediately

Several scenarios gain immediate value from the new platform.

Hybrid expansion

Organizations that standardize on Nutanix on premises can now extend capacity into GCP without retraining staff or redesigning workloads.

Regulatory and localization requirements

Google Cloud regions may be preferable for compliance, data sovereignty, or latency reasons.

Application modernization

NC2 enables a staged cloud migration pattern. Existing workloads can run unchanged while teams refactor components to adopt native GCP services over time.

Disaster recovery

GCP becomes a new DR target using the same Prism workflows and data protection policies.

Operational and financial impact

The NC2 consumption model remains consistent. Resources are billed through Google Cloud while the Nutanix software subscription applies across environments. For most teams the strongest benefit is operational continuity. A common platform across hyperscalers reduces fragmentation, which translates into lower operational cost and shorter learning cycles.

Architects also gain more leverage in cloud strategy discussions. With three hyperscalers now available under the same operational framework, organizations can select the cloud that best fits each workload without adding complexity.

What to expect moving forward

NC2 on Google Cloud is expected to evolve alongside the broader Nutanix platform. Future enhancements will likely align with improvements seen across other NC2 deployments, including tighter integration with managed Kubernetes, more advanced networking controls, and deeper automation hooks.