Simplifying Kubernetes with Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP)

Taylor Norris
2 days ago
2 min read

Kubernetes is powerful—but without the right platform, it quickly becomes a full-time job. For many enterprises, deploying and operating Kubernetes at scale is complex, time-consuming, and filled with operational pitfalls.

That’s where Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP) comes in — a powerful yet simplified solution that brings enterprise-grade Kubernetes to your fingertips with automation, security, and flexibility built right in.

Infographic of the Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP) stack. Top layer includes “Bring-Your-Own Kubernetes Runtime,” “Hybrid Multicloud Fleet Management,” and “Enhanced User Support.” Below is “Cluster Lifecycle Management” followed by “Cluster Services” such as SSO, Load Balancing, Ingress, and Security. Feature blocks include: “Cloud, Bare Metal GPUs,” “Backup & DR, AI, Serverless, Service Mesh,” and “Observability & Policies.” Core Kubernetes layer is labeled “Pure Upstream Kubernetes.” OS layer shows “Rocky Linux (Managed OS)” and “Bring-Your-Own OS.” Base layer is labeled “Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure."

What is NKP?

Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP) is a production-ready Kubernetes management solution, built on pure upstream Kubernetes, that integrates seamlessly with Nutanix infrastructure.. Built to accelerate your cloud-native journey, NKP abstracts the underlying complexity and provides a full-stack, turnkey experience for running containers in the enterprise.

Whether you’re deploying microservices, managing pipelines, or modernizing legacy applications, NKP empowers your teams to focus on innovation, not infrastructure.

NKP Core Architecture

At the heart of NKP is a tightly integrated stack that includes:

Native Kubernetes Clusters
Automated Cluster Lifecycle Management
Pre-configured Platform Services (Monitoring, Logging, Ingress, etc.)
Declarative APIs for automation
Security built-in at every layer

Diagram illustrating the Nutanix Kubernetes Platform (NKP) architecture. The stack starts with "Nutanix Kubernetes Platform" at the top, followed by "Prism Central." Below is the "Cluster API" layer, which connects to the "Kubernetes Control Plane." Underneath are three "Worker Node" boxes. At the bottom, "Platform Services" are highlighted, including Monitoring, Ingress, and Logging functionalities.

Key Benefits of NKP

✅ Fully Integrated with Nutanix Infrastructure

NKP runs natively on AHV, Nutanix’s secure and performant hypervisor, allowing you to manage VMs and containers side by side. It also supports external infrastructure providers like VMware and AWS for true hybrid cloud flexibility.

🔄 Automated Lifecycle Management

With Cluster API and GitOps-style workflows, NKP automates the creation, scaling, upgrading, and deletion of Kubernetes clusters.

🔐 Enterprise-Grade Security

NKP is designed with zero-trust security principles, including role-based access control (RBAC) and secure communications by default.

📦 Prepackaged Platform Apps

Get up and running fast with curated platform services for monitoring, ingress, persistent storage, and more — all validated and supported by Nutanix.

Why NKP Stands Out

Runs anywhere: On-prem, public cloud, or hybrid
Simplifies Day 2 operations with built-in monitoring/logging
Accelerates time-to-value for cloud-native applications
Built on open standards (CNCF-certified Kubernetes)
Backed by Nutanix’s world-class support

Start Your Kubernetes Journey Today

If Kubernetes complexity has been holding you back, NKP is the bridge between innovation and operational simplicity. It’s time to modernize your apps, empower your developers, and streamline your pipelines — all with a single, scalable platform.

Learn more about NKP: https://www.nutanix.com/products/kubernetes-management-platform Test Drive NKP: https://www.nutanix.com/one-platform.launchtestdrive.json?type=nkp&lpurl=one-platform-nkp

📞 Ready for a demo? Let us show you how NKP can simplify your container strategy.