Cisco UCS X-Series
High-density, modular compute built for performance and longevity. Managed through Cisco Intersight for policy-driven hardware governance and lifecycle control.
Aegis Infrastructure Modernization
Aegis Infrastructure Modernization (AIM): The Validated Path Beyond VMware
Restore budget predictability and technical sovereignty with a high-performance fabric designed to eliminate the Broadcom tax.
AIM combines Cisco UCS, Nutanix AHV, Arista storage networking, Pure Storage, and AWS continuity into a controlled modernization path for enterprises that need performance, resilience, and architectural choice.
Validated design. Co-managed execution. A controlled transition beyond VMware lock-in.
The Reality of the Post-Broadcom Data Center
The Burning Platform Is Not Just Cost. It Is Control.
Enterprise IT is at a crossroads. With the discontinuation of a-la-carte licensing and the forced shift toward larger bundled VMware constructs, many organizations are no longer having a technical architecture discussion. They are having a leverage discussion.
AIM is designed for infrastructure leaders who want to modernize without surrendering budget predictability, performance, or roadmap control.
Why the current model is breaking down
The post-Broadcom environment is pressuring infrastructure teams from multiple directions at once. Renewals are harder to defend, bundled features create double billing, and long-term control over the stack is getting weaker instead of stronger.
3x–6x renewal pressure from core-based pricing and broader bundled licensing
Double billing for software-defined networking and storage while premium hardware is already in place
Diminishing control over infrastructure roadmap and platform choice
Storage silos and uneven cloud parity that make modernization harder
Operational burden from managing expensive platforms that still lack flexibility
Engineered for Performance and Sovereignty
AIM is not a compromise stack. It is a best-of-breed modernization fabric designed to restore economic leverage and improve operational performance at the same time. Cisco UCS X-Series provides modular, policy-driven compute managed through Cisco Intersight. Nutanix AHV provides the enterprise virtualization layer without separate hypervisor licensing. Arista 7280-class storage networking protects high-throughput traffic with deep buffering and lossless design principles. Pure Storage FlashArray delivers high-performance, data-efficient storage that scales independently from compute. For continuity, Nutanix NC2 on AWS or Pure Cloud Block Store extend the operating model into the cloud.
The result is a controlled VMware exit strategy built around validated platforms, stronger budget sovereignty, and a more durable hybrid-cloud future.
Nutanix AHV
A license-free enterprise hypervisor designed to replace ESXi cleanly. Nutanix Move provides an automated migration path from VMware with minimal disruption and no refactoring requirement.
Arista 7280 Series
Deep-buffer Ethernet architecture designed to protect high-performance storage traffic and reduce the incast congestion patterns that can throttle modern fabrics.
Pure Storage FlashArray
Sub-millisecond class storage with 5:1 average data reduction. Decouple compute from storage so you scale the right layer at the right time.
Modernization Path
AIM is built to feel controlled, not disruptive. The program is designed to protect production while creating a credible exit path from VMware dependence.
1
Discover
Assess current VMware estate, renewal timing, workload placement, performance hotspots, storage dependencies, and continuity requirements.
2
Modernize with Nutanix Move
Stand up the new Cisco, Nutanix, Arista, and Pure fabric, then migrate ESXi workloads into AHV through a more automated, lower-risk transition path.
3
Scale to AWS
Extend continuity into AWS through NC2 on AWS or Pure Cloud Block Store to support disaster recovery, burst capacity, and hybrid cloud alignment without refactoring.
What You Get
AIM is not a hardware quote with services wrapped around it. It is a modernization program with architecture, migration, and co-managed operations built in.
Infrastructure audit
A structured review of VMware exposure, renewal pressure, workload fit, and modernization blockers.
Validated target-state design
A Cisco + Nutanix + Arista + Pure architecture aligned to performance, resiliency, and economic control.
Migration strategy
A Nutanix Move-led transition plan for VMware workload migration with strong operational guardrails.
Cloud continuity design
An AWS extension strategy using NC2 or Pure CBS to provide practical DR and hybrid parity.
Aegis co-management model
Ongoing operational support through Aegis PM, IR, and CM so your team keeps control while IVI handles the heavy lifting.
Executive roadmap
A clear path from license defense to modernization, operational continuity, and long-term infrastructure sovereignty.
Business Outcomes
The end goal is not just cost avoidance. It is a stronger, faster, more sovereign infrastructure model.
- Lower total cost of ownership through reduced hypervisor licensing pressure and better infrastructure efficiency
- Stronger performance through purpose-built compute, storage, and networking layers
- Improved budget predictability and less exposure to forced platform bundling
- A more practical hybrid-cloud continuity model with AWS parity
- A co-managed operating model that improves control without increasing internal operational burden
Ideal Fit
AIM is built for enterprises that need to modernize carefully, but no longer want VMware renewal pressure to define their future architecture.
- Organizations facing major Broadcom or VMware renewal pressure
- Teams already invested in premium hardware and tired of paying twice for bundled software layers
- Enterprises that need high-performance on-prem infrastructure with real cloud continuity
- Infrastructure leaders who want co-managed operational support instead of a drop-and-shop integrator
Validated Design
From Production Fabric to AWS Continuity
Our architecture is designed to create stronger parity between your on-prem production environment and AWS continuity targets. That means fewer compromises in disaster recovery design and a more practical path to hybrid operations without refactoring applications just to make the cloud usable.
Virtualization Layer — Nutanix AHV
Enterprise virtualization with a cleaner operating model and Nutanix Move-based migration from ESXi.
Compute Layer — Cisco UCS X-Series
Modular M7-class compute governed through Cisco Intersight and designed for scalable policy-driven operations.
Network Layer — Arista 7280 Fabric
Deep-buffer, storage-aware Ethernet designed to protect demanding east-west and storage traffic patterns.
Storage Layer — Pure FlashArray
Sub-millisecond class storage with high data efficiency and independent scale for compute and storage growth.
Production ↔ Continuity
AWS Continuity Layer
NC2 on AWS or Pure Cloud Block Store provide disaster recovery, hybrid extension, and a more practical cloud operating model without rebuilding every application for the move.
Why this architecture matters
AIM is engineered to eliminate the most common modernization compromise: solving the VMware cost problem while still ending up with a fragmented, brittle infrastructure model.
- Validated Cisco + Nutanix interoperability and support alignment
- Purpose-built network design for demanding storage traffic behavior
- Independent compute and storage scaling instead of one-size-fits-all growth
- Cloud continuity options that preserve operational parity more effectively
- Aegis co-management to keep the new fabric healthy after migration
Decision Framework
Choose the right AIM starting point
The right AIM motion depends on what is driving urgency today: renewal pressure, performance constraints, or hybrid-cloud continuity requirements.
Lead with Broadcom cost mitigation
Best for urgent renewal exposure
Start with an infrastructure audit and modernization path that gives leadership a credible alternative before the next renewal cycle locks in more spend.
Best Fit
Best for organizations under immediate pricing pressure that need negotiating leverage and a clear technical exit path.
Tradeoffs
This creates fast budget clarity, but some performance and continuity benefits arrive later in the program.
IVI Recommendation
Recommended when the primary executive concern today is cost control and renewal defense.
Recommended
Modernize the production fabric first
Best for balanced transformation
Deploy the validated Cisco, Nutanix, Arista, and Pure foundation first, then transition workloads in controlled waves using Nutanix Move.
Best Fit
Best for enterprises that want to solve both the economic and technical sides of the VMware problem with one modernization motion.
Tradeoffs
This requires more up-front design coordination, but it creates the strongest long-term platform outcome.
IVI Recommendation
Recommended for most enterprise environments because it balances sovereignty, performance, and operational continuity.
Design cloud parity into phase one
Best for resilience-driven teams
Bring AWS continuity into the initial design through NC2 on AWS or Pure CBS so DR and hybrid-cloud parity are built into the platform from the start.
Best Fit
Best for organizations with strict recovery requirements or a strategic mandate to unify on-prem and cloud operations more tightly.
Tradeoffs
This adds design complexity, but avoids building a new on-prem platform that still leaves cloud continuity behind.
IVI Recommendation
Recommended when resilience and cloud parity are strategic priorities, not future nice-to-haves.
AIM ROI Tool
See the Cost Difference Between VCF Renewal and AIM
Model the cost impact of staying on VMware Cloud Foundation versus modernizing to a validated Aegis Infrastructure Modernization fabric.
Model your environment
Estimate your 4-year VMware VCF TCO versus the Aegis Infrastructure Modernization path. Both scenarios refresh to the same modern hardware.
Enter your environment details and click Calculate ROI to see the 4-year cost comparison, licensing gap, and break-even projection.
Calculation assumptions
This model reflects real-world enterprise pricing and modernization patterns. Both paths refresh to the same UCS X210c M7 hardware; the delta comes from software licensing, storage, managed services, and IaC operational value.
Hardware & consolidation
- Both the status quo and AIM paths refresh to identical Cisco UCS X210c M7 blade servers with 2-socket, 52-core Intel I8470 CPUs (104 physical cores per node). Hardware investment cancels out in the comparison.
- Node consolidation is calculated from your current total core count and the higher per-node density of modern CPUs. A 2:1 maximum VM density increase is enforced to limit blast radius. Memory determines DIMM tier: 32 GB, 64 GB, or 128 GB DDR5 across 32 DIMM slots.
- Chassis (9508) and Fabric Interconnect (6536) pair costs are included and scale with node count. Each FI pair supports up to 16 nodes.
Software licensing
- Broadcom VCF licensing applies a minimum of 16 billable cores per CPU. On the refreshed 52-core platform, all 104 cores per node are billable at your selected rate.
- Nutanix NCI is priced at $140/core/year on actual physical cores with no minimum uplift.
Storage
- Status quo storage maintenance is modeled at $1200/raw TB/year, reflecting all-in Fibre Channel SAN support costs.
- AIM storage uses Pure Evergreen priced at $1,500/TB usable/year below 500 TB, and $950/TB usable/year at or above 500 TB. Effective capacity is modeled using a 5:1 data reduction ratio.
Networking
- All traffic in the AIM architecture flows through the NVMeoF fabric: Fabric Interconnect to Arista to Pure Evergreen and the broader network. FI-to-Arista is 1:1 port mapping; Arista-to-Pure is 2:1.
- Status quo networking is modeled at 70% of the AIM Arista cost, reflecting standard shallow-buffer DC switching suitable for traditional FC SAN environments. The AIM path requires deep-buffer NVMeoF-grade Arista switches.
Managed services
- Status quo managed services are estimated at $1500/node/month, reflecting enterprise-class VM management at rates consistent with the managed infrastructure services market.
- AIM managed services are priced using the Aegis model: a cluster fee, per-node fee, and per-network-device fee. A volume discount applies above 20 nodes.
EVS Bridge
- 10% of target-state cores are assumed to support VMware-dependent workloads hosted on AWS Extensible VM Service (i4i.metal reserved instances) for a 1-year bridge period. BYOL VCF licensing is included at the selected rate.
IaC & operational efficiency
- IaC value streams are additive to the base TCO comparison: labor recovery, incident avoidance, deployment velocity, and co-managed staffing arbitrage, scaled from a validated 12-node reference model.
- Aegis managed services and EVS bridge costs are transparently deducted from the gross IaC value. The net IaC value accelerates break-even and is included in the all-in savings headline.
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Related Resources
Explore Related AIM and Aegis Content
See the adjacent architecture, managed services, and co-managed positioning that support AIM.
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See the observability layer that helps monitor compute, storage, networking, and cloud continuity across the AIM fabric.
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Assess the routing, interconnect, and continuity assumptions that affect hybrid infrastructure modernization.
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Review IVI’s broader managed services portfolio across infrastructure, observability, security, and CX.
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See how IVI positions co-managed support, transparency, and shared control differently from commodity MSP models.
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Explore IVI’s broader data center modernization perspective around performance, scale, resiliency, and transformation planning.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from infrastructure leaders evaluating Aegis Infrastructure Modernization.
What is Aegis Infrastructure Modernization (AIM)?
AIM is IVI’s validated VMware exit and infrastructure modernization solution built around Cisco UCS, Nutanix AHV, Arista networking, Pure Storage, AWS continuity, and the Aegis co-managed operating model.
Is AIM a rip-and-replace program?
No. AIM is designed as a controlled modernization path. The goal is to transition deliberately, reduce risk, and improve both economics and technical performance without reckless disruption.
Why Nutanix AHV instead of staying on VMware?
AHV provides an enterprise virtualization layer without separate hypervisor licensing, while Nutanix Move helps automate the migration path from VMware ESXi into AHV with minimal disruption.
What role does Nutanix Move play?
Nutanix Move is the migration engine that helps transfer existing VMware workloads into AHV without requiring refactoring or large-scale re-architecture.
Why include Arista in the AIM stack?
Arista provides a high-performance Ethernet fabric with deep-buffer design characteristics that are well suited for demanding storage and east-west traffic patterns where congestion behavior matters.
Why pair Pure Storage with Nutanix instead of using only internal storage?
Pure FlashArray gives enterprises a high-performance external storage layer with strong data efficiency and the ability to scale storage independently from compute, which is especially useful for storage-rich or mission-critical workloads.
How does AWS fit into AIM?
AWS provides the cloud continuity path. Depending on requirements, Nutanix NC2 on AWS or Pure Cloud Block Store can support disaster recovery, hybrid extension, and operational parity between on-prem and cloud environments.
What does 'validated design' mean here?
It means the core technology relationships behind AIM are not improvised. Cisco officially supports Nutanix on UCS, Nutanix supports Move and NC2 as part of its hybrid-cloud model, and Pure documents its Nutanix and cloud-continuity integration paths.
How is AIM different from buying hardware and software separately?
AIM is a modernization program, not just a parts list. It includes architecture, migration, continuity planning, and the Aegis co-managed operational model needed to run the new environment effectively.
What is the Aegis role in AIM?
Aegis provides the operational layer. Aegis PM delivers observability, Aegis IR supports proactive incident response, and Aegis CM helps manage lifecycle and controlled changes across the fabric.
Do customers lose control if they adopt AIM with Aegis?
No. IVI’s model is co-managed by design. The client team keeps governance and visibility while IVI provides expert execution, monitoring, and change support.
Who is AIM best suited for?
AIM is best for enterprises facing Broadcom-driven VMware cost pressure, looking for a credible exit strategy, and needing a high-performance hybrid architecture that does not compromise continuity or control.