NCP‐MCA_4 - itnett/FTD02H-N GitHub Wiki

Let's continue with the remaining objectives for the Nutanix NCP-MCA 6.5 Exam Cram Sheet, ensuring it is as comprehensive as possible.

📝 Nutanix NCP-MCA 6.5 Exam Cram Sheet (Continued)

🎯 Objective 2: Deploy and Configure Self-Service and Related Components (Continued)

📘 2.4 Identify Common Blueprint Features

  • Key Concepts:

    • 📝 Built-in Macros: Predefined macros available in Nutanix Calm for automating common tasks (e.g., VM creation, configuration settings).
    • 🔄 Task Dependencies: Define dependencies between tasks to ensure they run in the correct sequence.
    • 🔑 Authentication Credentials: Include credentials (e.g., username, password, SSH keys) in a blueprint using secure methods.
    • 🏷️ Application Profiles: Define different configurations (e.g., development, production) for deploying applications.

  • 🛠️ Tools to Know:

    • 📋 Blueprint Designer: Tool for creating blueprints with tasks, macros, and dependencies.
    • 🔧 Credential Manager: Manage credentials securely within the Calm interface.
    • 📜 Macros: Understand syntax and usage of built-in macros for various tasks.
    • 🖥️ Service Dependencies: Set up dependencies between different services and components in a blueprint.

  • 📚 Key Resources:

  • 💡 Quick Tips:

    • 📜 Understand Macros: Practice using built-in macros for tasks like VM creation, scaling, and configuration.
    • 🔑 Secure Credential Management: Learn how to securely store and use credentials in blueprints.
    • 🔄 Configure Task Dependencies: Ensure you correctly define dependencies to maintain the sequence of task execution.
    • 🏷️ Use Application Profiles: Create different application profiles for varied environments (e.g., dev, prod).

📘 2.5 Identify Common Runbook Features

  • Key Concepts:

    • 📋 Runbooks: Automation workflows used to perform operational tasks across the Nutanix environment.
    • 🔄 Task Types: Include SSH, REST, HTTP tasks to interact with VMs or services.
    • 🛠️ Built-in Macros and Task Dependencies: Use macros for dynamic content and manage task sequences for workflow automation.
    • 🗓️ Scheduling Runbooks: Runbooks can be scheduled to run at specific times or intervals.

  • 🛠️ Tools to Know:

    • 📜 Runbook Designer: Tool to create and manage runbooks.
    • 🔧 Task Types: SSH for remote commands, HTTP for web requests, REST for API interactions.
    • ⏰ Scheduler: Configure runbooks to execute at a specific time or on a recurring schedule.

  • 📚 Key Resources:

  • 💡 Quick Tips:

    • 📜 Practice Creating Runbooks: Use different task types to automate operational workflows.
    • 🕒 Learn Scheduling: Understand how to schedule runbooks for specific times or recurring intervals.
    • 🔄 Manage Dependencies: Configure task dependencies to ensure correct execution order.

📘 2.6 Describe the Features and Requirements of Self-Service

  • Key Concepts:

    • 🖥️ Self-Service Portal: Enables users to deploy and manage applications using pre-defined blueprints.
    • ⚙️ Self-Service Requirements: Understand prerequisites for enabling Calm, such as account configurations and network settings.
    • 📑 Use Cases: Common use cases include automated provisioning, compliance management, and self-service for developers.

  • 🛠️ Tools to Know:

    • 🖥️ Self-Service Portal: Interface where users deploy and manage their applications.
    • 🔧 Calm Configuration: Understand configuration settings for enabling Calm, including accounts, networking, and security settings.
    • 🧩 Predefined Blueprints: Use ready-made blueprints for rapid application deployment.

  • 📚 Key Resources:

  • 💡 Quick Tips:

    • 📘 Understand Self-Service Use Cases: Familiarize yourself with common scenarios where self-service is beneficial.
    • 🖥️ Know the Requirements: Review prerequisites like provider accounts, network settings, and security.
    • 🛠️ Leverage Predefined Blueprints: Use built-in blueprints to save time and ensure best practices.

📘 2.7 Identify Common Governance Features

  • Key Concepts:

    • 🛡️ Approval Policies: Define policies that require approval for specific actions (e.g., deploying an application, scaling resources).
    • 🗓️ Scheduler Tasks: Set up scheduled tasks for regular maintenance or automation.
    • 🔍 Conditions in Approval Policies: Conditions under which approval is required, such as user roles, resource limits, or cost thresholds.

  • 🛠️ Tools to Know:

    • 🗂️ Policy Engine: Manage and enforce policies across the Nutanix environment.
    • 🖥️ Approval Policy Overview: Interface for setting up and managing approval workflows.
    • ⏰ Scheduler: Tool to configure scheduled tasks.

  • 📚 Key Resources:

  • 💡 Quick Tips:

    • 🛡️ Learn to Configure Approval Policies: Understand how to set up policies requiring approvals for specific actions.
    • ⏰ Practice Scheduler Configuration: Set up tasks to run at regular intervals to automate routine maintenance.
    • 🔍 Review Conditions: Be familiar with different conditions that can trigger approval workflows.

🛠️ Useful Commands and Shortcuts

Command Purpose
calm create blueprint Creates a new blueprint in Calm.
**

calm launch blueprint** | Launches a blueprint deployment. | | calm update blueprint | Updates an existing blueprint. | | calm delete blueprint | Deletes a blueprint. | | calm create runbook | Creates a new runbook in Calm. | | calm execute runbook | Executes an existing runbook. | | calm create policy | Creates a new approval or governance policy. | | calm configure scheduler | Sets up a scheduled task. |

📡 Key Protocols and Ports for Nutanix Automation

Port Number Protocol Description
9440 HTTPS Nutanix Prism Central web console.
8443 HTTPS Nutanix Calm API access and integration.
22 SSH Remote management and scripting access.
443 HTTPS Nutanix files access and management.

🛠️ Troubleshooting Tips: Common Issues and Resolutions

Issue Possible Cause Resolution
Blueprint Deployment Fails Incorrect configurations or missing tasks. Review task dependencies and scripts.
Playbook Not Triggering Misconfigured triggers or alert policies. Validate alert policies and trigger conditions.
Integration Errors (e.g., ServiceNow) Incorrect API keys or integration settings. Verify API keys, endpoint URLs, and user permissions.
Category Not Applied Correctly Misconfiguration of categories or policies. Check category assignments and policy mappings.
Quota Exceeded Error Resource quotas set too low. Adjust quotas within the project settings.
Approval Policy Not Enforced Incorrect policy configuration or missing conditions. Review and correct the policy conditions.

📋 Study Resources:

🧩 Exam Tips:

  1. Focus on Automation Concepts: Understand how blueprints, playbooks, and triggers work together to automate tasks.
  2. Hands-On Practice: Use the Nutanix Community Edition or Test Drive environment to practice creating and managing blueprints, projects, and playbooks.
  3. Memorize Key Ports and Protocols: Know the common ports and protocols used in Nutanix environments.
  4. Review Integration Scenarios: Be familiar with third-party integration (e.g., ServiceNow) and how it ties into Calm workflows.
  5. Test Different Scenarios: Create projects with multiple users, roles, and resource quotas to understand access management and resource control.

This continues the comprehensive guide for the Nutanix NCP-MCA 6.5 exam, covering all remaining objectives. Let me know if there are other sections you’d like to focus on or if you need more details on any specific topic!