NCP‐MCA_5 - itnett/FTD02H-N GitHub Wiki

Let's continue with additional objectives to make the Nutanix NCP-MCA 6.5 Exam Cram Sheet as detailed as possible.

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

🎯 Objective 3: Validate Blueprints, Runbooks, Playbooks, and Automation Settings

📘 3.1 Validate Blueprints, Runbooks, Playbooks, and Automation Settings

Key Concepts:
- ✅ Blueprint Validation: Ensure that all configurations, tasks, and dependencies within the blueprint are set correctly. This includes checking that all required inputs are provided and that scripts or tasks do not contain errors.
- 🔍 Runbook Validation: Verify that runbooks are correctly set up with the appropriate tasks, triggers, and dependencies. Ensure that each task is tested individually and in sequence.
- ⚙️ Playbook Validation: Confirm that playbooks are correctly configured, with accurate triggers and actions, and that they perform as expected when activated.
- 🛠️ Automation Settings Check: Ensure that all settings related to automation (e.g., alert policies, schedules, integration points) are correctly configured and tested.
🛠️ Tools to Know:
- 📋 Validation Tools in Calm: Use built-in validation tools to check for errors or warnings in blueprints, runbooks, and playbooks.
- 🔧 Error Logging and Troubleshooting: Familiarize yourself with logs and diagnostic tools for debugging and error resolution.
- 🔄 Test Environments: Use a test environment to validate automation settings without affecting production.
📚 Key Resources:
💡 Quick Tips:
- ✅ Use Validation Tools: Regularly use the built-in validation tools in Calm to check blueprints, runbooks, and playbooks for any errors or misconfigurations.
- 🔄 Test in Non-Production Environments: Always test new or updated automation settings in a non-production environment before applying them to production.
- 🛠️ Check Logs for Errors: Use log files to troubleshoot any errors or unexpected behavior in automation workflows.

📘 3.2 Validate Blueprints for Application Deployment and Configuration

Key Concepts:
- 🔄 Dynamic Blueprints: Ensure blueprints can handle dynamic changes such as scaling, updates, or application-specific configurations.
- 🧩 Substrates and Infrastructure Configurations: Validate that substrates (e.g., cloud providers, AHV) are correctly configured and compatible with the deployment blueprint.
- 🔧 Task Execution: Verify that all tasks within a blueprint (e.g., install, configure, deploy) execute in the correct order without errors.
- 📋 Resource Requirements: Check that the blueprint specifies the correct resources (e.g., CPU, RAM, disk) and that these requirements are met by the infrastructure.
🛠️ Tools to Know:
- 📋 Blueprint Designer: Use the designer to visually validate blueprint components and their configurations.
- 🔧 Calm Console: Verify blueprint deployment parameters and test deployment in Calm.
- 🖥️ Resource Monitors: Check resource usage and ensure that it aligns with the specifications in the blueprint.
📚 Key Resources:
💡 Quick Tips:
- 📘 Check Task Order: Ensure tasks in blueprints are ordered correctly and dependencies are managed.
- 🔧 Validate Substrates: Verify that substrates like cloud environments or AHV are correctly set up and compatible.
- 🖥️ Monitor Resources: Use resource monitors to check that the blueprint’s resource requirements are met during deployment.

📘 3.3 Validate Runbooks and Automation Settings for Operational Consistency

Key Concepts:
- 🔄 Operational Tasks: Ensure runbooks perform operational tasks correctly, such as VM provisioning, decommissioning, and patch management.
- 🔧 Task Types and Actions: Validate that all tasks in a runbook are set up correctly (e.g., SSH commands, API calls) and perform as intended.
- 📅 Scheduled Runbooks: Confirm that scheduled runbooks execute at the right time and frequency.
- 🚀 Runbook Execution: Test runbooks to ensure they complete without errors and achieve the desired outcome.
🛠️ Tools to Know:
- 🔍 Runbook Validation Tools: Use Calm's tools to validate and troubleshoot runbooks.
- ⏰ Scheduler: Verify the scheduling settings for runbooks to ensure they trigger at the correct times.
- 📊 Runbook Logs: Check logs to diagnose any errors or unexpected behavior during execution.
📚 Key Resources:
💡 Quick Tips:
- 🔍 Test Runbooks Thoroughly: Validate each step in a runbook to ensure it performs correctly.
- ⏰ Check Scheduler Configurations: Confirm that all scheduled tasks are correctly configured to run at the expected times.
- 📊 Review Logs Regularly: Use runbook logs to identify and fix any issues or unexpected behavior.

🛠️ Useful Commands and Shortcuts

Command	Purpose
`calm validate blueprint`	Validates a blueprint for errors or warnings.
`calm test runbook`	Tests the execution of a runbook to ensure it runs correctly.
`calm validate automation`	Checks the automation settings for errors or inconsistencies.
`calm view logs`	Displays logs for troubleshooting and debugging.

📡 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. | | Runbook Fails to Execute | Task errors, incorrect API calls, or scheduling issues. | Validate each task, check API syntax, and verify the schedule. |

📋 Study Resources:

📘 Nutanix Calm Admin Operations Guide v3.6.0
📘 Prism Central Guide vPC 2022.6 and 2024.1
📘 AHV Admin Guide v6.8
📘 Nutanix NCP-MCA Exam Blueprint

🧩 Exam Tips:

Focus on Validation Tools: Know how to use the built-in validation tools in Calm to check for errors in blueprints, runbooks, and playbooks.
Understand Task Dependencies: Be familiar with task dependencies in blueprints and runbooks to ensure correct execution order.
Practice Log Analysis: Get comfortable reading and interpreting log files to troubleshoot errors in automation workflows.
Review Scheduled Tasks: Understand how to configure and validate scheduled tasks for automation consistency.
Test in a Non-Production Environment: Always test new configurations in a test environment before deploying to production.

This additional content completes the comprehensive cheat sheet for the Nutanix NCP-MCA 6.5 exam, covering the remaining objectives. Let me know if there are any other sections you'd like to explore or if you need more details on a specific topic!