Nutanix_Home_Lab - itnett/FTD02H-N GitHub Wiki

Given your setup and the information from the Nutanix Community Edition (CE) guide, here’s a suggested lab setup:

• CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K (6 cores, 12 threads, VT-x supported)
• Memory: 32GB DDR4
• Primary Storage: Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD
• Additional Storage:
  • 3x1.5TB SATA HDD
  • 1x4TB SATA HDD
  • 2x120GB SATA SSD

• CPU: Supported (Sandy Bridge microarchitecture or later)
• Memory: Minimum requirement is 32GB, but more is recommended, especially if you plan to run multiple VMs.
• Storage:
  • SSD for Nutanix CVM and hot-tier storage.
  • HDDs can be used for cold-tier storage.
• NIC: Ensure it’s compatible with Nutanix CE; you may need to check compatibility or adjust the BIOS settings.

1. Primary Node Setup:

   • CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K
   • Memory: 32GB DDR4
   • Hot-tier storage: Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD (Use this SSD for the Nutanix CVM and hypervisor boot disk)
   • Cold-tier storage:
     • 3x1.5TB SATA HDD
     • 1x4TB SATA HDD
   • Additional SSDs: Use 2x120GB SATA SSDs for extra storage if required, although they are less ideal for the main CVM operations.

2. Cluster Setup:

   • Single Node: Start with a single-node setup due to the hardware limitations. Nutanix CE can run on a single node, providing all features at a smaller scale.
   • Create the Cluster:
     • Use the 500GB SSD for the Nutanix AHV and CVM boot.
     • Configure the 1.5TB and 4TB drives for cold-tier storage.
     • Dedicate the 120GB SSDs to less critical VM storage or backups.

3. Networking:

   • Use the built-in 1GbE NICs for network connectivity.
   • Ensure the system has an internet connection for Nutanix CE to function properly and to access the Prism web console.

4. Installation:

   • Follow the steps in the Nutanix CE guide for bare metal installation【4†source】.
   • Use Rufus or similar tools to create a bootable USB from the Nutanix CE ISO.
   • Assign the boot device and other storage during installation as per the guide's instructions.

1. Configure the Cluster:

   • Assign the IP addresses, DNS, and NTP settings as mentioned in the guide.
   • Set up your cluster in single-node mode initially. Consider expanding later if you can increase hardware resources.

2. Explore Nutanix CE:

   • Access the Prism web console and start deploying VMs.
   • Experiment with Nutanix AHV and explore other features available in the CE version.

This setup will provide a solid starting point for exploring Nutanix CE. The hardware should be sufficient for learning, running small-scale workloads, and familiarizing yourself with Nutanix's capabilities.

The Nutanix Community Edition (CE) ISO you downloaded contains the entire operating system, hypervisor (Nutanix AHV), and all necessary components, so you don't need a separate core OS. When you install Nutanix CE, it installs everything you need on your hardware, including the Nutanix Acropolis Hypervisor (AHV) and the Nutanix Controller VM (CVM).

Here’s a step-by-step guide to set up Nutanix CE on your hardware:

• Download the Nutanix CE ISO:

  • Go to the Nutanix Community Edition Discussion Forum and download the latest Nutanix CE ISO.

• Create a Bootable USB:

  • Use a tool like Rufus or UNetbootin to create a bootable USB drive with the Nutanix CE ISO.
  • When setting up Rufus:
    • Set Partition Scheme to MBR and Target System to BIOS or UEFI (depending on your system).
    • Choose the Nutanix CE ISO file and start the process to create the bootable USB.

• BIOS Settings:
  • Ensure virtualization (VT-x) is enabled in the BIOS.
  • Disable any Intel Efficient cores (E-cores) if your CPU has them, as they are not supported.
  • Set the boot order to prioritize the USB drive for the installation.

1. Boot from USB:

   • Insert the bootable USB into your machine and start it up.
   • Choose to boot from the USB drive.

2. Nutanix CE Installer:

   • When the Nutanix CE installer dialog appears, press Tab to navigate through options.
   • Disk Selection:
     • Select the smallest disk for the hypervisor boot by pressing h.
     • Select another disk for the CVM boot by pressing c.
     • Select remaining disks for data storage by pressing d.
   • Networking Information:
     • Enter the IP address, subnet mask, gateway, DNS, and NTP server information as required.

3. License Agreement:

   • Read and accept the Nutanix CE end-user license agreement (EULA).

4. Installation Process:

   • The system will now install Nutanix CE, which includes the AHV and CVM.
   • Once the installation is complete, remove the installation media (USB drive) when prompted.

5. First Boot Configuration:

   • After installation, the system will reboot, and the initial configuration of the AHV host and CVM will occur. This may take up to 20 minutes.

1. Access the AHV Host:

   • After the system reboots, log into the AHV host via SSH using the IP address you assigned during installation.

2. Log into the CVM:

   • SSH from the AHV host into the CVM using the CVM's internal IP address (usually 192.168.5.2) or the external IP if configured.

3. Create a Cluster:

   • For a single-node cluster, run the command:

     cluster -s <CVM_IP> --redundancy_factor=1 create

     Replace <CVM_IP> with the actual IP address of your CVM.
   • For a multi-node cluster (if you decide to add more nodes later):

     cluster -s <CVM1_IP>,<CVM2_IP>,... create

4. Configure Cluster Parameters:

   • Set the cluster name:

     ncli cluster edit-params new-name=<cluster_name>

   • Add a DNS server:

     ncli cluster add-to-name-servers servers=<DNS_IP>

   • Set a virtual IP for the cluster:

     ncli cluster set-external-ip-address external-ip-address=<cluster_IP>

   • Add an NTP server:

     ncli cluster add-to-ntp-servers servers=<NTP_IP>

1. Access Prism:

   • Open a web browser and navigate to the IP address of your CVM or the virtual IP address you set for the cluster.
   • Example: http://<CVM_IP>:9440
   • Accept the SSL certificate warning and proceed to the site.

2. Login:

   • Use the default login credentials:
     • Username: admin
     • Password: nutanix/4u
   • Change the default password when prompted.

3. Explore the Prism Console:

   • You can now explore the Nutanix environment, manage storage, create VMs, and more.

• Create Your First Network (VLAN 0 for Untagged)
• Create and Manage VMs
• Deploy Nutanix Prism Central (Optional)

This step-by-step guide should help you set up your Nutanix CE environment successfully. Everything, including the operating system and hypervisor, is handled by the Nutanix CE ISO, so there's no need for a separate core OS.