nutanix‐database‐automation‐ncp‐db‐ncp‐db‐65‐NDMA_p5 - itnett/FTD02H-N GitHub Wiki

Here is a comprehensive cheat sheet for the Nutanix Certified Professional - Database Automation (NCP-DB) 6.5 Exam. This sheet includes key topics, essential commands, terms, and best practices for quick reference during your exam preparation.

NCP-DB 6.5 Exam Cheat Sheet

1. NDB Concepts and Features

1.1 Define Database and NDB Terminology

NDB Software Compatibility: Compatibility with Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, MongoDB.
Time Machine SLA: Snapshot frequency and retention policies to meet RPO and RTO.
Data Access Management (DAM): Controls data access policies.
Provisioning Profiles: Templates for database deployment (software, compute, network, parameter).
Greenfield vs. Brownfield Databases: New vs. existing databases managed by NDB.
Copy Data Management (CDM): Manages data copies (clones, backups) without affecting production.

1.2 NDB Features and Benefits

One-Click Provisioning: Automates database deployment using predefined profiles.
One-Click Patching: Automates patch application to minimize downtime.
Cloning: Creates a copy of a database for testing or analytics.
Data Protection: Includes Time Machine, snapshots, and backups.

2. Deploy and Configure an NDB Instance

2.1 Deploy an NDB Instance

Download and Import NDB Instance: Use qcow2 for AHV, OVA for ESXi.
Static IP Assignment: Use fixed IP for consistent communication.
Initial Configuration Wizard: Guides through setup for NDB.

2.2 Configure an NDB Instance

NTP/DNS Configuration: For time synchronization and name resolution.
Network Firewall Ports: Ports needed: 443, 9440, 9443, 53, 123.
SSL Certificates: To encrypt communications.
High Availability (HA): Set up redundancy with API, Proxy, and Repository servers.

3. Monitor and Manage NDB

3.1 Monitor Alerts

Alerts Monitoring: Real-time checks for environment issues.
Clear Alerts: Remove resolved alerts.
SMTP Configuration: Set up email alerts.

3.2 Monitor and Manage Storage Usage

Snapshot Management: Maintain backups without wasting storage.
Storage Scaling: Increase database storage capacity as needed.

4. Operate and Maintain an NDB Environment

4.1 Register Database Server VMs and Databases

Registration Prerequisites: Network, SSH, and profile configurations.
Time Machine Policy Settings: SLA settings for backups.

4.2 Provision Databases

Database Engine Selection: Choose appropriate engine (Oracle, SQL Server, etc.).
Profile Creation: Define software, compute, network, and parameter profiles.

4.3 Apply Patches and Upgrades

Patch Testing: Ensure patches don't cause issues.
Patch Scheduling: Set maintenance windows for patching.
Database Upgrade: Update to newer versions as needed.

4.4 Troubleshoot NDB Operations

Diagnostics Bundle: Collect logs and data for troubleshooting.
Failed Snapshot Analysis: Investigate reasons for snapshot failures.

5. Protect NDB-Managed Databases Using Time Machine

5.1 SLA Retention Policies

Custom SLA: Define snapshot retention tailored to business needs.
Snapshot Scheduling: Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly schedules.

5.2 Database Cloning and Restoration

Clone Schedule: Set intervals for creating or refreshing clones.
Point-in-Time Restore: Restore database to a specific time.

5.3 Apply Database Protection Policies

Manual Snapshots: Create snapshots outside regular schedules.

6. Administer an NDB Environment

6.1 Manage NDB Profiles

Software Profile: Defines database version and OS configuration.
Compute Profile: Defines vCPUs, memory, and hardware specs.
Network Profile: Specifies VLANs and IP configurations.

6.2 Use NDB APIs and CLI

NDB CLI: Command-line tool for managing NDB.
NDB API: For integration with other tools and automation.

Commands and Procedures

Creating Software Profiles:

Profiles > Software > Create > Select Database Engine > Enter Profile Details

Updating Software Profiles:

Profiles > Software > Select Profile > Update > Enter Changes > Save

Creating a Compute Profile:

Profiles > Compute > Create > Enter vCPU, Memory Details > Save

Registering a Database Server VM:

Database Server VMs > Register > Enter VM Details > Save

Provisioning a Database:

Databases > Provision > Select Engine > Configure Profiles > Save

Configuring High Availability:

Administration > HA Configuration > Set HA Parameters > Save

Best Practices

Profile Management:
- Always use custom profiles for specific database needs.
- Regularly update profiles for new versions and patches.
Data Protection:
- Use Time Machine for regular backups.
- Set SLAs based on business-critical data requirements.
Performance Tuning:
- Monitor resource usage.
- Adjust compute and storage as needed to maintain optimal performance.
Security and Compliance:
- Use SSL certificates for secure communication.
- Implement role-based access control (RBAC) to restrict access.

Key Topics to Focus On for the Exam

High Availability Configurations: Understand HA options and failover scenarios.
Profile Management: Creation and management of software, compute, network, and parameter profiles.
Time Machine Operations: Backup, restore, and cloning procedures.
Patching and Upgrades: Steps for applying patches and performing upgrades.
Security Configurations: SSL certificates, NTP settings, and access controls.

Resources for Study

Nutanix Support Portal: Access comprehensive guides and documentation.
NDB User Guides: Deep dive into each supported database (Oracle, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, etc.).
Practice Quizzes and Labs: Use Nutanix-provided tools and labs to test your knowledge.

Tips for Exam Day

Review key commands and configuration steps.
Understand NDB architecture and components.
Focus on high-availability setups and failover management.
Be familiar with common troubleshooting scenarios and solutions.

By using this cheat sheet, you can reinforce your understanding of the core concepts, commands, and procedures required for the NCP-DB 6.5 Exam. Good luck!

Here is a table summarizing the minimum knowledge required to pass the Nutanix Certified Professional - Database Automation (NCP-DB) 6.5 Exam. This table includes key concepts, commands, configuration steps, and best practices to help you quickly review and retain the most critical information for the exam.

NCP-DB 6.5 Exam Minimum Knowledge Table

Category	Key Concept/Command	Description	Example/Command
NDB Concepts	NDB Software Compatibility	NDB supports various database engines (Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, MongoDB).	Ensure compatibility with NDB for your chosen database engine.
	Time Machine SLA	Policies for snapshot frequency and retention to meet RPO and RTO.	Configure SLA in Time Machine for backups.
	Data Access Management (DAM)	Controls access to databases to ensure security and compliance.	Set DAM policies during database registration.
	Provisioning Profiles	Templates for deploying databases, including software, compute, network, and parameter profiles.	Use `Profiles > Create` to set up different profiles.
	One-Click Provisioning	Automates database deployment with predefined profiles.	`Provision > Select Database Engine > Apply Profiles`
	One-Click Patching	Automates the application of database patches.	`Administration > Patching > One-Click Patching`
Deployment	Download and Import NDB Instance	Download and import NDB image (qcow2 for AHV, OVA for ESXi).	Use Nutanix Prism to upload and configure the NDB instance.
	Static IP Assignment	Assign a fixed IP to the NDB instance for consistent communication.	Configure during initial deployment or via NDB Wizard.
	SSL Certificate	SSL certificates secure communications and prevent browser warnings.	`Administration > SSL Certificate > Upload Certificate`
	High Availability (HA)	Ensures continuous availability by configuring redundancy (e.g., API, Proxy, Repository servers).	`Administration > HA Configuration > Set Parameters`
Monitoring	Alerts Monitoring	Real-time checks for environment issues.	`Monitor > Alerts > View and Clear Alerts`
	Clear Alerts	Remove alerts after resolution.	`Monitor > Alerts > Clear`
	SMTP Configuration	Set up Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) for email alerts.	`Administration > SMTP Configuration`
Provisioning	Register Database Server VMs	Requirements: network connectivity, SSH access, and necessary profiles configured.	`Database Server VMs > Register > Enter VM Details`
	Provision Databases	Use appropriate engine and predefined profiles for deployment.	`Databases > Provision > Select Engine > Configure Profiles`
	Patching Databases	Apply patches and upgrades to maintain stability and performance.	`Administration > Patching > One-Click Patching`
Security	Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)	Define user roles and permissions for secure access.	`Administration > Roles > Create Custom Roles`
	SSL Configuration	Use SSL certificates for encrypted communication.	`Administration > SSL Configuration > Upload Custom Certificate`
Data Protection	Time Machine Operations	Backup, restore, and clone databases using Time Machine.	`Time Machine > Create New > Configure SLA and Schedule`
	Manual Snapshots	Create snapshots outside regular schedules for immediate protection.	`Databases > Select Database > Snapshot > Manual`
	Point-in-Time Restore	Restore database to a specific point using snapshots or logs.	`Databases > Restore > Select Snapshot/Log`
Best Practices	Regular Profile Updates	Keep software, compute, network, and parameter profiles up to date.	`Profiles > Update > Enter Changes > Save`
	Set SLAs Based on Data Importance	Define SLAs according to business-critical data requirements.	`Time Machine > Configure SLA`
	Monitor Resource Usage	Regularly check CPU, memory, and storage usage for optimization.	`Monitor > Resource Capacity and Usage`
	Security Compliance	Implement role-based access controls and SSL for secure operations.	`Administration > Security > Configure SSL and Access Controls`
Troubleshooting	Diagnostics Bundle	Collect logs and data for diagnosing issues.	`Administration > Diagnostics > Download Bundle`
	Failed Snapshot Analysis	Investigate and resolve reasons for snapshot failures.	`Monitor > Alerts > Failed Snapshot > Analyze`
Commands and Tools	NDB CLI	Command-line interface for managing and configuring NDB.	`ndbcli --help`
	NDB API	API for integrating NDB with other tools and automating tasks.	`curl -X POST <API Endpoint>`
High Availability (HA)	HA Configuration	Set up redundancy for NDB components (API, Proxy, Repository servers).	`Administration > HA Configuration > Configure Components`
	Control Plane Scalability	Scale the NDB control plane by adding resources or VMs to handle increased workloads.	`Administration > Scale Control Plane > Add Resources`
Exam Focus Areas	High Availability	Understand HA setup and failover scenarios.	Focus on API, Proxy, and Repository servers' HA configuration.
	Profile Management	Master the creation and management of software, compute, network, and parameter profiles.	`Profiles > Create > Select Profile Type > Enter Details`
	Time Machine Operations	Backup, restore, and cloning procedures using Time Machine.	`Time Machine > Create > Configure SLA and Snapshot Schedule`
	Patching and Upgrades	Steps for applying patches and performing upgrades to database environments.	`Administration > Patching > Apply Patches`
	Security Configuration	SSL certificates, NTP settings, and access controls to maintain a secure environment.	`Administration > SSL Certificate > Upload Certificate`
Resources	Nutanix Support Portal	Comprehensive guides and documentation for Nutanix products.	Visit Nutanix Support Portal and access NDB documentation.
	NDB User Guides	Detailed user guides for each supported database (Oracle, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, MongoDB, etc.).	Download from Nutanix website or support portal.
	Practice Quizzes and Labs	Practice with Nutanix-provided tools and labs to test knowledge.	Utilize online labs and quizzes available on Nutanix training platform.

This table provides a quick overview of the essential knowledge needed to pass the NCP-DB 6.5 Exam. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the commands, procedures, and best practices to ensure a successful exam experience. Good luck!