AHEAD Nutanix Cluster Deployment

The Nutanix Cluster Deployment Services provides planning installation, and configuration for a net new Nutanix cluster, up to the maximums specified in this Service Brief.

Important Notes

• Nutanix Cluster: This base service covers a minimum of three (3) nodes and a maximum of four (4) nodes. Additional nodes can be added by purchasing the ACD-AHS-CVI-NTXDEP-ADD SKU, up to a maximum of ten (10) nodes total in the cluster.
• Hypervisor: This service covers either vSphere or AHV hypervisor-based clusters.
• Additional Components: Replication, Encryption, and Switches are not included in this service. Additional service offerings exist to cover these items.
• Supported Hardware Platforms: Nutanix NX, HPE, and Dell XC.

Service Overview

This is a fixed scope Service where experienced AHEAD personnel perform the following:

• Project management
• Design, configuration, implementation, and verification of in-scope components
• Provide completed Service Deliverables
• Conduct Functional Overview to familiarize Clients staff with the solution. This is not a substitute for formal training.

Service Scope

During this Service, AHEAD performs the following:

Planning

• Provides pre-site checklist and design requirements
• Ensure environmental and operational requirements are met by Client
• Plans and estimates schedules
• Establishes project status meetings and communication cadence
• Validates equipment is on-site at the appropriate location

Physical Installation:

• Racks up to four (4) Nutanix nodes in a customer-provided rack
• Connects data network cables to customer-provided switches and out of band management cables to management network
• Connect redundant power connections
• Configures the out of band IP address on the nodes

Hypervisor Configuration:

• Installs ESXi or AHV hypervisor software and Nutanix Controller VM
  • Customer to provide media and license keys
  • Applies any necessary Hypervisor patches and/or configuration updates to the Nutanix CVM
• Configures up to two (2) standard or distributed vSwitches
  • Note: dVS migrations are out of scope
• Configures up to five (5) vSwitch VLAN port groups
• Configures administrative parameters
  • DNS, NTP, Syslog, AD, and SNMP (RBAC configuration out of scope)

Nutanix Acropolis (AOS) Configuration:

• Creates Nutanix cluster
• Configures up to two (2) Storage containers and one (1) Protection Domain
• Configures administrative parameters
  • Authentication (AD/RBAC out of scope)
  • Call home and email alerts
  • Prism and Acropolis licensing
  • DNS, NTP, SMTP, Syslog, SNMPv3
• Deploys a single Prism Central instance
• Deploys a single VMware vCenter Server Appliance with Integrated PSC
• Creates and/or configures vSphere Cluster, including HA/DRS settings

Validation:

• Validates the installation by reviewing logs and confirming there are no displayed errors.
  • Executes Nutanix Cluster Check & Diagnostic Test
  • Verifies Nutanix alerts received by Client
  • Verifies Nutanix Pulse

Customer Enablement:

• Creates Nutanix support portal account (if needed) and verify contact information

Knowledge Transfer:

• Conducts a basic Functional Overview of up to two (2) hours, to:
  • Familiarize the Client with the implemented solution
  • Demonstrate normal operations as installed
  • Review Nutanix support portal and as-built documentation

Service Deliverables

The following deliverables are provided with this Service:

• High level Project Plan
• As-Built Guide of the implementation
• Project Completion Form

Service Exclusions

AHEAD is responsible only for performing the Service, as described herein. All other services are considered out of scope. Please contact AHEAD for a list of specific exclusions.

Assumptions

AHEAD will rely on certain Assumptions in the performance of this Service. Please contact AHEAD for a list of these assumptions.