NCS-Core study plan

NCS-Core · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Nutanix Platform Fundamentals and Architecture

Describe the core Nutanix architecture, including the distributed storage fabric (DSF), Controller VM (CVM), and hypervisor options.
Explain how data is distributed and protected across a cluster using replication factor and erasure coding.
Identify the components of the Nutanix software stack and their roles (Prism, AOS, AHV, etc.).
Diagram a basic Nutanix cluster showing network and storage paths.

Create a one-page architecture diagram with annotations explaining data flow and component interactions.

Week 2

List the prerequisites for deploying a Nutanix cluster, including network, hardware, and software requirements.
Walk through the cluster creation process using the Foundation tool or Prism Element.
Configure initial cluster settings such as DNS, NTP, and SMTP.
Verify cluster health and component status after installation.

Write a step-by-step checklist for a successful cluster deployment, including validation steps.

Week 3

Configure and validate network segmentation, including VLANs and virtual switches.
Explain storage policies, containers, and how to manage storage capacity.
Set up and test data protection features such as snapshots, replication, and disaster recovery.
Differentiate between synchronous and asynchronous replication and their use cases.

Create a network and storage configuration plan for a hypothetical 3-node cluster, including data protection settings.

Week 4

Navigate Prism Central and Prism Element interfaces to perform common operational tasks.
Use Lifecycle Manager (LCM) to inventory and update software components.
Perform VM management tasks such as cloning, migration, and snapshotting.
Monitor cluster performance and capacity using Prism dashboards.

Complete a simulated operational runbook covering VM provisioning, LCM updates, and performance monitoring.

Week 5

Interpret health checks and alerts in Prism and NCC.
Diagnose common issues related to storage, networking, and performance.
Collect logs and generate support bundles for escalation.
Follow proper support escalation procedures and engage Nutanix Support effectively.

Create a troubleshooting flowchart for a common cluster issue (e.g., CVM down) with escalation steps.

Week 6

Plan and execute an AOS upgrade using LCM, including pre-upgrade checks.
Add a node to an existing cluster and rebalance storage.
Perform cluster maintenance tasks such as shutting down and restarting nodes safely.
Validate cluster health post-upgrade and post-expansion.

Develop a detailed upgrade and expansion plan, including rollback and validation procedures.

Week 7

Configure role-based access control (RBAC) in Prism Central.
Implement security best practices, including encryption and certificate management.
Explain compliance requirements and how Nutanix features support them.
Audit user activity and access logs.

Create a security configuration guide for a cluster, covering RBAC, encryption, and auditing.

Week 8

Develop and test a script that automates a common task (e.g., creating a VM from a template) via API.

Week 2: Successfully deploy a simulated cluster and pass all health checks.

Week 4: Demonstrate proficiency in Prism operations by completing a set of common tasks without reference.

Week 6: Execute a mock upgrade and node addition in a lab environment, documenting the process.

Week 8: Pass a practice exam covering all domains with a score of 80% or higher.