Over the past couple of months, I have been lacking in my blogs. At first, I was writing an NPX design with a colleague, then I decided that I needed to write my NPX on a design that I had completed without any outside help. So now, it is time to start writing again.
Let’s start with the basics.
You have to have a design. It does not have to be an overly complex design. It does have to be based on Nutanix hardware. Note: *be careful about what hypervisor you choose* I will explain more about that later in this blog. This design cannot be completely fictitious. It has to be a real design that may have fictitious parts add to meet the minimal requirements. There are sixteen main sections that you should cover. These sections have a set amount of points. For those of you that are looking to start a VCDX or NPX design, these sections are a good starting point.
Conceptual/Logical Design Elements
- Scalability
- Resiliency
- Performance
- Manageability and Control Plane Architecture
- Data Protection and Recoverability
- Compliance and Security
- Virtual Machine Logical Design
- Virtual Networking Design
- Third-party Solution Integration
Physical Design Elements
- Resource Sizing
- Storage Infrastructure
- Platform Selection
- Networking Infrastructure
- Virtual Machine Physical Design
- Management Component Design
- Datacenter Infrastructure (Environmental and Power)
Once your design document has been completed with the above sections, you will need to collect or create all your supporting documents. These supporting documents should include but are not limited to:
- A current state and operational readiness assessment
- A migration and transition plan
- An implementation plan
- An installation guide
- A test and validation plan
- Documentation of operational procedures
All these documents will need to be gathered into a compressed file and sent to the email provided to you with your NPX application.
Back to my comment about choice a hypervisor wisely. You design can be based on ESXi, AHV, or Hyper-V. The other two sections of your defense will be based on the second hypervisor of your choice. So if your design is based on ESXi, your choice for the design and troubleshooting section will need to be AHV or Hyper-V. Again I will state choose you design hypervisor wisely.
Reflection
So as this blog states I did not pass my first time. I had a great time in the NPX Design Review (NDR). I learned a lot and it has already made me a better Architect. At the time of finishing this blog, I am preparing for take 2 in January. I have had many more mock panels and design sessions. I feel that this time around I am ready for anything the panel can throw my way. I hope this time I can come out of the NDR with a #.
More information on the NPX certification
