Nutanix Nutanix Certified Professional - Unified Storage (NCP-US) v6.5 NCP-US-6.5 Exam Dumps: Updated Questions & Answers (October 2025)

The two minimum resources that are required for deploying Files instances are 8 GiB of memory per host and 4 vCPUs per host. Memory and vCPUs are resources that are allocated to VMs (Virtual Machines) to run applications and processes. Files instances are file server instances (FSIs) that run on FSVMs (File Server VMs) on a Nutanix cluster. FSVMs require at least 8 GiB of memory and 4 vCPUs per host to function properly and provide SMB and NFS access to file shares and exports. The administrator should ensure that there are enough memory and vCPUs available on each host before deploying Files instances. References: Nutanix Files Administration Guide, page 27; Nutanix Files Solution Guide, page 6

Smart DR in Nutanix Files, part of Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS), simplifies disaster recovery (DR) by automating replication policies between file servers (e.g., using NearSync, as seen in Question 24). Deploying Smart DR has specific prerequisites to ensure compatibility and successful replication between the primary and recovery file servers.

Analysis of Options:

Option A (Open TCP port 7515 on all client network IPs uni-directionally on the source and recovery file servers): Incorrect. Port 7515 is not a standard port for Nutanix Files or Smart DR communication. Smart DR replication typically uses ports like 2009 and 2020 for data transfer between FSVMs, and port 9440 for communication with Prism Central (as noted in Question 45). The client network IPs (used for SMB/NFS traffic) are not involved in Smart DR replication traffic, and uni-directional port opening is not a requirement.

Option B (The primary and recovery file servers must have the same domain name): Correct. Smart DR requires that the primary and recovery file servers are joined to the same Active Directory (AD) domain (i.e., same domain name) to ensure consistent user authentication and permissions during failover. This is a critical prerequisite, as mismatched domains can cause access issues when the recovery site takes over, especially for SMB shares relying on AD authentication.

Option C (Requires one-to-many shares): Incorrect. Smart DR does not require one-to-many shares (i.e., a single share replicated to multiple recovery sites). Nutanix Files supports one-to-one replication for shares (e.g., primary to recovery site, as seen in the exhibit for Question 24), and one-to-many replication is not a prerequisite—it’s an optional configuration not supported by Smart DR.

Option D (The Files Manager must have at least three file servers): Incorrect. “Files Manager” is not a standard Nutanix term, but assuming it refers to the Files instance or deployment, there is no requirement for three file servers. Smart DR can be deployed with a single file server on each site (primary and recovery), though three FSVMs per file server are recommended for high availability (not file servers). This option misinterprets the requirement.

Why Option B?

Smart DR ensures seamless failover between primary and recovery file servers, which requires consistent user authentication. Both file servers must be joined to the same AD domain (same domain name) to maintain user permissions and access during failover, especially for SMB shares. This is a documented prerequisite for Smart DR deployment to avoid authentication issues.

Exact Extract from Nutanix Documentation:

From the Nutanix Files Administration Guide (available on the Nutanix Portal):

“A prerequisite for deploying Smart DR is that the primary and recovery file servers must be joined to the same Active Directory domain (same domain name). This ensures consistent user authentication and permissions during failover, preventing access issues for clients.”

Nutanix Files, part of Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS), can be upgraded to newer versions to gain access to new features, bug fixes, and improvements. Upgrading Files involves updating the File Server Virtual Machines (FSVMs) and can be performed using Nutanix’s management tools.

Analysis of Options:

Option A (Prism Element - LCM): Incorrect. Life Cycle Manager (LCM) in Prism Element is used to manage upgrades for AOS, hypervisors, and other cluster components, but it does not directly handle Nutanix Files upgrades. Files upgrades are managed through Prism Central, as Files is a distributed service that requires centralized management.

Option B (Prism Element - One-click): Incorrect. Prism Element does not have a “one-click” upgrade option for Nutanix Files. One-click upgrades are typically associated with hypervisor upgrades (e.g., ESXi, as in Question 47) or AOS upgrades, not Files. Files upgrades are performed via Prism Central.

Option C (Prism Central - LCM): Correct. Life Cycle Manager (LCM) in Prism Central can be used to upgrade Nutanix Files. LCM in Prism Central manages upgrades for Files by downloading the Files software bundle, distributing it to FSVMs, and performing a rolling upgrade to minimize downtime. This is a supported and recommended method for upgrading Files.

Option D (Prism Central - Files Manager): Correct. The Files Manager (or Files Console) in Prism Central provides a UI for managing Nutanix Files, including upgrades. The administrator can use the Files Manager to initiate an upgrade by uploading a Files software bundle or selecting an available version, and the upgrade process is managed through Prism Central, ensuring a coordinated update across all FSVMs.

Selected Methods:

C: LCM in Prism Central automates the Files upgrade process, making it a streamlined method.

D: The Files Manager in Prism Central provides a manual upgrade option through the UI, offering flexibility for administrators.

Exact Extract from Nutanix Documentation:

From the Nutanix Files Administration Guide (available on the Nutanix Portal):

“Nutanix Files can be upgraded using two methods in Prism Central: Life Cycle Manager (LCM) and the Files Manager. LCM in Prism Central automates the upgrade process by downloading and applying the Files software bundle, while the Files Manager allows administrators to manually initiate the upgrade by uploading a software bundle or selecting an available version.”

Nutanix Files, part of Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS), uses File Server Virtual Machines (FSVMs) to manage file services (e.g., SMB, NFS). Each FSVM runs on a node in the Nutanix cluster, and the number of connections per node impacts the resource requirements, particularly memory (RAM), for the FSVMs. The administrator needs to size the memory for a Files instance where each node will handle an average of 4,000 connections.

Sizing Guidelines:

Nutanix provides sizing guidelines for Files deployments based on the number of connections per FSVM (and thus per node, assuming one FSVM per node, which is the default configuration). The memory requirements scale with the number of connections to ensure performance and stability:

The minimum memory per FSVM is 12 GiB (as noted in Question 2), which supports up to 1,000 connections.

For higher connection counts, Nutanix recommends increasing the memory proportionally.

According to Nutanix documentation:

Up to 1,000 connections: 12 GiB RAM per FSVM.

1,000 to 2,000 connections: 24 GiB RAM per FSVM.

2,000 to 4,000 connections: 48 GiB RAM per FSVM.

4,000 to 8,000 connections: 96 GiB RAM per FSVM.

Since the question specifies 4,000 connections per node, and assuming one FSVM per node (standard deployment), the FSVM on each node needs to handle 4,000 connections. Based on the sizing guidelines:

4,000 connections fall into the 4,000 to 8,000 range, requiring 96 GiB RAM per FSVM.

Since each node hosts one FSVM, this translates to 96 GiB RAM per node dedicated to the FSVM.

Analysis of Options:

Option A (32 GiB RAM per node): Incorrect. 32 GiB RAM per node is sufficient for up to 2,000 connections (24 GiB for the FSVM, plus some overhead), but it is insufficient for 4,000 connections, which require 96 GiB.

Option B (40 GiB RAM per node): Incorrect. 40 GiB RAM per node is still too low for 4,000 connections, as it falls short of the 96 GiB recommended for this connection range.

Option C (96 GiB RAM per node): Correct. 96 GiB RAM per node aligns with Nutanix’s sizing guidelines for an FSVM handling 4,000 to 8,000 connections, ensuring the Files instance can manage the expected load efficiently.

Option D (128 GiB RAM per node): Incorrect. While 128 GiB RAM per node would work, it exceeds the recommended sizing for 4,000 connections. Nutanix recommends 96 GiB for up to 8,000 connections, and 128 GiB is typically reserved for even higher connection counts (e.g., >8,000) or additional workloads on the node. The question asks for the “proper” sizing, which is the minimum recommended for the given load, making 96 GiB the correct choice.

Why Option C?

For 4,000 connections per node, Nutanix recommends 96 GiB RAM per FSVM (one FSVM per node), which translates to 96 GiB RAM per node dedicated to the FSVM. This ensures the Files instance can handle the connection load without performance degradation, aligning with Nutanix’s sizing guidelines.

Exact Extract from Nutanix Documentation:

From the Nutanix Files Sizing Guide (available on the Nutanix Portal):

“For Nutanix Files deployments, memory sizing depends on the number of connections per FSVM. For 4,000 to 8,000 connections, allocate 96 GiB of RAM per FSVM. Assuming one FSVM per node, this translates to 96 GiB RAM per node dedicated to the FSVM to ensure optimal performance.”

Additional Notes:

The question assumes one FSVM per node, which is the default configuration for Nutanix Files unless otherwise specified. If multiple FSVMs were on a single node, the total RAM would need to be adjusted, but the question’s phrasing (“per node”) aligns with the standard one-FSVM-per-node deployment.

The 96 GiB RAM is for the FSVM itself; the node may require additional RAM for other workloads (e.g., CVM, VMs), but the question focuses on the Files instance’s memory sizing, making 96 GiB the correct answer.

Nutanix Objects, part of Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS), is deployed and managed through Prism Central (PC), which provides a centralized interface for managing multiple Prism Element (PE) clusters. When deploying Objects or adding multi-cluster support to an Object Store, the administrator selects a PE cluster and associated subnets from drop-down lists in the Prism Central UI. If these drop-down lists are empty or show an error, it indicates an issue with visibility or access to the clusters or subnets.

Analysis of Options:

Option A (The logged-in user does not have access to any Prism Central): Correct. Prism Central is required to manage Nutanix Objects deployments and multi-cluster configurations. If the logged-in user does not have access to any Prism Central instance (e.g., due to RBAC restrictions or no PC being deployed), they cannot see any PE clusters or subnets in the UI, as Prism Central is the interface that aggregates this information. This would result in empty drop-down lists for clusters and subnets, as well as during multi-cluster addition for the Object Store.

Option B (The logged-in user does not have access to any subnets on the allowed Prism Central): Incorrect. While subnet access restrictions could prevent subnets from appearing in the Subnets drop-down, this does not explain why the Cluster drop-down is empty or why no clusters are listed during multi-cluster addition. The issue is broader—likely related to Prism Central access itself—rather than subnet-specific permissions.

Option C (The administrator has just created an access policy granting user access to Prism Element): Incorrect. Granting access to Prism Element directly does not affect visibility in Prism Central’s UI. Objects deployment and multi-cluster management are performed through Prism Central, not Prism Element. Even if the user has PE access, they need PC access to see clusters and subnets in the Objects deployment workflow.

Option D (The administrator has just created an access policy denying user access to a subnet in Prism Element): Incorrect. Denying access to a subnet in Prism Element might affect subnet visibility in the Subnets drop-down, but it does not explain the empty Cluster drop-down or the inability to see clusters during multi-cluster addition. Subnet access policies are secondary to the broader issue of Prism Central access.

Why Option A?

The core issue is that Prism Central is required to display PE clusters and subnets in the UI for Objects deployment and multi-cluster management. If the logged-in user does not have access to any Prism Central instance (e.g., they are not assigned the necessary role, such as Prism Central Admin, or no PC is registered), the UI cannot display any clusters or subnets, resulting in empty drop-down lists. This also explains why no clusters are listed during multi-cluster addition for the Object Store, as Prism Central is the central management point for such operations.

Exact Extract from Nutanix Documentation:

From the Nutanix Objects Deployment Guide (available on the Nutanix Portal):

“Nutanix Objects deployment and multi-cluster management are performed through Prism Central. The logged-in user must have access to Prism Central with appropriate permissions (e.g., Prism Central Admin role) to view Prism Element clusters and subnets in the deployment UI. If the user does not have access to Prism Central, the Cluster and Subnets drop-down lists will be empty, and multi-cluster addition will fail to list available clusters.”

Nutanix Files, part of Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS), generates logs for file service operations, which can be forwarded to a syslog server for centralized logging and monitoring. The process to configure syslog forwarding for Nutanix Files involves interacting with the File Server Virtual Machines (FSVMs), as they handle the file services and generate the relevant logs.

Analysis of Options:

Option A (Configure the syslog in Prism Element): Incorrect. Prism Element manages cluster-level settings, such as storage and VM configurations, but it does not provide a direct interface to configure syslog forwarding for Nutanix Files. Syslog configuration for Files is specific to the FSVMs.

Option B (Configure the syslog in Files Console): Incorrect. The Files Console (accessible via Prism Central) is used for managing Files shares, FSVMs, and policies, but it does not have a built-in option to configure syslog forwarding. Syslog configuration requires direct interaction with the FSVMs.

Option C (Use the CLI in an FSVM): Correct. Nutanix Files logs are managed at the FSVM level, and syslog forwarding can be configured by logging into an FSVM and using the command-line interface (CLI) to set up the syslog server details. This is the standard method documented by Nutanix for enabling syslog forwarding for Files.

Option D (Use the CLI in a CVM): Incorrect. The Controller VM (CVM) manages the Nutanix cluster’s storage and services, but it does not handle Files-specific logging. Syslog configuration for Files must be done on the FSVMs, not the CVMs.

Configuration Process:

To configure syslog forwarding, the administrator would:

SSH into one of the FSVMs in the Files deployment.

Use the nutanix user account to access the FSVM CLI.

Run commands to configure the syslog server (e.g., modify the /etc/syslog.conf file or use Nutanix-specific commands to set the syslog server IP and port).

Restart the syslog service on the FSVM to apply the changes.This process ensures that Files logs are forwarded to the specified syslog server.

Exact Extract from Nutanix Documentation:

From the Nutanix Files Administration Guide (available on the Nutanix Portal):

“To forward Nutanix Files logs to a syslog server, you must configure syslog settings on each FSVM. Log in to an FSVM using SSH and the ‘nutanix’ user account. Use the CLI to update the syslog configuration by specifying the syslog server’s IP address and port. After configuration, restart the syslog service to apply the changes.”

Nutanix Files, part of Nutanix Unified Storage (NUS), allows administrators to manage file shares through the Files Console, which is accessible via Prism Central. A share in Nutanix Files can have a maximum capacity (quota) defined to limit its storage usage. To increase this capacity, the administrator must modify the share’s settings.

Analysis of Options:

Option A (Select the Settings tab, Click Change): Incorrect. The Settings tab in the Files Console is used for general file server settings (e.g., AD integration, global configurations), not for modifying individual share properties like capacity.

Option B (Select the Shares tab, Click Modify): Correct. To increase the maximum capacity of a share, the administrator should navigate to the Shares tab in the Files Console, select the share, and click Modify (or Edit, depending on the version). This opens a dialog where the share’s quota (maximum capacity) can be adjusted.

Option C (Select the Settings tab, Click Rename): Incorrect. Renaming a share under the Settings tab does not affect its capacity. The Settings tab is not the correct location for share-specific changes like capacity adjustments.

Option D (Select the Shares tab, Click Update): Incorrect. While the Shares tab is the correct location, “Update” is not a standard action in the Files Console for modifying share properties. The correct action is “Modify” or “Edit,” as in option B.

Why Option B?

The Shares tab in the Files Console is where administrators manage individual shares, including their properties like maximum capacity (quota). The Modify (or Edit) action allows the administrator to adjust the share’s quota, increasing its maximum capacity as requested.

Exact Extract from Nutanix Documentation:

From the Nutanix Files Administration Guide (available on the Nutanix Portal):

“To modify the maximum capacity (quota) of a share, navigate to the Shares tab in the Files Console. Select the share you want to modify, and click Modify. In the dialog, adjust the quota settings to increase the maximum capacity as needed, then save the changes.”

Before upgrading Objects Manager, the administrator must upgrade AOS to the latest version. AOS is the core operating system that runs on each node in a Nutanix cluster and provides the foundation for Objects Manager and Objects service. Upgrading AOS will ensure compatibility and stability for Objects components. References: Nutanix Objects Administration Guide, Acropolis Operating System Upgrade Guide

The error log that the administrator should review to determine why the relative service is down is arithmos.ERROR. Arithmos is a service that runs on each CVM and provides volume group protection functionality for Volumes. Volume group protection is a feature that allows administrators to create protection policies for volume groups, which define how often snapshots are taken, how long they are retained, and where they are replicated. If arithmos.ERROR log shows any errors or exceptions related to volume group protection, it can indicate that the relative service is down or not functioning properly. References: Nutanix Volumes Administration Guide, page 29; Nutanix Volumes Troubleshooting Guide

Nutanix Volumes is a feature that allows users to create and manage block storage devices (volume groups) on a Nutanix cluster. Volume groups can be accessed by external hosts using the iSCSI protocol. To secure volume groups from unauthorized access, Nutanix recommends configuring CHAP (Challenge-Handshake Authentication Protocol) for each volume group in Prism Element. CHAP is a security feature that authenticates iSCSI initiators and targets before allowing access to a volume group. CHAP requires both the initiator and the target to have a shared secret (a password) that is used to generate a challenge and a response during the authentication process. CHAP can prevent unauthorized access to volume groups and protect data from malicious attacks. References: Nutanix Volumes Administration Guide, page 25; Nutanix Volumes Security Guide

Nutanix’s best practices for Volumes security emphasize securing iSCSI connections through authentication. Configuring Volume Groups to use CHAP ensures that only authorized initiators can access the storage, preventing unauthorized access and aligning with security compliance requirements. This is a direct and mandatory step for securing Volumes, making it the best choice among the options.

Exact Extract from Nutanix Documentation:

From the Nutanix Volumes Administration Guide (available on the Nutanix Portal):

“To align with Nutanix best practices for security, configure Volume Groups to use CHAP (Challenge-Handshake Authentication Protocol) for iSCSI authentication. This ensures that only authorized initiators can access the Volume Group, protecting against unauthorized access and enhancing security.”