I often receive messages asking for information on getting started with Nutanix. There is no magic recipe, but a lot of documentation available with open access for the most part.

Official Nutanix documentation

To start, there is the official Nutanix documentation available on a dedicated portal.

Whether it’s best practices, compatibility lists, EOLs… you’re bound to find what you’re looking for.

My selection to get you started:

Nutanix Community Edition: set up your own cluster to do tests, discover the interface and features.

Network best practices: the reference document to ensure optimal operation of your cluster at the network level.

Compatibility matrix: a doubt about the compatibility of the operating system of one of your servers? Check it out and get started!

The Nutanix Test Drive

You don’t want to install a cluster at home but you still want to test the solution? Test Drives are made for you!

These virtual environments will allow you to test the solution on restricted areas.

Nutanix Community Edition 2.0

Did the Test Drives make your mouth water? Go to the top speed !

Nutanix Community Edition 2.0 allows you to deploy a cluster at home and get hands-on with the solution.

Find my article on the deployment of the solution here.

Nutanix University

Nutanix University is the temple of certification and there is something for all levels.

To access the certifications, you must register on the portal. Access to the courses is free, but certification requires payment for each attempt ($199 or $299 depending on the certification completed).

There are also preparation courses dedicated to certain certifications if you want support to pass your certifications, but this comes at a price.

Finally, be aware that Nutanix regularly offers coupons allowing you to pass these certifications for free, notably on March 14 (Pi-Day), Halloween, Christmas, etc.

If you are new to the solution, you can start with the NCA (Nutanix Certified Associate) which will allow you to acquire basic knowledge of the solution. The logical sequence is then the NCP-MCI.

The Nutanix Bible

For this part, the Nutanix Bible is definitely a deep dive into the entire architecture and operation of the solution.

Everything is dissected and explained, from the basic concepts of hyperconvergence to the operation of the smallest functionality of the Nutanix solution, you will inevitably find the information you are looking for.