The guest VM must be powered on before Nutanix Guest Tools can be installed inside its operating system. NGT is not merely a configuration attribute applied to the VM object. It is a software package containing components such as the Nutanix Guest Agent and supporting services that must be installed and executed within the running guest operating system. A powered-off VM cannot execute the installer, start the required services, or establish communication between the guest agent and the Controller VM.
Prism can enable NGT and mount its installer ISO under applicable conditions, including while a VM is powered off, but the actual software installation cannot complete until the guest operating system is running. This distinction between mounting the installer and installing the software is critical.
NGT supports qualified Windows and Linux operating systems, so neither operating-system family inherently prevents installation. Administrators must instead confirm that the specific OS version is supported, that the VM is powered on, that valid credentials or interactive access are available, and that required CVM-to-guest connectivity exists. Once installed, NGT supports functions such as application-consistent snapshots, guest shutdown and restart, file-level recovery, and guest-agent communication.
NHCF/NCA reference: VM administration and Nutanix Guest Tools lifecycle. Official references: Setting Up NGT and Nutanix Guest Tools .
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