Before registering a SQL Server VM with Nutanix Database Service (NDB), the administrator must ensure that the VM is configured to allow NDB to communicate with and manage it. For SQL Server VMs running on Windows, NDB relies on Windows Remote Management (WinRM) to facilitate remote administration, discovery, and management tasks. WinRM is a Microsoft protocol that enables secure communication between the NDB control plane and the Windows-based database server VM. It must be enabled and properly configured (e.g., with HTTP or HTTPS listeners and appropriate firewall rules) to allow NDB to register the VM and perform operations like provisioning, patching, or cloning.
Option A (Secure Shell - SSH) is incorrect because SSH is a protocol primarily used for Linux-based systems, not Windows-based SQL Server VMs. NDB uses WinRM for Windows environments.
Option B (Remote Management - WinRM) is correct as it aligns with NDB’s requirements for managing Windows VMs hosting SQL Server instances.
Option C (Remote Desktop - RDP) is incorrect because RDP is a protocol for interactive desktop access, not for the automated management and communication required by NDB.
Option D (Windows PowerShell) is incorrect as a standalone answer. While PowerShell can leverage WinRM for remote execution, NDB specifically requires WinRM to be enabled as the underlying service, not just PowerShell itself.
To verify WinRM is enabled, the administrator can run winrm quickconfig on the SQL Server VM or check the service status and firewall settings. NDB documentation emphasizes this prerequisite to ensure successful registration and management of SQL Server VMs.
References
Nutanix Database Service (NDB) User Guide, Chapter 2: Deploying and Configuring an NDB Solution, Section: Registering Database Server VMs
Nutanix Certified Professional - Database Automation (NCP-DB) v6.5 Blueprint, Section 2: Deploy and Configure an NDB Solution, Objective 2.2: Configure an NDB Instance
Nutanix Support & Insights, Technical Note: "Preparing Windows VMs for NDB Registration"
