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 Files Sizing Guide, Version 4.0, Section: “Memory Sizing for Nutanix Files” (Nutanix Portal)., Nutanix Certified Professional - Unified Storage (NCP-US) Study Guide, Section: “Nutanix Files Sizing and Performance”., , ]
