Exam NCM-MCI-6.10 Topic 1 Question 8 Discussion
Actual exam question for Nutanix's NCM-MCI-6.10 exam
Question #: 8
Topic #: 1
Question #: 8
Topic #: 1
An administrator needs to configure a new write-intensive MS-SQL VM on Cluster 1.
VM specifications:
* vCPU: 12
* vRAM: 128GB
* Storage: 100 GB OS, 750 GB Data
Create the VM and any objects needed in the current environment to meet requirements, maximizing performance for the production environment. Include NEWSQL in the name of any new objects.
Production environment:
* 4 nodes
* Each node has two 8-core CPUs
* Each node has 1024 GB RAM
* Storage: 4 × 7.16 TB SSD Disks and 8 × 8 TB HDD disks
Make sure the VM is configured for maximum performance for the production environment.
Note: Network configuration is not required at this time. Do not power on the VM.
VM specifications:
* vCPU: 12
* vRAM: 128GB
* Storage: 100 GB OS, 750 GB Data
Create the VM and any objects needed in the current environment to meet requirements, maximizing performance for the production environment. Include NEWSQL in the name of any new objects.
Production environment:
* 4 nodes
* Each node has two 8-core CPUs
* Each node has 1024 GB RAM
* Storage: 4 × 7.16 TB SSD Disks and 8 × 8 TB HDD disks
Make sure the VM is configured for maximum performance for the production environment.
Note: Network configuration is not required at this time. Do not power on the VM.
Suggested Answer:
See the Explanation below for detailed answer.
Explanation:
Here is the step-by-step solution to create the high-performance SQL VM on Cluster 1.
This task requires two phases: first, creating a new all-flash storage container, and second, creating the VM with a specific vNUMA and disk controller configuration for maximum performance.
1. Access Cluster 1 Prism Element
* From the main Prism Central dashboard, navigate to Hardware > Clusters.
* Find Cluster 1 in the list and click its name. This will open the specific Prism Element login page for that cluster.
* Log in to Cluster 1's Prism Element interface.
2. Create the All-Flash Storage Container
To maximize performance for a "write-intensive" workload on a hybrid cluster, the data and log disks must be placed on an all-flash container.
* In the Cluster 1 PE interface, click the gear icon (Settings) in the top-right corner.
* From the left-hand menu, select Storage.
* Click the + Storage Container button.
* Fill in the basic details:
* Name: NEWSQL_Flash_Container
* Click Advanced Settings.
* Scroll down to the Storage Tier section.
* Select the SSD radio button. This pins all data in this container to the SSD tier, ensuring all-flash performance.
* Click Save.
3. Create and Configure the VM
Now, create the VM, applying vNUMA and multi-SCSI controller best practices.
* From the main PE dashboard, navigate to the VM view.
* Click the + Create VM button.
* Enter the compute details. This configuration is critical for vNUMA performance, as it tells the VM's guest OS about the underlying physical NUMA topology (2 CPUs with 8 cores each).
* Name: NEWSQL_VM
* vCPUs: 12
* Number of Sockets: 2
* Cores per vCPU: 6 (This creates a 2-socket, 6-core VM, totaling 12 vCPUs)
* Memory: 128 GB
* Scroll down to the Disks section and add the OS disk:
* Click + Add New Disk.
* Storage Container: Select the default (hybrid) container.
* Size: 100 GB
* Bus: SCSI
* Device Index: 0 (This will be scsi.0)
* Click Add.
* Add the Data disk (on its own controller for parallel processing):
* Click + Add New Disk.
* Storage Container: Select NEWSQL_Flash_Container.
* Size: 750 GB
* Bus: SCSI
* Device Index: 1 (This creates a new controller, scsi.1)
* Click Add.
* Add a Log disk (on its own controller, a best practice for "write-intensive" SQL):
* Click + Add New Disk.
* Storage Container: Select NEWSQL_Flash_Container.
* Size: 100 GB (A common size for a log disk)
* Bus: SCSI
* Device Index: 2 (This creates a third controller, scsi.2)
* Click Add.
* Review the configuration: You should now have three disks attached, each on a separate controller (scsi.
0, scsi.1, scsi.2). This provides the maximum I/O performance.
* Ensure the Power on VM after creation box is unchecked.
* Click Save.
Topic 1, Performance Based Questions Set 1
Environment
You have been provisioned a dedicated environment for your assessment which includes the following:
Initial Steps
* When you first log into Prism Central or Prism Element you may see the EULA screen. Accept the EULA with any name and then disable Pulse.
* To access Prism Element, the pass-through from Prism Central
(Infrastructure\Hardware\Clusters\cluster-x\Launch Prism Element) works better than directly using the external IP:9440.
Workstation
* Windows Server 2019
* All software/tools/etc to perform the required tasks
* Nutanix Documentation and whitepapers can be found in Desktop\Files\Documentation and Desktop\Files\Documentation 6.10
* Note that the Workstation is the system you are currently logged into
* Windows Server 2019
* All software/tools/etc to perform the required tasks
* Nutanix Documentation and whitepapers can be found in Desktop\Files\Documentation and Desktop\Files\Documentation 6.10
* Note that the Workstation is the system you are currently logged into Nutanix Cluster
* There are two clusters provided, connected to one Prism Central. The connection information for the relevant cluster will be displayed to the right of the question. Please make sure you are working on the correct cluster for each item. Please ignore any licensing violations.
Important Notes
* If the text is too small and hard to read, or you cannot see all of the GUI, you can increase/decrease the zoom of the browser with CTRL + and CTRL - (the plus and minus keys).

Prism Central Web Console
* admin / ykZUCJMER7V*
* nutanix / UJ2xE!DEXGY
Cluster 1
* CVM external IP: 34.53.118.63
* CVM DR IP: 172.30.0.6
* admin / 9Fw0B!3QH4X)
* nutanix / GNP*FE2504XWZ
* root / KR*6HY0z5E8
Cluster 2
* CVM external IP: 34.82.155.5
* CVM DR IP: 172.30.0.4
* admin / 5*K30fA76X
* nutanix / N*3F%1ME!Z7T9

Explanation:
Here is the step-by-step solution to create the high-performance SQL VM on Cluster 1.
This task requires two phases: first, creating a new all-flash storage container, and second, creating the VM with a specific vNUMA and disk controller configuration for maximum performance.
1. Access Cluster 1 Prism Element
* From the main Prism Central dashboard, navigate to Hardware > Clusters.
* Find Cluster 1 in the list and click its name. This will open the specific Prism Element login page for that cluster.
* Log in to Cluster 1's Prism Element interface.
2. Create the All-Flash Storage Container
To maximize performance for a "write-intensive" workload on a hybrid cluster, the data and log disks must be placed on an all-flash container.
* In the Cluster 1 PE interface, click the gear icon (Settings) in the top-right corner.
* From the left-hand menu, select Storage.
* Click the + Storage Container button.
* Fill in the basic details:
* Name: NEWSQL_Flash_Container
* Click Advanced Settings.
* Scroll down to the Storage Tier section.
* Select the SSD radio button. This pins all data in this container to the SSD tier, ensuring all-flash performance.
* Click Save.
3. Create and Configure the VM
Now, create the VM, applying vNUMA and multi-SCSI controller best practices.
* From the main PE dashboard, navigate to the VM view.
* Click the + Create VM button.
* Enter the compute details. This configuration is critical for vNUMA performance, as it tells the VM's guest OS about the underlying physical NUMA topology (2 CPUs with 8 cores each).
* Name: NEWSQL_VM
* vCPUs: 12
* Number of Sockets: 2
* Cores per vCPU: 6 (This creates a 2-socket, 6-core VM, totaling 12 vCPUs)
* Memory: 128 GB
* Scroll down to the Disks section and add the OS disk:
* Click + Add New Disk.
* Storage Container: Select the default (hybrid) container.
* Size: 100 GB
* Bus: SCSI
* Device Index: 0 (This will be scsi.0)
* Click Add.
* Add the Data disk (on its own controller for parallel processing):
* Click + Add New Disk.
* Storage Container: Select NEWSQL_Flash_Container.
* Size: 750 GB
* Bus: SCSI
* Device Index: 1 (This creates a new controller, scsi.1)
* Click Add.
* Add a Log disk (on its own controller, a best practice for "write-intensive" SQL):
* Click + Add New Disk.
* Storage Container: Select NEWSQL_Flash_Container.
* Size: 100 GB (A common size for a log disk)
* Bus: SCSI
* Device Index: 2 (This creates a third controller, scsi.2)
* Click Add.
* Review the configuration: You should now have three disks attached, each on a separate controller (scsi.
0, scsi.1, scsi.2). This provides the maximum I/O performance.
* Ensure the Power on VM after creation box is unchecked.
* Click Save.
Topic 1, Performance Based Questions Set 1
Environment
You have been provisioned a dedicated environment for your assessment which includes the following:
Initial Steps
* When you first log into Prism Central or Prism Element you may see the EULA screen. Accept the EULA with any name and then disable Pulse.
* To access Prism Element, the pass-through from Prism Central
(Infrastructure\Hardware\Clusters\cluster-x\Launch Prism Element) works better than directly using the external IP:9440.
Workstation
* Windows Server 2019
* All software/tools/etc to perform the required tasks
* Nutanix Documentation and whitepapers can be found in Desktop\Files\Documentation and Desktop\Files\Documentation 6.10
* Note that the Workstation is the system you are currently logged into
* Windows Server 2019
* All software/tools/etc to perform the required tasks
* Nutanix Documentation and whitepapers can be found in Desktop\Files\Documentation and Desktop\Files\Documentation 6.10
* Note that the Workstation is the system you are currently logged into Nutanix Cluster
* There are two clusters provided, connected to one Prism Central. The connection information for the relevant cluster will be displayed to the right of the question. Please make sure you are working on the correct cluster for each item. Please ignore any licensing violations.
Important Notes
* If the text is too small and hard to read, or you cannot see all of the GUI, you can increase/decrease the zoom of the browser with CTRL + and CTRL - (the plus and minus keys).

Prism Central Web Console
* admin / ykZUCJMER7V*
* nutanix / UJ2xE!DEXGY
Cluster 1
* CVM external IP: 34.53.118.63
* CVM DR IP: 172.30.0.6
* admin / 9Fw0B!3QH4X)
* nutanix / GNP*FE2504XWZ
* root / KR*6HY0z5E8
Cluster 2
* CVM external IP: 34.82.155.5
* CVM DR IP: 172.30.0.4
* admin / 5*K30fA76X
* nutanix / N*3F%1ME!Z7T9

by Rachel at Mar 17, 2026, 01:36 PM
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