Large Nutanix Family
Despite the fact that, most often, when talking about Nutanix, we talk about our mainstream model, NX-3000, however, in addition to the NX-3000, we still have several models that make it possible to use the Nutanix cluster more conveniently for some special tasks . Below I’ll try to briefly tell you what kind of models they are and how you can use them to build an “ideal cluster”.
In the photo - Nutanix NX-3460 with extracted "nodes" -servers.
Although our mainstream, the NX-3000, is usually well suited to most typical use cases, there are some specialized areas that require sharpening the solution. A good example is the node of the Nutanix cluster, which we call the NX-7110.
This is a 2U-case (all our models have 2U heights, this simplifies placement), in which, unlike the NX3000, only one computing "server" is located. The reason for this is that in this spacious "server" -ode, it became possible to install three full-sized PCIe 16x slots for placing professional 3D accelerators in them , which can be used in VDI-machines for "heavy" graphics tasks that were previously considered unsuitable for VDI (professional CAD, 3D modeling, video editing in HD), as well as install the Teradichi Apex PCoIP acceleration card in such a node server, which significantly accelerates the “responsiveness” of virtual desktop interfaces.
We already have examples of implementing such VDI in Russia, I hope, when it becomes possible, to talk about them.
In the photo - NX-7110 (closer) and NX-3460 (further) in the process of unpacking and installing the cluster at the client .
As you recall, hyper-convergence means that our systems do not have separate servers and separately - storage systems, as separate entities that are familiar to SAN environments. In Nutanix, the server and storage are merged together. Each node carries a portion of the "storage volume" on its local disks, and Nutanix OS combines many of these "local disks" into the total disk space of the cluster.
But in the case when you need more storage space than the NX-3000 node can provide, and there are already enough processors and processor power, you can use our so-called “capacity nodes”, the NX-6000 series. These are Nutanix nodes in which more capacious disks are installed, but not as productive processors as in the NX-3000. In addition, a 2U chassis is used for two rather than four server nodes.
Unlike the NX-3000, 3.5 "form factor disks are used here. In addition, since the" large "disks take up more space, they are housed in a different way.
Otherwise, these are the same Nutanix nodes, they can be included in the same cluster with, for example, NX-3000 or NX-7000 nodes, and get expanded storage capacity. Further the decision of the administrator of the cluster of virtual machines, how to place virtual machines on the host cluster (they can also be migrated on the fly between hosts). You can place a smaller VM on сapacity nodes, or select those that need less processor power (for example, it can be a file server, or a VM for storing user home folders or network profiles). However, do not underestimate the processor in the “Capacity node” dual-processor Xeon E5-26xx - not a weakling at all!
However, there is a case when a task requires a powerful single server. This can be a separate database, which constructively cannot be parallelized over a cluster of nodes, and must be run on a single server, or, for example, a powerful and capacious MS Exchange server for a database of mailboxes in the thousands and tens of thousands . For such a task in the arsenal of Nutanix there is a model NX-8150. It represents one “server” node in 2U, similar to the already considered NX-7110, but at the same time in this node there are 24 disks, 4 of which are SSDs on 800GB or 1.6TB, and 20 are SATA 1TB. The processor is a dual E5-2697v2 (in the top configuration) and up to 512GB of memory.
If even this power is not enough, then you should look at the model of the NX-9000 series, which belongs to the extremely fashionable All-Flash today. There are two nodes in one NX-9040 package, each with a pair of Intel Xeon Ivy Bridge E5-2690v2 (20 cores, 3.0 GHz), 256 or 512GB RAM, and 6 pieces per 800GB or 1.6TB SSD drive node.
If, on the contrary, the power of the NX-3000 is excessive, and budgets are limited, then you can try to pay attention to the youngest series - the NX-1000. In any case, Nutanix does not play SMB, in any case, this is a pretty muscular enterprise, but, for example, for the branch offices or for a number of special tasks, the 1000 series can be used. E5-2620 is also far from Atom;), and is capable of much, but there are relatively few RAM in the nodes of the "thousandth" series, and note that from 12 to 16GB RAM will take in your memory Nutanix CVM, which ensures the operation of the internal "kitchen" and Nutanix Distributed Filesystem.
Let me remind you, finally, that you can build a cluster of heterogeneous “brick” nodes by choosing them that are necessary for your tasks. For example, you can take one four-core NX-3461 unit, for infrastructure VMs, for example, to place an AD domain controller, network management and deployment VMs on them, VCenter and a couple of hundred “office class” VDI VMs, for your ordinary employees, to add the NX-7110 with powerful professional 3D graphics for workstations for CAD and video, and for the MS Exchange mail system or a powerful Oracle database that requires a large amount of storage and many "disk spindles" - add one or more blocks to the cluster NX-8150.
And this whole design will have a single control, a common high-performance disk space, and can be expanded unlimitedly by adding the right blocks to this cluster, with the functionality you need.
And in the very near future we are waiting for the update of the line with new processors and the expansion of configurations, primarily from memory. As the saying goes: "Follow the advertisement" :)
