When deploying Nutanix Files, the storage network requires **one additional IP address than the number of File Server Virtual Machines (FSVMs)**. Nutanix Files is a scale-out file storage solution that uses a distributed architecture, where each FSVM handles file services and communicates with clients and the Nutanix cluster. The IP address requirements include one IP address for each FSVM plus an additional virtual IP address (VIP) that serves as the client-facing endpoint for the file server.
The **Nutanix Unified Storage Administration (NUSA)** course explains that Nutanix Files deployment involves configuring a file server with a minimum of three FSVMs for high availability and scalability. Each FSVM requires a unique IP address on the storage network to handle internal communication and data operations. Additionally, a single VIP is configured for the file server to provide a unified access point for clients using protocols like SMB or NFS. This VIP is load-balanced across the FSVMs, ensuring seamless failover and scalability.
The **Nutanix Certified Professional - Unified Storage (NCP-US)** study guide specifies that “the storage network for Nutanix Files requires one IP address per FSVM plus one additional IP address for the file server VIP.” For example, a Nutanix Files deployment with three FSVMs would require four IP addresses: three for the FSVMs and one for the VIP. This configuration ensures that clients can access the file server through a single IP address, while the FSVMs handle the backend storage operations.
The other options are incorrect:
- **Same number of IP addresses as the number of FSVMs**: This does not account for the additional VIP required for client access, which is a critical component of the Nutanix Files architecture.
- **One less IP address than the number of FSVMs**: This is not feasible, as each FSVM requires its own IP address, and the VIP adds an additional requirement.
- **Twice as many IP addresses as the number of FSVMs**: This overestimates the IP address needs, as only one additional VIP is needed, not double the number of FSVMs.
The NUSA course documentation further clarifies that “the VIP is used to abstract the file server from the individual FSVMs, providing a single point of access for clients and enabling features like load balancing and failover.” The storage network must be configured with sufficient IP addresses to accommodate both the FSVMs and the VIP during deployment.
[References:, - Nutanix Unified Storage Administration (NUSA) Course, Section on Nutanix Files: “Deployment and network configuration for Nutanix Files, IP address requirements.”, - Nutanix Certified Professional - Unified Storage (NCP-US) Study Guide, Topic 1: Deploy and Upgrade Nutanix Unified Storage, Subtopic: “Nutanix Files architecture and network setup.”, - Nutanix Documentation (https://www.nutanix.com), Nutanix Files Administration Guide: “Configuring storage network and VIP for Nutanix Files deployment.”, ]
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