Nutanix Database Expert

Nutanix Database (NDB) Expert

The roles and responsibilities for a Nutanix Database (NDB) Expert, focusing on managing, optimizing, and securing database environments within the Nutanix ecosystem:

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Nutanix Database Service (NDB) Management and Deployment
   

·         Deploy and manage Nutanix NDB clusters and instances, configuring them to support organizational requirements for availability, security, and performance.

·         Create and maintain database blueprints within Nutanix NDB to standardize database provisioning, configuration, and scaling.

·         Ensure optimal setup and operation of databases on Nutanix NDB, including support for SQL Server database engines.

·         Manage the NDB configuration and maintain the NDB related profiles such as (Software profile, domain profile etc.)

·         Configure, Validate and maintain the usage of NDB Managed Network and IP address.

·         Configure, Validate and the DB server VM status and DB Status, that is managed by NDB.

·         Validate, remediate and fix the potential issues/errors/warnings that are available in the  NDB Dashboard.

·         Monitor the operations that are happening in the NDB and any failure to investigate and fix the issue in NDB Console.

·         Configure, Validate and maintain the compute and CPU usage in PE along with NDB.

·         Configure, Validate and maintain the NDB Server VM and NDB Agent VM (If applicable).

·         Discuss the NDB additional requirements which are not currently implemented and

that are supported by NDB now.

·         Plan and implement the NDB additional requirements after discussing the pros and

cons with the customer.

·         Nutanix Cluster Management

·         Nutanix Cluster Configuration and Maintenance

·         Monitoring and troubleshooting – Prism Pro

·         Health Checks

1. Performance Monitoring and Optimization
   

·         Continuously monitor Nutanix DB performance, identifying bottlenecks, optimizing queries, and tuning configurations for improved efficiency.

·         Use Nutanix tools like Prism and NDB Analytics to gather insights on database performance, storage utilization, and workload distribution.

·         Implement automated alerts and performance baselines, proactively addressing potential issues before they impact users.

·         Managing SQL Server databases that are hosted on NDB and Nutanix platform.

·         Monitoring system's health and performance.

·         Ensuring high levels of performance, availability, sustainability and security.

·         Refining and automating regular processes, tracking issues, and documenting changes.

·         Performing scheduled maintenance and supporting release deployment activities after hours.

·         Configure and maintain database servers and processes, including monitoring of system health and performance, to ensure high levels of performance, availability, and security.

·         Independently analyze, solve, and correct issues in real time, providing problem resolution end-to-end.

·         Share domain and technical expertise, providing technical mentorship and cross-training to other peers and team members.

1. Data Security and Compliance
   

·         Implement security best practices for Nutanix DB, including access controls, encryption, and audit logging, to protect sensitive data.

·         Ensure Nutanix DB environments comply with industry standards and regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) and meet internal security requirements.

·         Perform regular security assessments and audits on database configurations, access privileges, and user activity within the Nutanix environment.

·         Maintain knowledge of current systems architecture and configuration

·         Infrastructure and Operations documentation (as built, procedures, network)

1. Disaster Recovery and High Availability
   

·         Develop and implement disaster recovery (DR) solutions within Nutanix NDB, including backup strategies and failover configurations to ensure data resilience.

·         Set up and test backup and restore procedures, ensuring the rapid recovery of databases in case of system failures.

·         Design high-availability architectures using Nutanix capabilities, such as replication and automated failover, to minimize downtime and data loss.

·         Assisting with BCP/DRP planning and implementation.

·         Define the configuration best practices to maximize the performance of database and NDB products on the Nutanix Platform.

1. Automation and Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
   

·         Use Nutanix Calm or other automation tools to implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for database provisioning, scaling, and configuration.

·         Automate routine tasks, such as backup scheduling, patching, and monitoring, reducing the need for manual intervention and improving consistency.

·         Develop scripts and workflows to streamline database operations, ensuring they align with Nutanix's automation standards and practices.

1. Database Lifecycle Management
   

·         Manage the lifecycle of Nutanix DB environments, including upgrades, patches, and migrations, ensuring minimal downtime and compatibility with existing workloads.

·         Regularly assess and update database instances, applying updates and security patches as needed to maintain performance and security.

·         Create decommissioning plans for outdated or unused databases, reclaiming resources and ensuring compliance with data retention policies.

1. Capacity Planning and Resource Optimization
   

·         Monitor resource usage within Nutanix DB, including CPU, memory, and storage, to ensure sufficient capacity for current and future demands.

·         Implement scaling strategies, such as vertical or horizontal scaling, to support growth and optimize resource utilization.

·         Conduct regular assessments of resource allocation and recommend adjustments to improve cost-effectiveness and performance.

1. Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
   

·         Collaborate with development, DevOps, and infrastructure teams to align database management practices with broader IT objectives.