How to Build a Single‑Node Nutanix CE Hyper‑Converged Cluster (AHV/KVM)

What Is Hyper‑Converged Infrastructure (HCI)?

HCI combines compute, networking, storage, and virtualization into a single appliance, adding backup, snapshot, deduplication, and compression features. Multiple appliances can be network‑aggregated for seamless scale‑out, forming a unified resource pool.

Why Move Away From Traditional Three‑Tier Architecture?

Performance bottlenecks: Sudden traffic spikes cause storage and SAN latency spikes, leading to failures.

Non‑linear capacity scaling: Adding resources requires manual, time‑consuming operations and often downtime.

Operational complexity: Troubleshooting across hardware, virtualization, and storage layers is difficult, jeopardizing SLA.

HCI addresses these issues by eliminating separate storage arrays, using distributed storage services, and automating deployment, resulting in linear performance and capacity growth.

Hardware Selection

Any x86 server capable of running ESXi or KVM can be used. Recommended configurations:

Minimum: Desktop‑class i5/i7 (4 cores) or server‑class E3/E5, 32 GB RAM, one 64 GB SSD for the hypervisor and at least one 250 GB SSD for Nutanix software.

Suggested: Dual‑socket E5 CPUs, 128 GB RAM, two 1 TB SSDs for the storage pool, plus two 2 TB HDDs for bulk storage.

SSD is mandatory for the CVM and storage pool; HDDs are optional but recommended for capacity.

Network Selection

Minimum: One 1 GbE NIC per node (sufficient for basic functionality).

Recommended: One dual‑port 10 GbE NIC for storage traffic and another for VM traffic, separated by VLANs.

Optimized: Two dual‑port 10 GbE NICs plus a dual‑port 1 GbE NIC for high availability.

For multi‑node clusters, at least one 10 GbE switch and one 1 GbE switch are required.

Preparation

Register a Nutanix community account at https://next.nutanix.com, download the Community Edition ISO ( https://download.nutanix.com/ce/2020.09.16/ce-2020.09.16.iso), and create a bootable USB. Ensure network connectivity and Internet access before starting.

Installation Checklist

Set BIOS to Legacy mode.

Verify all disks are visible in BIOS.

Boot from a Linux Live CD/USB (e.g., Fedora 35) or WinPE.

Use the Live CD’s partition tool to erase all existing partitions and check SMART status; replace any failing disks.

Insert the Nutanix CE USB installer and start the flashing process.

Installation Process

The installer runs for about an hour, requiring minimal user input.

Post‑Installation Configuration

SSH to the host ( root password nutanix/4u) and verify the CVM VM status with virsh list.

SSH to the CVM ( nutanix / nutanix/4u) and confirm the hostname ends with -cvm.

Test Internet connectivity from the CVM with ping qq.com.

Run genesis status and wait for a clean service list.

Run cluster status; if it reports “no cluster configured,” create one.

For a single‑node cluster, execute cluster -s 192.168.1.20 create (replace the IP with the CVM’s IP).

Multi‑Node Cluster Setup (3‑4 Nodes)

Repeat the installation on each node.

Ensure all CVMs report identical cluster status outputs.

Verify inter‑CVM network connectivity with ping.

On one CVM, run cluster -s 192.168.1.20,192.168.1.22,192.168.1.24 create to form the cluster.

Basic Cluster Usage

Open a browser to any CVM IP, log in with admin / nutanix/4u, and change the default password.

Enter the registered Nutanix forum credentials when prompted.

Upload ISO/IMG/QCOW2 images via the Image Service.

Create a virtual network for VMs.

Deploy a blank VM, attach an ISO, and install the OS.

Optionally create VM templates from uploaded images.

Cost Considerations

The author uses a mix of repurposed hardware (Intel NUC, Lenovo workstations, and custom‑built servers) to build a three‑node Nutanix CE cluster, demonstrating that a functional HCI environment can be assembled with modest investment.

References

Community Edition download page:

https://download.nutanix.com/ce/2020.09.16/ce-2020.09.16.iso