FlashStack with Nutanix is a jointly validated, modular infrastructure solution that combines Cisco UCS compute, Nutanix Cloud Platform, and Pure Storage FlashArray into a single, production-ready architecture.

This deployment model uses Intersight Managed Mode (IMM) for Cisco UCS and integrates Nutanix compute-only clusters with external Pure Storage FlashArray storage over NVMe/TCP. It is the recommended installation path for customers deploying FlashStack with Nutanix.

The Cisco FlashStack with Nutanix Installation Field Guide provides end-to-end guidance, including:

• Architecture overview and supported configurations
• Network and storage connectivity design
• Step-by-step installation using Nutanix Foundation Central
• Attaching Nutanix clusters to Pure Storage FlashArray

For detailed instructions, see the Cisco FlashStack with Nutanix Installation Field Guide.

In an ISM deployment, nodes are connected to two Top-of-Rack (ToR) switches and do not require Fabric Interconnects (FIs). Only rack-mount servers are supported. Servers are centrally managed using Cisco Intersight.

• We recommend deploying three nodes for a standard Nutanix production cluster.

• Single node and two-node clusters can be deployed in Edge and branch locations with an existing high-performance network fabric.

For detailed cluster deployment instructions using ISM, see the Cisco Compute Hyperconverged with Nutanix ISM Field Guide.

In an IMM deployment, nodes are connected to either two Cisco UCS® 6400 Series FIs or two Cisco UCS 6500 Series FIs. Both nodes and FIs are managed from Intersight using SaaS, Private Virtual Appliance (PVA), or Connected Virtual Appliance (CVA):

• Both C series rack mount and modular X-series servers are supported.

• We recommend deploying three nodes for a standard Nutanix production cluster.

• Single node and two-node clusters can be deployed in Edge and branch locations.

For detailed deployment instructions using IMM, see the Cisco Compute Hyperconverged with Nutanix IMM Field Guide.

In a UMM deployment, nodes are connected to either two Cisco UCS® 6400 Series FIs or two Cisco UCS 6500 Series FIs and managed as a single system using UCS Manager.

Note	UMM is a legacy deployment method. We highly recommended the ISM or IMM deployment methods.

• We recommend deploying three nodes for a standard Nutanix production cluster.

• One-node and two-node clusters are not supported with UMM.

To deploy the servers using UMM, see the Cisco Compute Hyperconverged with Nutanix UCS Managed Mode Field Guide.