Table of Contents
- Introduction: Why Air-Gapped DR for Nutanix?
- Air-Gap Concepts: Definitions and Regulatory Drivers
- Reference Architectures: Full and Semi-Air-Gapped DR
- Network Segmentation Strategies: Design Patterns
- API-Controlled Network Isolation: Workflow & Implementation
- Automated DR Workflows: Scripts and Integration
- Building & Testing the Air-Gap: Step-by-Step Procedures
- Monitoring, Validation, and Recovery
- Real-World Example: Public Sector Air-Gap with Nutanix
- Conclusion: The Ultimate Data Protection
1. Introduction: Why Air-Gapped DR for Nutanix?
Modern cyber threats—including ransomware and nation-state actors—have exposed the vulnerability of traditional DR. Air-gapped or semi-air-gapped disaster recovery for Nutanix platforms provides an isolated safety net, breaking the attack chain and ensuring regulatory compliance for the most sensitive workloads.
Key Takeaways:
- Air-gapped DR means your backup or DR environment is physically or logically isolated from production.
- Semi-air-gapped DR allows scheduled, highly controlled replication with minimal exposure.
- This approach is mandated or strongly recommended in regulated industries such as government, healthcare, and finance.
2. Air-Gap Concepts: Definitions and Regulatory Drivers
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Air-Gap | Complete isolation from production. No automated or persistent connection. |
| Semi-Air-Gap | Isolated with periodic or API-controlled connection for sync only. |
| Regulatory Drivers | PCI-DSS, HIPAA, FedRAMP, GDPR, CMMC, CJIS, and more. |
Regulatory Reference:
3. Reference Architectures: Full and Semi-Air-Gapped DR
[Diagram: Air-Gapped Nutanix DR Topology]
- Note: All replication flows traverse a firewall or physically removable medium.
- Jump host is tightly controlled, with MFA and session logging.
4. Network Segmentation Strategies: Design Patterns
Best-Practice Segmentation Table
| Layer | Production | DR (Air-Gapped) | Controls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management | 10.10.0.0/24 | 172.30.0.0/24 | ACLs, VLANs, firewalls |
| Replication | 10.10.1.0/24 | 172.30.1.0/24 | Timed/API open |
| Backup | 10.10.2.0/24 | 172.30.2.0/24 | Physical disconnect |
[Semi-Air-Gap with Network Isolation]
- Only the replication channel is enabled for short, controlled periods.
5. API-Controlled Network Isolation: Workflow & Implementation
Workflow Overview
- Request Replication: Admin triggers via API or orchestration tool.
- Open Replication Path: API call to firewall opens the replication VLAN.
- Start Replication: Nutanix native replication (Protection Domains) begins.
- Monitor Progress: Automation validates sync status.
- Close Path: API closes the network path. DR returns to air-gapped state.
- Audit Log: All actions logged for compliance.
Example: Palo Alto Firewall API (Python)
import requests
def open_replication_vlan(fw_ip, api_key):
url = f"https://{fw_ip}/api/"
params = {
'type': 'config',
'action': 'set',
'key': api_key,
'xpath': "/config/devices/entry/vsys/entry/rulebase/security/rules/entry[@name='DR-Replication']",
'element': '<disabled>no</disabled>'
}
response = requests.get(url, params=params, verify=False)
return response.status_code
def close_replication_vlan(fw_ip, api_key):
params['element'] = '<disabled>yes</disabled>'
response = requests.get(url, params=params, verify=False)
return response.status_code
- Pro tip: Use similar API workflows for Fortinet, Cisco, or NSX firewalls.
6. Automated DR Workflows: Scripts and Integration
Nutanix Protection Domain Replication (CLI/API)
# PowerShell (NTNX PowerShell Module)
Connect-NTNXCluster -Server 'PrismProdIP'
$pd = Get-NTNXProtectionDomain -Name 'CriticalAppsPD'
Start-NTNXReplication -ProtectionDomain $pd -RemoteSite 'DR-Site'
# Nutanix Prism API (Python Example)
import requests
url = "https://<PrismIP>:9440/api/nutanix/v3/protection_domains/replicate"
payload = {
"protection_domain_id": "<PD_ID>",
"remote_site_id": "<REMOTE_SITE_ID>"
}
r = requests.post(url, json=payload, auth=("user","pass"), verify=False)
print(r.json())
- Schedule scripts to run only during approved replication windows.
- Integrate all scripts with centralized audit and alerting.
7. Building & Testing the Air-Gap: Step-by-Step Procedures
A. Build
- Deploy isolated DR Nutanix cluster. No persistent network route to production.
- Create VLANs/Subnets on both sides, matching but not interconnected.
- Configure firewalls with zero trust. No replication rules enabled by default.
- Harden all management endpoints. Require MFA and certificate-based auth.
- Disable or physically disconnect non-essential ports outside replication window.
B. Test
- Simulate ransomware or insider threat event in production.
- Attempt to pivot from production to DR. Confirm isolation.
- Use API or manual trigger to open replication path. Replicate data.
- Immediately re-isolate DR after sync.
- Perform full DR failover. Validate workload integrity.
- Document audit log for every step.
8. Monitoring, Validation, and Recovery
- Monitoring: Use Nutanix Alerts, SIEM integration, and firewall logs.
- Validation: Perform regular “tabletop” recovery drills. Validate data integrity and DR operability.
- Recovery: During true disaster, only open DR to production during recovery, then re-isolate.
[Automated Monitoring Flow]
9. Real-World Example: Public Sector Air-Gap with Nutanix
Case Study:
The United States Department of Defense has implemented semi-air-gapped Nutanix clusters for mission-critical workloads, combining hardware firewalls with API-driven network automation. This approach reduced cyber risk and met FedRAMP and DoD Impact Level 5 requirements.
10. Conclusion: The Ultimate Data Protection
Air-gapped or semi-air-gapped DR with Nutanix is the gold standard for cyber resilience. Leveraging API-driven workflows and automation, organizations in the most targeted sectors can secure their data, satisfy regulatory demands, and maintain operational readiness in the face of advanced threats.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the opinions of Nutanix, my employer or any affiliated organization. Always refer to the official Nutanix documentation before production deployment.
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