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Question

Auto Power On/Off VM Based on User Login/Logout via Prism Central (IAM)

  • March 26, 2026
  • 4 replies
  • 35 views
anhpc

Hi everyone,

I’m currently working on a use case in Nutanix Prism Central and would appreciate your guidance.

**Requirements:**

* Assign a dedicated VM to each user.
* When a user logs into Prism Central via an IAM Windows Server link (SSO), the VM assigned to that user should automatically power on.
* When the user logs out, the VM should automatically power off (or shut down gracefully).

**Questions:**

1. Is there any built-in feature in Prism Central or Nutanix IAM that supports this kind of user-to-VM assignment with automatic power control?
2. Can this be achieved using Nutanix Calm, Runbooks, or automation policies?
3. What is the recommended way to trigger actions based on user login/logout events (e.g., via audit logs, webhooks, or IAM integration)?
4. Are there any best practices for mapping users to VMs (e.g., using categories or tags)?

If anyone has implemented a similar solution or can suggest an approach, I'd really appreciate your input.

Thanks in advance!

4 replies

JeroenTielen
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Yes you can create this although it is not in the system.  It should work something like this:

When a uses is logging is you can see it in the audit logs. Unfortunately you cant use audit logs to trigger a playbook. But you can send those logs to (for example) a syslog server. If that syslog server is able to run a script when a certain log is received you can create the script to start the virtual machine (API call to Prism Central to start machine)

 

 

Nutanix NTC 2022+2023+2024+2025+2026 || Nutanix NUG Champion || Nutanix Certified Instructor
    anhpc
    • anhpc
    • Author
    • Voyager
    • March 27, 2026

    Yes you can create this although it is not in the system.  It should work something like this:

    When a uses is logging is you can see it in the audit logs. Unfortunately you cant use audit logs to trigger a playbook. But you can send those logs to (for example) a syslog server. If that syslog server is able to run a script when a certain log is received you can create the script to start the virtual machine (API call to Prism Central to start machine)

     

     


    Hi JeroenTielen,
    I configured the AUDIT module at the INFO level to forward all logs, but when I log in as the IAM user on the PC, no audit logs are recorded.

    anhpc
    • anhpc
    • Author
    • Voyager
    • March 27, 2026

    Yes you can create this although it is not in the system.  It should work something like this:

    When a uses is logging is you can see it in the audit logs. Unfortunately you cant use audit logs to trigger a playbook. But you can send those logs to (for example) a syslog server. If that syslog server is able to run a script when a certain log is received you can create the script to start the virtual machine (API call to Prism Central to start machine)

     

     


    Hi JeroenTielen,
    I configured the AUDIT module at the INFO level to forward all logs, but when I log in as the IAM user on the PC, no audit logs are recorded.

    The configuration must be done via the web using the UDP protocol.
    Now I can automatically turn the virtual machine on and off based on the logs, thank you.

      JeroenTielen
      Forum|alt.badge.img+8
      • JeroenTielen
      • Vanguard
      • March 27, 2026

      Awesome. Nice work ​@anhpc 

      Nutanix NTC 2022+2023+2024+2025+2026 || Nutanix NUG Champion || Nutanix Certified Instructor
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