EMC D-XTR-MN-A-24 Dell XtremIO Maintenance Achievement Exam Practice Test

The Technician Advisor can be found on SolVe Desktop. SolVe Desktop is a comprehensive tool provided by Dell EMC that includes installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting procedures for various Dell EMC products, including XtremIO. It is an essential resource for technicians working with these systems.

For a multi X-Brick XtremIO X1 cluster, each X-Brick requires one Battery Backup Unit (BBU) that provides protective power to both Storage Controllers within the X-Brick. Additionally, there are two BBU COM (communication) ports required, with one connected to each Storage Controller.This configuration ensures that in the event of a power failure, the BBU can maintain power to the Storage Controllers, allowing them to safely shut down and protect data integrity1.

The installation process would typically involve:

Installing the BBU in the designated slot within the X-Brick.

Connecting the BBU power cable to the power supply of both Storage Controllers.

Connecting a BBU COM port to each Storage Controller for communication and monitoring purposes.

This setup is crucial for maintaining the high availability and data protection standards that XtremIO systems are known for1.

=========================

This performance metric is derived from the system’s ability to deliver linear scalability, meaning that two X-Bricks can deliver twice the IOPS of a single X-Brick configuration2.

The calculation for this is based on the performance of a single X-Brick, which can achieve up to 300,000 IOPS under the same workload conditions.Therefore, with two X-Bricks, the system can achieve double that amount, resulting in 600,000 IOPS1.

This information is crucial for planning and sizing purposes, ensuring that the storage array meets the performance requirements of the applications it supports2.

=========================

When the NVRAM status LED on an XtremIO X2 is flashing red at one-second intervals, it indicates an uncorrectable error. This is a critical status that typically signifies a hardware malfunction or failure within the NVRAM module, which requires immediate attention.NVRAM, or Non-Volatile Random Access Memory, is crucial for retaining data integrity during power losses or system crashes1.

The steps to address this issue usually involve:

Investigating the system logs to identify the specific nature of the error.

Contacting Dell EMC support for guidance on diagnosing and resolving the issue.

Following the recommended procedures for troubleshooting or replacing the affected NVRAM module, as per the support team’s instructions.

It is important to resolve such errors promptly to prevent potential data loss and to maintain the overall health and performance of the storage system1.

=========================

A key feature of the XtremIO storage array is inline compression. This feature allows data to be compressed in real-time as it is written to the storage system, which helps to reduce storage footprint and improve storage efficiency without impacting performance.

The correct racking order from bottom to top to expand an XtremIO X1 configuration from a dual X-Brick to a quad X-Brick is as follows:

X3-SC1

X3-DAE

X3-BBU

X3-SC2

As per the image provided, which appears to be a list or part of a document detailing the steps for racking components, the order listed for expanding an XtremIO X1 configuration is:

Begin with the bottom component, which is ‘X3-SC1’ (Storage Controller 1).

Above ‘X3-SC1’, install ‘X3-DAE’ (Disk Array Enclosure).

Next, install ‘X3-BBU’ (Battery Backup Unit) above ‘X3-DAE’.

Finally, at the top, place ‘X3-SC2’ (Storage Controller 2).

This order ensures that the heavier components are at the bottom for stability and likely follows Dell’s official guidelines for proper airflow and cable management within the rack1.

=========================

For an XtremIO cluster to use FTPS (File Transfer Protocol Secure) for the Connect Home feature, the firewall ports that need to be opened are989 and 990.These ports are used for data connections and control connections under implicit security for FTPS1.

When using explicit security, FTPS can also use port 21, but since the question specifies FTPS for Connect Home, which typically uses implicit security, the correct ports are989 for data transmissionand990 for the control connection1. It’s important to ensure these ports are open to allow secure file transfer capabilities for the XtremIO cluster.

The minimum XtremIO software version required for expanding a Starter X-Brick cluster is 4.0.4. This version includes the necessary features and improvements to support the expansion process, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance.

In an XtremIO X2 system, the maximum number of lifetime cycles for NVRAM is 10,000. This number represents the total count of write and erase cycles the NVRAM can endure throughout its lifespan, ensuring data integrity and reliability over time.

Questions no:Which document contains the detailed steps for re-imaging the Storage Controller when preparing for a single-to-dual X-Brick expansion?

Verified Answer:C.XtremIO Hardware Installation and Upgrade Guide

Step by Step Comprehensive Detailed Explanation with References:The detailed steps for re-imaging the Storage Controller when preparing for a single-to-dual X-Brick expansion are contained in theXtremIO Hardware Installation and Upgrade Guide.This document provides comprehensive instructions on the physical installation, initial configuration, and upgrade procedures for XtremIO hardware components, including the process of re-imaging the Storage Controller1.

The steps typically include:

Ensuring that all data is backed up before starting the re-imaging process.

Verifying the current system configuration and health status.

Following the specific instructions for re-imaging the Storage Controller as outlined in the guide.

Performing post-re-imaging tasks such as system verification and configuration as necessary.

It is important to follow the guide closely to avoid any potential issues during the expansion process1.

=========================

In the event of a power failure, the XtremIO X2 array is designed to protect the journal data using a combination ofSupercapacitorandNVRAM. The NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) ensures that the data remains intact without power, while the supercapacitor provides the necessary energy to maintain the power to the NVRAM during the outage.This design allows the XtremIO X2 array to preserve the integrity of the journal data until normal power can be restored1.

=========================

In an XtremIO X1 cluster, the system is designed to tolerate the failure of one DAE Controller SAS port without any impact on the service or data integrity. This is because the architecture of the XtremIO X1 includes redundancy and failover mechanisms that ensure continuous operation even when individual components fail.The failure of a single SAS port would trigger these mechanisms, allowing the system to maintain normal operations and prevent data loss, service degradation, or loss of service1.

Based on the provided exhibit, ports "b" and "d" are used for FC2 (Fibre Channel 2) and iSCSI1 connections on an XtremIO X1. These ports are designated for specific connection types to ensure optimal performance and correct configuration of the storage network.

To expand a Starter X-Brick cluster (which typically begins with one X-Brick) to an eight X-Brick cluster, a total of three expansions are required. Each expansion step in XtremIO can typically double the number of X-Bricks, thus:

First expansion: From 1 X-Brick to 2 X-Bricks.

Second expansion: From 2 X-Bricks to 4 X-Bricks.

Third expansion: From 4 X-Bricks to 8 X-Bricks.

This sequence ensures that the storage array scales properly, maintaining performance and redundancy.

ESRS (EMC Secure Remote Services) configuration verification is typically done using commands that check for system notifications and configurations.

The show-syslog-notifier command is used to verify the settings and configuration of syslog notifications, which is part of the ESRS setup.

This command helps in ensuring that the notifications are correctly configured and functioning as intended, allowing for remote monitoring and management.

To successfully operate Technician Advisor on an XtremIO X2, TCP ports 80 and 443 need to be open between the XMS (XtremIO Management Server) and X1-SC1 (Storage Controller). These ports are used for HTTP and HTTPS communication, respectively, allowing for secure management and operation of the storage system.