FlashArray-Implementation-Specialist Sample Questions Answers

Port 443 (HTTPS) must be open on all management ports to enable secure outbound connections for Phonehome and Remote Assist functionality.

FC cards from an M-series array can be reused in XR2 or XR3 controllers, allowing hardware continuity during controller upgrades.

Upgrading from FlashArray X10 to X50 requires upgrading power supplies to meet the higher power demands of the larger chassis and expanded hardware.

Adding a DirectFlash Shelf with sufficient temporary extra capacity (63TB) allows data to be evacuated from the smaller 22TB packs during the swap, enabling consolidation withoutreducing array usage beforehand.

To evacuate multiple shelves in parallel safely during consolidation, the array’s usage must be sufficiently low (under 60%) to ensure enough free capacity for data movement.

FlashArray//E models utilize 25Gb Ethernet (25G) ports for connecting to DirectFlash Shelves (DFS). These 25G ports are designed to handle the high throughput demands of DFS, providing efficient data transfer between the storage array and expansion shelves. This configuration ensures optimal performance and scalability for FlashArray//E systems.

The FlashArray//X20R4 requires a minimum AC input voltage of 180V to operate. This ensures stable power delivery for the array's components.

FlashArray//XL arrays require four power cables with C19 (receptacle) to C20 (plug) connectors to connect properly to rack PDUs, supporting redundant power supplies and higher power demands.

On an XR2/3 array, a 4-port Fibre Channel card installed in slot 1 is assigned interface names FC4 through FC7, continuing the numbering sequence from other installed FC ports.

Waiting 10 minutes after running puredb run giveback --safe ensures the system completes safe resource rebalancing and stabilizes before proceeding with the next controller upgrade step.

The command hwconfig --model returns the model information of the controller, which is essential before running the puresetup replace procedure.

Drive relocation should be performed only after the XFORM upgrade completes to avoid disrupting the upgrade process and ensure data integrity.

In the FlashArray//XR2 and //XR3 models, the 2-port InfiniBand card should be installed in PCIe slot 2 on controller CT1. This slot is designated for InfiniBand connectivity, ensuring optimal performance and compatibility during the upgrade process. Installing the card in the correct slot is crucial for maintaining proper system functionality and achieving the desired performance metrics.

For ActiveCluster with Ethernet replication, a total of 8 IP addresses are typically required; if 3 are already provided, 5 additional IPs are needed to complete the configuration.

The purearray remoteassist --connect command explicitly enables Support to establish a remote connection to the array for troubleshooting or assistance.

Customers can independently upgrade Purity using the Self-Service upgrade portal on Pure1 Manage, enabling them to proceed without waiting for support scheduling.

FlashArray//XL models are designed with 9 PCIe slots per controller, providing ample connectivity options for various components. Slot 5 is specifically reserved for non-disruptive upgrade (NDU) procedures, ensuring that controller upgrades can be performed without impacting system availability. This slot allocation is part of the system's design to facilitate seamless upgrades and maintain operational continuity.

The correct consolidation process involves evacuating data from the existing chassis drives first, then installing the new larger 91TB data pack, and finally evacuating shelf 0 to complete the consolidation efficiently.

The puredrive list --pack command shows detailed information about the specified data pack, including whether its drives are part of a wide write group.