EMC D-PVM-OE-01 Dell PowerMax Operate v.2 Exam Practice Test

Step by Step Comprehensive Detailed Explanation:

When upgrading Solutions Enabler (SE) on a Linux host, the symcfg discover command plays a crucial role in preparing for the upgrade. Its primary function in this context is to:

Identify the running SE version:Before proceeding with the upgrade, it's essential to know the current version of Solutions Enabler installed on the host. The symcfg discover command gathers information about the existing SE environment, including the version number. This information is used to determine the appropriate upgrade path and ensure compatibility.

Why other options are incorrect:

B. Verifies that the SE daemons have been stopped:While stopping SE daemons is a necessary step before the upgrade, it's not the function of the symcfg discover command.

C. Builds the SYMAPI database:The SYMAPI database is typically built during the initial installation or after a fresh discovery.  

D. Creates backups of the configuration directories:Backups are important, but they are usually handled separately as part of the upgrade process, not by the symcfg discover command itself.

References and documents of Dell's public documentation for PowerMax Operate v.2:

Dell Solutions Enabler 10.0.0 Installation Guide:This guide provides detailed instructions for upgrading Solutions Enabler on different operating systems, including Linux. It explains the steps involved and the role of the symcfg discover command in the upgrade process. You can find this document on the Dell Support website by searching for "Solutions Enabler Installation Guide."

Step by Step Comprehensive Detailed Explanation:

The Dell PowerMax 2500 is a mid-range storage array designed for enterprise environments. It offers a balance of performance, capacity, and scalability.  

Scalability:The PowerMax 2500 scales from a single node pair to a maximum of two node pairs. This allows for increased performance and capacity as needed. Each node pair provides processing power, cache memory, and connectivity.

Why other options are incorrect:

A. Supports up to 16 nodes:This is incorrect. The PowerMax 8500, the higher-end model, supports up to 16 nodes.

B. Supports up to 15 PB of effective capacity:While the PowerMax 2500 offers significant capacity, its maximum effective capacity is lower than 15 PB.

D. Uses Storage Class Memory:Both the PowerMax 2500 and 8500 utilize Storage Class Memory (SCM) for enhanced performance.

References and documents of Dell's public documentation for PowerMax Operate v.2:

Dell PowerMax 2500 Hardware Information Guide:This guide provides detailed technical specifications for the PowerMax 2500, including its scalability options, node configurations, and capacity limits. You can find this document on the Dell Support website by searching for "PowerMax 2500 Hardware Information Guide."

Dell PowerMax Family: Essentials and Best Practices Guide:This guide offers a general overview of the PowerMax family, including the 2500 and 8500 models. It highlights the key differences in scalability and performance between the two models.

Step by Step Comprehensive Detailed Explanation:

A Gatekeeper in PowerMax is a small, dedicated device used for communication between the storage array and Solutions Enabler (SYMCLI), the command-line management interface. The default size of a Gatekeeper on a PowerMax array is3 cylinders.

While the size can technically be specified in kilobytes (KB), the traditional and preferred unit for Gatekeeper size is cylinders. This is because cylinders represent a specific number of blocks on the physical disks, and using cylinders helps ensure consistent sizing across different disk types and configurations.

Why other options are incorrect:

A. 3 KB, C. 6 KB:These sizes are too small to be practical for a Gatekeeper.

D. 6 cylinder:While older VMAX models might have used 6 cylinders, the current default for PowerMax is 3 cylinders.

References and documents of Dell's public documentation for PowerMax Operate v.2:

Dell Solutions Enabler 10.0.0 CLI User Guide:This guide provides information about Gatekeepers and their role in Solutions Enabler. While it might not explicitly state the default size, it mentions that Gatekeepers are typically small devices. You can find this document on the Dell Support website by searching for "Solutions Enabler CLI User Guide."

Dell PowerMax Family: Essentials and Best Practices Guide:This guide might offer general information about Solutions Enabler and its configuration, which can provide context for understanding the purpose and sizing of Gatekeepers.

Set up the migration environment to migrate applications from the source array to the target array.

Examine the specific storage for the applications on the source array and automatically provision equivalent storage on the target array.

Initiate data synchronization from the source to the target and cutover to make source array paths inactive so target array services all host I/O.

Commit the necessary changes after the source to target data synchronization is complete and all application data has been migrated to the target.

Remove the configured array-to-array connectivity for the data migration pathway on both storage arrays.

Correct Order:

Set up the migration environment to migrate applications from the source array to the target array.

Why:This is the initial setup phase, where you configure the necessary settings on both the source and target arrays to enable the migration. This involves actions like:

Verifying compatibility between the source and target arrays.

Ensuring that the required licenses are in place (e.g., NDM license).

Configuring network connectivity (FC or iSCSI) for data transfer between the arrays.

Examine the specific storage for the applications on the source array and automatically provision equivalent storage on the target array.

Why:Before migrating data, you need to ensure that the target array has the appropriate storage capacity and configuration to host the applications.

How:NDM can often automatically provision equivalent storage on the target based on the source configuration. This includes creating storage groups, volumes, and masking views that mirror the source.

Initiate data synchronization from the source to the target and cutover to make source array paths inactive so target array services all host I/O.

Why:This is the core of the migration process. Data is copied from the source to the target while the application continues to run. Cutover is the final step where I/O is redirected to the target array.

How:

Synchronization:Data is copied in the background.

Cutover:Once synchronization is complete, a brief cutover is performed. In a well-planned NDM, this cutover is designed to be within the I/O timeout limits of most applications.

Commit the necessary changes after the source to target data synchronization is complete and all application data has been migrated to the target.

Why:This step finalizes the migration and makes it permanent.

What it involves:The migration session is acknowledged and the configuration is finalized on the target array.

Remove the configured array-to-array connectivity for the data migration pathway on both storage arrays.

Why:After the migration is complete, the temporary connections used for data transfer between the arrays should be removed to free up resources and maintain a clean configuration.

What it involves:This typically means removing the FC zones or iSCSI settings that were configured specifically for the NDM process.

Step by Step Comprehensive Detailed Explanation:

In SRDF (Symmetrix Remote Data Facility), a "Restore" operation is used to resynchronize the source (R1) and target (R2) devices after a situation where the target device might have been modified independently. This typically occurs after a failover scenario where the target device becomes the primary and undergoes changes.

During an SRDF Restore operation:

R2 Changes Discarded:Any changes made to the target (R2) device since the last synchronization are discarded.

R1 Changes Propagated:The current data on the source (R1) device is copied over to the target (R2), overwriting any existing data on the target.

This effectively restores the target device to a state consistent with the source device, ensuring data integrity and consistency.

Why other options are incorrect:

B. Resumes normal SRDF mirroring and host access:While a Restore operation can be part of the failback process, it's not the only step involved. Failback might involve additional actions like reversing replication direction and restoring host access.  

C. Changes made to the R2 are propagated to the R1. Changes made to the R1 are discarded:This describes an "Update" operation, not a "Restore."

D. Enables access to both the R1 and R2 devices for their hosts:This describes a "Split" operation, where both devices are made accessible independently.

References and documents of Dell's public documentation for PowerMax Operate v.2:

Dell Solutions Enabler 10.0.0 SRDF Family CLI User Guide:This guide provides detailed information about SRDF commands and operations, including the symrdf restore command. You can find this document on the Dell Support website by searching for "Solutions Enabler SRDF Family CLI User Guide."

Dell PowerMax Family: Essentials and Best Practices Guide:This guide offers a comprehensive overview of SRDF and its functionalities, including disaster recovery scenarios and the use of the "Restore" operation.

Here's the correct sequence of steps along with explanations:

Correct Order:

Select Data Protection > Device Groups from the navigation pane.

Why:This is the starting point within Unisphere for PowerMax. You need to navigate to the section where device groups are managed and where TimeFinder operations are initiated.

Select a PowerMax array.

Why:In an environment with multiple PowerMax arrays, you must specify the array on which you want to create the clone copy sessions.

Select a group and click Create Pairs.

Why:You are selecting the specific device group that will be the source for the clone operation and choosing the "Create Pairs" action to initiate the clone session creation process. This implies you are creating a clone from an existing group of devices.

Select a source type and a target type.

Why:This step defines the characteristics of the source and target devices for the clone session. This could involve selecting from different storage groups, specifying thin or thick provisioning, or other relevant settings. Note that in a clone context, the "target type" often refers to how the clone will be linked to the source (e.g., a full copy or a linked target).

Click Run Now to run the operation.

Why:After configuring all the settings for the clone session, this action triggers the actual creation of the clone pairs based on the selected source and target types and other parameters.

Click the TimeFinder Clone tab to view the list of clones.

Why:Once the operation has been initiated, this is how you would verify that the clone sessions were created successfully and monitor their status.

Select Data Protection > Device Groups from the navigation pane.

Select a PowerMax array.

Select a group and click Create Pairs.

Select a source type and a target type.

Click Run Now to run the operation.

Click the TimeFinder Clone tab to view the list of clones.

Step by Step Comprehensive Detailed Explanation:

The PowerMax 8500 is a high-end storage array designed for enterprise environments with demanding capacity requirements. The maximum capacity per array in a PowerMax 8500 is24 petabytes effective (PBe).  

This means that after considering data reduction technologies like deduplication and compression, the array can store up to 24 petabytes of usable data.

Why other options are incorrect:

A. 8 PBe, B. 18 PBe, C. 20 PBe:These values are lower than the actual maximum capacity of the PowerMax 8500.

References and documents of Dell's public documentation for PowerMax Operate v.2:

Dell PowerMax 8500 Hardware Information Guide:This guide provides detailed technical specifications for the PowerMax 8500, including its maximum capacity. You can find this document on the Dell Support website by searching for "PowerMax 8500 Hardware Information Guide."

Dell PowerMax Family: Essentials and Best Practices Guide:This guide offers a general overview of the PowerMax family, including the 8500 model and its key features and capabilities.

Step by Step Comprehensive Detailed Explanation:

The syradm list -environment -offline command in Solutions Enabler is used to display information about migration environments that are currently offline.

Here's what it shows:

Controlled Environments:It lists the migration environments that are directly controlled by the host where the command is executed. These are the environments where the host acts as the primary control point for the migration.

Reachable Environments:It also lists environments that are reachable from the host executing the command. This includes environments controlled by other hosts that are connected and accessible within the SAN fabric.

This broader scope allows administrators to get a comprehensive view of offline migration environments across their managed systems.

Why other options are incorrect:

A. The environments where the application has been taken offline to perform the cutover:While offline environments might be associated with cutovers, the command shows all offline environments regardless of their specific stage in the migration process.

B. Only the environments controlled by the host from where the list command is run:It also includes reachable environments, not just those directly controlled by the host.

References and documents of Dell's public documentation for PowerMax Operate v.2:

Dell Solutions Enabler 10.0.0 CLI User Guide:This guide provides detailed information about the syradm command and its various options, including the list -environment -offline command for displaying offline migration environments. You can find this document on the Dell Support website by searching for "Solutions Enabler CLI User Guide."

Step by Step Comprehensive Detailed Explanation:

TimeFinder SnapVX snapshots in PowerMax can be configured with a time-to-live (TTL) setting. This setting automatically deletes the snapshot after the specified time period has elapsed. However, there are certain situations where a snapshot might persist beyond its TTL:

Linked Targets:If a snapshot has one or more linked targets associated with it, the snapshot will not be automatically deleted even if the TTL expires. This is because the linked targets depend on the snapshot for their data. The snapshot will remain available until all linked targets are deleted or unlinked.

Why other options are incorrect:

B. Snapshot was not manually terminated:The TTL setting is designed to automatically delete the snapshot; manual termination is not required.

C. Snapshot was created in NoCopy mode:The NoCopy mode affects how the snapshot is initially created, not its TTL behavior.

D. Reserved Capacity limit was exceeded:The Reserved Capacity limit applies to the overall storage space used by snapshots, not the TTL of individual snapshots.

References and documents of Dell's public documentation for PowerMax Operate v.2:

Dell Solutions Enabler 10.0.0 TimeFinder SnapVX CLI User Guide:This guide provides detailed information about SnapVX features and functionalities, including the time-to-live setting and how it interacts with linked targets. You can find this document on the Dell Support website by searching for "Solutions Enabler TimeFinder SnapVX CLI User Guide."

Host I/O Limits in PowerMax allow you to control the maximum IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) or bandwidth that a storage group can consume. This helps prevent performance issues caused by one application or workload monopolizing resources.

When you associate Host I/O Limits with a Storage Group, the default Dynamic I/O distribution mode is set toNever.

Never:This means that the I/O limits are statically distributed across the directors in the associated masking view. If a director fails, its allocated portion of the I/O limit is lost. This is the most conservative setting, as it ensures that the I/O limits are strictly enforced even in the event of a director failure.

You can change this setting toBalancedorAlwaysif you need more dynamic distribution of I/O limits.

References and documents of Dell's public documentation for PowerMax Operate v.2:

Dell PowerMax and VMware vSphere Configuration Guide:This guide provides detailed information about Host I/O Limits, including the different distribution modes and their benefits. You can find this document on the Dell Support website by searching for "PowerMax and VMware vSphere Configuration Guide."

Dell Solutions Enabler 10.0.0 CLI User Guide:This guide provides information on how to set Host I/O Limits using SYMCLI commands, including the -dynamic option for specifying the distribution mode.

We need to provision 2 TB of storage to the ESXi1 host on a PowerMax array (SID 1762) using Unisphere, in a multi-tenant environment. We'll use auto-provisioning with the following specifics:

Storage Group Name:ESXi1_SG

Port Group:(A new port group with Directors OR-1C:0 and OR-2C:0)

Volume Size:2 TB (single volume)

Other Settings:Default

Here are the step-by-step instructions, tailored for the Unisphere simulator as described in the question:

Steps:

1. Launch the Simulator and Navigate to Storage Groups

Open Unisphere for PowerMax in your web browser.

You should already be logged in to the simulator, with the PowerMax array with SID 1762.

In the left-hand navigation pane, click onStorage>Storage Groups.

2. Initiate Storage Group Creation

Click theCreatebutton (likely a plus "+" icon) in the Storage Groups section to start the Create Storage Group wizard.

3. Name the Storage Group

In the "Create Storage Group" wizard:

Storage Group Name:Enter ESXi1_SG.

Enable FAST/Service Level:Do not check this option, as we are leaving all other settings at their default.

ClickNextorContinue(the exact wording might vary).

4. Add Volumes

Ensure"Create new volumes"is selected.

Number of Volumes:Enter 1.

Volume Size:

Enter 2.

Select TB from the dropdown for the unit.

ClickNext.

5. Create the Port Group

You should now be on the "Connectivity" or "Host" step, where you will add a new port group.

Select "Create Port Group"

Port Group Name:Give the new port group a name. You can use something descriptive like "ESXi1_PG," or any name that follows your organization's naming conventions.

Select Ports:

Find and select the following Directors and ports from the list of available ports:

OR-1C:0

OR-2C:0

Note:The simulator may not allow you to highlight the exact director ports as in a production environment. It will likely display all directors and ports under the selected array. Just ensure they are selected as part of the port group.

ClickNext.

6. Add host to the Masking View

Select "Add Host"

Select "Create New Host"

Host Name:ESXi1

Initiators:You don't have specific initiators to add in this simulation, so you can skip this part or add any from the available options. This is because we are working within a simulated environment.

ClickNext

7. Review and Create

You'll be presented with a summary page that shows:

Storage Group: ESXi1_SG

Volume: 1 x 2 TB volume

Port Group: (The new port group you created with OR-1C:0 and OR-2C:0)

Host: ESXi1

Carefully review all the settings to make sure they are correct.

ClickRun NoworFinish(or similar wording) to create the storage group, volume, port group, and masking view.

8. Verification (Optional)

After the operation completes, you can verify the results:

Go back to theStorage Groupslist. You should see the ESXi1_SG storage group.

Click on ESXi1_SG to view its details. You should see the 2 TB volume and the associated host (ESXi1) and port group.

You can also navigate toHosts>Port Groupsto verify that the new port group was created correctly.

Finally, you can navigate toHosts>Masking Viewsto verify that a masking view was created correctly.

Step by Step Comprehensive Detailed Explanation:

Unisphere for PowerMax provides a "System > Hardware" view that offers insights into the physical components of your PowerMax storage array. On newly installed 2000 and 8000 series arrays, this view would typically show information about:

Front-end directors:These directors handle host connectivity and data transfer to and from the array. The view would likely display details about the number of front-end directors, their types, and their status.  

Back-end directors:These directors manage the connection to the physical disks (storage media) within the array. The view may show the number of back-end directors, their types, and their status.

RDF (Remote Data Facility):If the array is configured for SRDF replication, the hardware view might display information about the RDF directors or components responsible for managing remote replication.

Why other options are incorrect:

A. Capacity, performance, and protection:While these are important aspects of a PowerMax system, they are typically found in other sections of Unisphere, such as the "Dashboard" or "Storage" views.

B. Provision, protect and set host I/O limits:These are management functions accessible through Unisphere, but not typically displayed directly under the "System > Hardware" view.

D. I/O Profile, performance thresholds, and anomaly detection:These are related to performance monitoring and analysis, which are usually found in the "Performance" section of Unisphere.

References and documents of Dell's public documentation for PowerMax Operate v.2:

Dell Unisphere for PowerMax 10.0.0 Online Help:The online help for Unisphere provides detailed information about the different views and functionalities available within the tool. You can access this help within Unisphere itself or on the Dell Support website.  

Dell PowerMax Family: Essentials and Best Practices Guide:This guide offers a general overview of PowerMax systems and their management using Unisphere. It may provide context for understanding the information displayed in the "System > Hardware" view.

1.Shunt down testvm on the primary esxi server

2. unregister testvm.

3.Unamount testds .

4.perform a failover operation.

Step by Step Comprehensive Detailed Explanation:

SRDF/Metro is a high-availability solution that provides synchronous replication between two storage arrays located within a metropolitan distance. It utilizes a witness to prevent data loss in the event of a split-brain scenario (where communication between the arrays is lost).

In SRDF/Metro, there can be onlyoneWitness Group defined between two specific arrays. This Witness Group manages the witness device that acts as a tie-breaker in case of a communication failure between the arrays.

Since the exhibit shows that SRDF/Metro has already been configured between the two arrays using a physical witness, the option to create another SRDF/Metro Witness Group is grayed out because a Witness Group already exists for that pair of arrays.

Why other options are incorrect:

B. SRDF/Metro Witness Groups can only be created with CLI:While CLI can be used, Witness Groups can also be created through Unisphere for PowerMax.

C. The SRDF Group Label needs to be left blank when creating an SRDF/Metro Witness Group:This is not a requirement. Witness Groups can have labels.

References and documents of Dell's public documentation for PowerMax Operate v.2:

Dell Solutions Enabler 10.0.0 SRDF Family CLI User Guide:This guide provides detailed information about SRDF/Metro configuration, including the role of the witness and the Witness Group. You can find this document on the Dell Support website by searching for "Solutions Enabler SRDF Family CLI User Guide."

Dell PowerMax Family: Essentials and Best Practices Guide:This guide offers a comprehensive overview of SRDF/Metro and its functionalities, including witness configuration and best practices.