D-PE-OE-23 Sample Questions Answers

Understanding the Black Strap on the Power Supply Handle

Server Components (26%)

Identify power options and redundancy features, thermal features, and liquid cooling

Explanation of Power Supply Straps

Dell PowerEdge servers often use black straps on power supply units (PSUs) to indicate certain attributes of the PSU. The color of the strap can help identify specific features or categories of the power supply.

What Does "NAF" Mean?

NAF stands for Non-Redundant, Auto Failover.

This indicates that the PSU is part of a non-redundant configuration, but it is capable of automatic failover in the case of power loss.

This is typical in systems with multiple PSUs, where each PSU can take over if the other fails.

Why Not Other Options?

Option A: PSU

The strap does not indicate that the device is just a PSU; rather, it indicates a specific feature of the PSU.

Option C: RAF

RAF stands for Redundant Auto Failover, which is not the correct feature indicated by the black strap.

Option D: Spare PSU

The strap does not indicate that the PSU is a spare unit.

Conclusion

The black strap on the power supply handle indicates that the PSU is NAF (Non-Redundant, Auto Failover). This means it is part of a non-redundant system but capable of automatic failover.

Server Management and Configuration Tools (14%)

Define the function of the iDRAC, login procedures, licensing, and connection methods

What is iDRAC?

The Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) is a management solution built into Dell PowerEdge servers. It provides comprehensive, remote management capabilities, including system monitoring, configuration, and maintenance.

Default IP Address for iDRAC:

The default IPv4 IP address for iDRAC is: 192.168.0.120

Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway: Not set by default

Explanation of Options:

Option A: 192.168.1.120

Incorrect: This IP address is not the default for iDRAC.

Option B: 10.1.2.1

Incorrect: Not associated with iDRAC's default settings.

Option C: 10.1.1.1

Incorrect: Also not the default iDRAC IP address.

Option D: 192.168.0.120

Correct: This is the default IP address assigned to iDRAC interfaces.

Accessing iDRAC Using the Default IP:

Network Configuration:

Ensure your management station (laptop/PC) is configured with an IP address in the 192.168.0.x subnet, excluding 192.168.0.120.

Connecting to iDRAC:

Open a web browser and navigate to https://192.168.0.120

Accept any security warnings related to self-signed certificates.

Default Credentials:

Username: root

Password: calvin

Note: For security reasons, newer servers may require you to set a unique password upon initial setup.

Dell Operate References:

Server Management and Configuration Tools (14%)

Define the function of the iDRAC, login procedures, licensing, and connection methods: Knowing the default IP address is essential for initial access and configuration of the iDRAC.

System Administration (18%)

Verify health status and iDRAC license: Initial access to the iDRAC is necessary to verify system health and configure licensing options.

Conclusion:

The default IP address for the iDRAC on Dell PowerEdge servers is 192.168.0.120. This address is used for initial setup and can be changed during configuration to integrate with your network environment.

To investigate a power issue on a specific date, such as April 30, 2022, the system administrator should examine the iDRAC logs for entries related to power supply faults or failures. Here's how to approach finding the correct answer:

Step-by-Step Approach:

Access the System Logs:

In the iDRAC interface, navigate to the Dashboard tab.

Scroll down to the Recent Logs section or navigate to System Logs under Maintenance or iDRAC Settings (depending on the iDRAC version) to access detailed logs.

Filter Logs by Date:

Use the filter option to specify the date, focusing on entries from April 30, 2022. This will help narrow down relevant events.

Identify Power-Related Entries:

Look for log entries that mention power supply issues or voltage faults around the specified date. In this case, entries related to under-voltage faults or power supply failures will be critical.

Interpret the Log Entries:

Based on typical power fault logs, consider the possible answers:

A. Under voltage fault detection on power supply 1: Indicates a voltage issue was detected on PSU1.

B. Power supply 2 has failed: Indicates PSU2 has completely failed.

C. Under voltage fault detected on power supply 2: Indicates a voltage issue was detected on PSU2.

D. Power supply 1 has failed: Indicates PSU1 has completely failed.

The specific log entry depends on the exact wording in the logs. However, from the options provided, if the administrator received a notification about a power issue, the most likely scenario involves a failure or under-voltage detection.

To create and save a server configuration profile with specific components in the iDRAC interface, follow these steps:

Step-by-Step Guide:

Access Configuration Profiles:

Go to the "Configuration" tab on the top menu bar.

From the dropdown options, select "Server Configuration Profile."

Create a New Profile:

Within the Server Configuration Profile section, choose the option to Create a New Profile.

You will likely see options to specify which components to include in the configuration profile.

Select Components:

When prompted, select only the components required for the configuration:

NIC: Network Interface Card settings.

RAID: Storage controller and RAID configuration.

iDRAC: iDRAC management settings.

Ensure that other components are not selected to meet the requirement.

Save the Configuration:

Enter the file name "PE-server" for the profile.

Choose the option to Save or Export the configuration profile. This should save the configuration to the specified name, typically on the server or local storage available through iDRAC.

Verify the Profile Creation:

After saving, verify that the profile appears in the list of server configuration profiles with the name "PE-server."

Confirm that it includes only the selected components.

By following these steps, you should successfully create and save the configuration profile with the specified components.

To reconfigure the iDRAC network settings with a new IP address, gateway, and DNS servers, follow these steps in the iDRAC interface:

Step-by-Step Guide:

Access iDRAC Network Settings:

Log into the iDRAC interface.

Go to the iDRAC Settings tab in the top menu.

Select Network from the dropdown options. This will open the network configuration page.

Change IP Address and Subnet Mask:

In the Network settings, locate the section for IPv4 Settings.

Set the IP Address to 192.168.0.120.

For the Subnet Mask, since it’s a /24 CIDR, set it to 255.255.255.0.

Configure the Gateway:

In the same section, find the field for Default Gateway.

Enter the Gateway as 192.168.0.1.

Update DNS Server Information:

Scroll down to the DNS Server settings.

Enter DNS Server 1 as 10.10.0.1.

Enter DNS Server 2 as 10.10.0.2.

Apply the Settings:

After entering all the new network information, click on Apply or Save to confirm the changes.

The iDRAC interface may prompt for a restart to apply network changes. Follow any prompts as needed.

Verify the Configuration:

After applying the changes, check that the iDRAC is accessible at the new IP address 192.168.0.120.

Confirm that the gateway and DNS settings are properly configured by testing connectivity or accessing the iDRAC from a device within the same network segment.

By completing these steps, you will have reconfigured the iDRAC network settings for the new network segment, allowing remote management of the Dell PowerEdge server at the edge location.

To change the Power Supply Unit (PSU) configuration to a 2+0 setup with PSU2 as the primary in the iDRAC interface, follow these steps:

Step-by-Step Guide:

Navigate to Power Management Settings:

In the iDRAC interface, go to the Configuration tab at the top.

Select Power Management from the dropdown options.

Locate the Power Configuration Section:

Within the Power Management settings, look for a section labeled Power Configuration or Power Supply Configuration.

Select the Redundancy Policy:

Change the Redundancy Policy to 2+0. In this configuration, there will be no redundancy, and both power supplies will be active but configured as independent power sources without failover.

Set PSU2 as the Primary PSU:

Locate the option to designate the Primary PSU. Select PSU2 as the primary power source.

This setting ensures that PSU2 will handle the primary power load under normal conditions.

Apply and Save Changes:

Once you have made these changes, click Apply or Save to confirm the new configuration.

The interface may prompt for confirmation, after which the settings will be saved, and PSU2 will become the primary power supply under a 2+0 configuration.

Verify Configuration:

Review the updated settings to confirm that PSU2 is now set as primary and that the redundancy policy is 2+0, meaning only PSU2 is actively providing power without a secondary backup.

By following these steps in the iDRAC simulator, you will set up PSU2 as the primary power source with no redundancy, ensuring a 2+0 configuration. This setup will leverage PSU2 exclusively without automatic failover to another power supply.

 Launch the Simulator:

Open the PowerEdge iDRAC simulator to access the user interface and perform the required task.

 Navigate to System Information:

In the top menu bar, select the "Configuration" tab.

From the options that appear, choose "Storage". This section will display details and configurations for the storage controllers installed on the server.

 Check the H965i Storage Controller:

Locate the H965i storage controller in the list. Selecting it should bring up a summary page with various specifications for the controller.

Look for the field labeled "Cache Memory Size". This will provide the cache memory size value for the controller.

To generate and save a SupportAssist collection with system information and debug logs only in the iDRAC UI, follow these steps:

Step-by-Step Guide:

Access SupportAssist in iDRAC:

In the iDRAC interface, navigate to the Maintenance tab in the top menu.

From the dropdown, select SupportAssist. This will bring up the SupportAssist options.

Initiate a Collection:

In the SupportAssist section, look for the option to Create a New Collection or Start a Collection.

Choose Collect System Data or Generate a Collection, depending on the version of iDRAC.

Select Collection Components:

When prompted to select components for the collection, check the boxes for System Information and Debug Logs only.

Ensure no other components are selected to limit the collection to just the required data.

Start the Collection:

Confirm your selection, then click Start or Generate. This will initiate the process to gather the specified data from the system.

Save the Collection Locally:

Once the collection is complete, you should see an option to Download or Save the file.

Click the download link and save the collection file locally on your computer.

Verify the Collection File:

Check the downloaded file to ensure it contains only the system information and debug logs. It should be in a format such as ZIP or TAR, depending on the system configuration.

By following these steps, you can successfully generate a SupportAssist collection with just the system information and debug logs and save it to your local system for further review or support purposes.

To enable capturing the full POST (Power-On Self-Test) sequence using the iDRAC interface, follow these steps:

Step-by-Step Guide:

Log into the iDRAC Interface:

Access the iDRAC UI using the server’s IP address from a web browser.

Enter your credentials to log in.

Navigate to System BIOS Settings:

Go to the Configuration tab on the top menu.

Select BIOS Settings from the dropdown menu. This will take you to the settings where you can manage BIOS-related configurations.

Enable POST Sequence Logging:

In the BIOS Settings, look for an option related to POST Behavior or Boot Sequence Capture.

Enable Verbose Mode or Capture Full POST Sequence. This setting ensures that the entire POST process is logged in detail during the next boot attempt.

Alternatively, if there is a specific setting for Capture System Boot Logs, enable it to ensure detailed logging during POST.

Apply the Changes:

After enabling the POST capture option, click Apply or Save.

iDRAC may prompt for confirmation or inform you that changes will take effect upon the next reboot. Confirm any prompts as required.

Restart the Server (if necessary):

If the server is currently off, attempt to power it on. If it’s on, you may need to perform a Graceful Shutdown followed by a restart to initiate the POST sequence.

Review POST Logs After Reboot:

Once the server attempts to boot, return to the iDRAC Logs section to review the captured POST logs.

Go to Maintenance > System Event Log or Lifecycle Log to view the detailed logs from the POST sequence. This can help diagnose why the server is failing to boot.

By enabling this setting, you will capture detailed information during the POST process, which can then be reviewed to identify any hardware or configuration issues preventing the server from booting successfully.

To prevent unwanted configuration changes in the iDRAC UI, you can adjust user roles, permissions, or enable specific security settings to restrict access for junior IT staff. Here are the steps to secure the iDRAC configuration:

Step-by-Step Guide:

Access User Settings:

In the iDRAC interface, navigate to iDRAC Settings from the main menu.

Choose User Authentication or Users to manage user accounts and permissions.

Adjust User Roles and Permissions:

Identify the accounts associated with junior IT staff.

For each user account, adjust the role to Read-Only if you want them to have view-only access without making configuration changes.

Alternatively, set their permissions to exclude configuration changes. This may involve assigning a custom role with limited access based on your needs.

Enable Configuration Lock (if available):

Some versions of iDRAC offer a Configuration Lock feature, which prevents any configuration changes until the lock is removed by an administrator.

Navigate to Configuration > System Security or User Authentication, depending on the version, and enable the Configuration Lock option.

Set Up Two-Factor Authentication (Optional):

For added security, enable Two-Factor Authentication under iDRAC Settings > Network or Security settings. This step ensures only authorized users can access and make changes to the iDRAC UI.

Save and Apply Security Changes:

After setting up the desired restrictions and permissions, save the settings to apply the changes.

Verify that junior IT staff accounts now have restricted access and cannot make configuration changes.

Log Out and Test the Changes:

Log out of the administrator account and log in with a junior IT staff account to confirm that the permissions are set correctly.

Ensure that configuration changes are disabled and that the user can only view the iDRAC interface as per the restrictions.

By following these steps, you can restrict junior IT staff from making any configuration changes within the iDRAC interface, thus preventing accidental or unauthorized modifications.

Understanding Configuration Validation in Dell PowerEdge Servers

Server Troubleshooting (32%)

Explain Configuration Validation, crash capture, and minimum to POST

What is Configuration Validation?

Configuration Validation is a diagnostic process performed by Dell PowerEdge servers to ensure that all hardware components and firmware configurations are compatible and functioning correctly. This process checks for any mismatches or errors in the server's hardware configuration that could prevent the system from booting properly.

When Does Configuration Validation Run?

Each Time the Host Powers On:

Explanation:

Configuration Validation runs automatically during the Power-On Self-Test (POST) sequence every time the server is powered on or rebooted.

The server's BIOS performs a series of checks to validate the hardware configuration, ensuring that all components are present, properly connected, and compatible.

If any discrepancies or issues are detected, the server may halt the boot process and display error messages or indicators to alert the administrator.

Importance of Configuration Validation at Power-On:

Hardware Integrity:

Verifies that CPUs, memory modules, storage devices, and other peripherals are correctly installed and operational.

Firmware Compatibility:

Ensures that firmware versions are compatible across components, which is crucial for system stability.

Preventing Boot Failures:

Identifies configuration issues early to prevent system crashes or data loss.

Explanation of Options

Option A: Dell diagnostics is run

Analysis:

Dell Diagnostics is a set of utilities that can be run manually to test hardware components.

It is not automatically executed unless initiated by an administrator.

Conclusion: Incorrect.

Option B: Entering the BIOS

Analysis:

While entering the BIOS allows administrators to view and modify system settings, configuration validation is not specifically triggered by accessing the BIOS.

Conclusion: Incorrect.

Option C: Loading into Lifecycle Controller

Analysis:

The Lifecycle Controller is a management tool for deploying, updating, and configuring servers.

Configuration validation is not exclusively run when accessing the Lifecycle Controller.

Conclusion: Incorrect.

Option D: Each time the host powers on

Analysis:

Configuration validation is inherently part of the POST sequence that runs every time the server powers on.

Conclusion: Correct Answer.

Dell Operate References

Server Troubleshooting (32%)

Explain Configuration Validation, crash capture, and minimum to POST:

Understanding when and how configuration validation occurs is essential for troubleshooting boot-related issues.

Recognizing that this process runs at power-on helps administrators diagnose hardware problems early in the boot sequence.

System Administration (18%)

Verify health status and iDRAC license:

Regular health checks and monitoring complement the automated configuration validation performed during boot.

Conclusion

Configuration Validation runs each time the host powers on as part of the POST process. This ensures that any hardware or configuration issues are detected immediately, allowing administrators to address them promptly and maintain system stability.

Understanding Features of AMD Processors in Dell PowerEdge Servers

Server Components (26%)

Define the different processor, memory options, and memory configurations

Analyze server security features

Overview

AMD processors, specifically the AMD EPYC series, are utilized in Dell PowerEdge servers to provide high performance, scalability, and advanced security features. One of the standout features of AMD processors is Secure Encrypted Virtualization (SEV).

Explanation of Options

Option A: Supports up to four sockets

Explanation: AMD EPYC processors in current Dell PowerEdge servers typically support up to two sockets. Intel processors are more commonly associated with supporting up to four sockets in server configurations.

Conclusion: Incorrect.

Option B: Up to 60 cores

Explanation: AMD EPYC processors offer up to 64 cores per processor. While "up to 60 cores" is close, it does not fully capture the maximum core count offered.

Conclusion: While partially correct, not the most distinctive feature.

Option C: Fastest processor speeds

Explanation: Processor speeds vary depending on specific models and configurations. Both AMD and Intel offer processors with high clock speeds. Claiming the "fastest processor speeds" is subjective and not a definitive feature.

Conclusion: Not a unique feature.

Option D: Secure Encrypted Virtualization

Explanation: SEV is a security feature unique to AMD processors. It allows for the encryption of virtual machine memory, providing isolation between VMs and enhancing security in virtualized environments.

Features:

Encrypts VM memory with individual keys.

Protects against hypervisor-level attacks.

Enhances data security and compliance.

Conclusion: Correct Answer.

Dell Operate References

Server Components (26%):

Define the different processor, memory options, and memory configurations: Understanding the features and capabilities of AMD processors in server environments.

Analyze server security features: SEV is a significant security feature offered by AMD processors, enhancing virtualization security.

Conclusion

The standout feature of AMD processors in Dell PowerEdge servers is Secure Encrypted Virtualization, which enhances security in virtualized environments by encrypting VM memory.