D-XTR-MN-A-24 Sample Questions Answers

When connected to the Tech port on a Dell XtremIO Storage Controller, the login name "xinstall" should be used to test the Storage Controller cabling. This special login is designated for installation and configuration tasks, including testing and verifying cabling connections to ensure proper setup and functionality of the storage system.

The virtual XtremIO Management Server (XMS) OVA file can be found in theTools & Utilitiesdownload section on support.emc.com.This is confirmed by the information provided in the Dell XtremIO Maintenance Achievement document, which details the resources and procedures for maintaining XtremIO products, including the deployment of the XMS1.

Before an XtremIO X1 cluster can start, it is required that the Battery Backup Units (BBUs) are charged to at least 70%. This ensures that there is sufficient power reserve to maintain data integrity and allow for safe shutdown procedures in case of an unexpected power loss.The BBUs provide power to the Storage Processors and other critical components during an outage, allowing them to complete any in-progress operations and commit data to SSDs1.

The startup process checks the BBU charge level and will only proceed if the minimum charge requirement is met. This is a safety feature designed to protect the system and the data it holds.If the BBUs are not adequately charged, the system will not start, preventing potential data loss or corruption that could occur if the system were to lose power without the ability to properly shut down1.

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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.

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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.

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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.

The Eaton 1550 Evolution BBU (Battery Backup Unit) uses 1 DB9 and 1 RJ50 connector. These connectors are used for communication and management purposes, ensuring that the BBU can interface correctly with other components of the system.

In a multi X-brick cluster, each X-brick consists of multiple Disk Array Enclosures (DAEs) that work together to provide storage and data redundancy.

If both DAE controllers in a single X-Brick fail, the impact is localized to the LUNs (Logical Unit Numbers) that store data on that particular DAE.

The entire cluster does not shut down; rather, only the data on the affected DAE becomes unavailable.

This design ensures that the rest of the cluster continues to operate normally, albeit with potential performance degradation depending on the data distribution and workload.

In a single X-Brick XtremIO X2 configuration, the port SC1-IB1 should be connected to IBSW1-P01. This connection ensures proper communication and data flow between the storage controller and the InfiniBand switch, which is critical for system performance and redundancy.

The correct sequence of steps to install a virtual XMS prior to creating the cluster on an XtremIO X2 is:

Deploy the OVF Template

Configure the XMS

Transfer the Installation Package to the XMS Server

Install only the XMS

Display the Installation Package on the Storage Controller

Deploy the OVF Template: Begin by deploying the Open Virtualization Format (OVF) template which is a pre-configured virtual machine that contains all necessary installation files.

Configure the XMS: After deployment, configure XtremIO Management Server (XMS) which involves setting up network configurations and other system settings.

Transfer the Installation Package to the XMS Server: The next step is transferring all necessary installation files for XtremIO to your newly configured XMS server.

Install only the XMS: Proceed with installing only XtremIO Management Server software on your server.

Display the Installation Package on Storage Controller: Finally, ensure that your storage controller can access and display all relevant installation packages for further processes.

These steps are outlined in the Dell XtremIO Maintenance Achievement document and provide a systematic approach to installing a virtual XMS, which is essential for managing and creating an XtremIO X2 cluster.

When modifying the IP addresses on an XtremIO X2 cluster that will remain in the same IP network, the appropriate document to reference is the "XtremIO Storage Array User Guide." This guide contains detailed instructions and best practices for changing network configurations, including IP address modifications.

When deploying a virtual XtremIO Management Server (XMS), the template uses the file name extension.ova. This is a standard format for virtual appliances, which are pre-configured virtual machines that can be imported and run on various virtualization platforms.The .ova file extension stands for Open Virtual Appliance (or Application) and is typically used for packaging and distributing software to be run in virtual machines1.

The deployment process using an .ova file typically involves the following steps:

Download the .ova file from the official source or portal.

Import the .ova file into the virtualization platform (such as VMware vSphere or Oracle VM VirtualBox).

Follow the prompts to configure the virtual machine settings as needed.

Once the import is complete, power on the virtual machine to begin the initial setup and configuration of the virtual XMS server.

This information is consistent with the practices outlined in the Official Dell XtremIO Maintenance Achievement document, ensuring that the deployment of the virtual XMS server aligns with Dell’s recommended procedures2.

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.