Free Practice Questions for Pure Storage FlashArray-Implementation-Specialist Exam

This scenario describes a physical layer mismatch between the FlashArray optics and the customer's switch infrastructure.

ThePER(planning document) specified10 Gb/s, so the Implementation Engineer likely installed10 Gb SFP+ transceiversinto the array.

TheSAN Switchis operating at40 Gb/s(likely using QSFP+ ports).

You cannot simply "force negotiate" a 10Gb SFP+ optic to run at 40Gb/s, nor can you plug a 10Gb SFP+ directly into a 40Gb QSFP+ port without specific breakout cables or QSA adapters that match the signaling. The physical transceivers themselves are incompatible with the link speed required by the switch.

To resolve this, the Implementation Engineer mustreplace the transceivers with the appropriate type.

If the switch is 40Gb native, the array needs 40Gb (QSFP+) optics (if supported on that slot).

Alternatively, if the customer intends to use 10Gb, they must provide 10Gb ports on their switch side.

Given the prompt implies the SANis40Gb, the 10Gb optics in the array are the incorrect hardware for that link.

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To specifically verify theshelf cable connectionsand validate the SAS topology during an installation, the correct command isstorage_view.py config.

While standard Purity CLI commands like purehw list (Option B) can show the presence and general status of enclosures, they often do not provide the granular, low-level details of the SAS cabling map required to troubleshoot or verify physical redundancy paths (Side A vs. Side B connectivity).

storage_view.py is a specialized Python utility script included in the Purity operating system, primarily intended for use by Implementation Engineers and Support. Running storage_view.py config (or similar arguments like enclosures) outputs a visual or tabular representation of the backend cabling, explicitly showing how the controllers are chained to the expansion shelves. This allows the engineer to confirm that the cabling matches the strict "stacking" rules (e.g., verifying that the SAS loops are closed and redundant) and to identify issues like cross-cabling or disconnected paths that a simple "status=healthy" flag might miss during the initial build.

DirectMemory Modules (DMMs)are Storage Class Memory (SCM) drives used in FlashArrays to provide a high-speed read cache (DirectMemory Cache). In the FlashArray//XL architecture, these modules provide significant performance benefits for read-intensive workloads.

A fundamental configuration rule for DMMs on the //XL platform is thatthey cannot be installed in a DirectFlash Shelf (DFS).

DMMs must be installed directly into thecontroller chassis(the head unit) to leverage the lowest possible latency connection to the CPU and memory complex.

The external backend fabric that connects to the shelves (even though it is NVMe-oF/RoCE) adds a minute amount of latency that negates the extreme speed advantage of SCM. Therefore, Purity only supports DMMs when they are local to the controllers.

DMMs share the same physical form factor and slots as standard DirectFlash Modules (DFMs) in the chassis but are typically prioritized for specific slot ranges (e.g., the first few slots) for thermal and bus management.

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To safely stop the Purity operating environment on a specific controller during a physical controller upgrade (such as upgrading from FlashArray//X to //XL or performing a chassis swap), the correct command ispureadm stop.

This command is a system administration utility located in the Linux shell of the controller (accessible via the puresh prompt when logged into the specific controller's physical IP address). It is designed to stop the local Purity services on the node where the command is executed.

Procedure:In a non-disruptive controller upgrade, the engineer manually fails over primary services to the peer controller. Then, they log into the controller designated for removal (e.g., CT0) and run pureadm stop. This ensures that all Purity processes, I/O handling, and cache operations are cleanly terminated and flushed before the hardware is physically powered down or removed.

Syntax:The pureadm tool generally operates on the local instance. Options B and C utilize invalid flags (--secondary or --controller) for this specific command context. The engineer must be physically logged into the target controller to execute the stop command for that node.

The FlashArray//XR2 and //XR3 architectures utilize dedicated NVRAM modules to provide the non-volatile write cache necessary for acknowledging writes safely before they are destaged to flash. These chassis are equipped with multiple NVRAM bays (labeled NVB0 through NVB3).

For standard configurations, specifically the //X10, //X20, and //X50 models, the system requires a redundant pair of NVRAM modules to function. These arealways installed in NVRAM bays 0 and 1.

Bays 0 and 1form the primary high-availability pair. If one fails, the other retains the data, and the system can continue to operate (though often in write-through mode or with alerts).

Higher-end models like the //X70 and //X90 populate all four bays (0-3) to provide the larger write buffer required for their higher throughput capabilities.

However, since the question asks which bays arealwayspopulated (i.e., the minimum requirement for the platform to function across the board), the answer is the foundational pair in slots 0 and 1. An Implementation Engineer must ensure these specific slots are populated first during any chassis maintenance or upgrade.

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When performing a standard installation on a FlashArray, the first logical configuration step is theCT0 configuration(typically via the puresetup utility on the primary controller).

Workflow:After the physical rack-and-stack, cabling, and power-on, the Implementation Engineer must establish a management connection to the array. This is done by connecting to the serial console or the default IP ofController 0 (CT0).

Initialization:The puresetup process on CT0 initializes the system, sets the management IP addresses (VIP, CT0, CT1), and configures the gateway/DNS. This step effectively "builds" the array cluster.

Why not C?While ensuring the array is on the target code version is critical, a "Code Upgrade" is typically performedafterthe array is initialized and network-accessible (or via the Pure1 SSU workflow). The only exception is a manual USB re-image for a factory reset, but the standard installation procedure definesConfiguration/Initializationas the primary step to bring the system online. Configuration of CT1 (Option B) happens automatically as part of the cluster creation initiated from CT0.

The commandpurenetwork listis used to identify the configuration and status of the array's logical network interfaces.

Command Output:Running purenetwork list provides a tabular view of all configured IP interfaces (Management, iSCSI, Replication). Critical columns in this output include:

Name:(e.g., vir0, eth0, eth1)

Address/Netmask:The IP configuration.

Gateway:Routing information.

Status:(e.g.,"enabled"or "disabled").

Usage:An Implementation Engineer uses this command to verify that the management VIP and physical interfaces are correctly configured and legally "up" (enabled) in the Purity software stack.

Distinctions:While purehw list is used forphysicalhardware link status (e.g., cable plugged in/link light), purenetwork is the primary namespace for IP-level validation. Options B and C (--all, --eth) are not the primary standard syntax for the general status view in this specific context; the base command provides the necessary summary data for initial verification.

On standard 3-Rack Unit (3RU) FlashArray models (such as the FlashArray//X50, //X70, and //X90 series), the rear of the controller chassis features onboard 10GbE or 25GbE Ethernet ports. Pure Storage adheres to a strict convention for the default assignment of these ports to simplify deployment and troubleshooting.

ETH0 and ETH1are invariably reserved and configured forManagementtraffic. These are used to access the GUI, CLI, and for the array to communicate with Pure1.

ETH2 and ETH3are the designated default ports forReplicationtraffic. When an Implementation Engineer configures async or sync replication, Purity will default to looking for connectivity on these interfaces unless explicitly reconfigured. This separation ensures that heavy data replication traffic does not contend with management traffic, maintaining administrative access even during periods of high bandwidth utilization for replication. Implementation Engineers must ensure these specific physical ports are cabled to the replication network switches during installation.

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After finishing an upgrade or major maintenance event, it is standard practice to manually trigger a log upload to Pure1. This ensures that the most recent diagnostic data—covering the upgrade window itself—is available to Pure Storage Support for verification and historical record.

The commandpurearray phonehome --send-todayis the standard syntax used to force an immediate upload of the current day's logs. This command packages the relevant logs from the upgrade period and pushes them to the Pure1 cloud.

Options like purearray phonehome --send-logs or purelogs --send-all are often incorrect syntax or deprecated aliases.

--send-today is specific and efficient, targeting exactly the timeframe relevant to the maintenance window just completed.

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