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NEW QUESTION # 56
An Implementation Engineer arrives on site to complete a shelf evac. What action must take place before Pure Support can run the completion commands?
- A. Power off the shelf.
- B. Enable Remote Assist (RA).
- C. Set maintenance tag.
Answer: B
Explanation:
Data evacuation from a shelf is a sensitive background process where data is migrated off specific physical media to free it for removal. While the purearray evacuate command initiates the data movement, the finalization of the process-specifically the logical removal of the shelf object from the system configuration to allow for safe physical disconnection-often requires engineering-level commands or verification.
Therefore, before Pure Storage Support can log in to run these specific completion scripts or verification checks, the Implementation Engineer must Enable Remote Assist (RA).
Remote Assist creates a secure, outbound SSH tunnel that allows Support to access the array remotely.
Without RA enabled, Support cannot connect to the array to execute the necessary puredrive or internal maintenance commands to mark the shelf as "vacated" and safe to unplug.
Powering off the shelf (Option B) before this step could result in data loss or an array outage if the system still believes data resides there.
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NEW QUESTION # 57
Which I/O card type is compatible across all FlashArray models?
- A. 10GBaseT
- B. FC
- C. iSCSI
Answer: B
Explanation:
The Fibre Channel (FC) I/O card type is the only option listed that is universally compatible and supported across all FlashArray models, from the entry-level //X10 and //X20 up to the high-end //X90 and //XL.
Fibre Channel: Pure Storage architectures rely heavily on Fibre Channel as the primary enterprise storage protocol. All chassis generations and controller sizes feature PCIe risers compatible with Pure's standard 16Gb or 32Gb Fibre Channel HBAs.
Ethernet/iSCSI: While all arrays support iSCSI, the physical card type varies.
10GBase-T: This refers to "copper" Ethernet (RJ45). This card type is not supported on all models. High-end FlashArrays (like the //X70, //X90, and //XL) typically utilize SFP+ or QSFP28 cages for optical connectivity (10/25GbE or 40/100GbE) and do not standardly support 10GBase-T copper cards due to power and latency characteristics.
Therefore, while the protocol (iSCSI) is supported everywhere, the specific physical card (10GBase-T) is not. Fibre Channel cards remain the consistent hardware constant across the entire product line.
NEW QUESTION # 58
After performing a hardware upgrade from an //M20R2 to a //X20R3-EMEZZ, a customer wants to add a Direct Flash Modules data pack to replace the existing SAS Chassis Data Packs (2x 20TB DPs). What extra hardware is required?
- A. DFM Swing shelf
- B. 4-port ETH card
- C. SAS Swing shelf
Answer: C
Explanation:
To perform this specific "SAS-to-NVMe" media refresh during an upgrade, a SAS Swing Shelf is required.
The scenario describes a transition from a FlashArray//M (SAS-based chassis) to a FlashArray//X (NVMe-based chassis). The customer intends to retire the old SAS SSDs (the "SAS Chassis Data Packs") and move to new DirectFlash Modules (DFMs).
The Constraint: The old SAS drives physically cannot be inserted into the new //X NVMe chassis.
The Workflow: To migrate the data, the old SAS drives must be temporarily attached to the new //X controller as external capacity. Since they were originally internal chassis drives, they have no enclosure. Therefore, the engineer needs an empty SAS expansion shelf (Swing Shelf) to house these legacy drives.
Process:
Install the new //X chassis with the new DFMs.
Install the SAS Swing Shelf and populate it with the old SAS drives from the //M chassis.
Connect the SAS shelf to the //X controller (requires SAS connectivity).
The system sees the old data (external) and the new capacity (internal).
The system evacuates the data from the SAS shelf to the internal DFMs.
Once empty, the SAS shelf is removed.
A "DFM Swing Shelf" (Option A) would not help read the old SAS drives.
NEW QUESTION # 59
An Implementation Engineer has completed cabling a DirectFlash Shelf (DFS) to the FlashArray.
Which command should the Implementation Engineer run to verify that the cabling was completed correctly?
- A. storage_view.py enclosures
- B. storage_view.py config
- C. purehw list --enclosures
- D. storage_view.py list
Answer: B
Explanation:
Adding an external DirectFlash Shelf (DFS) or a legacy SAS Expansion Shelf to a Pure Storage FlashArray requires precise physical cabling to ensure backend high availability. Because the controllers utilize an active
/active backend topology-where both controllers must maintain redundant loops to every single capacity shelf-a single misplaced cable can cause a severe hardware fault.
Once the physical installation is complete, the Implementation Engineer must definitively validate the topology before handing the array over to production. To do this, they log into the local KVM console or SSH session using the restricted puresetup account. From here, the official Pure Storage post-installation procedure dictates running two specific Python validation scripts: storage_view.py enclosures and storage_view.py config .
While both are used, storage_view.py config is the primary command utilized to map the specific SAS or NVMe-oF (RoCE) port bindings. The script actively polls the physical ports on the rear of the controllers and traces the loops down through the I/O Modules (IOMs) on the shelves. If the cabling is flawless, the CLI will explicitly return: "No errors detected." If a cable is crossed (e.g., Controller 0 plugged into IOM 1 instead of IOM 0), the script will instantly flag the topology mismatch, allowing the engineer to correct it on the spot.
NEW QUESTION # 60
What is the maximum number of DirectFlash Shelves supported for FlashArray//XL?
- A. 0
- B. 1
- C. 2
Answer: A
Explanation:
The FlashArray//XL supports up to four DirectFlash Shelves (DFS), each providing up to 1.9PB of effective capacity, enabling a total effective capacity of up to 7.6PB when fully expanded.
NEW QUESTION # 61
Which enablement feature will cause Mirrored Write statistics to appear in the Analysis section of the FlashArray Purity 6.x GUI?
- A. ActiveDR
- B. FA File
- C. ActiveCluster (AC)
Answer: C
Explanation:
ActiveCluster (AC) is the enablement feature that introduces Mirrored Write statistics into the Analysis section of the Purity GUI.
ActiveCluster provides synchronous replication (active-active) between two FlashArrays. In this configuration, every write request from a host must be committed to the NVRAM of both arrays before an acknowledgement is sent back to the host. This ensures zero Recovery Point Objective (RPO). Because this synchronous process introduces a latency component related to the network round-trip and the remote array's acknowledgement, Purity exposes a specific metric called "Mirrored Write" latency.
This metric allows administrators to distinguish between the local array's write processing time and the time spent waiting for the replication partner. It is critical for troubleshooting performance in stretched-cluster environments; if write latency spikes, the "Mirrored Write" stat helps determine if the bottleneck is the inter-site link (WAN) or the remote array. Neither FA File (NAS services) nor ActiveDR (asynchronous/near-sync replication) generate this specific synchronous write metric in the Analysis dashboard.
NEW QUESTION # 62
Upon completion of a hardware upgrade activity, which command should be used to unset the maintenance tag?
- A. purealert tag --cancel
- B. purealert untag --maintenance
- C. purealert --unset
Answer: B
Explanation:
The command purealert untag --maintenance removes the maintenance tag after a hardware upgrade, signaling the system that maintenance mode has ended.
NEW QUESTION # 63
What is the maximum number of DirectFlash Shelves supported for FlashArray//XL?
- A. 0
- B. 1
- C. 2
Answer: A
Explanation:
The FlashArray//XL currently supports a maximum of 2 DirectFlash Shelves (DFS) .
The FlashArray//XL is a high-density, performance-optimized platform housed in a 5U chassis.
* Rack Unit Math: According to the FlashArray//XL specifications and site planning guide, the system supports a maximum configuration footprint of 11 Rack Units (11U) .
* The base controller chassis occupies 5U .
* Each DirectFlash Shelf occupies 3U .
* Therefore: 5U (Base) + 3U (Shelf 1) + 3U (Shelf 2) = 11U .
* Capacity: Because the //XL chassis itself holds 40 DirectFlash Modules (compared to 20 in a standard
//X), and each shelf holds 28 modules, a fully populated system with two shelves provides nearly 100 drives of capacity (40 + 28 + 28 = 96 drives). This massive density reduces the need for "daisy- chaining" large numbers of shelves like legacy SAS architectures. Adding a third shelf would push the total height to 14U, exceeding the current platform definition.
NEW QUESTION # 64
The customer has completed the installation document and has stated that the proxy server address is "10.24.18.120". What additional information is required?
- A. Protocol prefix and credentials
- B. Protocol prefix and port number
- C. Credentials and port number
Answer: B
Explanation:
To properly configure the proxy server, both the protocol prefix (e.g., http:// or https://) and the port number are required along with the IP address.
NEW QUESTION # 65
An Implementation Engineer is getting ready to install four DFMs into a 16-module efficiency bundle and notices that the new modules are DFMDs while the installed modules are DFMs. What should the Implementation Engineer do to get the array using a 20-module Wide write group?
- A. Install the four new DFMDs, run puredrive admit and have support set the tunable puretune --set ALLOW_DFMD_IN_DFM_WWG 1
- B. Install the four new DFMDs and run puredrive .
- C. Work With the account team to Ship DFMS instead Of the DFMDS.
Answer: A
Explanation:
FlashArray performance and capacity efficiency are optimized when drives are grouped into "Wide Write Groups" (typically 20 modules). Purity OS generally enforces strict homogeneity within a write group to ensure consistent performance and reliability. Specifically, mixing standard DirectFlash Modules (DFM) with DirectFlash Modules with Distributed NVRAM (DFMD) in the same write group is restricted by default because of the architectural differences in how they handle persistent memory and I/O acknowledgment.
However, in upgrade scenarios where a customer is expanding an existing 16-module DFM group to a 20-module group using newer DFMD spares or expansion packs, Purity includes an engineering tunable to permit this mixed configuration. The correct procedure is to physically install the new DFMDs and run the admission command. Because of the mix, the array might initially hesitate or create a separate group. To force the creation of a single 20-drive Wide Write Group (WWG), the Implementation Engineer must work with Pure Storage Support to apply the specific tunable puretune --set ALLOW_DFMD_IN_DFM_WWG 1. This overrides the default restriction, allowing the system to merge the disparate module types into a single, high-efficiency capacity pool.
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NEW QUESTION # 66
When transforming an array from SAS to NVMe with the Evergreen XFORM upgrade, when should a swing shelf be installed?
- A. When the array is half populated with Flash Modules
- B. When the chassis is populated with two data packs
- C. When there is insufficient free space to evac capacity.
Answer: C
Explanation:
A swing shelf (temporary external capacity) is required during a SAS-to-NVMe (Evergreen) upgrade specifically when there is insufficient free space elsewhere in the array to evacuate the data residing in the legacy chassis.
The Evergreen "Stateless" or XFORM upgrade involves replacing the legacy SAS-based controller chassis (which contains SAS SSDs) with a new NVMe-based FlashArray//X chassis (which uses DirectFlash Modules).
Evacuation Requirement: Before the old chassis can be removed, the data on its internal drives must be moved to a safe location. If the customer already has external SAS expansion shelves with enough free space to hold this data, Purity will transparently migrate the data there, and no swing shelf is needed.
Swing Shelf Scenario: If the array is highly utilized (e.g., the chassis is full and external shelves are full or non-existent), the Implementation Engineer must attach a temporary "swing shelf" provided by Pure Storage. This shelf acts as the evacuation target. Once the data is moved to the swing shelf, the old chassis is replaced. The data is then migrated back from the swing shelf to the new NVMe media in the new chassis, and the swing shelf is returned.
NEW QUESTION # 67
What are the starter configurations of DFMDs in a Gen 2 DirectFlash Shelf?
- A. 10-slot and 14-slot
- B. 8-slot and 14-slot
- C. 12-slot and 14-slot
Answer: C
NEW QUESTION # 68
During an intra-series upgrade from //XR3 to //XR4, which command should the Implementation Engineer run to verify host connectivity before removing the secondary controller?
- A. host_connectivity --hosts
- B. iobalance --sampletime 30
- C. purehost list --hostless
Answer: B
Explanation:
In a Non-Disruptive Upgrade (NDU), ensuring that the host is correctly multipathed and balancing I/O across all paths is critical before taking a controller down. If a host is only using paths to the controller about to be rebooted (CT0, for example), taking that controller offline would cause an outage.
The command iobalance --sampletime 30 (or its wrapper purehost monitor --balance) is the standard tool used during the upgrade procedure to validate this state.
iobalance: This script samples the I/O throughput on all ports for a specified duration (e.g., 30 seconds).
It analyzes the distribution of I/O. If it detects that I/O is heavily skewed or missing entirely on the "secondary" paths (the ones that will survive the reboot), it flags a warning.
This allows the Implementation Engineer to pause and remediate the host multipathing configuration (e.g., fixing a bad cable or zoning issue) before proceeding with the controller removal, ensuring the NDU remains truly non-disruptive.
NEW QUESTION # 69
What is the the minimum supported capacity requirement for a FlashArray//XL170R5?
- A. 115TB
- B. 90TB
- C. 135TB
Answer: A
Explanation:
The FlashArray//XL170R5 is a high-performance, high-capacity enterprise storage system. To maintain its performance characteristics and data layout efficiency, Pure Storage enforces a minimum raw capacity requirement for new orders and installations.
For the //XL170R5 model, the minimum supported configuration is 115TB of raw flash. This is typically achieved through a specific population of DirectFlash Modules (e.g., twenty 5.5TB modules or a similar combination that meets the threshold).
Implementation Engineers must verify during the pre-installation site readiness review that the hardware delivered matches this minimum. Attempting to initialize an //XL170 with significantly less capacity (e.g.,
90TB) would be an unsupported configuration, potentially leading to performance degradation or an inability to initialize the wide write groups required by the //XL architecture.
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NEW QUESTION # 70
For FlashArray//XL, which 2 PCIe slots should be used for DFS connectivity?
- A. 0 and 6
- B. 0 and 4
- C. 1 and 7
Answer: A
Explanation:
On the FlashArray//XL, the designated PCIe slots for DirectFlash Shelf (DFS) connectivity are Slot 0 and Slot 6.
The FlashArray//XL features a high-density, high-performance architecture that utilizes 100GbE RoCE (RDMA over Converged Ethernet) for backend connectivity to expansion shelves, replacing the SAS protocols used in previous generations.
Slot Assignment: To ensure maximum throughput and redundancy, these backend I/O modules must be balanced across the controller's PCIe bus. The hardware guide and slot map for the //XL explicitly assign Slot 0 (typically on the lower riser) and Slot 6 (on the upper riser) for the installation of the 2-port 100GbE NVMe-oF cards used to connect DirectFlash Shelves.
Configuration: If a customer orders a FlashArray//XL with external capacity, these cards will be pre-installed or must be seated in these specific slots by the engineer. Using other slots (like 1 or 7, which are often reserved for host I/O or other expansion cards) would result in an invalid configuration or lack of connectivity to the backend storage media.
NEW QUESTION # 71
Which PCIe slot supports 4-port FC cards on FlashArray//XL?
- A. 0
- B. 1
- C. 2
Answer: C
Explanation:
On the FlashArray//XL, the 4-port Fibre Channel (FC) cards are specifically supported in Slot 8 (and typically Slot 4 depending on configuration depth). The FlashArray//XL chassis (5U) utilizes a significantly different PCIe bus layout compared to the standard 3U FlashArray//X series. While the //X series typically uses Slot 0 or Slot 2 for host connectivity, the //XL architecture reserves the lower-numbered slots (0-3) primarily for backend connectivity (SAS/NVMe-oF) or specific NVRAM modules in certain configurations.
To support the high bandwidth requirements of the 4-port 32Gb FC cards, the //XL chassis provides specific x16 electrical slots. Slot 8 is a designated high-performance slot located in the upper riser section of the controller, making it the correct placement for these dense host I/O cards. Using an incorrect slot such as Slot 2 (often x8 or reserved for other functions in XL) would likely result in the card not being recognized or operating at reduced performance. Therefore, Implementation Engineers must verify the specific "slot map" for the //XL model in the FlashArray//XL Hardware Guide before seating cards, with Slot 8 being the standard supported location for the 4-port FC option among the choices provided.
NEW QUESTION # 72
An Implementation Engineer is onsite to replace a 22TB data pack with a new 91TB (10 x 9.1TB) data pack in a FlashArray//X90R5 Gen 2. The array is at 90% capacity. It currently has 22TB (10 x 2.2TB) in slots 0-9 and 63TB (14 x 4.5TB) in slots 10-23, configured as two separate write groups.
What is a supported method to proceed with the planned capacity migration?
- A. Remove the 22TB data pack instantly and rebuild the missing data onto the new 91TB drives from parity.
- B. Evacuate the drives from slots 0-9 into remaining capacity, then install the new data pack into those slots.
- C. Add the new datapack into slots CH0.BAY24 - CH0.BAY28 and start the EVAC of the drives in slots 0-
9. Install the remaining drives after the EVAC completes. - D. Install a swing shelf, add the new data pack to the swing shelf, and evacuate the old 22TB (10 x 2.2TB) pack.
Answer: D
Explanation:
When executing a capacity migration or consolidation on a highly utilized Pure Storage FlashArray (such as an //X90 Gen 2 at 90% capacity), physical and logical space limitations dictate the required procedure. The FlashArray chassis only contains 24 front-facing capacity drive bays. In this scenario, the chassis is fully populated with 10 drives in slots 0-9 and 14 drives in slots 10-23.
Because all physical chassis slots are occupied, there is nowhere to physically insert the new 91TB (10 x 9.1 TB) DirectFlash Modules. Furthermore, because the array is at 90% capacity, there is insufficient logical free space remaining to evacuate the 22TB data pack into the existing 63TB pack's free capacity. Standard evacuation requires the system to non-disruptively move data off the target drives before they can be safely removed, which is mathematically impossible here without external capacity.
To resolve this, the officially supported method is to install a temporary "swing shelf" (Option B). A swing shelf acts as a temporary expansion vessel. The Implementation Engineer physically racks the swing shelf, connects it to the array, and inserts the new 91TB data pack into it. Purity can then safely evacuate the data from the old 22TB chassis data pack onto the new drives in the swing shelf. Once the evacuation completes, the old drives are decommissioned and removed, the new 91TB drives are seamlessly relocated into the chassis slots 0-9, and the swing shelf is removed and returned.
NEW QUESTION # 73
During an NDU, when is the Implementation Engineer required to install additional NVRAM modules in slots 2 and 3?
- A. Upgrading a FlashArray//X50R3 to a FlashArray//X50R4
- B. Upgrading a FlashArray//X70R4 to a FlashArray//X90R4
- C. Upgrading a FlashArray//X50R3 to a FlashArray//X70R4
Answer: C
Explanation:
FlashArray models differ in their NVRAM requirements based on their performance tier and throughput capabilities. Lower and mid-range models (like the //X10, //X20, and //X50) typically operate with two NVRAM modules installed in slots 0 and 1. However, high-performance models (like the //X70 and //X90) require double the NVRAM buffer to handle the increased write I/O bandwidth, necessitating four NVRAM modules (populating slots 0, 1, 2, and 3).
When performing a Data-in-Place Upgrade (NDU) from a FlashArray//X50R3 to a FlashArray//X70R4, the chassis remains (or is upgraded in a way that preserves data), but the new controller configuration shifts from a "2-NVRAM" requirement to a "4-NVRAM" requirement. Therefore, as part of the physical upgrade procedure, the Implementation Engineer must install two additional NVRAM modules into slots 2 and 3 of the chassis to support the new //X70 controllers.
If these modules are not added, the new //X70 controllers will detect an "insufficient hardware" condition and fail to boot or initialize the Purity software properly. This step is unique to upgrades crossing the boundary between mid-range and high-end models.
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NEW QUESTION # 74
The Customer's Implementation Workbook specifies that the SMTP reply is "outlook.microsoft.com:587". What correction should be made for array initialization to be successful?
- A. Provide username and password.
- B. Prefix the URL with "https://".
- C. Remove the port number.
Answer: C
Explanation:
To successfully initialize the FlashArray, the Implementation Engineer should remove the port number from the SMTP relay host field.
During the initial setup (via the Purity GUI wizard or CLI), the system requests a "Relay Host" for email alerts. The input field typically expects a valid Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) or IP address (e.g., outlook.office365.com or smtp.example.com).
Syntax Error: Appending the port number (e.g., :587) to the hostname often causes a DNS resolution failure or a syntax error because the array's initialization parser treats the entire string (including the colon and numbers) as the hostname.
Port Configuration: While modern Purity versions support custom SMTP ports (like 587 for TLS), this is often configured after the initial network setup or requires a specific command syntax that separates the host and port. For the purpose of passing the initial "New Array" setup wizard, providing the clean hostname is the standard correction. The engineer can then refine the SMTP settings (adding authentication and specific ports) in the Purity GUI once the array is initialized and accessible.
NEW QUESTION # 75
A FlashArray arrives with Purity 5.3.8 applied out of the factory. The account team requests that the array configured with Purity 6.1.21. Which steps should the Implementation Engineer select to meet this requirement?
- A. Configure the array with the current code and then open a case with Support to upgrade.
- B. Create a bootable USB stick from the 6.1.21 ISO file and reimage both controllers with it.
- C. Copy the PPKG and SHA1 files to a USB stick and upgrade the controllers.
Answer: B
Explanation:
To upgrade from Purity 5.3.8 to 6.1.21 on a new array, the Implementation Engineer should create a bootable USB installer from the target ISO and reimage both controllers to ensure a clean and supported upgrade.
NEW QUESTION # 76
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