Dell EMC D-PSC-MN-01 Dell PowerScale Maintenance Version 2 Exam Practice Test

Answer : C

To safely power off a node in a Dell EMC PowerScale cluster, use the shutdown command with the appropriate options.

Command Details:

shutdown -p now:

shutdown: Initiates a system shutdown.

-p: Powers off the system after shutdown.

now: Executes the command immediately.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

Option A (isi status -q): Displays cluster status; doesn't control power.

Option B (isi status -h): Invalid option; isi status doesn't power off nodes.

Option D (shutdown -h now): Halts the system but may not power it off.

Dell PowerScale Reference:

Dell EMC PowerScale OneFS Administration Guide:

Shutting Down Nodes Section:

Recommends using shutdown -p now for powering off nodes.

Safety Precautions:

Advises to notify users and ensure no critical processes are running.

Best Practices:

Verify that the node is not hosting critical services before shutdown.

Inform cluster administrators of maintenance activities.

Answer : B

When replacing a 3.5' hard drive in a Dell EMC PowerScale Gen 6 drive sled, it's crucial to follow the proper procedures to ensure the drive is installed correctly and securely.

Drive Sled Handle Position:

Handle Should Be Open Before Insertion:

Before pushing the drive sled forward into the node chassis, the handle of the drive sled must be in the open position.

This allows the drive sled to slide into the chassis without obstruction.

Securing the Drive Sled:

Once the drive sled is fully inserted, you then close the handle to lock the sled into place.

Closing the handle engages the locking mechanism and ensures proper connectivity between the drive and the backplane.

Why the Handle Should Be Open:

Prevent Damage:

Inserting the sled with the handle closed can cause damage to the drive connectors or the chassis backplane.

Ease of Installation:

An open handle provides leverage and guidance during insertion.

Dell PowerScale Reference:

Dell EMC PowerScale Hardware Replacement Guide:

Section on Drive Replacement Procedures:

Specifies that the drive sled handle should be open when inserting the drive sled.

Provides illustrations showing the correct position of the handle during installation.

Best Practices:

Always handle drives and sleds carefully to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage.

Ensure the drive sled is fully seated before closing the handle.

Answer : C

In a Dell EMC PowerScale H400 node that has one SSD installed and requires replacement, the new SSD should be installed in the correct slot to ensure proper operation.

Key Points:

SSD Slot Location:

The H400 node uses sleds for drive placement.

SSDs are installed in specific positions to support metadata acceleration and caching functions.

Position 0 and sled E is designated for the SSD in an H400 node.

Drive Replacement Procedure:

Identify the correct sled and position for the SSD.

Power down the node if necessary, following safety procedures.

Remove the faulty SSD and install the new SSD in the correct slot.

Importance of Correct Placement:

Installing the SSD in the wrong slot can lead to the node not recognizing the drive.

May affect the performance and data protection features of the cluster.

Dell PowerScale Reference:

Dell EMC PowerScale Hardware Replacement Guide:

Section on SSD Replacement for H400 Nodes:

Specifies that the SSD should be installed in Position 0 of sled E.

Provides diagrams and step-by-step instructions.

Node Documentation:

Illustrates the drive bay numbering and sled identification.

Emphasizes the importance of installing drives in the correct positions.

Incorrect Options:

Option A (Left slot at the back of the node) and Option D (Right slot at the back of the node) do not correspond to the correct SSD slot.

Option B (Position 0 and sled A) is not the designated slot for the SSD in an H400 node.

Answer : D

When connecting to a Dell EMC PowerScale F600 node via a serial connection and the session is unresponsive, the most common issue is incorrect serial connection settings.

Key Points:

Serial Connection Settings:

The serial console requires specific settings to communicate properly:

Baud rate: 115200

Data bits: 8

Parity: None

Stop bits: 1

Flow control: None

Incorrect settings will result in an unresponsive or garbled session.

Troubleshooting Steps:

Verify that the serial connection parameters match the required settings.

Ensure that the correct serial port is being used.

Check the physical connection for loose cables or faulty adapters.

Other Considerations:

The serial port on the node does not need to be enabled from the front panel.

Connecting to the primary node or configuring the cluster is not necessary for serial console access.

Dell PowerScale Reference:

Dell EMC PowerScale Hardware Installation Guide:

Appendix on Console Access:

Provides the correct serial connection settings for accessing the node console.

Offers troubleshooting tips for common connection issues.

Best Practices:

Use reliable serial communication software (e.g., PuTTY, Tera Term).

Confirm that the serial cable and any USB-to-serial adapters are functioning properly.

Answer : C

Dell SolVe Online (and SolVe Desktop) is the primary resource for obtaining up-to-date, detailed service procedures for Dell EMC PowerScale systems.

Key Points:

Purpose of Dell SolVe Online:

Provides the latest service procedures, including installation, replacement, and troubleshooting guides.

Ensures that technicians have access to current and accurate information.

Features:

Interactive procedures with step-by-step instructions.

Customizable checklists and workflows.

Regularly updated content reflecting the latest product updates and best practices.

Accessibility:

Available online and as a downloadable application (SolVe Desktop).

Requires authentication to ensure that only authorized personnel access sensitive service information.

Dell PowerScale Reference:

Dell EMC Support Resources:

Directs service personnel to use SolVe Online for official procedures.

Emphasizes the importance of using approved resources to maintain product integrity and support agreements.

Incorrect Options:

Option A (Dell Quick Reference Guide) provides summary information but not detailed service procedures.

Option B (Dell Enterprise Configuration Services) is a professional service offering, not a resource for procedures.

Option D (Dell iDRAC Service Module) is a management tool for servers, not for accessing service instructions for PowerScale systems.

Answer : C

The OneFS API uses HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) to encrypt communications, ensuring secure data transfer between clients and the PowerScale cluster.

OneFS API and Security:

OneFS API:

Provides a RESTful interface for programmatically managing and interacting with the PowerScale cluster.

Security Importance:

Protects sensitive data and configuration information transmitted via the API.

Use of HTTPS:

Encryption:

HTTPS uses TLS (Transport Layer Security) to encrypt data in transit.

Prevents eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks.

Authentication:

Supports certificate-based authentication to verify the identity of the server.

Standard Protocol:

Widely accepted and supported for secure web communications.

Why Other Options Are Less Suitable:

Option A (SED):

Self-Encrypting Drives (SEDs) encrypt data at rest, not communications.

Option B (RBAC):

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) manages user permissions and authorization, not encryption.

Option D (OpenSSH):

OpenSSH provides secure shell access, not used for the OneFS API communications.

Implementing HTTPS with OneFS API:

Default Behavior:

OneFS API endpoints are accessed via HTTPS by default on port 8080 or 8080.

Certificate Management:

Administrators can install custom SSL certificates to ensure secure connections.

API Calls:

Applications interacting with the OneFS API must support HTTPS requests.

Dell PowerScale Reference:

Dell EMC PowerScale OneFS API Reference Guide:

Details on API usage and security considerations.

Dell EMC PowerScale OneFS API Reference Guide

Dell EMC PowerScale OneFS Security Configuration Guide:

Provides information on configuring HTTPS and managing certificates.

Dell EMC PowerScale OneFS Security Guide

Knowledge Base Articles:

Article ID 000123006: 'Securing OneFS API Communications with HTTPS'

Article ID 000123007: 'Configuring SSL Certificates for OneFS API Access'

Answer : A

When an engineer plans to add A300 nodes to an existing cluster consisting of H400 and A200 nodes, the A300 nodes can be added and become members of the A200 node pool through compatibility mode.

Understanding Node Pools and Compatibility Mode:

Node Pools:

Groups of nodes with similar hardware and performance characteristics.

Nodes in the same pool can share data and balance workloads effectively.

Compatibility Mode:

Allows newer nodes to join an existing node pool with older nodes.

Ensures compatibility by adjusting performance features to match the existing pool.

Adding A300 Nodes to the A200 Node Pool:

A200 and A300 Nodes:

Both are archive nodes designed for high-capacity storage.

A300 nodes are the next generation with updated hardware.

Using Compatibility Mode:

A300 nodes can operate in compatibility mode to align with the A200's capabilities.

Allows seamless integration without disrupting existing operations.

Process and Considerations:

Cluster Expansion:

The engineer can add the A300 nodes to the cluster and configure them to join the A200 node pool.

Performance Adjustments:

Compatibility mode may limit some of the newer nodes' advanced features to match the older nodes.

Benefits:

Extends the cluster's capacity using newer hardware.

Preserves investment in existing infrastructure.

Why Other Options Are Less Suitable:

Option B (A300 nodes cannot be installed in this cluster):

Incorrect; OneFS allows mixing different node types within the same cluster.

Option C (A300 nodes can be added, and a new A300 node pool is created):

While possible, the question specifies that the engineer plans to open bays, implying expansion within the existing node pool.

Option D (A300 nodes become members of the H400 node pool):

H400 nodes are hybrid nodes; it's not typical to mix archive nodes (A-series) with hybrid nodes (H-series) in the same node pool.

Dell PowerScale Reference:

Dell EMC PowerScale OneFS Administration Guide:

Details on node pools, compatibility mode, and cluster expansion.

Dell EMC PowerScale OneFS Administration Guide

Dell EMC PowerScale OneFS Best Practices Guide:

Provides guidelines for adding new nodes to existing clusters.

Dell EMC PowerScale OneFS Best Practices

Knowledge Base Articles:

Article ID 000123004: 'Adding A300 Nodes to an Existing Cluster with A200 Nodes'

Article ID 000123005: 'Understanding Compatibility Mode in Dell PowerScale Clusters'