D-XTR-MN-A-24 Dell XtremIO Maintenance Achievement Questions and Answers

The show-storage-controllers command is used in XMCLI to verify the IP addresses of the Storage Controllers after they have been changed. This command provides detailed information about the status and configuration of the storage controllers, including their IP addresses.

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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Based on the provided exhibit, ports "b" and "d" are used for FC2 (Fibre Channel 2) and iSCSI1 connections on an XtremIO X1. These ports are designated for specific connection types to ensure optimal performance and correct configuration of the storage network.

For an XtremIO cluster to use FTPS (File Transfer Protocol Secure) for the Connect Home feature, the firewall ports that need to be opened are989 and 990.These ports are used for data connections and control connections under implicit security for FTPS1.

When using explicit security, FTPS can also use port 21, but since the question specifies FTPS for Connect Home, which typically uses implicit security, the correct ports are989 for data transmissionand990 for the control connection1. It’s important to ensure these ports are open to allow secure file transfer capabilities for the XtremIO cluster.

The correct order in which the XtremIO X1 cluster components should be powered on for the first time is:

PDU (Power Distribution Unit)

BBUs (Battery Backup Units)

XMS (XtremIO Management Server)

Storage Controllers

Detailed Explanation with References:

PDU (Power Distribution Unit): Begin by powering on the PDU to provide power to the entire rack.

BBUs (Battery Backup Units): Next, power on the BBUs to ensure power protection for the system.

XMS (XtremIO Management Server): Power up the XMS to allow management and monitoring of the storage system.

Storage Controllers: Finally, power on the Storage Controllers to bring the storage system online.

XtremIO upgrade packages can be found on the support.emc.com website. This is the official support site for Dell EMC products, where customers can download software updates, including XtremIO upgrade packages.The site provides access to various resources, including documentation, knowledge articles, and software downloads for Dell EMC products12.

To find and download XtremIO upgrade packages, follow these steps:

Go to support.emc.com.

Log in with your Dell EMC support account credentials.

Navigate to the ‘Downloads’ section.

Search for XtremIO in the product list.

Select your specific XtremIO model and version.

Locate the upgrade package you need and download it.

It’s important to ensure that you have a valid support contract and the necessary permissions to access and download software updates from support.emc.com1.

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Verify no host I/O: Ensure that there are no active I/O operations from the hosts connected to the XtremIO array. This is crucial to avoid data loss or corruption.

Verify the cluster PSNT and health: Check the Primary Serial Number Tag (PSNT) and the health status of the cluster to ensure everything is functioning properly before proceeding with the shutdown.

Disable notifications: Temporarily disable any notifications to avoid unnecessary alerts during the shutdown process.

Stop the cluster service: Gracefully stop the cluster service to ensure that all processes and services are properly terminated.

Power off the hardware: Finally, power off the hardware to complete the planned shutdown of the XtremIO X2.

In a multi-brick XtremIO X2-R array, a 36 port InfiniBand switch is used.This type of switch provides the necessary number of ports to accommodate the connectivity requirements of a multi-brick configuration, ensuring high-speed data transfer and communication between the bricks and other components of the storage array1.

The InfiniBand switch plays a crucial role in the XtremIO X2-R’s architecture, as it allows for the interconnection of multiple bricks, which collectively contribute to the array’s performance and scalability.The 36 port switch ensures that there are enough ports available for current use and potential future expansion1.

To service an XtremIO X2 with the Technician Advisor tool, the connection is made through the dedicated Management port located on the back of the Storage Controller (SC).This port is specifically designed for management tasks and allows service technicians to access the system for diagnostics and configuration using the Technician Advisor tool1.

The process typically involves:

Locating the dedicated Management port on the back of the SC.

Connecting a compatible cable from the technician’s device to the Management port.

Using the Technician Advisor tool to perform the necessary service tasks.

This information is outlined in the Official Dell XtremIO Maintenance Achievement document, which provides detailed instructions for servicing and maintaining XtremIO X2 storage systems1.

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ESRS (EMC Secure Remote Services) configuration verification is typically done using commands that check for system notifications and configurations.

The show-syslog-notifier command is used to verify the settings and configuration of syslog notifications, which is part of the ESRS setup.

This command helps in ensuring that the notifications are correctly configured and functioning as intended, allowing for remote monitoring and management.

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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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.

XtremIO X2 clusters are designed for efficient space utilization in data center racks.

A four X-Brick XtremIO X2 cluster requires specific rack space allocation.

Each X-Brick occupies 5U of rack space. Therefore, four X-Bricks would require 20U.

Additionally, the physical XtremIO Management Server (XMS) occupies 1U of rack space.

In total, the four X-Brick XtremIO X2 cluster with a physical XMS requires 21U of rack space.