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Pure Storage FlashArray-Implementation-Specialist Exam Syllabus Topics:
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NEW QUESTION # 58
What command can be used to identify interface status?
- A. purenetwork list
- B. purenetwork list --eth
- C. purenetwork list --all
Answer: A
Explanation:
The command purenetwork list is 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 for physical hardware 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.
NEW QUESTION # 59
Which PCIe slot must be used for a SAS HBA on R4B revision controllers?
- A. PCIe slot 0
- B. PCIe slot 4
- C. PCIe slot 2
- D. PCIe slot 1
Answer: A
Explanation:
When executing an intra-series hardware upgrade or migrating an older FlashArray environment to a modern R4 or R4B controller architecture, Implementation Engineers often encounter mixed-generation hardware.
While the modern //XR4 and //CR4 series natively utilize NVMe-oF (RoCE) for their backend DirectFlash Shelf (DFS) loops, customers upgrading from older array generations may still have legacy SAS-based expansion shelves that hold critical production data.
To support the migration or continued use of these older SAS shelves, a dedicated SAS Host Bus Adapter (HBA) must be physically installed into the new R4B controllers. Because the R4B chassis utilizes a highly specific PCIe Gen4/Gen5 lane mapping to maximize frontend and backend throughput, expansion cards cannot be placed arbitrarily.
According to the official Pure Storage hardware configuration matrix for R4B controllers, the designated and only supported location for the backend SAS HBA is PCIe slot 0 . Installing the SAS HBA into Slot 0 ensures it interfaces correctly with the Purity operating system's internal topology map, preventing data bottlenecks against the high-speed frontend Fibre Channel or iSCSI host cards (which typically populate Slot
1 and Slot 2). Incorrectly slotting the SAS HBA will cause the hardware_check.py validation script to fail, preventing the new controllers from recognizing the legacy SAS capacity.
NEW QUESTION # 60
Which power cable receptacle type does the FlashArray//X accessory kit contain?
- A. C13 to C14
- B. C19 to C20
- C. C14 to C15
Answer: A
Explanation:
Standard enterprise data center power distribution units (PDUs) typically use C13 or C19 outlets. The FlashArray//X series power supplies utilize C14 inlets (the male connector on the chassis side). Therefore, the standard accessory kit included with a FlashArray//X ships with C13 to C14 power cables.
The C13 connector plugs into the array's power supply (matching the C14 inlet), and the C14 connector on the other end is designed to plug into a standard rack PDU (which typically has C13 outlets). This is the industry-standard "jumper cord" for rack-mounted server and storage hardware.
It is important for the Implementation Engineer to verify this during the pre-install phase. If the customer's facility uses non-standard PDUs (like those with C19 outlets or wall-style plugs), the standard kit cables will not fit, and the engineer must ensure the correct cables were ordered separately or provided by the customer. However, for the exam and standard BOM validation, the correct answer is the ubiquitous C13 to C14 cable type.
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NEW QUESTION # 61
For FlashArray//XL, which PCIe card slot is reserved for control upgrades?
- A. 0
- B. 1
- C. 2
Answer: B
Explanation:
On the FlashArray//XL, PCIe Slot 5 is explicitly reserved for Non-Disruptive Upgrade (NDU) procedures and specific control plane functions.
The FlashArray//XL chassis (5U) features a redesigned controller layout with 9 PCIe slots per controller (numbered 0-8). While slots 0-3 and 6-8 are generally available for Host I/O (FC/iSCSI) or Backend Expansion (SAS/NVMe-oF), Slot 5 is kept open or populated with specific interconnect cards used during controller upgrades.
During a "Data-in-Place" upgrade (e.g., moving from an //X to an //XL or upgrading //XL generations), this slot facilitates the high-speed link required to cluster the old and new controllers or to transfer state information. Implementation Engineers must ensure this slot is not populated with standard customer I/O cards (like FC HBAs) during the initial configuration, as doing so would block the ability to perform future non-disruptive hardware upgrades.
NEW QUESTION # 62
What are the interface names for a 4-port FC card in slot 1 in an XR2/3 array?
- A. FC5, FC6, FC7, and FC8
- B. FC4, FC5, FC6, and FC7
- C. FC0, FC1, FC2, and FC3
Answer: B
Explanation:
On a FlashArray//XR2 or //XR3 equipped with a 4-port Fibre Channel card in Slot 1 , the interfaces are named FC4, FC5, FC6, and FC7 .
The port enumeration logic on FlashArray controllers follows a sequential order based on the PCIe slot number:
* Slot 0: This is the first PCIe slot. If a 4-port card is installed here (which is typical for the primary host I
/O card), it claims the first block of names: FC0, FC1, FC2, and FC3 .
* Slot 1: This is the second PCIe slot. A 4-port card installed here continues the sequence immediately after Slot 0. Therefore, it claims FC4, FC5, FC6, and FC7 .
* Slot 2: Any card here would start at FC8 (if the previous slots are 4-port).
Option A describes the mapping for Slot 0. Option C describes a non-standard mapping that skips integers or assumes a different starting point. Correctly identifying these interface names is crucial for zoning (SAN configuration) and creating the correct host port definitions during the implementation.
NEW QUESTION # 63
What command should the Implementation Engineer run to view NVRAM install and update status?
- A. purehw list --all
- B. puredrive list
- C. purearray list
Answer: A
Explanation:
Monitoring the health and status of physical hardware components is a key task during upgrades and daily administration. While the FlashArray GUI provides a visual representation, the CLI offers granular detail.
To view the specific installation status, firmware version, and health of the NVRAM modules, the correct command is purehw list --all.
purehw: This command suite is dedicated to reporting on the physical hardware components (fans, power supplies, temperature sensors, and NVRAM).
--all (or listing specific types) ensures that internal components like the NVRAM modules are displayed in the output.
The output will show the "Status" (e.g., ok, installing, updating), which is critical during a Purity upgrade or hardware replacement to confirm that the NVRAM firmware is being applied or that a new module has been successfully integrated.
puredrive list is strictly for the storage media (SSDs/DFMs), and purearray list shows high-level system info (name, ID, capacity) rather than component-level health.
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NEW QUESTION # 64
A customer has submitted a Pure Engagement Request (PER) / Implementation Workbook (IWB) and the stated array name is "123". What is the issue With this array name?
- A. Array name must be 4 characters or more.
- B. Array name must be alphanumeric.
- C. Array name cannot start with a digit.
Answer: C
Explanation:
The Pure Engagement Request (PER) or Implementation Workbook (IWB) is the planning document where customers specify their desired configuration parameters. Validating these parameters against Purity requirements before arriving onsite is a critical step for the Implementation Engineer.
Regarding the array name "123": Array names cannot start with a digit.
Purity naming conventions follow standard DNS hostname RFC guidelines to ensure compatibility with network services and scripts.
While numbers are allowed within the name (e.g., array123), the first character must be a letter.
A name composed entirely of numbers (like "123") or starting with a number (like "1array") can cause ambiguity for parsers that might mistake the name for an IP address, a specific ID, or an integer value in scripts.
The engineer must flag this in the PER and request the customer provide a compliant name (e.g., flasharray-123) to avoid errors during the puresetup initialization process.
NEW QUESTION # 65
A dark site customer requests an evacuation of SH01 on a FlashArray/M50. What is an appropriate next step?
- A. Ensure that usable capacity is less than 80%.
- B. Use the evac_checks script.
- C. Ensure that usable capacity is less than 90%.
Answer: B
Explanation:
For a Dark Site customer (where Remote Assist and PhoneHome are disabled), the appropriate next step before performing a shelf evacuation is to use the evac_checks script.
Risk Mitigation: Evacuating a shelf is a resource-intensive operation that permanently removes physical capacity from the system. In a connected environment, Pure Support runs remote diagnostics to verify the array has enough free space and system resources to handle the evacuation safely.
Dark Site Procedure: Since Support cannot log in remotely, the Implementation Engineer must manually run the evac_checks python script (typically loaded via USB or available in the Purity toolkit). This script performs the equivalent validation: checking effectively used capacity, dedup ratios, and system load to predict if the remaining drives can absorb the data from Shelf 01 without filling the array to 100% or causing performance degradation. Relying solely on a generic percentage (Option B or C) is dangerous because it doesn't account for data reduction overhead or specific RAID overheads.
NEW QUESTION # 66
During a FlashArray//X to FlashArray//XL hardware upgrade, when should the Implementation Engineer insert the DFMd modules into the FlashArray//XL?
- A. After booting the FlashArray//XL into shelf mode
- B. Immediately following the purity software upgrade
- C. As part of initial install before power-on
Answer: A
Explanation:
Upgrading from a FlashArray//X to a FlashArray//XL involves a significant architectural change, often requiring a data migration or a specific "chassis replacement" workflow known as a Data-in-Place upgrade where the new chassis temporarily acts as an expansion shelf. In this specific procedure, the new FlashArray//XL chassis is not immediately populated with its final drives (DFMDs) before power-on because it first needs to be configured to accept data or join the cluster in a controlled state.
The procedure requires the Implementation Engineer to boot the FlashArray//XL chassis first and configure it into Shelf Mode (SPM). Only after the chassis is successfully running in this mode-effectively acting as a passive SAS/Ethernet attached shelf to the existing controllers-are the DirectFlash Modules (DFMd) inserted.
Inserting them earlier could cause the array to attempt a full boot sequence or initialize a new array instance, complicating the upgrade logic. By waiting until Shelf Mode is confirmed, the engineer ensures that the modules are recognized correctly as part of the migration target resources, allowing Purity to manage the layout and data redistribution correctly from the source array.
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NEW QUESTION # 67
Prior to running the puresetup command, which command should an Installation Engineer run on a new install of a FlashArray//XR4 array?
- A. purehw list
- B. pureboot list
- C. cobalt check . py
Answer: C
Explanation:
The FlashArray//XR4 introduces a new hardware platform architecture (internally codenamed or associated with "Cobalt" components for its BMC and chassis management). During the manufacturing and initial deployment phase, specific validation scripts are used to ensure the platform hardware is correctly initialized before the Purity Operating Environment takes over.
For a new install of a FlashArray//XR4, the Implementation Engineer is often required to run cobalt check . py (or cobalt_check.py).
This engineering-level Python script queries the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) and internal sensors to verify that the chassis components, fans, and power delivery systems are reporting "Healthy" status specifically for the R4 architecture.
Running this before puresetup prevents the setup process from failing midway due to a hardware initialization error. It acts as a "pre-flight" hardware validation specific to the R4 generation's new chipset and management subsystem.
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NEW QUESTION # 68
What is the minimum AC voltage required to operate a FlashArray//X20R4 array?
- A. 0
- B. 1
- C. 2
Answer: A
Explanation:
The FlashArray//X20 R4 operates with a minimum AC voltage input of approximately 90 VAC.
The FlashArray//X series (specifically the entry-to-mid-range models like the X10, X20, and X50) utilizes high-efficiency Power Supply Units (PSUs) designed with auto-ranging capabilities. These PSUs conform to standard global power infrastructure requirements, supporting a nominal input range of 100V to 240V AC (50/60 Hz).
Low-Line Support: Because the X20 is an entry-level enterprise array often deployed in diverse environments (including edge locations or standard office server rooms), it fully supports "low-line" power (100-120V nominal). The technical minimum tolerance for these power supplies typically extends down to 90 VAC to account for voltage sags or fluctuations.
Contrast with High-End: Larger, higher-density systems like the FlashArray//XL or fully loaded high-performance chassis configurations often require "high-line" power (200V-240V) to deliver sufficient wattage efficiently. However, the X20 R4 does not have this restriction. Therefore, Option A (90V) represents the correct minimum floor, whereas Options B and C represent high-line voltages that are supported but not required for minimum operation.
NEW QUESTION # 69
When performing an install on a FlashArray, what step should be taken first?
- A. CT1 configuration
- B. CT0 configuration
- C. Code upgrade
Answer: B
Explanation:
The installation process begins with configuring controller 0 (CT0) first, as it is the primary controller responsible for initial system setup.
NEW QUESTION # 70
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 # 71
What command should the Implementation Engineer run to view NVRAM install and update status?
- A. purehw list --all
- B. purefw list
- C. puredrive list
- D. purearray list
Answer: C
Explanation:
Within the Purity//FA operating system architecture, dedicated NVRAM modules (used heavily in standard non-DFMD arrays to provide non-volatile write caching) are fundamentally treated as specialized drives by the software layer. They are physically installed into specific central chassis bays labeled NVB0, NVB1, NVB2, and NVB3.
Because they are classified as drive components, the primary and most direct command an Implementation Engineer should use to verify their physical installation, health, capacity, and update status is puredrive list.
When this command is executed via the CLI, it generates a comprehensive table detailing every DirectFlash Module (DFM) and NVRAM module currently seated in the chassis.
The output explicitly shows the slot location (e.g., CH0.NVB0), the component's operational status (healthy, empty, evacuating, or updating), and its specific firmware version. While the purehw list command is excellent for viewing broader chassis components (like fans, temperature sensors, and controllers), puredrive list is the purpose-built command required to monitor the precise synchronization and firmware update phases of the NVRAM modules, especially crucial during a non-disruptive upgrade (NDU) when ensuring cache mirror integrity is paramount.
NEW QUESTION # 72
For FlashArray//XL, which 2 PCIe slots should be used for DFS connectivity?
- A. 0 and 6
- B. 1 and 7
- C. 0 and 4
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 # 73
An Implementation Engineer performing an inventory of hardware for an NDU from an FlashArray//X70R2 to an FlashArray //X90R3 and discovers a complete FlashArray//X90R3 was shipped in place of an NDU kit. What is the minimum hardware the Implementation Engineer should use from this array to complete the NDU?
- A. Controllers
- B. Controller and power supplies
- C. Controller and NVRAM
Answer: C
Explanation:
To complete the Non-Disruptive Upgrade (NDU) from an //X70R2 to an //X90R3 using a fully shipped array, the Implementation Engineer must extract and use the Controllers and NVRAM modules.
Stateless Architecture: The FlashArray upgrade philosophy allows the chassis and data drives (Data Packs) to remain in place while the compute (controllers) and cache (NVRAM) are swapped.
Component Compatibility:
Controllers: The X90R3 controllers provide the upgraded CPU/performance required.
NVRAM: The NVRAM modules (located in the chassis front or rear slots depending on generation, but logically paired with controller performance) often differ between generations (R2 vs. R3) and performance tiers (70 vs. 90). The X70R2 NVRAM modules are typically not compatible with X90R3 controllers. Therefore, the engineer must swap the NVRAM modules along with the controllers to ensure the write cache is recognized.
Power Supplies: Both the X70R2 and X90R3 utilize the same high-capacity 1600W Power Supply Units. Unless the existing PSUs are faulty, they do not technically need to be swapped for the system to function, making "Controller and NVRAM" the precise minimum requirement for the logic upgrade.
NEW QUESTION # 74
If drives need to be relocated within an array for an XFORM upgrade, when should this be completed?
- A. After upgrade is completed
- B. The following day
- C. During the upgrade
Answer: A
Explanation:
If physical drives need to be relocated within the array (e.g., rebalancing shelves or moving packs to specific slots to match the target configuration) as part of an XFORM (Data-in-Place) upgrade, this task should be completed after the upgrade is completed.
Risk Management: The primary objective during the upgrade window is to successfully transition the controllers and software to the new generation (e.g., SAS to NVMe, or //M to //X) while maintaining data availability. Introducing unnecessary physical changes-like moving drives between slots-during the active controller swap adds variables and risk to the critical path.
Procedure: The standard workflow involves:
Perform the Controller Upgrade (XFORM).
Verify the new system is stable, healthy, and handling I/O correctly.
Post-Upgrade: Once the system is stable, the Implementation Engineer performs the physical drive relocation (if required) to optimize the layout or consolidate shelves. This ensures that if any issues arise from the drive movement, they are isolated from the controller upgrade process, making troubleshooting significantly easier and safer.
NEW QUESTION # 75
An Implementation Engineer needs to run the puresetup replace procedure on a FlashArray//XR5 during a controller upgrade. What command should the engineer run to identify the array model?
- A. hwconfig --all
- B. hwconfig --model
- C. pureversion -a
Answer: B
Explanation:
During complex maintenance procedures like a controller upgrade or replacement (puresetup replace), it is often necessary to verify the physical hardware identity of the chassis to ensure compatibility with the new controllers or software image.
The command hwconfig --model is the specific CLI tool used at the engineering/boot level to return the chassis model string (e.g., FA-X50R3 or FA-XL170). This confirms the hardware platform identity.
hwconfig --all would dump a massive amount of verbose configuration data, making it difficult to quickly identify just the model.
pureversion -a displays the version of the Purity operating system software, not the physical hardware model of the chassis.
Therefore, hwconfig --model is the correct and most efficient command for the Implementation Engineer to validate the hardware platform identity during the upgrade workflow.
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NEW QUESTION # 76
Which Purity command can be used to validate I/O is balanced across initiators?
- A. purehost list --balance
- B. purehost iobalance --check
- C. purehost show --iobalance
- D. purehost monitor --balance
Answer: D
Explanation:
During a post-installation health check or right before initiating a Hardware Non-Disruptive Upgrade (HWNDU), verifying that frontend host multipathing is functioning correctly is arguably the most critical safety procedure an Implementation Engineer performs. If a host is single-pathed or improperly zoned, failing over a controller could trigger an All-Paths-Down (APD) event.
To validate that host traffic is redundant and healthy, the engineer must execute the purehost monitor -- balance command within the Purity CLI.
This powerful diagnostic tool instructs the FlashArray to actively sample incoming read and write SCSI
/NVMe commands across all connected host initiators for a brief period (defaulting to a 5-second interval). It calculates the exact distribution of traffic and displays it as a percentage ("I/O Relative to Max") for each initiator-target path. If a host has Round Robin MPIO configured properly, the output will show traffic flowing evenly across all active paths (e.g., all paths hovering near 90-100% relative to the busiest path). If the output reveals that 100% of the I/O is pinned to a single path while others sit at 0%, the engineer immediately knows there is a zoning or host-side MPIO misconfiguration to address.
NEW QUESTION # 77
Which command should the Implementation Engineer run to remove a tunable from the primary controller?
- A. pureadm tune --unset
- B. puretune remove
- C. puretune --unset
- D. puretune local --unset
Answer: C
Explanation:
Within the Purity//FA operating system, specialized system variables, behavioral overrides, and feature flags are managed using "tunables." Tunables are typically set by Pure Storage Support or Implementation Engineers to address specific environmental edge cases, enable beta features, or manage hardware non- disruptive upgrade (HWNDU) states.
Once a maintenance window is complete or a tunable is no longer required, it must be carefully removed to return the array to its default operational state. The correct and officially supported Purity CLI command to remove a tunable is puretune --unset < tunable_name > .
Because FlashArray controllers operate in a highly available, clustered configuration, standard tunables applied to the array are generally mirrored. Executing puretune --unset from the active primary controller will cleanly strip the tunable from the configuration database, applying the change system-wide. Commands like pureadm do not exist in the standard Purity CLI, and puretune remove is incorrect syntax.
NEW QUESTION # 78
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