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

For an XtremIO X2-S, the ports used on the InfiniBand switches for an Inter-Switch Link (ISL) connection are typically high-numbered ports, which are usually at the end of the port range on the switch.While the specific port numbers can vary depending on the switch model and configuration, ports 35 and 36 are commonly used for ISL connections in many configurations1.

The process to identify the ISL ports is as follows:

Access the InfiniBand switch via the management interface.

Use the appropriate command to list the port configuration (this command can vary based on the switch’s firmware).

Identify the ports configured for ISL, which will be indicated in the port configuration settings.

It’s important to refer to the official Dell XtremIO Maintenance Achievement document or the InfiniBand switch documentation for the exact port numbers as they can differ based on the switch model and the cluster configuration1.

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.

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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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 XtremIO Storage Array Site Preparation Guide is the document that provides detailed information about the environmental requirements, including temperature and humidity, for XtremIO storage systems.This guide is essential for ensuring that the site where the XtremIO system will be installed meets the necessary conditions for optimal operation and longevity of the equipment1.

The guide typically includes:

The acceptable temperature range for both operating and non-operating conditions.

The recommended humidity levels to prevent condensation and other moisture-related issues.

Guidelines for airflow and cooling to maintain the specified temperature and humidity levels.

It is important to adhere to these requirements to ensure the reliable performance of the XtremIO storage array and to avoid any potential environmental-related issues1.

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The Eaton 1550 Evolution BBU (Battery Backup Unit) uses 1 DB9 and 1 RJ50 connector. These connectors are used for communication and management purposes, ensuring that the BBU can interface correctly with other components of the system.

The minimum XtremIO software version required for expanding a Starter X-Brick cluster is 4.0.4. This version includes the necessary features and improvements to support the expansion process, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance.

The correct racking order from bottom to top to expand an XtremIO X1 configuration from a dual X-Brick to a quad X-Brick is as follows:

X3-SC1

X3-DAE

X3-BBU

X3-SC2

As per the image provided, which appears to be a list or part of a document detailing the steps for racking components, the order listed for expanding an XtremIO X1 configuration is:

Begin with the bottom component, which is ‘X3-SC1’ (Storage Controller 1).

Above ‘X3-SC1’, install ‘X3-DAE’ (Disk Array Enclosure).

Next, install ‘X3-BBU’ (Battery Backup Unit) above ‘X3-DAE’.

Finally, at the top, place ‘X3-SC2’ (Storage Controller 2).

This order ensures that the heavier components are at the bottom for stability and likely follows Dell’s official guidelines for proper airflow and cable management within the rack1.

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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.

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.

The XtremIO X2 storage system can be expanded for capacity (Scale-Up) or both capacity and performance (Scale-Out). The system begins with a single building block, called an X-Brick, with a minimum of 18 SSDs.When additional capacity is required, the system scales up, with up to 72 SSDs for a single X-Brick1. Therefore, to upgrade a single X-Brick XtremIO X2 cluster that already contains 36 SSDs, the minimum number of SSDs required would be 18, which is the base configuration for an X-Brick.

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The correct sequence of steps to install a virtual XMS prior to creating the cluster on an XtremIO X2 is:

Deploy the OVF Template

Configure the XMS

Transfer the Installation Package to the XMS Server

Install only the XMS

Display the Installation Package on the Storage Controller

Deploy the OVF Template: Begin by deploying the Open Virtualization Format (OVF) template which is a pre-configured virtual machine that contains all necessary installation files.

Configure the XMS: After deployment, configure XtremIO Management Server (XMS) which involves setting up network configurations and other system settings.

Transfer the Installation Package to the XMS Server: The next step is transferring all necessary installation files for XtremIO to your newly configured XMS server.

Install only the XMS: Proceed with installing only XtremIO Management Server software on your server.

Display the Installation Package on Storage Controller: Finally, ensure that your storage controller can access and display all relevant installation packages for further processes.

These steps are outlined in the Dell XtremIO Maintenance Achievement document and provide a systematic approach to installing a virtual XMS, which is essential for managing and creating an XtremIO X2 cluster.

The SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) connection speed for an XtremIO X1 is 6 Gb/s, while for an XtremIO X2, it is 12 Gb/s. The increased speed in the X2 model enhances data transfer rates and overall performance, reflecting advancements in the hardware capabilities of the newer generation.