FlashArray-Implementation-Specialist Exam Dumps - Pure Storage FAIS Questions and Answers

To initiate a Purity Operating Environment (OE) software upgrade from the Command Line Interface (CLI), the correct command ispureinstall.

pureinstall: This command manages the upgrade workflow. It typically takes an image file (ISO) as an argument or downloads it from the repository, unpacks it, performs pre-flight checks, and then applies the update to the controllers in a non-disruptive rolling fashion.

purereboot is used to restart a controller or the array but does not install software.

puresetup is used for the initial configuration of network settings and array names, not for software updates.

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TheFlashArray//Econnects to its DirectFlash Shelves (DFS) using25Gb Ethernet (RoCE).

The FlashArray//E is the "Capacity Optimized" member of the FlashArray family, designed to replace spinning disk repositories with all-flash efficiency. While the high-performance FlashArray//XL utilizes 100GbE for its backend NVMe-oF connectivity to maximize throughput for mission-critical databases, the //E prioritizes cost-efficiency, density, and power consumption.

Architecture:To maintain this efficiency balance, the backend connectivity for expansion shelves on the //E platform is standardized on25GbE. This provides ample bandwidth for the QLC-based workloads (typically unstructured data, repository, or Tier 2 block) without the higher cost and power draw of 100GbE optics and controllers.

Comparison:Option A (40G) is a legacy QSFP standard not used in modern Pure backend designs. Option C (100G) is reserved for the performance-tier //XL and high-end //X models.

During the initial deployment phase of a FlashArray, thepuresetupuser is utilized to run the initial configuration scripts (setting IPs, array name, etc.). However, once the array initialization is complete and the Purity operating system is fully running, the puresetup account is effectively disabled or restricted from performing standard administrative tasks.

For all subsequent operations, including running final health checks, verifying services, and performing day-to-day management, the Implementation Engineer must switch to thepureuseraccount. This is the default administrative superuser for the FlashArray.

The pureuser account has full privileges to run commands like purearray list, pureadm list, and other validation tools required to sign off on the installation. The pureeng account is reserved strictly for internal Pure Storage Engineering use and is not available for standard implementation tasks. Therefore, attempting to log in as puresetup after the array is configured will often result in authentication failure or a restricted shell that does not allow for the necessary health validation commands.

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Verifying external connectivity is a critical final step in any maintenance window to ensure the array remains supported. The commandpuresupport testis the specific tool designed to validate the entire support communication chain.

Running puresupport test:

Checks DNS resolution for Pure1 endpoints.

Tests outbound HTTPS connectivity through any configured proxies.

Verifies the "Phone Home" log upload capability.

Validates the "Remote Assist" tunnel functionality.

This comprehensive check confirms that the array can "call home" if an issue arises and that Support can connect remotely if needed. purearray test is generic or refers to internal tests, whereas puresupport test explicitly targets the support infrastructure.

The FlashArray//XL series (specifically the //XLR5 in this context) utilizes a 100 Gigabit Ethernet-based back-end fabric to communicate with DirectFlash Shelves (DFS). This connection relies on the RoCE (RDMA over Converged Ethernet) protocol to ensure low-latency access to the external NVMe modules.

The specific PCIe interface card validated for this connectivity is often labeled in the Bill of Materials (BOM) or configuration guides as the2-Port 100GbE iSCSI/RoCEcard (or simply the 100GbE Ethernet/RoCE card depending on the specific firmware/labeling revision). Crucially, it must be a100GbEcapability card.

The //XL platform standardized on 100GbE for its shelf interconnects, moving away from the 50GbE used in some previous generations of the //X series. The 200GbE cards are typically reserved for high-speed host connectivity or clustering, not the standard shelf loop. Therefore, ensuring the BOM includes the correct 100GbE RoCE-capable cards is essential for successful shelf detection and operation during installation.

The customer should proceed via theSelf-Service Upgrade (SSU)portal available onPure1 Manage.

Pure Storage has transitioned significantly toward a self-service model for routine software upgrades to provide customers with greater flexibility and immediacy.

Pure1 Manage:This cloud-based management platform includes a "Software Lifecycle" or "Upgrade" widget. It automatically checks the array's health, compatibility, and readiness for various Purity versions.

Process:The customer can select the target Purity version directly in the portal. Pure1 then orchestrates the "Pre-Flight Checks" (Remote Audit) to ensure the array is healthy. Once passed, the Purity software is downloaded directly to the array, and the customer (or the engineer) can trigger the upgrade at their convenience without needing to schedule a specific window with a live Support engineer.

Invalid Options:Options A and B describe legacy or unsupported workflows. Customers do not manually download Purity ISOs to USB drives or run raw pureinstall CLI commands manually; these methods lack the automated safety checks and cloud-based verification provided by the SSU ecosystem.

The correct procedure is tomove the 20TB chassis Data Pack (DP) to the external shelf (SH0)to free up a chassis slot for the new high-capacity pack.

Capacity Analysis:The array has ~52TB total raw capacity (20+10+22) and is 83% full (~43TB used).

Constraint:You cannot simply "evac" the chassis drives (Option A) because the remaining capacity (22TB in the shelf) is insufficient to hold the 43TB of data. Similarly, evacuating the shelf first (Option C) leaves only 30TB in the chassis, which is also insufficient.

The Solution (Option B):

Relocate:The engineer physically moves the 20TB pack from the Chassis (Slot 0) to the empty slot in Shelf 0 (SH0). This is a supported non-disruptive operation (assuming compatible shelf/pack types).

Install:This clears Chassis Slot 0, allowing the installation of the massive91TB Data Pack.

Consolidate:The system now has huge capacity (10+20+22+91). Purity can safely evacuate the old 10TB pack (Chassis) and the external shelf packs (20+22) into the new 91TB internal capacity.

Final State:The array ends up with the single 91TB pack in the chassis, meeting the "X50R2-91/0" target configuration.

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 standardDirectFlash Modules (DFM)withDirectFlash 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-driveWide Write Group (WWG), the Implementation Engineer must work with Pure Storage Support to apply the specific tunablepuretune --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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TheFlashArray//XLfeatures a5 Rack Unit (5U)chassis height.

This form factor represents a significant change from the standard FlashArray//X and //C series, which utilize a 3U chassis. The increase to 5U is engineered to support the massive performance and density requirements of the //XL platform.

Key Design Features:The 5U height accommodates:

Dual Controllers:Larger, high-performance controllers with increased airflow requirements.

40 DirectFlash Module Slots:Double the drive density of the 3U chassis (which holds 20), allowing for petabytes of effective capacity in the base unit.

4 Power Supplies:A 2+2 redundant power architecture.

9 PCIe Slots:Extensive I/O expansion for host and backend connectivity.

Airflow:Dedicated fan modules and thermal ducting to cool the high-wattage components (up to 3.5kW max power draw).

When performing a Hardware Non-Disruptive Upgrade (HWNDU) or preparing for a Purity software upgrade, the Implementation Engineer must log in with a user account that has full administrative privileges to execute upgrade commands, run health checks, and manage the array state.

Thepureuseraccount is the standard administrative superuser for the FlashArray. It is used for all day-to-day administration and maintenance tasks, including initiating upgrades via the CLI (pureinstall or pureupdate commands) and verifying system health (purearray health, pureadm list). The puresetup account is strictly for initial array initialization (setting IPs and array name) and is disabled or restricted once the array is up and running. pureinstall is a command, not a user account. Therefore, pureuser is the correct authenticated session required to manage the upgrade process.

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