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

The FlashArray//XL series has a specific, validated slot population rule for its PCIe cards to ensure optimal performance and thermal management. For a standard Fibre Channel (FC) configuration on aFlashArray//XLR5, the factory default shipment includes a specific arrangement of host I/O cards and offload engines.

The correct default configuration is:

PCIe Slot 3:4-Port 32Gb FC card.

PCIe Slot 5:2-Port 32Gb FC card.

PCIe Slot 6:DirectCompress Accelerator (DCA).

This layout (Option B) adheres to the //XL's architecture where specific slots are prioritized for frontend host I/O (like slots 3 and 5) and others for offload functions or backend connectivity. Implementation Engineers must verify cards are in these exact slots during the visual inspection. If cards are moved to incorrect slots (like slot 1 or 4 for primary FC in this specific config), the array may not boot or may fail to initialize the FC services correctly due to BIOS enumeration orders.

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While modern FlashArrays (like the XR4 and XL series) primarily use NVMe-oF/RoCE for backend connectivity, specific configurations or legacy support scenarios may still require aSAS HBA(Serial Attached SCSI Host Bus Adapter), for example, when connecting to older SAS-based expansion shelves during a migration or hybrid configuration.

ForR4B revision controllers(a specific hardware revision of the Gen 4 controller), the strict hardware addressing map requires that any SAS HBA be installed inPCIe Slot 1.

Slot 1provides the specific PCIe lane routing and BIOS interrupts required for the legacy SAS controller to be recognized and function without conflicting with the native NVMe fabric.

Installing the card in Slot 0 (typically reserved for RoCE/Ethernet backend) or Slot 4 would likely result in the card being ignored by Purity or causing boot errors due to resource conflict.

To facilitate aCapacity Consolidation(CapCon) in a chassis that is physically full (both data pack slots occupied) and logically utilized above the threshold to allow internal evacuation, the standard procedure requirestemporary external capacity, often referred to as "swing gear."

In this scenario, the FlashArray//X20 chassis is fully populated with two 22TB data packs. Since there are no empty slots to insert the new 45TB pack, one of the existing packs must be removed first. However, with the array at80% usage, the data residing on the pack designated for removal (roughly half the raw capacity) cannot fit into the remaining free space of the other pack.

Therefore, Pure Storage Support will provision aDirectFlash Shelf (DFS) containing temporary capacity(e.g., a 63TB pack as mentioned in Option B). The Implementation Engineer attaches this shelf, adds it to the system, and utilizes it as a destination to evacuate data from the old 22TB pack. Once the old pack is empty and removed, the new 45TB pack is installed into the chassis. Finally, the data is moved from the temporary shelf back into the new chassis capacity, and the temporary shelf is disconnected and returned. Option A is incorrect because an empty shelf provides no storage to offload data, and Option C is operationally unfeasible for most customers.

The commandpurenetwork listis 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 forphysicalhardware 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.

When installing thefirst DirectFlash Shelf (DFS)on aFlashArray//XR2 or //XR3utilizing the onboard or default mezzanine connectivity, the correct ports to use areETH6 and ETH9.

Hardware Layout:The FlashArray//XR2 and //XR3 utilize a specificEthernet Mezzanine (EMEZZ)slot for backend connectivity to NVMe-oF shelves. This card typically enumerates its ports as ETH6 through ETH9 (a 4-port configuration).

Cabling Rule:To maximize physical separation and ensure redundancy across the internal ASIC lanes of the mezzanine card, standard cabling procedures for thefirstshelf dictate using the outer ports:ETH6(Port 0) andETH9(Port 3).

Redundancy:This configuration (Port 0 and Port 3) is preferred over using adjacent ports (like 6 and 7) to reduce the risk of a single lane cluster failure affecting both connections to the shelf. The second shelf, if added later, would typically utilize the remaining ports (ETH7 and ETH8).

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 commandhwconfig --modelis 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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