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

During a controller upgrade (e.g., //X to //XL), the puresetup script attempts to migrate network configurations from the old controller's ports to the new controller's ports. If the script detects that certain ports configured on the source array are physically missing or "link down" on the target array, it halts to prevent a configuration mismatch that could cause a service outage.

The error message explicitly lists the affected ports. The correct resolution path is to:

Identify the services:Determine if the missing ports are critical (e.g., a replication link that hasn't been cabled yet) or non-critical (e.g., an unused interface).

Re-run with override:Execute the puresetup command again, this time appending the specific flags or arguments (often suggested in the error output or upgrade guide) to explicitly acknowledge and include those affected ports. This tells the script, "I know these ports are down/missing; proceed with the migration anyway."

This allows the upgrade logic to complete the configuration transfer so the new controller can boot, after which the engineer can physically troubleshoot the link status.

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Calculating rack space requirements is a fundamental pre-installation task. The FlashArray//XL series features a larger chassis than the //X series to accommodate its increased power, cooling, and DirectFlash capabilities.

TheFlashArray//XL Chassisitself occupies5 Rack Units (5U).

A standardDirectFlash Shelf (DFS)occupies2 Rack Units (2U).

In this scenario, the customer is installing one //XL chassis and two DFS shelves.

Calculation:

1 x //XL Chassis (5U) = 5U

2 x DirectFlash Shelves (2U each) = 4U

Total = 9U.

Therefore, the Implementation Engineer must verify that there are at least 9 contiguous Rack Units available in the cabinet. Standard best practice also suggests placing the shelves immediately above or below the controller chassis to accommodate the 3-meter maximum cable length for the backend fabric, so these 9U should ideally be in a single block.

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Data evacuation from a shelf is a sensitive background process where data is migrated off specific physical media to free it for removal. While the purearray evacuate command initiates the data movement, the finalization of the process—specifically the logical removal of the shelf object from the system configuration to allow for safe physical disconnection—often requires engineering-level commands or verification.

Therefore, before Pure Storage Support can log in to run these specific completion scripts or verification checks, the Implementation Engineer mustEnable Remote Assist (RA).

Remote Assist creates a secure, outbound SSH tunnel that allows Support to access the array remotely.

Without RA enabled, Support cannot connect to the array to execute the necessary puredrive or internal maintenance commands to mark the shelf as "vacated" and safe to unplug.

Powering off the shelf (Option B) before this step could result in data loss or an array outage if the system still believes data resides there.

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A "4X Module" kit is specifically designedto widen an existing write group(RAID set).

Write Group Geometry:In standard FlashArray//X configurations, DirectFlash Modules (DFMs) operate in "Write Groups" (typically 10 modules wide for a standard data pack). However, to offer more flexible entry points or capacity expansion options, Pure Storage allows configurations that start with smaller write groups (e.g., 6 modules).

Widening:When a customer wants to expand capacity or performance on these smaller configurations without adding a full new 10-pack, they can purchase a widening kit (in this case, 4 modules).

Process:The Implementation Engineer installs these 4 modules into the empty slots. The Purity operating system then logically integrates these new drives into the existing narrow write group, "widening" it to the standard width (e.g., 6 + 4 = 10). This operation redistributes parity and data across the full set of 10 drives, improving performance and efficiency.

Pure Storage differentiates its product lines based on the type of NAND flash used, optimizing for either performance or capacity/cost.

FlashArray//XusesTLC (Triple-Level Cell)flash for high performance and endurance. These modules typically have orange tabs.

FlashArray//CandFlashArray//Eare designed for high-capacity, capacity-optimized workloads. They utilizeQLC (Quad-Level Cell)flash.

QLC flash stores 4 bits per cell, offering higher density at a lower cost per terabyte, but with different endurance characteristics managed by the DirectFlash software. To help engineers and customers physically distinguish these modules, QLC DirectFlash Modules featuregray release tabson the carrier. Identifying these tabs confirms that the correct media type is being installed into the capacity-oriented //C or //E chassis.

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Validating multipath I/O balance is a critical post-configuration step. The FlashArray CLI provides a specific monitoring tool for this purpose under the purehost command suite.

purehost monitor --balanceis the correct command.

monitor: This keyword initiates a real-time display of performance metrics (IOPS, bandwidth, latency).

--balance: This flag breaks down the metricsper initiator(per HBA/path) for the specified host(s).

The output allows the engineer to see if I/O is flowing evenly across all paths. If one path shows 0 IOPS while others are active, it indicates a zoning, cabling, or multipathing configuration issue that must be resolved to ensure high availability.

To expand a FlashArray//X10 from a5/5(fully populated chassis with two 5TB equivalent packs) to an11/11(two 11TB equivalent packs) configuration, the correct action is toinstall a swing shelf with loan capacity.

The Constraint:The "5/5" notation implies the chassis slots are already occupied by the existing media. Since the customer isreplacingthe existing packs with larger ones (Capacity Consolidation) rather than just adding new ones, the engineer needs a place to put the data during the swap.

Why Swing Shelf:The FlashArray//X10 chassis has limited slots. You cannot simply pull a pack (Option A) if the remaining pack doesn't have enough free space to hold all the data (which is typical in upgrade scenarios). ASwing Shelf(temporary external SAS or NVMe shelf provided by Pure) is attached to the array. The data is evacuated from the internal drives to this shelf. Once the internal slots are empty, the new 11TB packs are installed. The data is then moved back from the shelf to the new packs, and the shelf is removed.

To reduce SafeMode protections (such as shortening the retention period or disabling the eradication timer),two authorized SafeMode approversmust authenticate and approve the request viaPure1 step-up authentication.

SafeMode is a ransomware protection feature designed to prevent the accidental or malicious deletion of snapshots. Because reducing these protections weakens the array's security posture, Pure Storage enforces a strict "Ratchet" authorization process.

The Process:Unlike standard support requests, a single admin or local user cannot authorize this change (making Option C incorrect). The customer must have previously designated specific individuals as "SafeMode Approvers" in their Pure1 portal.

Authorization:When a request to weaken the policy is made, Pure Support triggers a verification workflow. Two of these designated approvers must log into Pure1 and perform a secondary authentication (often involving a PIN or TOTP) to explicitly "sign off" on the reduction. This "two-person rule" ensures that a compromised credential or a rogue insider cannot unilaterally expose the organization's backup data to destruction.

TheFlashArray//XR2 and //XR3(representing the FlashArray//X generation) utilize a standardized3U(3 Rack Units) chassis form factor.

This 3U chassis is the foundation for the majority of the FlashArray//X line, including the //X10, //X20, //X50, //X70, and //X90 models. It is designed to be compact while providing sufficient airflow and space for the dual controllers, two data packs (up to 20 DirectFlash Modules), and power/cooling infrastructure.

Dimensions:Approximately 5.12 inches (13 cm) in height.

Rack Layout:Implementation Engineers must reserve 3U of contiguous space for the base controller chassis. If expansion shelves are included, they typically require an additional 2U each (for SAS or NVMe shelves).

Option B (4U) is not a standard height for current Pure Storage arrays. Option C (5U) refers to theFlashArray//XL, a larger, performance-optimized platform designed for maximum scale and density, which uses a significantly taller chassis to accommodate more expansion slots and power components. Therefore, for the specified R2/R3 X-series, 3U is the correct height.

DirectMemory Modules (DMMs)are Storage Class Memory (SCM) drives used in FlashArrays to provide a high-speed read cache (DirectMemory Cache). In the FlashArray//XL architecture, these modules provide significant performance benefits for read-intensive workloads.

A fundamental configuration rule for DMMs on the //XL platform is thatthey cannot be installed in a DirectFlash Shelf (DFS).

DMMs must be installed directly into thecontroller chassis(the head unit) to leverage the lowest possible latency connection to the CPU and memory complex.

The external backend fabric that connects to the shelves (even though it is NVMe-oF/RoCE) adds a minute amount of latency that negates the extreme speed advantage of SCM. Therefore, Purity only supports DMMs when they are local to the controllers.

DMMs share the same physical form factor and slots as standard DirectFlash Modules (DFMs) in the chassis but are typically prioritized for specific slot ranges (e.g., the first few slots) for thermal and bus management.

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