Most Recent Dell EMC D-PSC-MN-01 Exam Questions & Answers

In a Dell PowerScale cluster that consists of four A300 nodes and three F600 nodes, expanding both node pools requires adding nodes to each pool. The minimum number of nodes an engineer can add to expand both node pools is determined by the following factors:

Minimum Node Addition:

PowerScale clusters allow the addition of nodes one at a time to existing node pools.

However, to maintain balanced performance and capacity, it's recommended to add nodes in pairs or according to specific guidelines for each node type.

Node Pool Requirements:

A300 Nodes (Capacity Tier):

Designed for high-capacity storage needs.

Adding at least two A300 nodes helps maintain even data distribution and protection levels.

F600 Nodes (Performance Tier):

Designed for high-performance all-flash storage requirements.

Adding at least one F600 node can expand the performance tier, but adding two would be optimal for balance.

Minimum Nodes to Expand Both Pools:

Option D suggests adding 2xA300 and 1xF600, totaling three nodes.

This is the minimum number among the options provided that allows expansion of both node pools.

Why Option D is Correct:

Meets Minimum Addition Recommendations:

Adding 2xA300 nodes enhances capacity while maintaining data protection schemes like FEC (Forward Error Correction).

Adding 1xF600 node increases performance capacity with minimal investment.

Ensures Data Protection and Performance:

Adequate node addition helps in maintaining the cluster's data protection policies and performance characteristics.

Dell PowerScale OneFS Administration Guide -- Guidelines on adding nodes to existing clusters.

Dell PowerScale Best Practices -- Recommendations for node additions and cluster expansions.

Dell PowerScale Technical Specifications -- Details on node types and their roles within a cluster.

To obtain the external IP address of a specific node in a Dell EMC PowerScale cluster, the platform engineer can use commands that provide detailed node information.

Using 'isi status -q':

Function:

The isi status -q command displays a concise list of nodes along with their IDs and external IP addresses.

Syntax:

Running this command from any node in the cluster will provide the required information.

Output:

Includes node IDs, IP addresses, and status information.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

Option B (isi network external view):

Provides information about the external network interfaces but may not directly map node IDs to IPs.

Option C (isi status -p):

Displays the cluster status in a parsed format but may not include IP addresses.

Option D (isi network subnets list):

Lists subnets configured on the cluster but does not provide node-specific IP addresses.

Dell PowerScale Reference:

Dell EMC PowerScale OneFS Command-Line Interface Guide:

Section on 'isi status' Commands:

Details the usage of isi status -q to retrieve node information.

Usage Example:

# isi status -q

Node | LNN | Health | IP Address | ...

------+-----+--------+-----------------+-----

Node2 | 2 | Good | 192.168.1.102 | ...

Best Practices:

Use the isi status command family for quick status checks.

Combine with other commands for comprehensive monitoring.

When installing Dell EMC PowerScale Gen 6 nodes in a customer-provided rack, it is crucial for the platform engineer to ensure that the rack meets all safety and installation requirements. One of the most critical pre-checks is verifying that the rack has a full earth ground and is properly bolted to the floor.

Key Points:

Full Earth Ground:

Ensures electrical safety by providing a path for fault currents.

Protects equipment and personnel from electrical hazards.

Reduces the risk of electrical interference affecting the equipment.

Properly Bolted to the Floor:

Provides physical stability to prevent the rack from tipping over.

Essential for seismic compliance in areas prone to earthquakes.

Prevents movement due to vibrations from equipment operation or external factors.

Why This is Important:

Safety Compliance:

Adhering to safety standards is mandatory to prevent accidents.

Electrical grounding is a fundamental requirement for data center equipment installations.

Equipment Protection:

Proper grounding and securing the rack protect sensitive equipment from damage.

Minimizes downtime caused by electrical faults or physical disturbances.

Why Other Options Are Less Critical:

Option A (PDUs on Opposite Sides):

While distributing PDUs can aid in power redundancy and cable management, it is not as critical as grounding and securing the rack.

Option B (Rack Leveling):

Leveling the rack is important for equipment alignment but is a standard step during installation rather than a pre-check.

Option D (Minimum of Two PDUs):

Having multiple PDUs provides redundancy but depends on the power requirements and design of the system.

Dell PowerScale Reference:

Dell EMC PowerScale Site Preparation and Planning Guide:

Section on Rack Requirements:

Emphasizes that customer-provided racks must be properly grounded and secured.

States that racks should be bolted to the floor to prevent tipping.

Safety Precautions:

Details the importance of electrical grounding for safety and equipment protection.

Best Practices:

Before Installation:

Verify that the rack complies with all local electrical codes and regulations.

Ensure that a qualified electrician has installed the grounding system.

During Installation:

Check that all grounding connections are secure.

Confirm that the rack is level and stable after bolting it to the floor.

After Installation:

Perform an electrical continuity test to verify proper grounding.

Document the installation for future reference and compliance audits.

The two backend switches that support 100 GbE are:

B . S5232-ON

C . Z9264-ON

Dell EMC Networking S5232-ON:

Features:

A 1U high-density switch with 32 ports of 100 GbE QSFP28.

Supports 10/25/40/50/100 GbE speeds through breakout cables.

Use Cases:

Ideal for high-performance backend networks in PowerScale clusters.

Dell EMC Networking Z9264-ON:

Features:

A 2U switch offering 64 ports of 100 GbE QSFP28.

Provides extensive scalability for large network deployments.

Use Cases:

Suitable for large-scale PowerScale clusters requiring extensive bandwidth.

Why Options A and D Are Incorrect:

A . DCS-7308:

The DCS-7300 series is modular and may support 40/100 GbE, but it's not commonly associated with PowerScale backend networks.

Not a standard recommendation for PowerScale deployments.

D . D4040:

The Dell Networking D4040 is a 40 GbE switch, not supporting 100 GbE natively.

Does not meet the requirement for 100 GbE support.

Dell PowerScale Reference:

Dell EMC PowerScale Network Design Considerations:

Discusses recommended switches for backend networking, including 100 GbE options.

Switch Specification Sheets:

S5232-ON Data Sheet:

Details port configurations and capabilities.

Z9264-ON Data Sheet:

Provides specifications and deployment scenarios.

Dell EMC Best Practices Guide:

Recommends network hardware compatible with PowerScale clusters.

To meet SEC 17a-4(f) requirements, which mandate the preservation of electronic records in a non-erasable, non-rewritable format, Dell EMC PowerScale systems need to be configured in SmartLock Compliance mode. SmartLock is a feature that allows for the creation of tamper-proof storage areas to meet regulatory compliance standards, such as those set by the SEC.

Steps to meet SEC 17a-4(f) compliance:

Reboot into SmartLock Compliance mode: The PowerScale node must be configured to boot into SmartLock Compliance mode, which ensures that the system adheres to the required write-once, read-many (WORM) compliance for data storage.

Activate SmartLock: Once in Compliance mode, the SmartLock feature is activated to enable WORM storage, making the data tamper-proof and compliant with SEC regulations.

Therefore, the correct action is to reboot the system into SmartLock Compliance mode to ensure compliance with SEC 17a-4(f), making C. Reboot into SmartLock Compliance mode the correct answer.