Pure Storage FlashArray-Implementation-Specialist Exam Dumps - Actual Questions Answers

The FlashArray//XL features a robust2+2power supply unit (PSU) redundancy configuration. Unlike the smaller FlashArray//X chassis (3U), which typically utilizes two power supplies in a 1+1 redundancy setup, the FlashArray//XL utilizes a larger 5U chassis designed for higher performance and density, requiring a more substantial power infrastructure.

The //XL chassis is equipped with four physical Power Supply Units. These are configured to operate in an N+2 mode (effectively 2+2), meaning the system requires two PSUs to support the full electrical load of the chassis, while the other two provide redundancy. This architecture allows the array to survive the simultaneous failure or loss of input power to up to two power supplies without any interruption to service.

This design ensures maximum availability even in scenarios where an entire power grid feed (A-side or B-side) fails, or if multiple hardware components malfunction simultaneously. Options A (1+1) applies to the standard //X series, and Option C (3+1) is not a supported configuration for the FlashArray//XL. The 2+2 design is critical for maintaining the "Always-On" reliability standards required for the mission-critical workloads that the //XL platform supports.

Upgrading from a FlashArray//X to a FlashArray//XL involves a significant architectural change, often requiring a data migration or a specific "chassis replacement" workflow known as a Data-in-Place upgrade where the new chassis temporarily acts as an expansion shelf. In this specific procedure, the new FlashArray//XL chassis is not immediately populated with its final drives (DFMDs) before power-on because it first needs to be configured to accept data or join the cluster in a controlled state.

The procedure requires the Implementation Engineer to boot the FlashArray//XL chassis first and configure it intoShelf Mode (SPM). Onlyafterthe chassis is successfully running in this mode—effectively acting as a passive SAS/Ethernet attached shelf to the existing controllers—are the DirectFlash Modules (DFMd) inserted.

Inserting them earlier could cause the array to attempt a full boot sequence or initialize a new array instance, complicating the upgrade logic. By waiting until Shelf Mode is confirmed, the engineer ensures that the modules are recognized correctly as part of the migration target resources, allowing Purity to manage the layout and data redistribution correctly from the source array.

=========

The FlashArray//XL series (such as the XL130R5) utilizes a modern backend connectivity architecture for its expansion shelves, specifically the DirectFlash Shelf (DFS). Unlike older generations that might have used SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) for shelf connectivity, the //XL architecture relies on high-speed Ethernet with RoCE (RDMA over Converged Ethernet) to communicate with external media shelves. This ensures that the NVMe drives in the shelf perform with the same low latency as those in the head unit.

To attach a DirectFlash Shelf to a FlashArray//XL130R5, the chassis must be populated with specific PCIe interface cards designated for shelf back-end connectivity. The correct part for this is theFA-XL-100G Ethernet/RoCE 2-Portcard. This card provides the necessary 100 Gigabit Ethernet bandwidth and RoCE protocol support required for the NVMe-oF (NVMe over Fabrics) backend fabric that Pure Storage uses.

It is crucial to distinguish this from host-facing cards. While an "iSCSI/RoCE" card exists, the shelf connectivity specifically utilizes the "Ethernet/RoCE" designation in the BOM to differentiate backend fabric ports from frontend host ports. The 200G options are generally reserved for host connectivity or inter-array clustering in specific high-performance setups, but the standard validated card for connecting the DFS to the //XL130R5 is the 100G Ethernet/RoCE adapter. Verifying this line item on the BOM prevents onsite delays where the engineer might otherwise find themselves with incompatible ports for the expansion shelves.