Pure Storage Updated FlashArray-Implementation-Specialist Exam Questions and Answers by ashley

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.

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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The puresupport command suite is used to manage and verify the connectivity between the FlashArray and Pure Storage Support (Pure1). Specifically, to test theRemote Assistfunctionality—which allows Pure Support to securely log in to the array for troubleshooting—the correct command is puresupport test.

While phonehome is a related concept (sending logs out), Remote Assist is a distinct inbound tunnel feature. purearray test pinghome is often confused with phonehome but is an older or specific test for the log sender. The puresupport test command runs a comprehensive check of the support channel connectivity, including the ability to establish the Remote Assist tunnel. If this test passes, the Implementation Engineer can be confident that Support can access the array if needed during or after the deployment.

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TheFibre Channel (FC)I/O card type is the only option listed that is universally compatible and supported acrossallFlashArray models, from the entry-level //X10 and //X20 up to the high-end //X90 and //XL.

Fibre Channel:Pure Storage architectures rely heavily on Fibre Channel as the primary enterprise storage protocol. All chassis generations and controller sizes feature PCIe risers compatible with Pure's standard 16Gb or 32Gb Fibre Channel HBAs.

Ethernet/iSCSI:While all arrays support iSCSI, the physicalcard typevaries.

10GBase-T:This refers to "copper" Ethernet (RJ45). This card type isnotsupported on all models. High-end FlashArrays (like the //X70, //X90, and //XL) typically utilize SFP+ or QSFP28 cages for optical connectivity (10/25GbE or 40/100GbE) and do not standardly support 10GBase-T copper cards due to power and latency characteristics.

Therefore, while theprotocol(iSCSI) is supported everywhere, the specific physicalcard(10GBase-T) is not. Fibre Channel cards remain the consistent hardware constant across the entire product line.