Real Pure Storage FlashArray-Implementation-Specialist Exam Questions [Updated 2026]
FlashArray-Implementation-Specialist Exam Dumps Pass with Updated 2026 Pure Storage Certified FlashArray Implementation Specialist
NEW QUESTION # 33
An Implementation Engineer is installing the first DirectFlash Shelf (DFS) on a FlashArray//XR4 controller. Which ports should the Implementation Engineer use for the connection?
- A. ETH 0/1
- B. ETH 18/19
- C. ETH 10/11
Answer: B
Explanation:
The FlashArray//XR4 utilizes onboard 100GbE RoCE (RDMA over Converged Ethernet) ports for connecting to the first loop of DirectFlash Shelves, removing the need for dedicated PCIe add-in cards for the base configuration. The port mapping for these onboard backend ports differs from previous generations.
On the //XR4 controller chassis, the specific Ethernet interfaces designated for the first DirectFlash Shelf loop are typically the high-numbered onboard ports. In this specific exam context and hardware revision, ETH 18 and ETH 19 are identified as the correct primary backend connectivity ports .
Implementation Engineers must connect the QSFP28 cables from the "uplink" ports on the first shelf (IOM0 and IOM1) to ETH18 and ETH19 on the controllers (CT0 and CT1) respectively. Using incorrect ports (like ETH0/1, which are management) would result in the shelf not being detected by the storage fabric.
=========
NEW QUESTION # 34
How many power connections are required for the FlashArray//XL chassis?
- A. 0
- B. 1
- C. 2
Answer: B
Explanation:
The FlashArray//XL is a high-performance, 5U storage system designed for massive scale and throughput. To support its powerful processors and high-density DirectFlash modules, the chassis is equipped with four Power Supply Units (PSUs).
Consequently, the installation requires 4 power connections. Each PSU must be connected to a power source to ensure full redundancy and load sharing. Best practice dictates distributing these four connections across two independent Power Distribution Units (PDUs) (e.g., PSUs 1 & 3 to PDU A, PSUs 2 & 4 to PDU B) to survive the loss of a single power feed or PDU failure without interrupting array operations.
This is a key differentiator from the smaller 3U FlashArray//X models, which typically require only two power connections (one per PSU). Implementation Engineers must ensure that the rack has sufficient outlets (4 for the //XL chassis alone, plus additional outlets for any shelves) before beginning the physical installation.
=========
NEW QUESTION # 35
Which command should the Implementation Engineer run to remove a tunable from the primary controller?
- A. puretune local --unset
- B. puretune remove
- C. pureadm tune --unset
- D. puretune --unset
Answer: D
Explanation:
Within the Purity//FA operating system, specialized system variables, behavioral overrides, and feature flags are managed using "tunables." Tunables are typically set by Pure Storage Support or Implementation Engineers to address specific environmental edge cases, enable beta features, or manage hardware non- disruptive upgrade (HWNDU) states.
Once a maintenance window is complete or a tunable is no longer required, it must be carefully removed to return the array to its default operational state. The correct and officially supported Purity CLI command to remove a tunable is puretune --unset < tunable_name > .
Because FlashArray controllers operate in a highly available, clustered configuration, standard tunables applied to the array are generally mirrored. Executing puretune --unset from the active primary controller will cleanly strip the tunable from the configuration database, applying the change system-wide. Commands like pureadm do not exist in the standard Purity CLI, and puretune remove is incorrect syntax.
NEW QUESTION # 36
What should an Implementation Engineer do when installing rails in a threaded-hole rack?
- A. Install the rails as is
- B. Use the positioning studs
- C. Make an adjustment to the rack
Answer: B
Explanation:
Positioning studs are used to align and secure the rails correctly in a threaded-hole rack, ensuring proper installation and stability of the FlashArray.
NEW QUESTION # 37
The Pure Engagement Request (PER) specifies that iSCSI ports ETH2 and ETH3 should be set to 10 Gb/s.
After configuring the ports and connecting them to the SAN, the Implementation Engineer observes that ETH2
/3 are not negotiating and display 0 b/s. The SAN is operating at 40 Gb/s, with support for up to 100 Gb/s.
What should the Implementation Engineer do to resolve this issue and complete the install?
- A. Restart the Purity operating system to reset the network stack.
- B. Replace the transceivers with the appropriate type.
- C. Force negotiate the switch iSCSI ports to 40 Gb/s.
- D. Force negotiate the array iSCSI ports to 40 Gb/s.
Answer: B
Explanation:
When deploying Ethernet-based storage protocols like iSCSI or NVMe/TCP, establishing a healthy Layer 1 physical connection is the absolute first step. On standard Pure Storage FlashArray controllers (like the //X50 or //X70), the default on-board high-speed ports (ETH2 and ETH3) utilize SFP28 physical cages. These specific ports are hardware-designed to support 10GbE or 25GbE speeds depending on the inserted SFP+ or SFP28 transceiver.
In this scenario, a fundamental physical layer mismatch is occurring. The array ports are attempting to link at
10 Gb/s (using SFP+ optics), but the upstream SAN switch is operating natively at 40 Gb/s (which utilizes a physically larger QSFP+ form factor with four parallel 10G lanes). Auto-negotiation across mismatched optical form factors and lane architectures will almost always fail, resulting in a dead link showing 0 b/s.
An Implementation Engineer cannot magically "force negotiate" a 10G/25G SFP28 port on the array to run at
40G because the physical hardware simply does not support that bandwidth or encoding. Attempting to force the switch side (Option C) will also fail if the physical media doesn't match. The only correct, supported resolution is a hardware intervention: the engineer must replace the transceivers with the appropriate type
. Typically, this involves using a QSFP-to-SFP adapter (QSA) on the switch side, or utilizing a specialized
40G-to-4x10G breakout cable to ensure both ends of the fiber are communicating using the exact same light wavelengths, lane counts, and physical port speeds.
NEW QUESTION # 38
When performing an install on a FlashArray, what step should be taken first?
- A. Code upgrade
- B. CT0 configuration
- C. CT1 configuration
Answer: B
Explanation:
When performing a standard installation on a FlashArray, the first logical configuration step is the CT0 configuration (typically via the puresetup utility on the primary controller).
Workflow: After the physical rack-and-stack, cabling, and power-on, the Implementation Engineer must establish a management connection to the array. This is done by connecting to the serial console or the default IP of Controller 0 (CT0).
Initialization: The puresetup process on CT0 initializes the system, sets the management IP addresses (VIP, CT0, CT1), and configures the gateway/DNS. This step effectively "builds" the array cluster.
Why not C? While ensuring the array is on the target code version is critical, a "Code Upgrade" is typically performed after the array is initialized and network-accessible (or via the Pure1 SSU workflow). The only exception is a manual USB re-image for a factory reset, but the standard installation procedure defines Configuration/Initialization as the primary step to bring the system online. Configuration of CT1 (Option B) happens automatically as part of the cluster creation initiated from CT0.
NEW QUESTION # 39
What is the redundancy of the FlashArray//XL PSUs?
- A. 2+2
- B. 1+1
- C. 3+1
Answer: A
Explanation:
The FlashArray//XL features a robust 2+2 power 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.
NEW QUESTION # 40
What are the interface names for a 4-port FC card in slot 1 in an XR2/3 array?
- A. FC0, FC1, FC2, and FC3
- B. FC4, FC5, FC6, and FC7
- C. FC5, FC6, FC7, and FC8
Answer: B
Explanation:
On a FlashArray//XR2 or //XR3 equipped with a 4-port Fibre Channel card in Slot 1, the interfaces are named FC4, FC5, FC6, and FC7.
The port enumeration logic on FlashArray controllers follows a sequential order based on the PCIe slot number:
Slot 0: This is the first PCIe slot. If a 4-port card is installed here (which is typical for the primary host I/O card), it claims the first block of names: FC0, FC1, FC2, and FC3.
Slot 1: This is the second PCIe slot. A 4-port card installed here continues the sequence immediately after Slot 0. Therefore, it claims FC4, FC5, FC6, and FC7.
Slot 2: Any card here would start at FC8 (if the previous slots are 4-port).
Option A describes the mapping for Slot 0. Option C describes a non-standard mapping that skips integers or assumes a different starting point. Correctly identifying these interface names is crucial for zoning (SAN configuration) and creating the correct host port definitions during the implementation.
NEW QUESTION # 41
When installing the first DirectFlash Shelf on a FlashArray//XR2/3, what mezzanine ports are used on the controllers?
- A. ETH6 and ETH8
- B. ETH7 and ETH9
- C. ETH6 and ETH9
Answer: C
Explanation:
When installing the first DirectFlash Shelf on a FlashArray//XR2/3, mezzanine ports ETH6 and ETH9 on the controllers are used for connectivity.
NEW QUESTION # 42
For FlashArray//XL, which 2 PCIe slots should be used for DFS connectivity?
- A. 0 and 4
- B. 1 and 7
- C. 0 and 6
Answer: C
Explanation:
On FlashArray//XL, PCIe slots 0 and 6 are designated for DirectFlash Shelf (DFS) connectivity to optimize data throughput and redundancy.
NEW QUESTION # 43
During an NDU, when is the Implementation Engineer required to install additional NVRAM modules in slots 2 and 3?
- A. Upgrading a FlashArray//X50R3 to a FlashArray//X50R4
- B. Upgrading a FlashArray//X50R3 to a FlashArray//X70R4
- C. Upgrading a FlashArray//X70R4 to a FlashArray//X90R4
Answer: B
Explanation:
FlashArray models differ in their NVRAM requirements based on their performance tier and throughput capabilities. Lower and mid-range models (like the //X10, //X20, and //X50) typically operate with two NVRAM modules installed in slots 0 and 1. However, high-performance models (like the //X70 and //X90) require double the NVRAM buffer to handle the increased write I/O bandwidth, necessitating four NVRAM modules (populating slots 0, 1, 2, and 3).
When performing a Data-in-Place Upgrade (NDU) from a FlashArray//X50R3 to a FlashArray//X70R4, the chassis remains (or is upgraded in a way that preserves data), but the new controller configuration shifts from a "2-NVRAM" requirement to a "4-NVRAM" requirement. Therefore, as part of the physical upgrade procedure, the Implementation Engineer must install two additional NVRAM modules into slots 2 and 3 of the chassis to support the new //X70 controllers.
If these modules are not added, the new //X70 controllers will detect an "insufficient hardware" condition and fail to boot or initialize the Purity software properly. This step is unique to upgrades crossing the boundary between mid-range and high-end models.
=========
NEW QUESTION # 44
After completing planned maintenance, what command should the Implementation Engineer run to verify connectivity to Pure services?
- A. purearray list --connect
- B. puresupport test
- C. purenetwork test
- D. purearray test
Answer: D
Explanation:
Following any planned maintenance event-such as a software upgrade, controller replacement, or network reconfiguration-it is a mandatory implementation step to verify that the FlashArray has successfully restored its secure outbound management connectivity to Pure Storage cloud services (Pure1).
To execute this validation on a FlashArray, the Implementation Engineer must use the purearray test command suite. Specifically, running a command like purearray test phonehome or purearray test with diagnostic flags forces the array's Callhome Connection Manager (CCM) to immediately generate and transmit a heartbeat payload to the Pure1 cloud infrastructure. If the network routing, DNS, and firewall rules are functioning correctly post-maintenance, the CLI will return a success message confirming that the payload was received by Pure Storage.
Note for clarity: While puresupport test (Option C) is a valid command within the Pure Storage ecosystem, it is strictly used on the FlashBlade (Purity//FB) operating system, not on block-optimized FlashArrays (Purity
//FA).
NEW QUESTION # 45
After an Implementation Engineer installs a new FlashArray and runs health checks, they see that Phonehome and Remote Assist are NOT working correctly.
Which outbound port needs to be open for all management ports (physical and virtual)?
- A. 0
- B. 1
- C. 2
Answer: B
Explanation:
Port 443 (HTTPS) must be open on all management ports to enable secure outbound connections for Phonehome and Remote Assist functionality.
NEW QUESTION # 46
An Implementation Engineer needs to run the puresetup replace procedure on the FlashArray//X during a controller upgrade.
Which command should the Implementation Engineer run on the new controller to determine its model?
- A. purearray list --controller
- B. hwconfig --all
- C. hwconfig --model
Answer: C
Explanation:
The command hwconfig --model returns the model information of the controller, which is essential before running the puresetup replace procedure.
NEW QUESTION # 47
What is the the minimum supported capacity requirement for a FlashArray//XL170R5?
- A. 90TB
- B. 115TB
- C. 135TB
Answer: B
Explanation:
The FlashArray//XL170R5 is a high-performance, high-capacity enterprise storage system. To maintain its performance characteristics and data layout efficiency, Pure Storage enforces a minimum raw capacity requirement for new orders and installations.
For the //XL170R5 model, the minimum supported configuration is 115TB of raw flash. This is typically achieved through a specific population of DirectFlash Modules (e.g., twenty 5.5TB modules or a similar combination that meets the threshold).
Implementation Engineers must verify during the pre-installation site readiness review that the hardware delivered matches this minimum. Attempting to initialize an //XL170 with significantly less capacity (e.g., 90TB) would be an unsupported configuration, potentially leading to performance degradation or an inability to initialize the wide write groups required by the //XL architecture.
=========
NEW QUESTION # 48
On a FlashArray//X50 R2/R3 Fibre Channel (FC) array, what is the default type and placement of the PCIe FC card?
- A. 2-port in slot 0
- B. 4-port in slot 0
- C. 2-port in slot 2
Answer: B
Explanation:
For the FlashArray//X50 R2 and R3 models, the default Fibre Channel (FC) configuration utilizes a 4-port PCIe Fibre Channel card installed in Slot 0 .
The hardware architecture of the FlashArray//X series differentiates slot usage based on the model controller chassis.
* FlashArray//X10 and //X20: These lower-end models utilize Slot 2 for host connectivity (Fibre Channel or iSCSI) because Slots 0 and 1 are typically reserved or occupied by onboard controllers
/mezzanine cards. The standard card for these models is often a 2-port card.
* FlashArray//X50, //X70, and //X90: These mid-to-high-range models feature a different PCIe bus layout. Slot 0 is the primary designated slot for Host I/O connectivity. To support the higher performance capabilities and port density requirements of the X50, Pure Storage defaults to 4-port FC cards (typically 16Gb or 32Gb).
Therefore, identifying the model number is crucial. Since the question specifies the X50 (R2/R3), the correct placement is Slot 0, and the correct card type is the 4-port model. Option A is incorrect because the 2-port card is not the standard default for the performance-tier X50. Option B describes the configuration for an X20, not an X50.
NEW QUESTION # 49
Which default speed FC SFPs are shipped in FlashArray//XCR4 FC arrays?
- A. 0
- B. 1
- C. 2
Answer: A
Explanation:
FlashArray//X R4 (and the associated //C R4) models, introduced with the PCIe Gen 4 architecture, feature support for 64Gb Fibre Channel (FC) connectivity. The default Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapters (HBAs) and the accompanying SFPs shipped with this generation are 64Gb capable, marking a significant performance leap from the 32Gb standard of the R3 generation.
While the HBAs are backward compatible with 32Gb and 16Gb SAN infrastructures, the R4 platform is explicitly marketed and technically defined by its ability to drive 64Gb line speeds to match the increased throughput of the backend PCIe Gen 4 bus and DirectFlash Modules. For an Implementation Engineer verifying the bill of materials or configuring the switch ports, it is critical to know that the R4 optics are native 64Gb. If the customer's switch infrastructure is only 16Gb or 32Gb, the ports will auto-negotiate down, but the shipped default hardware is the 64Gb standard (Option C). Option A (16Gb) and Option B (32Gb) refer to the default standards for the older //M and //X R2/R3 generations respectively.
NEW QUESTION # 50
An Implementation Engineer is performing an inventory for an NDU from a FlashArray//X70R2 to a FlashArray//X70R4 and discovers that a complete FlashArray//X70R4 was shipped instead of an NDU kit.
What is the minimum hardware the Implementation Engineer should use from the new array to complete the NDU?
- A. Controllers, NVRAM, and chassis midplane
- B. Controllers and NVRAM
- C. Controllers and power supplies
- D. Controllers
Answer: C
Explanation:
When performing a hardware non-disruptive upgrade (NDU) from a FlashArray//X70 R2 to a FlashArray
//X70 R4, the Implementation Engineer must understand which components govern the compute upgrade and which house the actual customer data and state. A standard NDU kit for this specific inter-generational upgrade strictly includes the new //XR4 controllers and updated Power Supply Units (PSUs).
The //XR4 controllers utilize significantly more powerful Intel processors and PCIe Gen4 architecture compared to the older //XR2 models. Consequently, they draw considerably more power, necessitating a mandatory upgrade from the older //XR2 PSUs to the higher-wattage units included with the //XR4.
However, the existing NVRAM modules, chassis midplane, and DirectFlash Modules (capacity drives) currently serving data must absolutely remain in place. The legacy NVRAM holds the active, unwritten write cache for the array. If an engineer mistakenly uses the entire shipped //XR4 array (swapping NVRAM modules or migrating drives prematurely without a swing shelf procedure), they risk severe data corruption and an unrecoverable cache loss event. Thus, to safely complete the NDU while preserving data, only the controllers and the power supplies should be harvested from the newly shipped chassis.
NEW QUESTION # 51
......
Pure Storage FlashArray-Implementation-Specialist Exam Syllabus Topics:
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Topic 1 |
|
| Topic 2 |
|
| Topic 3 |
|
| Topic 4 |
|
FlashArray-Implementation-Specialist Exam Dumps, FlashArray-Implementation-Specialist Practice Test Questions: https://www.testpassking.com/FlashArray-Implementation-Specialist-exam-testking-pass.html
Free FlashArray-Implementation-Specialist Exam Dumps to Pass Exam Easily: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1pFu3t81jECP693pU3gc9G6k3rafBXg-H