Dell D-PSC-MN-01 Exam Questions
Dell PowerScale Maintenance Version 2 (Page 3 )

Updated On: 21-Feb-2026

A platform engineer must replace a failed chassis on a Dell PowerScale Gen6 cluster.
What must the engineer do after powering off the nodes?

  1. Remove the drive sleds, label them for identification, and place the drive sleds In the newly installed chassis.
  2. Remove the drive sleds and motherboard and transfer them to the new chassis.
  3. Remove the drives and compute modules and reimage each drive before installing them in the chassis.
  4. Remove the drives, install the chassis, and place the drives in the new chassis.

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

When replacing a failed chassis in a Dell PowerScale Gen6 cluster, it's critical to preserve the data and configuration by maintaining the exact placement of the drive sleds. After powering off the nodes, the engineer should:
Remove Drive Sleds:

Carefully remove each drive sled from the failed chassis.
Label for Identification:
Label each drive sled with its corresponding slot number or unique identifier.
Install New Chassis:
Mount the new chassis in the rack where the failed one was located.
Reinstall Drive Sleds:
Insert the labeled drive sleds into the same slots in the new chassis.
Power On Nodes:
Power on the nodes and verify that they boot correctly and rejoin the cluster. This procedure ensures that the drives remain in their original configuration, preserving data integrity and cluster settings. There's no need to transfer motherboards or reimage drives, as these actions could disrupt cluster operations and lead to data loss.


Reference:

Dell PowerScale Hardware Replacement Guide ­ Chassis Replacement Procedures Dell PowerScale OneFS Administration Guide ­ Best Practices for Hardware Maintenance Dell Knowledge Base Article ­ Preserving Drive Order During Chassis Replacement



Dell Technical Support has requested a part be sent back to Dell Logistics to be studied.
Which process or document musi be completed before sending the part back?

  1. WWFA
  2. DTFA
  3. DMR
  4. CDMR

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

When Dell Technical Support requests a part to be sent back for analysis, a Defective Material Return (DMR) process must be completed. The DMR process involves several key steps:
Receive DMR Authorization:
Dell Technical Support provides a DMR number and return instructions.
Complete Required Documentation:
Fill out any forms detailing the part's serial number, failure symptoms, and troubleshooting steps taken.
Prepare the Part for Shipment:
Properly package the defective part using anti-static materials and cushioning to prevent further damage.
Include DMR Documentation:
Attach the DMR paperwork with the shipment to ensure correct processing.
Ship the Part:
Send the package to the designated Dell Logistics center. Completing the DMR process allows Dell to study the defective part, which can lead to product improvements and enhanced support services.


Reference:

Dell PowerScale Field Replacement Unit (FRU) Procedures ­ DMR Process
Dell Logistics Return Guidelines ­ Shipping and Documentation Requirements Dell Technical Support Policies ­ Defective Material Return Instructions



What must be enabled in SMB to ensure nondisruptive upgrades?

  1. SMB multichannel
  2. SMB encryption
  3. SMB direct
  4. SMB continuous availability

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

To ensure nondisruptive upgrades in an SMB environment, SMB Continuous Availability (CA) must be enabled. SMB CA allows file shares to remain accessible without interruption during planned maintenance or unexpected node failures.
Key features of SMB Continuous Availability:
Transparent Failover:
Client sessions persist seamlessly when the SMB service fails over to another node.
State Preservation:
Open files, locks, and session states are maintained during the failover.
High Availability:
Enhances the cluster's ability to provide uninterrupted service.
Steps to enable SMB Continuous Availability:
Verify OneFS Version:
Ensure the cluster is running OneFS version that supports SMB 3.0 or higher.
Enable SMB CA on the Cluster:
Use the OneFS WebUI or CLI to enable Continuous Availability for SMB shares.
Configure SMB Shares:
Set the "Continuous Availability" option on the specific SMB shares that require it.
Client Requirements:
Clients must be running Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 (or later) to support SMB CA. By enabling SMB Continuous Availability, upgrades and maintenance can be performed without disrupting client access to file shares.


Reference:

Dell PowerScale OneFS SMB Administration Guide ­ Configuring SMB Continuous Availability Dell PowerScale OneFS Upgrade Planning Guide ­ Ensuring Nondisruptive Upgrades Microsoft SMB Protocol Documentation ­ SMB 3.0 Features



Windows clients cannot connect using the fully qualified domain name when testing the connectivity of a newly created cluster.
What connection test identifies the problem?

  1. DNS
  2. NFS Mount
  3. Mapping a Windows drive
  4. WebUI using IP address

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

When Windows clients cannot connect to a newly created cluster using the fully qualified domain name (FQDN), but can connect using the IP address, it indicates a DNS resolution issue. Conducting a DNS connection test can help identify and resolve the problem.
Steps to test and troubleshoot DNS:
Verify DNS Configuration on the Cluster:
Ensure that the cluster's FQDN is correctly configured in the OneFS settings.
Check DNS Records:
Use the nslookup or dig command from a client machine to verify that the FQDN resolves to the correct IP address.
Example:

nslookup cluster.example.com
Inspect Client DNS Settings:
Confirm that the clients are using the correct DNS servers.
Update DNS Entries if Necessary:
If the FQDN does not resolve correctly, update the DNS zone files or entries on the DNS server.
Flush DNS Cache:
On the client machine, flush the DNS cache to remove outdated entries.

ipconfig /flushdns
Test Connectivity Again:
Attempt to reconnect using the FQDN to verify that the issue is resolved. By identifying that DNS is the root cause, appropriate steps can be taken to correct the DNS entries, ensuring clients can connect to the cluster using the FQDN.


Reference:

Dell PowerScale Networking Guide ­ DNS Configuration and Best Practices Dell PowerScale OneFS Administration Guide ­ Managing Network and DNS Settings Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues ­ Dell Knowledge Base Article



An engineer runs ini_reformat_node command.
What are they attempting to do?

  1. Reformat the mirrored FEC data.
  2. Reformat a node quickly to repurpose a node.
  3. Reformat the mirrored journals.
  4. Reformat a node to securely erase all data.

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

The isi_reformat_node command is a utility used on Dell PowerScale (Isilon) clusters to reformat a node and securely erase all data on it. This command initializes the node's storage media, effectively wiping all user data, metadata, and system configurations from the node's drives.
Purpose of isi_reformat_node:
Secure Data Erasure: It ensures that all data is securely erased, which is essential when decommissioning a node or repurposing it for a different use. Node Recovery or Repurposing: It prepares the node for re-integration into the cluster or for use in a different cluster by resetting it to a factory-like state.
Usage Scenarios:
Decommissioning a Node: When permanently removing a node from a cluster and ensuring no residual data remains.
Repurposing Hardware: When reassigning the node to a different cluster or role and needing to eliminate all previous configurations and data.
Recovering from Corruption: In cases where the node's data is irreparably corrupted, reformatting allows for a clean start.
Key Points:
Data Loss Warning: Running isi_reformat_node will result in complete data loss on that node. It's crucial to ensure that the data is backed up or that the node's data is no longer needed. Cluster Impact: Before reformatting, the node should be appropriately prepared, and the cluster should be informed to avoid any data protection issues. Secure Erasure Standards: The command follows secure erasure standards to prevent data recovery through forensic methods.


Reference:

Dell PowerScale OneFS CLI Administration Guide ­ Details on using isi_reformat_node and its implications.
Dell PowerScale OneFS Administration Guide ­ Procedures for safely removing and reformatting nodes.
Dell Knowledge Base Article ­ Best practices for decommissioning and reformatting nodes in a PowerScale cluster.






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