Free EMC D-PE-OE-23 Practice Exam with Questions & Answers

Understanding Dell PowerEdge Server Out-of-Band Management

Server Management and Configuration Tools (14%)

Define in-band and OOB management and at-the-box-management

What is Out-of-Band (OOB) Management?

Out-of-band management refers to the ability to manage and monitor a server independently of the operating system or primary network interfaces. Dell PowerEdge servers utilize the Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) for OOB management.

Characteristics of Out-of-Band Management:

Independent Operation:

OOB management operates independently of the server's operating system. It remains functional even if the server is powered off (as long as it is connected to a power source) or the operating system is unresponsive.

Dedicated Network Connection:

OOB management uses a network connection separate from the data network. This is typically achieved via a dedicated management port on the server, ensuring that management traffic does not interfere with data traffic.

Option C reflects this characteristic accurately.

No Need for Operating System Agents:

OOB management does not require any software agents running on the operating system. Management tasks are performed directly through the iDRAC hardware.

Option D is incorrect because OOB management does not require an OS-level agent.

Remote Management Capabilities:

Allows administrators to perform tasks such as monitoring hardware status, configuring settings, updating firmware, and even powering the server on or off remotely.

Explanation of Options:

Option A: Cannot manage a powered off device

Incorrect: OOB management allows for the management of powered-off devices as long as the iDRAC is receiving power.

Option B: Gives firmware update access to all users

Incorrect: Access to firmware updates and other critical functions is controlled via user permissions within iDRAC. Not all users have equal access.

Option C: Network connection separate from data source

Correct: OOB management uses a dedicated network interface, separate from the server's primary data network interfaces.

Option D: Requires an operating system level agent

Incorrect: OOB management is independent of the operating system and does not require any OS-level agents.

Dell Operate References:

Server Management and Configuration Tools (14%)

Define in-band and OOB management and at-the-box-management: Understanding the differences between in-band (requiring OS-level interaction) and out-of-band management is crucial for effective server administration.

Conclusion:

Dell PowerEdge server out-of-band management is characterized by the use of a network connection separate from the data source, allowing for independent and remote management of the server hardware without relying on the operating system.

Interpreting Power Supply LED Indicators on Dell PowerEdge Servers

Server Troubleshooting (32%)

Analyze the visual indicators on server components - system ID, PSU, and BLINK

Understanding PSU LED Blink Patterns

The Power Supply Unit (PSU) on Dell PowerEdge servers uses LED indicators to communicate status information. The color and blinking pattern of the LED signify different conditions:

Solid Green Light

PSU is functioning normally.

Blinking Amber Light

Indicates a warning or fault condition.

Specific Blink Pattern:

Blinking Amber for Two Seconds On, One Second Off

Indicates a Mismatch Voltage Condition.

Explanation of Options

Option A: Faulted state

Explanation: A faulted PSU typically shows a solid amber light, not a blinking pattern.

Conclusion: Incorrect.

Option B: Firmware update

Explanation: During a firmware update, the PSU LED may blink, but usually with a different pattern or color (often green).

Conclusion: Unlikely to cause the specified blink pattern.

Option C: Mismatch voltage

Explanation: The blinking amber pattern of two seconds on and one second off indicates that there is a voltage mismatch between redundant power supplies or an input voltage issue.

Possible Causes:

PSUs of different wattages installed.

PSUs connected to power sources with different voltages.

One PSU not receiving power or connected to an incompatible power source.

Conclusion: Correct Answer.

Dell Operate References

Server Troubleshooting (32%)

Analyze the visual indicators on server components: Understanding PSU LED indicators is essential for diagnosing power-related issues.

System Administration (18%)

Verify health status: Regular monitoring of server components ensures timely identification and resolution of issues.

Conclusion

A blinking amber PSU LED with a pattern of two seconds on and one second off signifies a mismatch voltage condition. This requires checking the power supplies to ensure they are identical and connected to compatible power sources.

Understanding Easy Restore Functionality

Server Troubleshooting (32%)

Explain Easy Restore, diagnostic utilities, and hardware diagnostic options

What is Easy Restore?

Easy Restore is a feature in Dell PowerEdge servers that simplifies the process of restoring system configuration settings after replacing the system board (motherboard).

Purpose:

Reduces downtime by automatically restoring critical configuration settings.

Eliminates the need to manually reconfigure settings after hardware replacement.

Configuration Settings Restored by Easy Restore

BIOS Settings:

Restores all BIOS configurations, including boot order, system settings, and performance options.

iDRAC Settings:

Restores Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) configurations, such as network settings, user accounts, and management preferences.

NIC (Network Interface Card) Settings:

Restores network configurations for onboard NICs, including IP addresses, VLAN settings, and teaming configurations.

Explanation of Options

Option A: "BIOS, iDRAC, and NIC"

Analysis:

Accurately reflects the settings restored by Easy Restore.

BIOS: System configuration and hardware settings.

iDRAC: Remote management settings.

NIC: Network configurations.

Conclusion: Correct Answer.

Option B: "Virtual console, network, and SCP"

Analysis:

Virtual Console: Part of iDRAC features but not a configuration setting restored separately.

SCP (Server Configuration Profile): Used for exporting/importing configurations but not directly restored by Easy Restore.

Conclusion: Inaccurate.

Option C: "iDRAC, BOSS, and partitions"

Analysis:

BOSS (Boot Optimized Storage Solution): A storage controller for boot drives; its settings are not restored by Easy Restore.

Partitions: Disk partitions are not restored by Easy Restore.

Conclusion: Incorrect.

Option D: "Asset tag, passwords, and RAID"

Analysis:

Asset Tag: Restored by Easy Restore.

Passwords: May or may not be restored, depending on security policies.

RAID Configuration: Not restored by Easy Restore; requires separate backup and restoration procedures.

Conclusion: Partially correct but not the best answer.

Dell Operate References

Server Troubleshooting (32%)

Explain Easy Restore, diagnostic utilities, and hardware diagnostic options: Understanding what configurations Easy Restore handles is essential for efficient troubleshooting and system recovery.

Server Components (26%)

Define the different processor, memory options, and memory configurations: Knowing how system configurations are managed and restored.

Conclusion

Easy Restore reinstalls configuration settings for the BIOS, iDRAC, and NIC. This feature ensures that critical system configurations are preserved after replacing the system board, minimizing downtime and administrative effort.

Understanding Granular User Privileges in iDRAC9

System Administration (18%)

Configure BIOS, Storage, virtual media, networking, user access, lockdown mode, and group management

Granular User Privileges in iDRAC9

iDRAC9 provides the ability to assign specific privileges to user accounts, allowing for fine-grained control over what actions users can perform.

Explanation of Options

Option A: Access virtual console

Explanation: Access to the virtual console is a specific privilege that can be granted or denied to individual users in iDRAC9. This allows administrators to control who can remotely access the server's console.

Conclusion: Correct Answer.

Option B: Readonly

Explanation: The Readonly privilege is a role that allows users to view settings without making changes. It is not considered a granular privilege but a predefined user role.

Conclusion: Not as granular as specific privileges.

Option C: Edit logs

Explanation: iDRAC9 does not provide a specific privilege to edit logs, as logs are critical records that should not be altered for security and auditing purposes.

Conclusion: Incorrect.

Option D: Change dashboard view

Explanation: Changing the dashboard view is a user interface preference and not typically a privilege that is controlled or assigned in iDRAC9.

Conclusion: Incorrect.

Dell Operate References

System Administration (18%)

Configure user access: Understanding how to assign and manage user privileges in iDRAC9.

Server Management and Configuration Tools (14%)

Define the function of the iDRAC, login procedures, licensing, and connection methods: Emphasizes the importance of controlling access to management functions.

Conclusion

Access virtual console is a granular user privilege configurable in iDRAC9, allowing administrators to control remote console access on a per-user basis.

Understanding the Last Crash Tool in iDRAC

Server Troubleshooting (32%)

Explain Configuration Validation, crash capture, and minimum to POST

What is the Last Crash Tool in iDRAC?

Last Crash Screen: A feature in iDRAC that captures the last crash screen output from the operating system before a system crash or unexpected reboot.

Purpose: Provides valuable information for diagnosing the cause of a system crash, aiding in troubleshooting efforts.

Operating System Support

The Last Crash Screen feature is dependent on the operating system's ability to output crash information to the VGA console, which iDRAC can then capture.

Explanation of Options

Option A: MS Windows

Explanation: While Windows systems do produce crash screens (Blue Screen of Death), capturing this screen via iDRAC requires specific configurations and may not be fully supported.

Conclusion: Less likely to be the correct answer.

Option B: ESXi

Explanation: VMware ESXi can produce Purple Screen of Death (PSOD), but capturing this via iDRAC's Last Crash Screen feature is not typically supported without additional configuration.

Conclusion: Less likely to be the correct answer.

Option C: SUSE Linux

Explanation: SUSE Linux supports kernel crash dumps and can output crash information to the console, which iDRAC can capture using the Last Crash Screen feature.

Conclusion: Correct Answer.

Option D: Unix

Explanation: "Unix" is a broad term encompassing various operating systems. Without specifying, it's unclear which Unix variant is being referred to, and support may vary.

Conclusion: Less specific; not the best answer.

Dell Operate References

Server Troubleshooting (32%)

Explain Configuration Validation, crash capture, and minimum to POST: Emphasizes the importance of understanding features like the Last Crash Screen for troubleshooting.

System Administration (18%)

Verify health status and iDRAC license: Ensuring that the necessary features are enabled and supported on the operating system in use.

Conclusion

SUSE Linux supports the Last Crash Screen tool in iDRAC, allowing for the capture and analysis of crash information directly from the server's console output.

Dell PowerEdge servers are equipped with various LED indicators on the left control panel to provide immediate visual feedback about the server's status and component health. These indicators help in quickly identifying and troubleshooting issues without needing to access the system logs immediately.

Analyzing the Visual Indicators (Server Troubleshooting - 32%)

As per the "Server Troubleshooting" section, one of the key skills is to "Analyze the visual indicators on server components - system ID, PSU, and BLINK."

Color Codes and Their Meanings

Solid Green Light: Indicates normal operation.

Blinking Green Light: Indicates activity (such as data transfer).

Solid Amber Light: Indicates a fault or error condition.

Blinking Amber Light: Indicates a critical error or failure.

Application to the PCIe Card Indicator

In this scenario, the customer notices that an indicator on the left control panel has turned solid amber. Specifically, this indicator is associated with the PCIe card.

Option A: "PCIe card is present."

Presence is usually indicated by a solid green light, not amber.

Option B: "PCIe card performing a firmware update."

Firmware updates are often indicated by blinking lights but typically not solid amber.

Option C: "PCIe card temperature is normal."

Normal temperature conditions would not trigger an amber light; instead, they would maintain a solid green light.

Option D: "PCIe card experiences an error."

A solid amber light directly correlates with an error condition in the component.

Conclusion

Given the meaning of the solid amber indicator and its association with error conditions in Dell PowerEdge servers, the correct interpretation is that the PCIe card is experiencing an error.

Dell Operate References

Server Components (26%): Understanding server components like PCIe cards is crucial.

Server Troubleshooting (32%): Analyzing visual indicators is a key troubleshooting step.

Analyze the visual indicators on server components: Knowing the significance of LED colors aids in swift problem identification.

To change the Power Supply Unit (PSU) configuration to a 2+0 setup with PSU2 as the primary in the iDRAC interface, follow these steps:

Step-by-Step Guide:

Navigate to Power Management Settings:

In the iDRAC interface, go to the Configuration tab at the top.

Select Power Management from the dropdown options.

Locate the Power Configuration Section:

Within the Power Management settings, look for a section labeled Power Configuration or Power Supply Configuration.

Select the Redundancy Policy:

Change the Redundancy Policy to 2+0. In this configuration, there will be no redundancy, and both power supplies will be active but configured as independent power sources without failover.

Set PSU2 as the Primary PSU:

Locate the option to designate the Primary PSU. Select PSU2 as the primary power source.

This setting ensures that PSU2 will handle the primary power load under normal conditions.

Apply and Save Changes:

Once you have made these changes, click Apply or Save to confirm the new configuration.

The interface may prompt for confirmation, after which the settings will be saved, and PSU2 will become the primary power supply under a 2+0 configuration.

Verify Configuration:

Review the updated settings to confirm that PSU2 is now set as primary and that the redundancy policy is 2+0, meaning only PSU2 is actively providing power without a secondary backup.

By following these steps in the iDRAC simulator, you will set up PSU2 as the primary power source with no redundancy, ensuring a 2+0 configuration. This setup will leverage PSU2 exclusively without automatic failover to another power supply.

To generate and save a SupportAssist collection with system information and debug logs only in the iDRAC UI, follow these steps:

Step-by-Step Guide:

Access SupportAssist in iDRAC:

In the iDRAC interface, navigate to the Maintenance tab in the top menu.

From the dropdown, select SupportAssist. This will bring up the SupportAssist options.

Initiate a Collection:

In the SupportAssist section, look for the option to Create a New Collection or Start a Collection.

Choose Collect System Data or Generate a Collection, depending on the version of iDRAC.

Select Collection Components:

When prompted to select components for the collection, check the boxes for System Information and Debug Logs only.

Ensure no other components are selected to limit the collection to just the required data.

Start the Collection:

Confirm your selection, then click Start or Generate. This will initiate the process to gather the specified data from the system.

Save the Collection Locally:

Once the collection is complete, you should see an option to Download or Save the file.

Click the download link and save the collection file locally on your computer.

Verify the Collection File:

Check the downloaded file to ensure it contains only the system information and debug logs. It should be in a format such as ZIP or TAR, depending on the system configuration.

By following these steps, you can successfully generate a SupportAssist collection with just the system information and debug logs and save it to your local system for further review or support purposes.

To reconfigure the iDRAC network settings with a new IP address, gateway, and DNS servers, follow these steps in the iDRAC interface:

Step-by-Step Guide:

Access iDRAC Network Settings:

Log into the iDRAC interface.

Go to the iDRAC Settings tab in the top menu.

Select Network from the dropdown options. This will open the network configuration page.

Change IP Address and Subnet Mask:

In the Network settings, locate the section for IPv4 Settings.

Set the IP Address to 192.168.0.120.

For the Subnet Mask, since it’s a /24 CIDR, set it to 255.255.255.0.

Configure the Gateway:

In the same section, find the field for Default Gateway.

Enter the Gateway as 192.168.0.1.

Update DNS Server Information:

Scroll down to the DNS Server settings.

Enter DNS Server 1 as 10.10.0.1.

Enter DNS Server 2 as 10.10.0.2.

Apply the Settings:

After entering all the new network information, click on Apply or Save to confirm the changes.

The iDRAC interface may prompt for a restart to apply network changes. Follow any prompts as needed.

Verify the Configuration:

After applying the changes, check that the iDRAC is accessible at the new IP address 192.168.0.120.

Confirm that the gateway and DNS settings are properly configured by testing connectivity or accessing the iDRAC from a device within the same network segment.

By completing these steps, you will have reconfigured the iDRAC network settings for the new network segment, allowing remote management of the Dell PowerEdge server at the edge location.

 Launch the Simulator:

Open the PowerEdge iDRAC simulator to access the user interface and perform the required task.

 Navigate to System Information:

In the top menu bar, select the "Configuration" tab.

From the options that appear, choose "Storage". This section will display details and configurations for the storage controllers installed on the server.

 Check the H965i Storage Controller:

Locate the H965i storage controller in the list. Selecting it should bring up a summary page with various specifications for the controller.

Look for the field labeled "Cache Memory Size". This will provide the cache memory size value for the controller.