My NS0-504 NCIE-SAN Cluster Mode Study Notes

I need to renew my NCIE-SAN Cluster Mode NS0-504 this year, so I figure NetApp Insight 2014 is the place to do it. Why? Because it’s free Yo! One Free Cert Exam for Insight conference pass holders.

Much of this I already know, but to err on the side of caution, and not be too overconfident, I will be stepping through as many of the Study Guide lists as possible. Doing some hands on examples. Props to Vidad Consonok and his NS0-502 7-Mode Study Notes, gave me the idea to do this.

What is my other secret trick to studying and passing so many certifications a year? Typing junk out. What junk? Everything.  Between now and Insight, I will have hand typed every Cluster Mode document, and many of the best practice docs out. Some of them I’ll type out twice.  Why? Muscle memory and visualization.  Repetition is the best way to learn anything. Even if it’s insanely tedious.  For my CCNP Datacenter, I ended up typing thousands of pages of documents and blog posts. It guarantees I won’t accidentally skip over anything.  It keeps my brain active while I am reading.

The current NCIE-SAN Cluster Mode as of 10/2014 covers 8.1.1! Keep this in mind!

At Insight, 8.3 will be discussed, maybe announced, in a greater capacity, and most of my cDot customers are already running 8.2R3/8.2.1/8.2.2.   This is me having to forget some of what I have learned in the past year on the new versions, and memorize antiquated limits and features.  Here goes!

Handy Documents to cover.

(Some of these may move to subsections as I complete them)

• Netapp Commonly Used Definitions (A post here on jk-47.com)
• Netapp RDB Replicated Database  information <– CRITICAL. READ IT!!! Know it!!!
• Sample Troubleshooting: RDB Out of Quorum
• NetApp A-Z Documentation
• Netapp Clustered Ontap 8.1.1 Specific Documentation
• Completing the Cluster Setup Worksheet
• Clustered OnTap Admin Crib Sheet
• Networking and Interconnect switch information
• 8.1 Upgrade and Revert Guide for Cluster Mode
• 8.1.4 Release Notes (Includes changesr from 8.1.1 -> 8.1.4)
• Cluster Mode Ontap Express Guides (Read them all!)
• SnapMirror Intercluster configuration Express Guide
• SnapMirror Intercluster Failover and Resync Guide
• Storage Platform Mixing Rules
• An older (8.1) copy of TR-3982 – Clustered Data Ontap – An Introduction
• Flashpool design and implementation guide

 Handy Tech Notes/Blog Posts to read

• TechOntap: Clustered Ontap Unified Connect
• How to Enable SNMPv3 In Cluster Mode
• Cluster Mode Networking Deep Dive
• Clustered Ontap CN1610 Interconnect Switches setup

Other Important Netapp Sites

• NetApp Parts Finder
• Netapp Hardware Universe
• Netapp MyAutoSupport
• Interoperability Matrix Tool (IMT) Our projects live and die by whats in the matrix.  Friends don’t let friends need PVRs
• Netapp Sizers / System Performance Modeler (SPM)

Cisco / Netapp Flexpod Design Guides

These are your single greatest resources in start to finish setup and deployment of NetApp w/ VMware I have found. Not all fit all customers, but if you are coming primarily from a 7-Mode world, these bluntly show you exactly every step, every diagram you need. Even if you are a day to day cDot admin but never deployed yourself. These are also great if you don’t have a Nexus or high end switch to test configurations, you can see every command.

• Flexpod Data Center with vSphere 5.1, Cluster Mode
• FlexPod Data Center with VMware vSphere 5.1 and Nexus 7000 using FCoE
• FlexPod Datacenter with Citrix XenDesktop 7.1 and Citrix XenServer 6.2

Recommended software

• Netapp Ontap Simulator (Setup at least a 2 node cluster)
• OnCommand System Manager
• Config Advisor (Formerly Wire Gauge)
• GUI for Netapp Support Tools (Easily run perfstat and nSANity)
• Netapp Synergy (Partner/Employee Only modeling and design app)
• VMware Fusion (Mac) or Workstation/Player (Windows/Linux)
• Terminal / SSH Client: iTerm2 (Mac) or Putty / PuttyManager (Windows)

Quick Links to Cluster Mode 8.x Features

• Infinite Volumes (TR-4037)
• Global Namespaces

Study Guide Sections

1. SCALABLESAN SOLUTION ASSESSMENT

Click Here to goto: My NS0-504 Study Notes – 1 SCALABLE SAN SOLUTION ASSESSMENT

Click section number to go directly to the specific section.

1.1 Ensure that all prerequisites for the installation of NetApp system and switches (if needed) are met and that the required information to configure NetApp systems is collected.
1.1.1 Collect NetApp storage system configuration information.
1.1.2 Collect Switch configuration information.
1.1.3 Gather power information such as circuit availability, wiring in place, etc…
1.1.4 Collect Host configuration information.
1.1.5 Collect Application configuration and requirements.
1.1.6 Collect potential DEDUPE information.
1.1.7 Collect backup and retention information.
1.2 List a detailed inventory of SAN components including:
1.2.1 NetApp storage system configuration details
1.2.2 Host details
1.2.3 FC switch details
1.2.4 Ethernet switch details
1.2.5 Current zoning configuration
1.2.6 Current iSCSI implementation details
1.2.7 CHAP settings
1.2.8 IPSEC configuration details
1.2.9 Snapshot configuration details
1.2.10 Current data layout (aggregates, raid groups, volumes)
1.2.11 Consider listing out system names, IP addresses, current zoning configuration, OS
versions, OS patch levels, driver versions and firmware versions
1.3 Ensure that the solution design and the hardware provisioned do not fall short of the customer’s requirements and expectations.
1.3.1 Validate requirements with the customer. Consider the following:
1.3.1.1 Sizing needs
1.3.1.2 Connectivity needs
1.3.1.3 Zoning types
1.3.1.4 Expected level of functionality
1.3.1.5 Performance requirements
1.3.1.6 Solution requirements being provided by a thirdparty

2. SCALABLE SAN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN CREATION

Click here to goto: My NS0-504 Study Notes – 2 SCALABLE SAN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN CREATION

2.1 Verify and plan for dual power feeds for all components.
2.2 Be able to create cabinet diagrams or be able to read and interpret a cabinet diagram. Diagrams
should include the cabinet’s storage systems and switches with all connections shown.
2.3 Create a connectivity diagram. Be able to read and interpret a connectivity diagram.
2.4 Plan storage controller configuration.
2.5 Plan host configuration.
2.6 Create a Snapshot plan.
2.7 Plan Ethernet switch configuration.
2.8 Plan zoning configuration.
2.9 Plan iSCSI configuration.

3 SCALABLE SAN IMPLEMENTATION AND CONFIGURATION TASKS

Click Here to goto: My NS0-504 Study Notes – 3 SCALABLE SAN IMPLEMENTATION AND CONFIGURATION TASKS

Click section number to go directly to the specific section.

3.1 Prepare site for installation.
3.1.1 Be able to review implementation flowchart with customer and assign task areas.
3.1.2 Verify site infrastructure including: dual power, floor space, floor loading plan, HVAC.
3.1.3 Validate equipment move path to installation location.
3.1.4 Validate logistics plan for staging and installation of equipment.
3.1.5 Verify Ethernet cabling plan and availability of cable supports.
3.1.6 Verify fiber cabling plan and availability of cable supports.
3.2 Following the rack diagram, install systems and FC switches.
3.3 Storage System Configuration Tasks.
3.3.1 Data ONTAP 8.1.1 Cluster-Mode Setup Tasks
3.3.2 Storage Provisioning and Vserver Setup Tasks
3.3.3 FC, FCoE, and iSCSI Connectivity Tasks
3.3.4 LUN Connectivity Tasks
3.3.5 Configure FC and Ethernet switches
3.3.6 Host Configuration Tasks
3.3.7 Virtualized Environment/Platforms: SAN Best Practices.
3.3.8 FCoE and Unified Connect Enabling Technologies
3.3.9 FCoE and Unified Connect Hardware
3.3.10 FCoE and Unified Connect Configuration

SCALABLE SAN IMPLEMENTATION TESTING AND TROUBLESHOOTING

Click here to goto: My NS0-504 Study Notes – 4 SCALABLE SAN IMPLEMENTATION TESTING AND TROUBLESHOOTING

4.1 Be able to create an acceptance test plan.
4.2 Test host to storage connectivity
4.3 Test LUN availability during failover scenarios (multipathing).
4.4 Test controller failover scenarios (multipath HA).

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