Data Center Operations: Key Concepts and Procedures
Frequently Asked Questions
FAS (Frontend Aggregate Switch)
What does FAS stand for?
d. Frontend Aggregate Switch
Are FAS switches an aggregation point for multiple BCS Switches?
True. FAS switches serve as an aggregation point for multiple BCS Switches.
Network Connectivity and Redundancy
Do Dual Path customer racks offer redundant private and public network connections?
True. Dual Path customer racks provide redundant private and public network connections.
Which switch does BMS connect to for IPMI access on the private network?
c. BCS. MGMT0 – BMS connects to the BCS to provide access to IPMI on the private network.
If an entire aggregate rack goes offline on a customer row with 200 active servers, how many servers lose network connectivity?
a. 200. If an aggregate rack goes offline, all servers on that row lose network connectivity.
Customer Owned Devices (COD) and Virtual Servers
On which racks are Customer Owned Devices (COD) installed?
d. COD
Are VSIs (Virtual Servers) hosted on a bare metal server running a hypervisor, located on a standard rack?
False.
Storage and Provisioning
Which provisioning step attempts to create Storage Groups in the Hardware Object?
b. Provision Setup.
RAID Configurations
What is RAID 0, and what is its associated risk?
RAID 0 is a stripe set that distributes data across multiple disks, enhancing performance. However, if one disk fails, all data is lost.
How many drives are required for RAID 1?
RAID 1 requires two drives.
Data Center Infrastructure and Procedures
What is the next course of action if a CRAC/CRAH unit has an audible alert?
a. Contact your Shift Lead, Site Manager, and Facilities immediately.
What does POD stand for?
a. Point of Delivery
What is the purpose of the Manual Drive Configuration (MDC) step?
The MDC step ensures all drives are ready for customer use. For Windows, it involves verifying drive mounting. For Linux, it includes locating, partitioning, formatting, and mounting drives. Note that if an array is performing a Build/Verify, it is not ready for use until it becomes optimal.
How do I connect to a customer server using Remote Desktop Connection?
Please refer to the documentation on page 5 for instructions.
What should I do if I notice an audible alert from a CRAC/CRAH unit during my daily walkthrough?
Please refer to the documentation on page 49 for the appropriate course of action.