IBM Cloud Data Center Operations: A Comprehensive Guide
IBM Cloud Data Center Operations
Server Chassis Indicators
What does the blue LED light on the front of a server chassis indicate?
- a. Failing Drive
- b. Server is running cold
- c. Failing PSU
- d. Universal Identifier is on
The blue LED light on the front of a server chassis typically indicates that the server is running cold.
Network Acronyms
PPR
What does PPR stand for?
- a. POD Protection Routers
- b. POD to POD Routers
- C. POD to Public Routers
- d. Private Production Routers
The acronym “PPR” stands for “POD to POD Routers.“
FAS
FAS stands for which of the following?
- a. Frontend Access Service
- b. Fiber Access System
- c. Frontend Access Server
- d. Frontend Aggregate Switch
The acronym FAS stands for “Frontend Aggregate Switch.”
FAS Switch Aggregation
FAS switches are an aggregation point for multiple BCS Switches. True or False?
False. The FAS switches are not an aggregation point for multiple BCS switches. Instead, the FAS or BAS pair passes traffic to the appropriate customer switch pair on the appropriate rack within the row.
Dual Path Customer Racks
Dual Path customer racks offer redundant private and public network connections. True or False?
True. Dual Path customer racks do indeed offer redundant private and public network connections, providing greater resiliency for customer servers.
Customer Owned Devices (COD)
Customer Owned Devices (COD) are installed on which of the following racks?
- a. DTS
- b. Internal
- c. VDC
- d. cop
Customer Owned Devices (COD) are installed on the VDC (Virtual Data Center) within an IBM Cloud data center.
Virtual Server Instances (VSI)
VSI’s are virtual servers that are hosted on a bare metal server running a hypervisor, located on a standard dual path rack. True or False?
False. Virtual Server Instances (VSI) are hosted on a hypervisor, which in turn runs on a bare metal server. They are not located on a standard dual path rack.
Provisioning Steps
Which of the following provisioning steps attempts to create the Storage Groups in the Hardware Object?
- a. Assign Server
- b. Provision Setup
- c. Install OS
- d. PE loading
The step that attempts to create the Storage Groups in the Hardware Object is “Provision Setup.”
CRAC/CRAH Unit Alerts
One of the CRAC/CRAH units has an audible alert. What is the next course of action that should be taken?
- a. Contact your Shift Lead, Site manager and Facilities immediately
- b. Contact NRE immediately so they can create a CIE
- c. Notify DC chat via slack
- d. Note it in the walkthrough report and hope that it will be okay
The next course of action that should be taken is to contact your Shift Lead, Site manager, and Facilities immediately to address the audible alert from the CRAC/CRAH unit.
Point of Delivery (POD)
POD stands for which of the following?
- a. Point of Delivery
- b. Point of Demarcation
- c. Point of Development
- d. Point of Demonstration
The acronym “POD” stands for “Point of Delivery.”
Customer Server Access
It is ok to login into a customer’s server if there is an active transaction and no customer account note stating otherwise. True or False?
True. If there is an active transaction and no specific customer account notes stating otherwise, it is permissible to log in to a customer’s server to perform necessary work.
RAID Levels
RAID 0
Using Raid 0 a stripe set breaks data into units and stores the units across a series of disks by reading and writing to all disks simultaneously. The failure of one disk in the set means all data is lost.
RAID 5
When using Raid 5, the volume combines disk striping across multiple disks with a parity bit for data redundancy. Parity information is stored on each disk. If a single disk fails, the data can be reconstructed from the parity information stored on the remaining disks. This provides fault tolerance for a single disk failure and provides an increase in performance.
RAID 1
When Using Raid 1, a mirrored volume stores data to two duplicate disks simultaneously. If one disk fails, the other disk continues to operate. This provides fault tolerance for a single disk failure, but does not increase performance.
No-Bag Policy
Our No-Bag Policy means that no bags are permitted in which of the following areas of the DC?
- a. LPR
- b. Break Room
- c. Server Room
- d. Office
Our No-Bag Policy prohibits the presence of bags in the LPR, Server Room, and SPR (Secure Production Room).
Local Parts Room (LPR)
Select all of the statements that are true about the LPR:
- a. Used to store parts that are not commonly used
- b. Used to store large parts that will not fit in SPR
- c. LPR stands for Local Parts Room
- d. Used as easy access to components for SBTs
- e. LPR stands for Large Parts room
Hardware Security Modules (HSM)
Which of the following statements is true?
- a. HSMs are multi-tenant devices that require a lot of processing power to perform their cryptographic processes.
- b. HSMs are single-tenant devices that require a lot of processing power to perform their cryptographic processes.
- c. HSMs are multi-tenant devices that require a lot of storage to perform their cryptographic processes.
- d. HSMs are single-tenant devices that require a lot of storage to perform their cryptographic processes.
TightVNC
TightVNC can be used to access both Linux and Windows based servers; true or false?
True. TightVNC can be used to access both Linux and Windows based servers.
Bare Metal Servers
Bare metal servers are multi-tenant devices that are sold in a pay-as-you-go pricing model. True or False?
False. Bare metal servers are single-tenant devices that are rented to customers in a pay-as-you-go pricing model. They are not multi-tenant devices as they are leased to a single customer at a time.
Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI)
IPMI will not function if the server is powered off; True or False?
False. IPMI will still function even if the server is powered off. It allows for remote management, including the ability to check the power status, initiate reboots, and perform other commands even when the server is non-functional or powered off.
Data Center Facility Verification (DFV)
When is DFV necessary?
- a. When reviewing transaction notes
- b. Whenever a maintenance is scheduled
- c. Whenever we need to swap drives
- d. Any time we need to touch a device that is racked
- e. When reviewing a customer ticket
- f. When checking IPM logs
Aggregate Rack Location
Where are aggregate racks traditionally located within customer rows?
- a. The Aggregate rack is not on customer row
- b. In the middle of each rack on the row
- c. A customer rack is the same as an aggregate rack
- d. Full rack in the middle of the row
- e. On the end of the row
Aggregate racks are traditionally located in the middle of customer rows. They are responsible for aggregating all network connections for the row.
BMS Connection for IPMI
BMS connects to which switch to provide access to IPMI on the private network?
- a. FAS
- b. BCS
- c. FCS
- d. BAS
The BMS connects to the BCS to provide access to IPMI on the network.
Aggregate Rack Failure Impact
An entire aggregate rack has gone offline on a customer row with 200 active servers on it. How many servers have lost network connectivity?
- a. 200
- b. 50
- c. 100
- d. 4
If an entire aggregate rack goes offline, the entire row loses networking. Therefore, all 200 active servers on the affected row will lose network connectivity.
COD Rack Installation
Customer Owned Devices (COD) are installed on which of the following racks?
- a. DTS
- b. Internal
- c. COD
Customer Owned Devices (COD) are installed on COD racks within an IBM Cloud data center.
Permanent Data Center Access
Which of the following departments are never granted permanent access to the Data Center?
- a. Network Engineering
- b. Storage Team
- c. Facilities
- d. Data Center Operations
Remote Access
Which of the following options best describes Remote Access?
- a. Remote access is the ability to access a server or instance remotely through a network connection.
- b. The process of physically connecting a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to a server
- c. Accessing a customer’s webpage
- d. Logging in to your workstation
Cloud Hosts & VSIs
Select all of the following statements that are true about Cloud Hosts & VSIs:
- a. Virtual servers can be called Cloud Computing Instances or CCIs
- b. Virtual Servers can be called Virtual Server Instances or VSI
- c. Virtual servers are guests on host bare-metal servers called a cloud host.
- d. Cloud hosts are internal bare-metal servers.
Live Internal Row Work Permission
When working on a live internal row, whose permission is needed before any work can be started?
- a. Site Manager
- b. Shift Lead
- c. Facilities
- d. Networking
Before any work can be started in a live internal row, permission is required from the Site Manager and the Shift Lead.
Lost Badge Protocol
You are getting ready for your shift and realize that you have lost your badge and are unable to find it. What should you do?
- a. Nothing, just find a technician to tailgate the entire shift.
- b. Ask your buddy tech to let you borrow their badge.
- c. Call local law enforcement.
- d. Notify your Site Manager so that they can cancel your old badge & request a new badge for you.
Frontend Compute Routers (FCRs)
Which of the following statements are true about the FCRs?
- a. FCR stands for Frontend Compute Router.
- b. FCRs are a pair of routers that handle the POD’s Private traffic to customer hosts.
- c. FCRs are a pair of routers that handle the POD’s public traffic to customer hosts.
- d. FCR stands for Frontend Customer Router.
Server Order Fulfillment
An order drops for a 1U server with 2 drives configured as Raid 1. There are no compatible 1U chassis available for the processor that was ordered. What action should you take?
- a. Assign the 2U server, Approvals are not required.
- b. Open a Cross Shipment request for a 1U chassis immediately.
- c. Ask a shift lead to approve the sub up.
- d. Reach out to Sales/Capacity for Approval to sub up to the 2U chassis.
Backend Customer Routers (BCRs)
Select all of the following statements that are true with regards to the BCRs.
- a. The BCRs are a pair of routers that handle the POD’s public traffic to customer hosts.
- b. The BCRs are a pair of routers that handle the POD’s private traffic to customer hosts.
- c. BCR stands for Backend Cloud Router
- d. BCR stands for Backend Customer Router
Backend Aggregate Switch (BAS)
Select all of the following statements that are true with regards to BAS.
- a. BAS switches are an aggregation point for multiple BCS Switches.
- b. BAS switches are an aggregation point for multiple FCS Switches.
- c. BAS stands for Backend Aggregate Switch
- d. BAS stands for Backend Access Switch.
Master Service Routers (MSRs)
Master Service Routers (MSRs) connect the backend network to which of the following networks?
- a. Frontend Network
- b. Customer Network
- c. Public Network
- d. Services Network
Master Service Routers (MSRs) connect the backend network to the Services Network.
Dedicated Test and Staging (DTS)
With regards to DTS, which of the following statements are correct?
- a. DTS devices are connected to a dedicated rack called a COD rack.
- b. COD devices are connected to a dedicated rack called a DTS rack.
- c. DTS devices are connected to a dedicated rack called a VDC rack.
- d. DTS devices are connected to a dedicated rack called a DTS rack.
Private/Backend Network Traffic
Which of the following devices can handle Private/Backend network traffic?
- a. Data Center/Distribution Aggregation Routers
- b. Frontend Customer Switch
- c. Backend Management Switch
- d. Frontend Aggregate Switch
- e. Backend Customer Switch
- f. Frontend Customer Router
- g. Backend Customer Router
Frontend Customer Switch (FCS)
What does FCS stand for?
- a. Frontend Controller Switch
- b. Frontend Compute Switch
- c. Frontend Customer Switch
- d. Frontend Cloud Switch
The acronym “FCS” stands for “Frontend Customer Switch.”
Server Room Cooling
Hot air is cycled out of the server rooms via which of the following devices?
- a. SRAH- Server Room Air Handler
- b. SRAC Server Room Air Conditioning
- c. CRAC Computer Room Air Conditioning
- d. CRAH- Computer Room Air Handler
Hot air is cycled out of the server rooms by the CRAC (Computer Room Air Conditioning) and CRAH (Computer Room Air Handler) units. These devices work to remove the hot air and ensure effective cooling within the server rooms.
Master Services Routers (MSR)
What does MSR stand for?
- a. Master Secondary Routers
- b. Master Server Routers
- c. Master Switch Routers
- d. Master Services Routers
The acronym “MSR” stands for “Master Services Routers.”
Virtual Data Center (VDC) Service
Select all of the following options that are true about the VDC service:
- a. VDC Racks are labeled with the customer ID number in order to differentiate themselves from other racks.
- b. VDC Racks are located on customer rows.
- c. The VDC service allows a customer to rent out an entire dedicated rack in our data centers.
- d. VDC Racks are located on internal rows.
Colocation Service
Which of the following statements are correct about the colocation service?
- a. Direct Link Colocation allows customers to move data from their own dedicated premises through a dedicated link to an IBM Cloud data center.
- b. Direct Link Colocation allows customers to move data over the private network between Data Centers.
- c. Data transfer rates are faster, more consistent and reliable compared to a standard public connection to IBM Cloud.
- d. Direct Link Colocation allows customers to move data from their own dedicated premises over the public internet.
Anti-Static Handling
Any component that will receive power from the motherboard needs to be in an anti-static container at all times when not installed in a chassis. True or False?
True. Any component that will receive power from the motherboard needs to be in an anti-static container at all times when not installed in a chassis.
COD Request Approvals
COD requests require Site Manager and Networking approval. True or False?
True. COD (Customer Owned Devices) requests typically require both Site Manager and Networking approval.
Aggregate Rack Connections
What type of connections are used between the aggregate rack and the routers?
- a. SFP
- b. COAX
- c. Fiber
The connections between the aggregate rack and the routers are made using fiber connections.
High Availability Firewall Pairs
IBM Cloud does not currently offer Firewalls for purchase in High Availability Pairs (HA Pairs). True or False?
False. IBM Cloud indeed offers Firewalls for purchase in High Availability Pairs (HA Pairs) to provide customers with a redundant and resilient protection for their infrastructure.
Customer Satisfaction for Tier 1 Technicians
Tier 1 Technicians that don’t work on customer tickets still need to know and follow the 7 points of Customer Satisfaction. True or False?
True. Tier 1 Technicians who do not work on customer tickets still need to know and follow the 7 points of Customer Satisfaction to ensure consistency in customer service standards across the team.
Aggregate Rack Network Traffic
The aggregate rack supplies network traffic to the entire row. True or False?
True. The aggregate rack is indeed responsible for supplying network traffic to the entire row. If this rack goes offline, the entire row loses networking.
HSM Rack Installation
Which of the following statements is true?
- a. HSM devices are connected to a dedicated rack called a DTS rack.
- b. HSM devices are connected to a dedicated rack called a VDC rack.
- c. HSM devices are connected to a dedicated rack called a HSM rack.
- d. HSM devices are connected to a dedicated rack called a COD rack.
IPMI Functionality
IPMI can be used for KVM and/or monitoring server health; true or false?
True. IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) can indeed be used for KVM (Keyboard-Video-Mouse) functionality and monitoring server health.
Failed Drive Status
You are testing distressed components and find that an HD TESTER BDS job has failed with “ERROR: Test found a bad drive”. Which component status should the confirmed failed drive be moved to?
- a. Hard fail
- b. Inventory
- c. RMA Ready
- d. Liquidation
The confirmed failed drive should be moved to the “Hard fail” status.
Cloud Row Switch Connections
Compared to customer rows, cloud rows have a completely different set of switch connections. True or False?
False. Cloud rows do not have a completely different set of switch connections compared to customer rows.
Tailgating
Tailgating is when someone who does not have authorization gains entrance to the data center by following behind another person who does have authorization. True or False?
True.
Network Connection Cabling
Match each of the following network connections with the correct color of the cabling used on a standard server:
- Private Connections – Blue
- Public Connections – Red
- Back end connection (BCSA/B) – Blue
- Front end connection (FCSA/B) – Red
- Management (IPMI) – Green
Mass Data Migration Service (MDMS)
Mass Data Migration Service (MDMS) allows customers to upload their data to IBM preconfigured storage devices. True or False?
True. The Mass Data Migration Service (MDMS) does indeed allow customers to upload their data to IBM’s preconfigured storage devices for transfer to IBM Cloud Object Storage in our data centers.
Provisioning Process Steps
Put the following transaction steps in the correct order in which they occur during the provisioning process:
- ASSIGN NETWORK
- HARDWARE_CHANGE_PENDING
- ASSIGN SERVER MANUALLY
- PE_LOAD_HWTEST
- PE_LOAD_HV
Firewall Functionality
Firewalls prevent authorized use and network access to a customer’s environment. True or False?
False. Firewalls carefully analyze all data entering and exiting the customer’s network, aiming to control and secure network traffic based on a set of predetermined security rules.
Unauthorized Data Center Entry
A technician you see every day tries to follow you into the Data Center because they forgot their badge. Should you allow them to enter?
False. It is important to adhere to the security protocol and not allow unauthorized individuals into the data center, even if they are familiar to you.
Spares Rack
The Spares Rack is a place where we keep spare parts used for internal servers. True or False?
True. The Spares Rack is indeed a place where spare parts used for internal servers are kept.
nal servers are kept.
True. The Mass Data Migration Service (MDMS) does indeed allow customers to upload their data to IBM’s preconfigured storage devices for transfer to IBM Cloud Object Storage in our data centers.