SAN School: Final quiz:

A special-purpose high speed network used to interconnect storage devices with computer systems is the definition for:

Chirs Poelker identified this function as the killer application for a SAN:

a. Storage management
b. Backup
c. Capacity planning
d. File sharing

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of a SAN?

a. A SAN takes all the data on all our servers and ties it together outside of the servers, which makes it easier to back up.
b. You can not move your data out horizontally in case of a disaster.
c. You can have many different data centers managed in one place, so your operation can be global in scope.
d. Placing data external to the server makes the server less important in case anything happens to it.

A SAN is a good solution for all but the following:

a. database operations
b. file-sharing
c. application migration
d. voice or video transmission

Cables are what ties everything together in a SAN. When choosing your cables and setting them up, you should do all of the following except:

a. Keep in mind that the smaller the core of the cable the farther the light can pass through it.
b. Choose a large cable since it has a greater probability of signal loss than a smaller cable.
c. Try to make sure the cables are straight for the least amount of signal loss.
d. Select a cable with a minimum radius of between 1 1/4 and 1 1/2.

This is a way of storing the same data in different places (redundantly) on multiple hard disks.

This is a unique identifier used on a SCSI bus that enables it to differentiate between up to eight separate devices, which may be an end user, a file, or an application program.

This is the function of using port zoning and worldwide name zoning in the same zone set.

a. load balancing
b. mixed zoning
c. mirroring
d. virtualization

In order to avoid poor SAN design, you should do all of the following EXCEPT:

a. Use world wide name zoning for flexibility and port zoning for security.
b. Use a maximum of 16 switches per fabric.
c. Minimize hops and the use of ISL links.
d. Use multiple HBA vendors and drivers, if possible.

When implementing a SAN, using multiple ISLs between your switches gives you greater:

Which SAN topography offers the most scalability and growth?

a.Point to point.
b.Switched fabric.
c.Arbitrated loop.
d. None of the above.

Chris Poelker says the one thing that you must design your SAN to be above all else is:

a.Cost-effective.
b.Easy to use.
c.Resilient.
d.Secure.

When using a zoned SAN, what is the one thing you don't want to do?

Although there are many potential risks, which of the following does Chris say is the number ONE risk factor to your data?

The main objective of a BCP (Business Continuity Plan) is:

a.Getting your business up and running after a disaster.
b.Keeping remote data centers up and running after a disaster.
c.Keeping your business running during a disaster.
d.Avoiding disasters altogether

Asynchronous copy is also known as:

The amount of work that an HBA can push out to a storage disk array is determined by:

a.Time out settings.
b.Persistent binding values.
c.Fibre channel switches.
d.LUN throttle values.

ISL stands for:

a.Inter switch link.
b.Isolated structured link.
c.Interoperable and scalable link.
d.Incredibly secure link.

The main function of an ISL is to:

a.Replicate data between switches.
b.Install new switches on multiple servers.
c.Allow data and configuration information to flow between switches.
d.Increase security among SANs.

What is a SWAN?

A SAN Island refers to:

a. SANs housed in different data centers
b. A SAN that's physically located in a single location and managed as a separate physical entity
c. Ben and J Lo's once favorite vacation spot
d. None of the above

This is one of the main reasons you'd connect SAN islands together:

a. To have less employees on staff
b. To consolidate device and data management
c. To use one primary SAN in your data center
d. To ensure more secure data transactions

How do you create a SWAN?

a. Get two birds together after a few drinks
b. Connect two or more SAN islands together to consolidate storage mgmt, data mgmt, or both
c. You attach two tape libraries to disparate disk drives
d. All of the above

A snapshot is defined as:

a. An instant data copy that can be either hardware or software based
b. An image printed from a camera
c. Identical operating systems
d. A data center blueprint

According to Chris, this type of backup boasts the fastest data recovery time?

a. Incremental
b. Differential
c. Full
d. Boot

As far as SAN backup goes, this is Chris's preferred backup method:

a. LANless backup
b. Serverless backup
c. Performance backup
d. Diskless backup

These are all benefits of disk to disk backup, except:

a. Quick recovery time
b. Inconsistent and blurred data
c. Disks are faster than tapes
d. Disk prices get cheaper every day

What's the difference between SAN booting and booting off an internal SCSI disk?

a. SAN booting allows you to save data faster
b. Nothing
c. The location of the disks and the adaptor used
d. Booting off an internal SCSI disk is more secure

Snapshot copies use a technology known as:

Alex Nikitin says SAN management is basically:

Each of the following are needs for SAN management, EXCEPT:

a.To monitor the health of the environment
b. Abilty to charge back for usage and share costs
c. Alerting and reporting for easy troubleshooting
d. Eliminating the need for a DR plan

In Lesson 12, Alex says that automation frees you up to think about:

a. Business continuity plans
b. Server consolidation
c. Business, not disks
d. Vacation

Right now, this is the main problem with automation:

a. Automation software is super expensive
b. Lack of trust -- it's still in its infancy
c. Lack of skilled IT staff to use automation products properly
d. None of the above

This is NOT one of the three outsourcing options:

a. Vendor partnering
b. 100% outsourcing
c. Free outsourcing
d. Storage consulting

All of these are benefits of 100% outsourcing, EXCEPT:

a.Equipment and management are not your problem
b. Storage is free to your customers
c. Standard practices are already established
d. Operating vs. capital expenses (No hardware expenses)

Alex says it's really important to do this before deciding to outsource:

a.Create a list and define the storage-related problems you want to solve
b. Take a leave of absence to think about it
c. Save up a lot of money
d. Hire a consultant to decide for you

If you'd like a liaison between your IT staff and storage vendors, you'd choose this outsourcing option:

a. 100% outsourcing
b. Storage consulting
c. Vendor partnering
d. All of the above

Where documentation is concerned, whiteboards with this are not "safe places":

a. Do not enter
b. Do not discard
c. Training manuals
d. Do not erase

When it comes to determining a problem with your SAN, Alex says this can typically cause a problem(s):