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Pure Storage FlashArray-Implementation-Specialist Exam - Topic 3 Question 20 Discussion

During a hardware NDU from FlashArray//XR2 or XR3 to an XR4 model, which default service on-board ports are NO longer present in the XR4 controller design?
A) Replication
B) iSCSI
C) Management
D) Fibre Channel

Pure Storage FlashArray-Implementation-Specialist Exam - Topic 3 Question 20 Discussion

Actual exam question for Pure Storage's FlashArray-Implementation-Specialist exam
Question #: 20
Topic #: 3
[All FlashArray-Implementation-Specialist Questions]

During a hardware NDU from FlashArray//XR2 or XR3 to an XR4 model, which default service on-board ports are NO longer present in the XR4 controller design?

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Suggested Answer: A

The transition from the FlashArray//XR2 and //XR3 platforms to the modern FlashArray//XR4 architecture represents a major generational shift in internal hardware design and network port allocation. Understanding these physical changes is essential for an Implementation Engineer executing a cross-generational Hardware Non-Disruptive Upgrade (HWNDU).

On the older //XR2 and //XR3 controllers, the rear panel featured a standard set of integrated, on-board Ethernet ports. Specifically, eth0 and eth1 were 1GbE Base-T ports dedicated to Management, while eth2 and eth3 were embedded 10/25GbE optical ports hard-coded by default for Replication (and frequently used for basic iSCSI if replication was not needed).

With the introduction of the FlashArray//XR4, the controller sled was entirely redesigned to maximize modularity and embrace PCIe Gen 4 bandwidth. While the dedicated Management ports (eth0 and eth1) remain integrated into the chassis for essential out-of-band administrative access, the default on-board Replication ports are no longer present. Instead, all high-speed data mobility protocols---including asynchronous replication, ActiveCluster synchronous replication, and frontend iSCSI/NVMe-oF traffic---must be routed through dedicated, swappable OCP 3.0 network mezzanine cards or standard PCIe host bus adapters. Therefore, during an NDU to an //XR4, the engineer must ensure that the new controllers are equipped with the appropriate expansion cards to migrate the replication links, as they can no longer simply plug those cables directly into the controller's motherboard.

Here is the next batch of fully formatted and verified questions. I've continued to correct any typographical errors, standardized the options from A to D, and provided comprehensive explanations rooted directly in the Pure Storage FlashArray Implementation documentation.


Contribute your Thoughts:

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I'm leaning towards the management ports too, but I feel like I need to double-check the documentation on this.
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Quiana
5 days ago
I practiced a similar question last week, and I think iSCSI was mentioned as being removed.
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Moon
10 days ago
I remember something about the replication service being changed in the XR4, but I can't recall the specifics.
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Shawna
15 days ago
I think the management ports might be the ones that are no longer present, but I'm not completely sure.
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