D-VPX-OE-A-24 Exam Dumps : Dell VPLEX Operate Achievement

The correct order of steps to migrate from an old array to a new one without disruption using VPLEX is:

VPLEX discovers the new array and the admin creates migration target devices.

VPLEX admin initiates mobility job(s).

Once volumes on the new array are fully synchronized, the admin commits the migration.

VPLEX admin monitors progress of the migration; I/O to host continues.

Connect new storage array to VPLEX.

Discovery and Creation: The initial step involves VPLEX identifying the presence of a new storage array within its environment. Following this discovery, a system administrator is responsible for setting up migration target devices on this newly recognized array.

Initiation of Mobility Jobs: Subsequently, a system administrator must initiate mobility jobs through the VPLEX management interface, which facilitates data movement from the existing source storage to the target devices on the new array.

Synchronization and Commitment: After initiating mobility jobs, data synchronization between source and target arrays begins automatically. Once synchronization reaches completion, indicating that both arrays have identical data sets, an administrator must commit to finalizing this stage of migration.

Monitoring Migration Progress: Throughout this process, it’s crucial for an administrator to monitor ongoing operations ensuring that input/output operations continue uninterrupted for hosts accessing data during transition phases.

Connecting New Array: The final step involves integrating the newly populated storage array into production by connecting it with VPLEX systems thus completing migration.

When LUNs belonging to an ESXi cluster are encapsulated behind VPLEX, the information that must be shared with the ESXi administrator for them to re-discover the datastore and the RDM LUNs is the Virtual Volume VPD (Vital Product Data).

Virtual Volume VPD: The VPD for a virtual volume contains essential information about the volume, such as its identifier, which is used by the ESXi host to recognize and differentiate the volume1.

Re-Discovery Process: After encapsulation, the ESXi administrator will need to perform a rescan of the storage adapters on the ESXi hosts.During this rescan, the hosts use the VPD information to identify the newly encapsulated LUNs and re-discover the associated datastore and RDM LUNs1.

Datastore and RDM LUNs: Datastores are storage containers that hold virtual machine files, while RDM (Raw Device Mapping) LUNs allow a virtual machine to directly access a storage device.Both rely on unique identifiers to ensure correct access and operation within the ESXi environment1.

Sharing Information: The VPLEX administrator should provide the VPD information to the ESXi administrator, typically after the encapsulation process is complete and before the ESXi storage rescan is initiated1.

Ensuring Access: By sharing the correct VPD information, the ESXi administrator can ensure that the ESXi cluster correctly identifies and regains access to the encapsulated LUNs, maintaining the continuity of services and data availability1.

The sharing of the Virtual Volume VPD is a critical step in the process of LUN encapsulation behind VPLEX, ensuring that the ESXi cluster can successfully re-discover and utilize the datastore and RDM LUNs.