The document provides information about the VCAP-DCA storage administration exam, including that it contains 40 live lab questions covering tasks related to storage configuration and management in vSphere. It also discusses configuring vCenter Server storage filters, the pluggable storage architecture in vSphere including multipathing plugins, changing multipathing policies from the CLI, and configuring software iSCSI port binding for multipathing.

1. VCAP-DCA Section 1Implement and Manage StorageSean Crookstonhttp://Twitter.com/vfailhttp://www.vfail.net

2. Configure vCenter Server Storage FiltersWhat is the Pluggable Storage Architecture Changing a multipath policy Software iSCSI Port Binding(Multipathing) Open Forum

3. The VCAP-DCA Exam40 live lab questionsTasks for each lab can be a scoring opportunitySome have more weight then othersPassing score tbd based on betaApprox 4 hoursShould receive results within two weeksWill remain based on 4.0 until next major release, i.e. 4.5, 5.0

4. The VCAP-DCA ExamLab EnvironmentAll PDF documentation for related products will be available on the desktop.Scoring is based on checking configurations and characteristics of items after you have completed them.Some items may be dependent on earlier items to work.Doesn’t matter how you get it done.

5. Resourceshttp://kendrickcoleman.com/index.php?/Tech-Blog/vcap-datacenter-administration-exam-landing-page-vdca410.htmlhttp://communities.vmware.com/community/vmtn/certedu/certification/vcaphttp://www.ntpro.nl/blog/archives/1585-Looking-for-VCAP-practice-questions-Here-they-are....html

6. Configure vCenter Server Storage FiltersDone through the GuiAdministrationvCenter Server SettingsAdvanced Settings

7. Configure vCenter Server Storage FiltersConfig.vpxd.filter.vmfsFilter When set to false, allowed to add a VMFS volume to a VM even when in use by another VM.Config.vpxd.filter.rdmfilter When set to false, allowed to add a LUN as and RDM even when in use by another VM.Config.vpxd.filter.SameHostandTransportsFilterWhen set to false, incompatible luns are allowed to be added as extents.Config.vpxd.filter.hostRescanFilterWhen set to false, the auto rescan for all hosts is disabled after adding storage.

8. Configure vCenter Server Storage FiltersLive DEMO

9. What is the Pluggable Storage Architecturehttp://geeksilver.wordpress.com/2010/08/17/vmware-vsphere-4-1-psa-pluggable-storage-architecture-understanding/NMP Plugin is the default VMware Native Multipathing Plug-In. It is responsible for managing the sub-plugins which are included by VMware or provided by 3rd parties. The first type of which is the SATP, or Storage Array Type Plug-In. Responsible for Array specific functionsCan be 3rd party or provided by VMwareThe second type is the PSP or Path Selection Plug-In.Chooses path for I/O RequestsDefault assigned based on SATP, which can be overridden.Additionally 3rd party MPPs or Multipathing Plug-Ins can be used, such as EMC PowerPath. This is used in leiu of the NMP.Mask_PATHPlugin is loaded to mask paths, effectively preventing a host from accessing storage devices/LUNs or from specific paths to such.

10. Changing a multipath policy Can be done by Gui or Command LineFixed, Fixed_AP, MRU, RRFrom the command lineEsxcli –server ip/host nmp device setpolicy –device naa.iiiiiiiiiiiii -psp VMW_PSP_MRU

11. Changing a multipath policy FixedUses designated preferred path if configured, otherwise uses for discovered working path at boot. When it can’t be used a random alternative path is used.Preferred path is automatically reverted to when it comes back.

12. Changing a multipath policy Fixed_APExtends fixed functionality to active/passive and ALUA mode arrays. When not specified, path will be selected by Array path preference & Current Path State.

13. Changing a multipath policy MRU Uses first working path discovered at bootSwitches to alternative path and will continue using this path even if original path comes back online.

14. Changing a multipath policy RRAutomatic path selection that enables load balancing across paths. Only uses active paths and use case is on Active/Active arrays. Not supported in MSCS environments

15. Changing a multipath policy Live DemoEsxcli –server ip/host nmp device listEsxcli –server ip/host nmp device setpolicy –device naa.iiiiiiiiiiiii -psp VMW_PSP_MRU

16. Software iSCSI Port Binding(Multipathing) iSCSI initiator can use multiple iSCSI sessionsNot possible with the dvswitchCreate two VMKernel NICs, each with a different active NIC.Move other NIC’s down to unused adapters for each port respectively.To add the Vmkernels to your SW iSCSI Initiatoresxcli swiscsi nic add -n vmk0 -d vmhba33esxcli swiscsi nic add -n vmk1 -d vmhba33esxcli swiscsi nic list -d vmhba33

17. Software iSCSI Port Binding(Multipathing) Verifying it worked?Check Storage paths to confirm multiple pathsCheck esxtop for traffic going down both