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Use the following exam outline to assess your strengths and weaknesses before attempting the exam. If you discover gaps in your knowledge, click the "Training Resources" tab to find supplementary material that can further your preparation. Then, download the assessment test, available for $10, from the "Sample\Assessment Test" tab. Section 1 - BladeCenter Principles - Given a set of customer needs, determine the best BladeCenter solution necessary to meet all requirements (e.g., OS, switch modules, SFP modules, blades (HS21/LS21/LS41/JS21), disk options, expansion cards and fault tolerance).
- Define the necessary power requirements for a given BladeCenter solution (internal power supplies required based on population of BladeCenter).
- Analyze the current customer infrastructure and determine the necessary rack space, power, cooling, networking and SAN infrastructure upgrades that may be needed to support a given BladeCenter solution (include external power in the data center).
- Explain the differences between the various networking modules and correct cabling solutions (e.g., Nortel L2-L3, Cisco IGESM, Nortel L2 - L7, CPM, OPM, Infiniband, Server Connectivity Module).
- Differentiate between the fibre switch modules and correct cabling solutions (e.g., QLogic, Brocade and OPM, McData).
- Given a set of customer requirements, define the networking and SAN requirements for a BladeCenter based on existing infrastructure, including fault tolerance, throughput, and interoperability.
- Determine the implications of combining a management LAN with a production LAN.
- Explain the internal communications between the Advanced Management Modules, blades and the optional switch modules.
- Explain the requirements for vectored cooling in the BladeCenter.
- Use the Solutions Assurance process to ensure that all aspects of a BladeCenter solution are validated prior to order.
- Determine which environment necessitates the need for a specific BladeCenter chassis.
- Differentiate among the four BladeCenter chassis (i.e., BladeCenter, BladeCenter T, BladeCenter H, BladeCenter HT).
- Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using I/O adapters and storage in a blade configuration (e.g., HBAs, Infiniband cards, flash disks, SAS disks).
Section 2 - BladeCenter Installation / Configuration - Explain the installation procedures to rack and power a BladeCenter chassis (e.g., PDU, chassis rack placement).
- Explain bay population rules and power/cabling requirements for the modules: redundant Advanced Management Module, GBE, SAN, OPM, CPM and Infiniband.
- Configure Advanced Management Modules (e.g., power domains, power management, security, users, network) and switch modules.
- Use BladeCenter Advanced Management Module to generate alerts.
- Identify which of the subtasks of the BladeCenter Assistant is appropriate for a particular instance (e.g., BladeCenter Configuration Manager and Network Device Manager).
- Explain the benefits of the BladeCenter Configuration Manager task in IBM Director.
- Implement VLAN configuration.
- Explain the benefits of using IEEE 802.1Q and 802.3ad on Ethernet modules.
- Implement zoning on Fibre modules.
- Configure passthru, Ethernet, Fibre, and Infiniband modules.
Section 3 - Blade Deployment - Identify and explain the different methods for installing the Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems onto a blade.
- Identify the appropriate method for installing an operating system on a JS21 blade.
- Select appropriate Linux/AIX operating system deployment tools for blade servers.
- List the minimum operating system levels supported on blades (Linux, Windows, Novell, AIX, VMware, etc.).
- Compare and contrast ServerGuide install with a standalone install.
- Sequence blade installation according to best practices (e.g., firmware first, operating system, drivers, etc.).
- Configure the BIOS, RAID, and storage settings for blades and the options.
- Explain operating system installation methods (e.g., local install, SAN install, network install).
Section 4 - Identifying Problems and Resolving Them - Diagnose and resolve BladeCenter problems using IBM Director.
- Diagnose and resolve BladeCenter problems using Advanced Management Module.
- Analyze and troubleshoot Ethernet communication problems within BladeCenter.
- Analyze and troubleshoot Fibre communication problems within BladeCenter.
- Analyze and troubleshoot power issues within BladeCenter.
- Diagnose and resolve blade hardware and configuration problems.
- Diagnose and resolve blade chassis hardware problems.
- Explain port oversubscription concerns on SAN switch modules in the BladeCenter.
Section 5 - Maintenance / Upgrade - Apply the latest BIOS, firmware, and required switch software updates to chassis management and switch modules (e.g., SAN, GbE, Infiniband, Management) using the appropriate methods.
- Explain the hardware upgrade procedures for blades and for optional components.
- Apply the latest BIOS and firmware updates for blades and the options (e.g., disk drives, I/O cards).
- Explain the procedures involved in the maintenance and upgrade of Advanced Management Module and switch module configurations.
- Apply updates using UpdateExpress or Update Manager.
- Explain proper performance-tuning options available for chassis and blade options.
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