DEE-1421 Expert Isilon Solutions Exam
Q1: In Isilon architecture, what is the primary role of the OneFS operating system?
A) It manages data distribution across nodes
B) It routes external network traffic
C) It functions as a virtual machine hypervisor
D) It exclusively handles backup operations
Answer: A
Explanation: OneFS is the core operating system that manages the scale-out NAS architecture, handling
data distribution and storage across the Isilon cluster.
Q2: Which component in Isilon is responsible for ensuring data protection through Reed-Solomon
encoding?
A) FlexProtect
B) SmartPools
C) OneFS
D) SmartConnect
Answer: A
Explanation: FlexProtect utilizes Reed-Solomon encoding to provide data protection and error correction
within the cluster.
Q3: What type of storage design does Isilon use to scale performance and capacity?
A) Scale-up architecture
B) Scale-out architecture
C) RAID-5 configuration
D) Direct attached storage
Answer: B
Explanation: Isilon uses a scale-out NAS architecture, which allows for linear scalability in both capacity
and performance by adding nodes.
Q4: Which Isilon component provides load balancing across cluster nodes for client connections?
A) FlexProtect
B) OneFS
C) SmartConnect
D) SmartPools
Answer: C
Explanation: SmartConnect dynamically balances client connections across the nodes in the cluster,
optimizing performance and resource usage.
Q5: How does SmartPools enhance data management within an Isilon cluster?
A) By creating virtual machines
B) By managing node pools and tiering data
C) By encrypting data at rest
D) By routing network traffic
Answer: B
,Explanation: SmartPools organizes nodes into pools and manages tiering, which helps in efficiently
storing and retrieving data based on file attributes.
Q6: Which structure in Isilon is used for file metadata management?
A) Inode structure
B) RAID controller
C) Virtual disk array
D) Block mapping table
Answer: A
Explanation: The inode structure is essential for managing file metadata, including permissions and file
attributes, within OneFS.
Q7: What does the Isilon cluster configuration process primarily involve?
A) Setting up virtual machines
B) Configuring network routers
C) Integrating multiple nodes to form a single system
D) Installing backup software
Answer: C
Explanation: Cluster configuration in Isilon involves integrating multiple nodes into one system that
functions as a single storage resource.
Q8: Which feature of OneFS provides automated fault tolerance and data protection?
A) Data deduplication
B) FlexProtect
C) SmartLock
D) SnapshotIQ
Answer: B
Explanation: FlexProtect is the data protection mechanism in OneFS that automatically safeguards data
through parity and encoding methods.
Q9: What does the term “inode” refer to in the context of Isilon file systems?
A) A network protocol
B) A file system metadata structure
C) A backup routine
D) A security certificate
Answer: B
Explanation: An inode is a data structure used in file systems to store information about files and
directories, such as permissions and location.
Q10: Which of the following best describes the hardware specification focus of an Isilon node?
A) CPU virtualization capacity
B) Storage capacity and network connectivity
C) Software licensing limitations
D) Cloud integration capabilities
Answer: B
Explanation: Isilon nodes are designed with high storage capacity and robust network connectivity to
support the scale-out architecture.
,Q11: How does OneFS ensure efficient data distribution across an Isilon cluster?
A) By centralized data management
B) Through distributed file system architecture
C) By using RAID-0 only
D) By limiting node interconnectivity
Answer: B
Explanation: OneFS employs a distributed file system design that enables efficient data distribution and
redundancy across all cluster nodes.
Q12: What is the significance of file block structures in Isilon systems?
A) They manage user accounts
B) They determine how data is physically stored and accessed
C) They control network bandwidth
D) They enable remote backups
Answer: B
Explanation: File block structures determine the physical layout of data, affecting performance and data
retrieval within the system.
Q13: Which Isilon feature provides the mechanism for load balancing client connections?
A) SmartPools
B) SmartConnect
C) OneFS
D) FlexProtect
Answer: B
Explanation: SmartConnect automatically distributes client requests across the available nodes to
ensure optimal load balancing.
Q14: In the context of Isilon, what is the main function of the node pool?
A) To store encryption keys
B) To group nodes based on performance and capacity
C) To provide user authentication
D) To control network access
Answer: B
Explanation: Node pools group similar nodes together, allowing administrators to manage performance
and capacity through SmartPools tiering.
Q15: Which encoding mechanism is part of Isilon’s FlexProtect technology?
A) Hamming code
B) Reed-Solomon
C) XOR-based parity
D) Cyclic redundancy
Answer: B
Explanation: FlexProtect uses Reed-Solomon encoding, which provides robust data protection and error
correction.
Q16: What does the OneFS operating system primarily manage in an Isilon cluster?
A) Virtualization of applications
, B) Integration with cloud services
C) File system operations and data distribution
D) Hardware inventory tracking
Answer: C
Explanation: OneFS is responsible for managing the file system, data distribution, and overall operations
of the Isilon cluster.
Q17: Which architectural feature allows an Isilon cluster to scale seamlessly?
A) Linear scalability
B) Hierarchical design
C) Star topology
D) Dual-controller design
Answer: A
Explanation: Isilon’s scale-out architecture provides linear scalability, meaning that adding nodes
increases performance and capacity proportionally.
Q18: How does Isilon handle file system metadata management?
A) Through a dedicated metadata server
B) Distributed across all nodes
C) Via an external database
D) By centralizing in a cloud service
Answer: B
Explanation: Metadata management in Isilon is distributed across all nodes, enhancing performance and
reliability.
Q19: What is the role of cache in the Isilon system architecture?
A) To store long-term backups
B) To improve read/write performance
C) To manage user permissions
D) To encrypt sensitive data
Answer: B
Explanation: The cache is used to store frequently accessed data temporarily, thereby improving overall
system read and write performance.
Q20: Which of the following best describes the function of data protection mechanisms in Isilon?
A) To schedule network maintenance
B) To secure data from loss through redundancy and error correction
C) To manage software updates
D) To monitor user activity
Answer: B
Explanation: Data protection mechanisms like FlexProtect are designed to safeguard data against
corruption and hardware failures using redundancy and error correction.
Q21: What distinguishes an Isilon node from traditional storage arrays?
A) Its ability to run multiple operating systems
B) Its integration in a scale-out cluster with distributed management
C) Its use as a backup appliance
Q1: In Isilon architecture, what is the primary role of the OneFS operating system?
A) It manages data distribution across nodes
B) It routes external network traffic
C) It functions as a virtual machine hypervisor
D) It exclusively handles backup operations
Answer: A
Explanation: OneFS is the core operating system that manages the scale-out NAS architecture, handling
data distribution and storage across the Isilon cluster.
Q2: Which component in Isilon is responsible for ensuring data protection through Reed-Solomon
encoding?
A) FlexProtect
B) SmartPools
C) OneFS
D) SmartConnect
Answer: A
Explanation: FlexProtect utilizes Reed-Solomon encoding to provide data protection and error correction
within the cluster.
Q3: What type of storage design does Isilon use to scale performance and capacity?
A) Scale-up architecture
B) Scale-out architecture
C) RAID-5 configuration
D) Direct attached storage
Answer: B
Explanation: Isilon uses a scale-out NAS architecture, which allows for linear scalability in both capacity
and performance by adding nodes.
Q4: Which Isilon component provides load balancing across cluster nodes for client connections?
A) FlexProtect
B) OneFS
C) SmartConnect
D) SmartPools
Answer: C
Explanation: SmartConnect dynamically balances client connections across the nodes in the cluster,
optimizing performance and resource usage.
Q5: How does SmartPools enhance data management within an Isilon cluster?
A) By creating virtual machines
B) By managing node pools and tiering data
C) By encrypting data at rest
D) By routing network traffic
Answer: B
,Explanation: SmartPools organizes nodes into pools and manages tiering, which helps in efficiently
storing and retrieving data based on file attributes.
Q6: Which structure in Isilon is used for file metadata management?
A) Inode structure
B) RAID controller
C) Virtual disk array
D) Block mapping table
Answer: A
Explanation: The inode structure is essential for managing file metadata, including permissions and file
attributes, within OneFS.
Q7: What does the Isilon cluster configuration process primarily involve?
A) Setting up virtual machines
B) Configuring network routers
C) Integrating multiple nodes to form a single system
D) Installing backup software
Answer: C
Explanation: Cluster configuration in Isilon involves integrating multiple nodes into one system that
functions as a single storage resource.
Q8: Which feature of OneFS provides automated fault tolerance and data protection?
A) Data deduplication
B) FlexProtect
C) SmartLock
D) SnapshotIQ
Answer: B
Explanation: FlexProtect is the data protection mechanism in OneFS that automatically safeguards data
through parity and encoding methods.
Q9: What does the term “inode” refer to in the context of Isilon file systems?
A) A network protocol
B) A file system metadata structure
C) A backup routine
D) A security certificate
Answer: B
Explanation: An inode is a data structure used in file systems to store information about files and
directories, such as permissions and location.
Q10: Which of the following best describes the hardware specification focus of an Isilon node?
A) CPU virtualization capacity
B) Storage capacity and network connectivity
C) Software licensing limitations
D) Cloud integration capabilities
Answer: B
Explanation: Isilon nodes are designed with high storage capacity and robust network connectivity to
support the scale-out architecture.
,Q11: How does OneFS ensure efficient data distribution across an Isilon cluster?
A) By centralized data management
B) Through distributed file system architecture
C) By using RAID-0 only
D) By limiting node interconnectivity
Answer: B
Explanation: OneFS employs a distributed file system design that enables efficient data distribution and
redundancy across all cluster nodes.
Q12: What is the significance of file block structures in Isilon systems?
A) They manage user accounts
B) They determine how data is physically stored and accessed
C) They control network bandwidth
D) They enable remote backups
Answer: B
Explanation: File block structures determine the physical layout of data, affecting performance and data
retrieval within the system.
Q13: Which Isilon feature provides the mechanism for load balancing client connections?
A) SmartPools
B) SmartConnect
C) OneFS
D) FlexProtect
Answer: B
Explanation: SmartConnect automatically distributes client requests across the available nodes to
ensure optimal load balancing.
Q14: In the context of Isilon, what is the main function of the node pool?
A) To store encryption keys
B) To group nodes based on performance and capacity
C) To provide user authentication
D) To control network access
Answer: B
Explanation: Node pools group similar nodes together, allowing administrators to manage performance
and capacity through SmartPools tiering.
Q15: Which encoding mechanism is part of Isilon’s FlexProtect technology?
A) Hamming code
B) Reed-Solomon
C) XOR-based parity
D) Cyclic redundancy
Answer: B
Explanation: FlexProtect uses Reed-Solomon encoding, which provides robust data protection and error
correction.
Q16: What does the OneFS operating system primarily manage in an Isilon cluster?
A) Virtualization of applications
, B) Integration with cloud services
C) File system operations and data distribution
D) Hardware inventory tracking
Answer: C
Explanation: OneFS is responsible for managing the file system, data distribution, and overall operations
of the Isilon cluster.
Q17: Which architectural feature allows an Isilon cluster to scale seamlessly?
A) Linear scalability
B) Hierarchical design
C) Star topology
D) Dual-controller design
Answer: A
Explanation: Isilon’s scale-out architecture provides linear scalability, meaning that adding nodes
increases performance and capacity proportionally.
Q18: How does Isilon handle file system metadata management?
A) Through a dedicated metadata server
B) Distributed across all nodes
C) Via an external database
D) By centralizing in a cloud service
Answer: B
Explanation: Metadata management in Isilon is distributed across all nodes, enhancing performance and
reliability.
Q19: What is the role of cache in the Isilon system architecture?
A) To store long-term backups
B) To improve read/write performance
C) To manage user permissions
D) To encrypt sensitive data
Answer: B
Explanation: The cache is used to store frequently accessed data temporarily, thereby improving overall
system read and write performance.
Q20: Which of the following best describes the function of data protection mechanisms in Isilon?
A) To schedule network maintenance
B) To secure data from loss through redundancy and error correction
C) To manage software updates
D) To monitor user activity
Answer: B
Explanation: Data protection mechanisms like FlexProtect are designed to safeguard data against
corruption and hardware failures using redundancy and error correction.
Q21: What distinguishes an Isilon node from traditional storage arrays?
A) Its ability to run multiple operating systems
B) Its integration in a scale-out cluster with distributed management
C) Its use as a backup appliance
