NS0-093 Netapp NetApp Accredited Hardware Support Engineer Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

 Best Practices for SAS Cabling in AFF A700 Systems:

The AFF A700 system has built-in SAS ports (e.g., 2a and 2b) as well as additional SAS ports on optional SAS cards.

To ensure high availability and redundancy, it is recommended to distribute SAS connections across multiple SAS ports from different controllers or slots.

 Why Port 2a and 9a Are Recommended:

Port 2a is a built-in SAS port on the AFF A700 system.

Port 9a belongs to the additional SAS card in slot 9.

By connecting the stack using 2a and 9a, you utilize different SAS domains (built-in controller ports and add-on card ports), providing both path redundancy and load balancing.

 NetApp Reference Documentation:

"NetApp Hardware Universe" and "ONTAP Hardware Installation Guide" highlight that SAS cabling for redundancy should leverage different ports, including those from separate SAS controllers or add-on cards.

NetApp's best practice guidelines suggest avoiding connections to the same SAS controller or port group for critical stacks.

If the ENVIRONMENT section of the latest MANAGEMENT LOG AutoSupport message is empty, the reason can typically be found in the AUTOSUPPORT-BUDGET.XML file. This file contains information about AutoSupport resource allocation, including what sections were processed and any limits that were hit.

AUTOSUPPORT-BUDGET.XML:

This file provides a summary of the resources (budget) allocated for different AutoSupport sections.

If the ENVIRONMENT section is missing or empty, the AUTOSUPPORT-BUDGET.XML file will indicate whether it was skipped due to resource constraints or configuration limits.

Why Other Sections Do Not Apply:

B. HEADERS: This section only contains metadata about the AutoSupport message, such as timestamps and node details. It does not explain missing sections.

C. AUTOSUPPORT-HISTORY.XML: This file tracks the history of AutoSupport messages but does not provide information about missing sections.

D. MANIFEST.XML: This file lists the contents of the AutoSupport bundle but does not provide details on why a specific section is empty.

Key Details:

"ONTAP AutoSupport Troubleshooting Guide" explains the role of the AUTOSUPPORT-BUDGET.XML file in diagnosing missing or incomplete AutoSupport sections.

References:

To diagnose a PCI/NMI error and collect logs, use the following commands:

What it does:This command collects PCI error logs, including detailed information about PCI devices and the errors that caused the panic.

How to use:Run the command from the nodeshell to capture the required PCI log entries.

1. pelog –a –g=2

What it does:This command reads the SSRAM log file, which contains low-level error information related to PCI and other hardware subsystems.

How to use:Run the command to view the log entries directly for detailed troubleshooting.

2. rdfile /mroot/etc/log/SSRAM

B. show pci –v:

While this command displays PCI device information, it does not provide detailed error logs.

D. event log show:

This displays event log entries but does not contain the specific PCI or NMI-related logs required for diagnosing the panic.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

"ONTAP Hardware Troubleshooting Guide" lists pelog and SSRAM as tools for analyzing PCI errors.

"ONTAP Panic Analysis Guide" emphasizes the importance of collecting detailed hardware logs.

References:

The Upgrade Advisor is a NetApp tool that generates a detailed, step-by-step plan for upgrading an ONTAP system. This tool is available through the Active IQ portal and helps ensure a smooth and risk-free upgrade process.

Provides a tailored upgrade plan based on the current ONTAP version, cluster configuration, and desired target version.

Identifies potential risks, compatibility issues, and pre-requisite tasks for the upgrade.

Offers detailed instructions for each stage of the upgrade process.

Key Features of Upgrade Advisor:

A. ONTAP System Manager:

While System Manager can be used to initiate upgrades, it does not generate a detailed upgrade plan.

B. Active IQ Unified Manager:

Unified Manager focuses on monitoring and management but does not provide upgrade plans.

D. Active IQ Config Advisor:

Config Advisor checks for best practices and configuration issues but is not used for generating upgrade plans.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

NetApp’s "ONTAP Upgrade Guide" emphasizes the use of Upgrade Advisor for planning upgrades.

Active IQ documentation provides detailed instructions on accessing and using the Upgrade Advisor tool.

References:

To trigger an AutoSupport message in ONTAP, the following commands are valid:

What it does:This command manually triggers a complete AutoSupport message of type "all." This includes logs and system information from all subsystems.

How to use:

Run the command: autosupport invoke –node –type all

Replace with the name of the node for which you want to generate the AutoSupport message.

Why it's relevant:This is the primary method for triggering a full AutoSupport message manually. It is commonly used during troubleshooting to provide comprehensive system data to NetApp Support.

1. ::> autosupport invoke –node –type all

What it does:This command is specifically used to upload core files (e.g., kernel or user space cores) from a node to NetApp Support for analysis.

How to use:

Run the command: autosupport invoke-core-upload –node .

Replace with the name of the node for which you want to upload core files.

Why it's relevant:If there is a system panic or other critical issue, this command ensures that core files are included in the AutoSupport message for detailed analysis.

2. ::> autosupport invoke-core-upload –node

A. ::> autosupport history show-upload-details –node <nodename>:

This command displays the history of AutoSupport uploads but does not trigger a new AutoSupport.

B. ::> system node coredump upload –node <nodename>:

This command uploads coredumps directly to a support server but does not trigger an AutoSupport message.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

"ONTAP 9 AutoSupport Configuration Guide" confirms autosupport invoke as a valid command to trigger AutoSupport messages.

"ONTAP CLI Reference Manual" specifies autosupport invoke-core-upload for core file uploads.

References:

When using wafliron to repair WAFL inconsistencies on an aggregate, the aggregate becomes available after Phase 4 of the wafliron process is complete.

Phase 1: Initial scan to identify inconsistencies.

Phase 2: Corrects directory and inode structure issues.

Phase 3: Repairs blocks and metadata.

Phase 4: Completes final repairs and verification, after which the aggregate can be made available.

Phases of wafliron:

A. when the administrator manually onlines the aggregate:

The aggregate cannot be manually brought online until wafliron completes Phase 4.

B. when wafliron is started:

Starting wafliron does not make the aggregate available; repairs need to be completed first.

D. after the mounting phase of wafliron is complete:

WAFLiron does not have a specific "mounting phase." Mounting happens after Phase 4 completes.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

"NetApp WAFLiron Troubleshooting Guide" explains the availability of the aggregate after Phase 4.

NetApp Support documentation outlines the phases of wafliron and aggregate recovery.

References:

When a node panics in ONTAP, a kernel core file is generated. This core file contains information about the kernel's state at the time of the panic and is essential for debugging system crashes.

A kernel core file is produced during a node panic to capture information about the kernel, memory, and processes that led to the crash.

The core file is stored on the root aggregate by default and can be uploaded to NetApp Support using the autosupport invoke-core-upload command.

Key Details:

A. mgwd core:

This is related to the Management Gateway daemon, which handles management traffic. It does not generate a core file during a panic.

B. user space core:

User space cores are generated for processes running in user space, not for kernel panics.

C. sync core:

Sync cores refer to synchronized cores for debugging but are not the primary type generated during a node panic.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

"ONTAP Panic Troubleshooting Guide" specifies kernel core files as the output of a node panic.

"ONTAP Core File Management Guide" details the handling of kernel core files after a crash.

References:

To manually generate a kernel core file in ONTAP, the following commands can be used:

What it does:Reboots the specified node and generates a core dump before rebooting.

Example Usage:

1. ::> reboot –node –dump truereboot –node –dump true

What it does:Halts the specified node and generates a core dump before shutting down.

Example Usage:

2. ::> halt –dump true –node halt –dump true –node

What it does:Forces a panic on the specified node, which triggers a kernel core dump.

Example Usage:

3. ::> system node panic –node system node panic –node

A. SP> system power cycle:

This command reboots the system from the Service Processor but does not generate a core dump.

E. SP> system core:

This command displays core file information but does not generate a new core dump.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

NetApp "Kernel Core Dump Guide" explains the use of reboot, halt, and panic commands to trigger core dumps.

ONTAP CLI Reference includes the syntax for these commands.

References:

To recover an inconsistent aggregate, the following tools can be used:

What it does:This tool is used to perform a consistency check on WAFL metadata. It identifies and attempts to fix WAFL inconsistencies in aggregates.

When to use:Run wafl_check after identifying WAFL inconsistencies to repair minor metadata issues.

1. wafl_check

What it does:This tool repairs WAFL inconsistencies by reconstructing metadata. It is more powerful than wafl_check and should only be run under NetApp Support guidance, as improper use can result in data loss.

When to use:Use wafliron for severe WAFL inconsistencies that cannot be resolved by wafl_check.

2. wafliron

A. file check:

This is not a valid NetApp tool.

C. wafl snapiron:

While similar in name, snapiron is used for snapshot recovery, not aggregate recovery.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

"ONTAP Aggregate Troubleshooting Guide" details the usage of wafl_check and wafliron.

NetApp Support documentation provides guidelines for recovering inconsistent aggregates.

References:

 Understanding "Container Type: Unknown" in Disk Show Output:

The "unknown" container type typically indicates that the disk is not properly configured or recognized by ONTAP.

This status often occurs when a disk does not have an owner assigned.

 Root Cause:

For a disk to be used in an ONTAP system, it must be owned by a member of the high-availability (HA) pair.

If no ownership is assigned, the disk will not be initialized, resulting in an "unknown" container type.

 Steps to Resolve:

Use the disk assign command to manually assign ownership of the disk.

Example: storage disk assign -disk -owner

 NetApp Reference Documentation:

"ONTAP Disk Management Guide" explicitly states that unowned disks report "unknown" container type until they are assigned to a node.

This is further detailed in the "ONTAP Troubleshooting Guide" under disk configuration issues.

If the root volume runs out of space, it can cause operational issues and require recovery.

The root volume must always have sufficient space for system logs, configuration files, and core dumps.

1. Root Volume Ran Out of Space:

When a mainboard is replaced, the system configuration stored in the root volume may need to be restored or recovered.

2. Mainboard Was Replaced Following an NMI Panic:

C. Root volume migrate was performed:

Root volume migration is a normal operation and does not typically cause the need for root volume recovery.

D. The cluster configuration is out of sync on the volume:

While this can cause configuration issues, it does not directly lead to root volume recovery.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

"ONTAP Root Volume Management Guide" explains scenarios leading to root volume issues and recovery procedures.

References:

Description:

L1 WDR is a hardware-initiated reset that occurs when the system detects an unrecoverable error or lockup lasting 0.5 seconds.

Key Characteristics:

It performs a hard reset, meaning the system immediately reboots without creating a core dump.

1. L1 Watchdog Reset (WDR):

Description:

L2 WDR is initiated when the system fails to recover from a critical fault after 2 seconds.

Key Characteristics:

It requests a core dump to capture the system state for diagnostic purposes before performing a reset.

2. L2 Watchdog Reset (WDR):

B. L1 WDR is initiated after 0.5 seconds from the event:

This is incorrect because L1 WDR performs a hard reset and does not initiate after 2 seconds.

C. L1 WDR performs a soft reset:

This is incorrect because L1 WDR performs a hard reset, not a soft reset.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

"ONTAP Panic Analysis Guide" describes the behavior and timing of L1 and L2 WDR events.

NetApp Support documentation on system resets explains the differences between L1 and L2 watchdog resets.

References:

When a node fails to boot and loads the previous version of ONTAP, it usually indicates that the primary boot location is incorrect. To resolve this:

Enter the LOADER Prompt:

Interrupt the boot process to access the LOADER prompt.

Set the Primary Kernel URL:

Use the following command:

Steps to Boot the Correct ONTAP Version:setenv GX_PRIMARY_KERNEL_URL

Boot the Node:

Run the boot command to load the correct version.

B. From the loader prompt of nodeA1, run boot_backup:

Booting the backup image may result in an outdated version of ONTAP, not the desired version.

C. From the clustershell of the partner, run system node image modify:

Modifications to the ONTAP image must be done from the LOADER prompt, not the clustershell.

D. From the clustershell of nodeA1, run system node image modify:

NodeA1 cannot load ONTAP, so this command cannot be run.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

"ONTAP System Boot Guide" explains how to resolve boot issues using the LOADER prompt.

NetApp documentation on environment variables includes the use of GX_PRIMARY_KERNEL_URL.

References:

For an automatic takeover to occur in an HA pair, the following conditions must be met:

The HA pair uses mailbox disks to coordinate and ensure that both nodes have consistent cluster state information.

If the mailbox disks are not reachable, the takeover process cannot proceed.

1. Mailbox Disks Must Be Reachable:

The nodes in an HA pair continuously mirror NVRAM data to ensure that writes are protected.

If NVRAM is not synchronized, the takeover cannot safely handle active workloads.

2. NVRAM Must Be Synchronized:

A. The combined utilization of both nodes must be less than 100%:

This is not a requirement for automatic takeover. ONTAP can handle higher utilization during failover scenarios.

B. The cluster network must be available:

While the cluster network is critical for normal operation, takeover can still occur if the cluster network is unavailable, as long as the HA interconnect is operational.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

NetApp "ONTAP High Availability Guide" outlines the requirements for automatic takeover in HA pairs.

"ONTAP NVRAM Synchronization and Failover Guide" explains NVRAM mirroring requirements.

References:

To analyze the provided panic error, the two sections of AutoSupport that are essential for investigation are:

What it is:HA-RASTRACE.TGZ contains HA (High Availability) system trace logs. It records hardware diagnostics, error traces, and the HA system's response to hardware events. These logs are critical when analyzing hardware-related panics, including those caused by PCI errors.

Why it's relevant to the panic:In the given panic message, the NMI (Non-Maskable Interrupt) error originates from a Qlogic FC 16G adapter. HA-RASTRACE.TGZ will provide detailed diagnostics, including the error reporting from the HA interconnect and other hardware diagnostics. Specifically, it may include information about how the system detected the PCI fault and any actions taken to protect the system state.

How to analyze:

Extract the HA-RASTRACE.TGZ file from the AutoSupport bundle.

Review hardware-related trace messages for entries associated with the PCI bus or the Qlogic FC adapter.

Look for specific error codes or keywords like PCI Error, NMI, or Qlogic.

References:

NetApp’s "AutoSupport Logs and Diagnostics Guide" highlights HA-RASTRACE.TGZ as a primary resource for debugging hardware faults.

The "Panic Troubleshooting Guide" for ONTAP systems specifies HA-RASTRACE as a key source for identifying NMI-related errors.

1. HA-RASTRACE.TGZ

What it is:SSRAM-LOG records low-level hardware error details, including PCI device register states and uncorrectable memory errors. It is particularly useful for analyzing errors originating in peripheral hardware like network or storage adapters connected via PCI.

Why it's relevant to the panic:The panic message explicitly references a PCI Error NMI caused by a Qlogic FC adapter. SSRAM-LOG captures detailed state information for PCI devices, which can help identify whether the fault originated in the adapter hardware, the PCI bus, or another related component.

How to analyze:

Extract the SSRAM-LOG from the AutoSupport bundle.

Search for PCI-related errors, including the specific error source IDs (e.g., ErrSrcID(CorrSrc(0xf00),UCorrSrc(0x18))).

Review the log entries to confirm the root cause of the NMI.

References:

The "Hardware Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Guide for ONTAP" lists SSRAM-LOG as a key file for debugging PCI errors.

NetApp’s documentation on PCI diagnostics emphasizes the use of SSRAM-LOG for validating hardware-level faults.

2. SSRAM-LOG

 Steps to Unfail a Disk in Maintenance Mode:

When a disk is marked as "failed," it is added to the Failed Disk Registry and marked as unusable by the system. Unfailing a disk involves removing it from this registry and resetting its state.

 Step 1: Remove the Disk from the Failed Disk Registry

Use the command: registry remove to delete the disk from the Failed Disk Registry. This clears its "failed" status.

 Step 2: Use the Disk Unfail Command

Execute the disk unfail command to reset the disk status and make it available for use.

 Key Notes:

After unfailing, the disk will be treated as a spare and must be reassigned or re-added to an aggregate.

If the disk remains failed after these steps, physical hardware issues may need to be addressed.

 NetApp Reference Documentation:

The "ONTAP Maintenance Mode Guide" and "Disk Management Guide" provide detailed instructions for handling failed disks and using the disk unfail command.