Exam Objectives and Commonly Referenced Documentation for FlashArray Implementation Specialist Certification

The following tables list the FlashArray™ Implementation Specialist exam objectives and how these objectives align to the corresponding commonly referenced product documentation and resources. Candidates are encouraged to review the applicable topics as part of their preparation for the exam.

Note: For Knowledge Portal documents, be sure to reference all subtopics, PDFs, and/or links that are part of the document link provided.

Exam Domain 1: Pre-Installation/Upgrade (Weightage 25%)

Exam Objectives	Applicable Documentation and Resources
1.01 - Analyze and apply site readiness prior to site visit
Objective Subtopics: Understand hardware requirements Verify power requirements of FlashArray Verify rack requirements	FlashArray//XR4 Storage Configuration Rules FlashArray//XR4 Port Usage and Definitions X20R4 Low Line Hardware FAQ FlashArray//XR4 Site Planning Guide FlashArray//X Product Information FlashArray//XL Quick Installation Guide FlashArray//XL Site Planning Guide Knowledge for a First New Install FlashArray//X70 Technical Specifications
1.02 - Verify the configuration and environment prerequisites for installation
Objective Subtopics: Verification of hardware delivery Review deliverables against requirements Verify power changes between models Validate software availability Understand hardware relocation procedures	DirectFlash Shelf Technical Specifications FlashArray//XR2 and //XR3 to FlashArray//XR4 Upgrade Guide ActiveCluster Requirements and Best Practices FlashArray//XR4 Port Usage and Definitions Knowledge for a First New Install Configuration: Pure1 Cloud and RemoteAssist
1.03 - Apply procedural concepts to validate the Pure Engagement Request (PER) or the Implementation Workbook (IWB) data (PER is specific to Pure employees and IWB is specific to partners)
Objective Subtopics: Identify network requirements for FlashArray functionalities (e.g., management, replication, FA File, etc.) Understand network configuration and sub-networks Understand proxy configuration Verify the array name syntax Understand DNS, NTP, and SMTP	Purity//FA Administration Guide Version 6.10.1 (See Ch. 2 FlashArray Concepts and Features) FlashArray//XR4(b) Port Usage and Definitions Knowledge for a First New Install Configuration: Pure1 Cloud and RemoteAssist Implementation Services Knowledge Library

Exam Domain 2: Installation (Weightage 23%)

Exam Objectives	Applicable Documentation and Resources
2.01 - Perform hardware install
Objective Subtopics: Serial connection to an array Racking a FlashArray Identify card locations and corresponding ports Understand storage configuration rules	FlashArray//XR4 Port Usage and Definitions FlashArray//XR4(b), //CR4(b), and //E(b) – FAQ FlashArray//XR4(b) Port Usage and Definitions FlashArray//XR4 Quick Installation Guide FlashArray//XR1, //XR2, and //XR3 to FlashArray//XL Upgrade Guide
2.02 - Configure software for install
Objective Subtopics: Understand CLI commands Understand user permissions Perform Purity installation on chassis controllers and DirectFlash Shelf Configure Fusion fleet roles and assignment (e.g., Coordinator) Identify minimum Purity requirements for Fusion deployment	FlashArray//XR2 Quick Installation Guide FlashArray Installation: Changing Purity//FA Version on a New FlashArray Knowledge for a First New Install Everpure Fusion Best Practices FlashArray//XR4 Intra-Series Upgrade Guide
2.03 - Perform physical racking of array
Objective Subtopics: Determine rack space requirements Understand the considerations for serviceability and upgrading of an array Install modules and blanks	FlashArray//XR4 Quick Installation Guide FlashArray//XR4 Site Planning Guide FlashArray//X to FlashArray//XL Hardware NDU FAQ
2.04 - Perform cabling of array
Objective Subtopics: Identify proper cable length Identify card location and port usage Run Purity commands to verify cabling	FlashArray//XR4 Cabling Guide FlashArray//CR4(a) Port Usage and Definitions FlashArray//XR4 Port Usage and Definitions FlashArray//XR4(b) Port Usage and Definitions FlashArray//XR4 Cabling Guide FlashArray//XR4 Site Planning Guide

Exam Domain 3: Upgrade (Weightage 32%)

Exam Objectives	Applicable Documentation and Resources
3.01 - Perform hardware upgrades
Objective Subtopics: Perform NDUs Upgrade from X to XL Differentiate between NVRAMs Understand Purity version Interoperability Differentiate between models and their requirements	FlashArray//XR4 to FlashArray//XL Upgrade Guide FlashArray//C NVRAM Module Replacement Guide FlashArray//E Storage Configuration Rules with Gen2 Chassis FlashArray//C FlashArray//E Technical Specifications FlashArray//XR4 HW FAQ FlashArray//M and //XR1 to //XR2 or //XR3 Upgrade Guide FlashArray//XR2 and //XR3 to FlashArray//XR4 upgrade Guide FlashArray//XR4 NVRAM Module Replacement Guide FlashArray//XR4 Technical Specifications FlashArray//XL Port Usage and Definitions
3.02 - Perform software-related tasks
Objective Subtopics: Split/join files on USB Login as elevated user Understand CLI commands Failover Process Understand FlashArray module write groups Perform health checks Integrate Fusion with multi-site Active Directory environments Validate Fusion configuration during multi-domain deployment	Shelf Evacuation FlashArray//M and //XR1 to //XR4 Upgrade Guide FlashArray//XR4 Port Usage and Definitions Doing a Health Check on a FlashArray Self-Service Purity Upgrades with Pure1 Manage: FAQ Correcting the Time on the FlashArray Drive Status: Unadmitted Everpure FlashArray Dynamic Root Password User Guide FlashArray Installation: Changing Purity//FA Version on a New FlashArray Changing Purity//FA Version Everpure Fusion - Overview FlashArray//XR1, //XR2, and //XR3 to FlashArray//XL Upgrade Guide
3.03 - Provide and/or validate a workplan on capacity consolidations including numbers of onsite visits and highlight data evacuations requirements
Objective Subtopics: Perform capacity transformations Understand array capacity limitations Understand module configurations Swing gear	Shelf Evacuation Moving Drives Between Enclosures FlashArray//XR1, //XR2, and //XR3 to FlashArray//XL Upgrade Guide Two Step Drive Admission

Exam Domain 4: Post-Installation/Upgrade (Weightage 20%)

Exam Objectives	Applicable Documentation and Resources
4.01 - Apply procedural concepts to verify successful install/upgrade
Objective Subtopics: Run scripts Validate connectivity to Pure services Verify customer access to array Proxy verification Determine Fusion fleet and system minimums for multi-site or Dark Site environments Identify Fusion connectivity prerequisites across arrays	Add-on Storage Shelf: Quick Installation Guide Troubleshooting RA / Phonehome Issues Doing a Health Check on a FlashArray FlashArray Best Practices for Networking Everpure Fusion FAQ Everpure Fusion Best Practices Everpure FlashArray Dynamic Root Password User Guide Purity//FA CLI Reference Guide Version 6.8.1 (See purearray)
4.02 - Perform a high-level product and GUI walkthrough
Objective Subtopics: Understand basic GUI and Pure1 functionality (e.g., host/volume configuration, replication, FA File, etc.) Configure replication ports Explain SafeMode functionality Troubleshoot Fusion fleet creation and array join errors via GUI	FlashArray File - Requirements and Best Practices Creating a New File Server Using the File Server Wizard V10 Model Limits Pure1 Manage Mobile App Pure1 Manage - Administration Purity//FA Administration Guide Version 6.10.1 (See Ch. 2 FlashArray Concepts and Features, and Ch 10. Settings)
4.03 - Troubleshoot install/upgrade issues
Objective Subtopics: Perform and interpret health checks Troubleshoot cabling, connections, host multipathing Engage support properly when necessary	FlashArray File - FAQ X20R4 Low Line Hardware FAQ FlashArray://XR2 and //XR3 to FlashArray//XR4 Upgrade Guide Doing a Health Check on a FlashArray Hardware NDU Upgrade Guide FlashArray TCP and UDP Port Assignments