Wednesday 22 February 2012

NetApp Interview Question

NetApp Interview Question 


How to improve the Netapp storage performance?

  1. There is no direct answer for this question but we shall do it in several way. 
  2. If volume/lun present in ATA/SATA harddisk aggregate, then the volume can be migrated to FC/SAS disk aggregate. 
  3. For NFS/CIFS instead of accessing from single interface, multi mode vif can be configured to get better bandwidth and fault tolerance. 
  4. Always advised to keep aggr/vol utilization below 90%. 
  5. Avoid doing multiple volume backup in single point of time. 
  6. Aggr/volume/lun reallocation can be done to re–distribute the data to multiple disk for better striping performance. 
  7. Schedule scrubbing and deduplication scanning after business hours. 
  8. Avoid connecting different types of shelf in a same loop. 
  9. Avoid mixing up different speeds of disk and different types of disk in a same aggregate. 
  10. Always keep sufficient spare disk to replace incase of disk failure. Because reconstruction time will take more time and cause negative performance. 
  11. Keep the advised version of firmware/software which is recommended by netapp. 
  12. Better to have nearstore functionality to avoid backing up data from source filer. 

Unable to map lun to solaris server, but solaris server side no issue. How to resolve the issue?

FROM STORAGE SIDE:
  1. Verify iscsi/fcp license is added in storage 
  2. Verify iscsi/fcp session is logged in from server side 
  3. Verify luns are mapped to the corresponding igroup. 
  4. Verify whether correct host type is mentioned while creating igroup and lun 
  5. Verify whether correct iqn/wwpn number is added to igroup 
  6. Verify zoning is properly configured from switch side. 
How to create the LUN for solaris server?
  1. lun create –s size –t solaris /vol/vol1/lunname 

How to create qtree and provide the security?

Qtree create /vol/vol1/qtreename
Qtree security /vol/vol1/qtree unix|ntfs|mixed

How to copy filer to filer?

ndmpcopy or snapmirror

How to resize the aggregate?

Aggr add agg(name) no.of.disk

How to increase the volume?

Traditional

Vol add vol(name) no.of.disk

Flexiable

Vol size vol(name) +60g

What is qtree?

Qtree are Logical partition of the volume

What is the default snap reserve in aggregate?

5%

What is snapshot?

Copy(read only) of active file system

What are the raid groups netapp supporting?, what is the difference between them?

Raid_dp(double parity,diagonal parity) ,raid4(striping&dedicated parity)

What are the protocols you are using?

Say some protocols like NFS, CIFS, ISCSI and FC
What is the difference between iscsi and fcp?

Iscsi-sending block through(tcp,ip)

Fcp-send through fibre medium
What is the iscsi port number your are using?

860 and 3260

What is the difference between ndmp copy and vol copy?

Ndmp copy –network data management protocol(used for tape backup)

Vol copy – is used to transfer volume to same or another aggr 


What is the difference between ONTAP 7 & 8?

In ONTAP 7 the individual aggregate is limited to maximum of 16 TB. Where ONTAP 8 supports the new 64 bit aggregate and hence the size of the individual aggregate extends to 100 TB.

What are the steps need to perform to configure SnapMirror?

The SnapMirror configuration process consists of the following four steps:

a. Install the SnapMirror license on the source and destination systems: license add <code>

b. On the source, specify the host name or IP address of the SnapMirror destination systems you wish to authorize to replicate this source system.

options snapmirror.access host=dst_hostname1,dst_hostname2

c. For each source volume or qtree to replicate, perform an initial baseline transfer. For volume SnapMirror,

restrict the destination volume first: vol restrict dst_vol

Then initialize the volume SnapMirror baseline, using the following syntax on the destination:

snapmirror initialize -S src_hostname:src_v

oldst_hostname:dst_vol

For a qtree SnapMirror baseline transfer, use the following syntax on the destination:

snapmirror initialize –S src_hostname:/vol/src_vol/src_qtree

dst_hostname:/vol/dst_vol/dst_qtree

d. After the initial transfer completes, set the SnapMirror mode of replication by creating the

/etc/snapmirror.conf file in the destination’s root volume.

For reference:


While doing baseline transfer you’re getting error message. What are the troubleshooting steps you’ll do?


Check both the hosts are reachable by running “ping” command
Check whether the TCP port 10566 & 10000 are open
Check whether the snapmirror license are installed in both and destination

Explain the different types of replication modes.

The SnapMirror Async mode replicates Snapshot copies from a source volume or qtree to a destination

volume or qtree. Incremental updates are based on a schedule or are performed manually using the

snapmirror update command. Async mode works with both volume SnapMirror and qtree SnapMirror.

SnapMirror Sync mode replicates writes from a source volume to a destination volume at the same time it is

written to the source volume. SnapMirror Sync is used in environments that have zero tolerance for data loss.

SnapMirror Semi-Sync provides a middle-ground solution that keeps the source and destination systems more

closely synchronized than Async mode, but with less impact on performance.

How do you configure multiple path in Snapmirror?

Add a connection name line in the snapmirror.conf file
/etc/snapmirror.conf
FAS1_conf = multi (FAS1-e0a,FAS2-e0a) (FAS1-e0b,FAS2-e0b)

Explain how De-Duplication works?

In the context of disk storage, deduplication refers to any algorithm that searches for duplicate data objects (for example, blocks, chunks, files) and discards those duplicates. When duplicate data is detected, it is not retained, but instead a “data pointer” is modified so that the storage system references an exact copy of the data object already stored on disk. This deduplication feature works well with datasets that have lots of duplicated date (for example, full backups). 


What is the command used to see amount of space saved using deduplication?

df –s <volume name>

Command used to check progress and status of deduplication?

sis status
How do you setup Snapvault Snapshot schedule?

pri> snapvault snap sched vol1 sv_hourly 22@0-22

This schedule is for the home directories volume vol1
Creates hourly Snapshot copies, except 11:00 p.m.
Keeps nearly a full day of hourly copies

What is metadata? 

Metadata is defined as data providing information about one or more aspects of the data,

1. Inode file
2. Used block bitmap file
3. Free block bitmap file
How do you shutdown filer through RLM?

telnet “rlm ip address”
RLM_Netapp> system power on

After creating LUN (iSCSI) & mapped the lun to particular igroup, the client not able to access the LUN. What are the trouble shooting steps you take?

Check whether IQN number specified is correct
Check whether the created LUN is in “restrict” mode
Check the iscsi status

In CIFS how do you check who is using most?

Cifs top

How to check cifs performance statistics

cifs stat

What do you do if a customer reports a particular CIFS share is responding slow?

Check the r/w using "cifs stat" & "sysstat -x 1".
If disk & cpu utilization is more then problem is with filer side only.
CPU utilization will be high if more disk r/w time, i.e.,during tapeback up & also during scrub activities.

what is the degraded mode? You have parity for failed disks then why the filer goes to degraded mode?

If the spare disk is not added within 24hours,then filer will be shutdown auomatically to avoid further disk failures and data loss.

Did you ever do ontap upgrade? From which version to which version and for what reason?

Yes i have done ontap upgrade from version 7.2.6.1 to 7.3.3 due to lot of bugs in old version.

How do you create a lun ?

lun create -s <lunsize> -t <host type> <lunpath>

Production Manager?

Production manager will do the planning,co-ordinating and controlling the process.

Performance Manager?

Performance manager will analyses the performance trends of application.systems and services.

How do you monitor the filers?

Using DFM(Data Fabric Manager) or also using SNMP you can monitor the filer.

What are the prerequisites for a cluster?

cluster interconnect cable should be connected.

shelf connect should be properly done for both the controllers

cluster license should be enabled on both the nodes

Interfaces should be properly configured for fail over

cluster should be enabled

What are the scenarios you have for a cluster failover?

If disk shelf power or shelf port is down, then failover will not happen. It cannot access the mail box disk. Mail box disk stores the cluster configuration data.

What is the diff bet cf takeover and cf force takeover?

If partner shelf power is off (metrco cluster), the forcetakover will work else normal takeover will work.


Please write your valuable comments, about my blogspot.

76 comments:

  1. please send me the HA Availabilty with benifits and configuration....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Siva,

      send me the test mail to now.netapp@gmail.com

      i revert the HA Availability details..

      Delete
  2. Awesome post....every thing is looking good except "The default snap reserve for aggregate" is 5% not 10%

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thak You Giri..,

      regards
      Suresh

      Delete
    2. snap reserve for aggregate is 0% from ontap 8 and for volume 5%. If i was wrong correct me

      Delete
    3. aggregate 0% snap reserve from ontap 8

      Delete
  3. what type of software methodology is NetApp following ?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Why NetApp uses Raid 4 although Raid 5 is available ?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Looks really good I just want to add

    Types of Netapp Raid – RAID DP & RAID 4

    Snapmirror can be done on Volumes and Qtree.For QTREE snapmirror relationship the destination VOLUME remains in an online and writable state and destination qtrees are created automatically when the base line transfer is performed. For VOLUME snapmirror VOLUME is restricted and online read only.

    Following are executed on destination system snapmirror quiesce, snapmirror resume, snapmirror break,snapmirror update. BLOCK level transfer for Volume snapmirror, FILE level for Qtree Sanpamirror.

    Network connections are always initiated by the destination system; that is, SnapMirror and SnapVault pull data rather than push data

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Good & simple explanation....!!!

      Delete
  6. hi suresh plz share some interviews questions.it really so useful for us and can u share few real time issues plz

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi , I want to know
    1.how to power on a filer if its panic shut down ?
    2.How to shut down a filer and power on back during maintenance window or scheduled power outage window

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Balasubramanian,

      Will revert u soon..!

      Delete
  8. Hi All,Thanks..
    It was helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  9. venkatesh krishnagoudar24 January 2013 at 21:54

    awsome information i found in this blog .! guys plz keep posting more issues .
    thanks n regards :
    krishnagoudar v

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. once i have some time i will update the NAS completely.

      Delete
  10. Hi,

    if any one having good document for CIFS troubleshooting scenario
    please upload it.

    1) how to troubleshoot lun misallignment issue?
    2) Same qtree use for both nfs and cifs...but nfs working fine...but cifs user not able to access share. how you will troubleshoot?? ( question asked in cognizant)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. step1: create a local netapp group and add the group with modify access to that share
      step2: create a local user and add the user to that local group which u created
      step3: open /etc/usermap.cfg and add an entry domain/username ==
      step4: ssh to that filer or vfiler and run the command cifs passwd
      step5: get the UID and GID of that domain user who cant access that qtree or share path
      step6: open /etc/passwd file and add one entry as per the following syntax
      ::UID:GID:comments:/vol/vol_name/qtree:

      its done.

      Delete
    2. Check qtree security style. It shoud be mixed style.

      Is it possible for 1k users... :)

      Delete
  11. Hi

    Thanks for valuable information.

    if you update below information that would be great :

    1) Details step for troubleshooting of CIFS ??
    2) Scenario : one qtree exported for both CIFS and NFS. and configuration is all good. but nfs user able to access it and cifs user getting error. how will you troubleshoot??? ( question in cognizant)

    3) Detail steps for troubleshooting of LUN Mis-allignment.
    4) Ontap upgrade process in details with real-time issue during upgrade process.
    5) New filer provisioning document with step by step.
    6) if you have any doc for ontap 8.0 stimulator configuration for both 7-mode and cluster mode.

    7) Brocade and cisco switch configuration and zoning guide with day to day activity.


    Thanks & Regards,
    Yogesh
    Yogesh

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. once i have some time i will update the NAS completely.

      let u know

      Delete
  12. it is very useful For ONTAP over viewing

    Here i have one scenario for data ONTAP , I am looking for answer

    I have one cluster names like pqrsta1 pqrsta2 these two filers are clsuter. Unfourtunatly primary node went down do to high load on filer (pqrsta1 is went down) and partner (pqrsta2) is serving data to customer.

    After some time cluster performance is very less. Now we are ready failback the primary node from partner.

    But fail back not happening what should be reason any one having any idea ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i hope some cifs user sessions should be active. you can force give back

      Delete
  13. hai


    any one plz send netapp real time scenarios AND INTERVIEW QUESTIONS for mostly asked companies plz send my mail sunil.chanamolu77@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 1. get to know the process in datacenter for disk and hardware replacement.

      2. snapshot technologies mostly snapmirror,snapshot and snap manager.

      3. please update urself on latest netapp softwares.

      4. home directory for users and permission settings for folders

      once i have some more time i will update the NAS completely.

      Delete
  14. I was asked this question from Netapp Crew. How do you deal with message "stale nfs file handle" ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stale NFS file handle

      This type of error message is seen when a file or directory that was opened by an NFS client is removed, renamed, or replaced.
      To fix this problem, the NFS file handles must be renegotiated. Try one of these on the client machine:

      a) Unmount and remount the file system, may need to use the -O (overlay option) of mount.

      From the man pages:
      -O Overlay mount. Allow the file system to be
      mounted over an existing mount point, making
      the underlying file system inaccessible. If a
      mount is attempted on a pre-existing mount point
      without setting this flag, the mount will fail,
      producing the error "device busy".

      b) Kill or restart the process trying to use the nonexistent files.

      c) Create another mount point and access the files from the new mount point.

      d) Run: /etc/init.d/nfs.client stop; /etc/init.d/nfs.client start

      e) Reboot the client having problems

      Delete
  15. This veryuseful info:
    Can someone tell me how to snapmirror qtree to multiple aggregate on destination filer?
    filer1:/vol/vol1/qtree1

    the destination filer has two aggregates aggregat0 and aggregate1

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi please send me the latest iq questions in netapp ....

    ReplyDelete
  17. Suresh,

    Wonderfull post really.

    But can u share some scenario when we will use vFIler. Just want to know the detailled explanation of VFILER, and how it is associated to IPSPACE.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. An IPspace defines a distinct IP address space in which vFiler units can participate. IP addresses defined for an IPspace are applicable only within that IPspace. A distinct routing table is maintained for each IPspace. No cross-IPspace traffic is routed.

      Delete
  18. Can a snapdrive LUN size be increased via filer consloe.

    ReplyDelete
  19. We have expanded the size using lun resize command, on windows hos t it is available as unallocated space. Can we reclaim the increased size back, using again with lun resize command.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Can any one send me the material and interview questions on netapp storage admin.
    email id: vinaybopm@gmail.com
    Thanks for your help

    ReplyDelete
  21. Very Nice post....it's helpful

    ReplyDelete
  22. Really great posts... Good to see a healthy NetApp Community here. Thanks to all..

    ReplyDelete
  23. Pretty much covered all the aspects of netapp filer. thanks for your effort.

    ReplyDelete
  24. thank you, was useful..:)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thank You for ur Valuable posts

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Suresh ,.. Thanks for the valuable info. I am looking for job change.

    Can you pls send some interview questions (scenarios) to ragschalla@hotmail.com

    Thanks in advacne

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi Suresh. Thanks for the valuable info.

    Please mail me some interview questions (scenario type questions) to ragschalla@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi Suresh, Thank U Very much for ur effort. If ur posting in any other link pls let us know.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi Suresh,

    Can be please tell me the diffrence between Aggr snap and Vol snap. Will we be able to restore both the snap.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi useful inputs..Keep posting like that..

    ReplyDelete
  31. Very Valuable Info about Filers Suresh..Thanks a lot.!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi

    Can we map a single LDEV on multiple host, if yes how can we do it ?

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi

    Can we map a single LDEV on multiple host, if yes how can we do it ?

    ReplyDelete
  34. can any one please tell me what are daily activities of NETAPP storage admin

    ReplyDelete
  35. Can any one please send the interview questions to my mail id srikumartrichy@yahoo.com,

    thanks

    ReplyDelete
  36. please send the Netapp interview questions to my mail id : logu.tpe@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Netapp Notes with Advanced topics
    http://netappnotesark.blogspot.in/

    ReplyDelete
  38. Dear Mr. Mohit Agarwal, please send your mobile no.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Can any one please send the interview questions to my mail id yuvaraja.kishan@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi friends i am preparing netapp please send me the useful material and interview questions with answers to my mail id pls.

    subbarayudu86@gmail.com

    Thanks in advance
    subbarayudu

    ReplyDelete
  41. how to communicate netapp to centos

    ReplyDelete
  42. how to communicate netapp top centos

    ReplyDelete
  43. sir plz mail me some interview questions(gajapathi786@gmail.com)

    ReplyDelete