Compaq Accredited Professional

AlphaServer System Technologies Exam HP0-715 Exam Preparation Guide

Purpose of the Exam Prep Guide

The intent of this guide is to set expectations about the content and the context of the exam and to help candidates prepare. In this guide, you will find a description of the exam and its objectives, recommended Compaq training courses, and reference material, to help you achieve a successful passing score. Studies conducted by Compaq and Prometric show that a combination of course attendance and self-study maximizes the likelihood of passing the exam on the first attempt.

Audience
This exam is for system engineers who install, configure, and integrate Compaq AlphaServer systems in multi-vendor environments and who can: ! Demonstrate an understanding of Compaq supported operating system: Compaq Tru64 UNIX v4.0 or higher or Compaq OpenVMS v7.0 or higher Describe the basics of the Compaq client/server architecture Discuss industry-at-large technology issues

! !

Platform sizing and configuration requires basing a solution on a customers operating system need. Exam candidates should be able to: ! Determine Customer Requirements: Describe features, functions, capabilities, and benefits of each AlphaServer system. Understand customer requirements and delivery expectations. Technology Concepts: Describe general AlphaServer technology concepts including processor, memory, I/O slots, and storage. Configuration and Sizing Solutions: Describe the minimum and maximum amounts of processor, memory, I/O slots, and storage available in each AlphaServer system. Site Preparation and Planning: Describe the power characteristics of all AlphaServer systems.

! !

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! ! !

Installations: Describe the basic configuration installation of processors, memory, I/O, and storage in the AlphaServer system. Upgrades: Describe the AlphaServer system upgrade installation/verification process. Troubleshooting and Repair: Describe AlphaServer system problem resolution techniques for configuration changes, firmware updates, and problem isolation.

Certification Requirements
This AlphaServer System Technologies Exam is one of the core requirements for AlphaServer Systems/Tru64 UNIX V5 or OpenVMS V7 Accredited Platform Integrator certification.

Pre-Requisites:
Beyond the background requirements described in the Audience section, there are no prerequisites for this exam. The OpenVMS or Tru64 UNIX Systems Administrator certification is a prerequisite for the Accredited Platform Integrator certification.

Exam Details
At the beginning of the exam, you will be asked to answer several survey questions. The survey questions are designed to assist the exam development team in accurately profiling test results and to improve future exams. The following are details about the exam:
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Number of items: 65 Item types: Multiple Choice Time commitment: 75 minutes Passing Score: 69% Reference Material: No on-line or hard copy reference material will be allowed at the testing site.

Comments on the Exam

After the exam has been completed, there is additional 15 minutes allotted for the participant to make specific comments about the test. (i.e., accuracy, appropriateness to audience, etc). Compaq welcomes these comments as part of our continuous improvement process.

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Exam Registration
The Compaq tests are delivered at Prometric Centers. To register for the AlphaServer Systems Technologies (Exam #HP0-715):
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Call :
NA - 800-366-EXAM (3926) APD - 61-2-9414-3663 Latin America - 410-843-4300 Japan - 81-3-3269-9620 EMEA - 31-320-239-800 OR

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Register online at Prometric Web Registration Due to high call volume on Mondays, Prometric recommends scheduling test appointments on Tuesday through Friday.
Note Online registration cannot calculate discounted tests and is not available in all regions. To register for beta tests or to take advantage of discounts, you must register over the phone.

Have the following information ready when you register:

# #

Name Social security number, SSI number, or your assigned Compaq testing identification number 1 Compaq student or ASE ID number 2 Company or organization Mailing address (street, city, state, country, and ZIP) Test Series ID number Compaq AlphaServer Systems Technologies (Exam #HP0-715) Compaq Reseller ID number (if applicable)

# # # #

If you cannot provide a social security number or SSI number, Prometric will assign a unique Compaq testing identification number to you. You are responsible for using this number in all future Prometric testing transactions. If the Student ID number is unknown or has never been assigned, please call Compaq Registration. In the U.S. call 800-732-5741, in Canada call 800-392-7024, or in Australia 1 300 305 014 or mail to: AsiaPacificCAP@compaq.com.
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Exam Content
The following outline represents the specific areas of content covered in the exam. Use this outline to guide your study and to check your readiness for the exam. The exam measures your understanding of these areas. The approximate percentage of exam questions dedicated to each major content area is included in parenthesis. The higher the percentage, the more questions will be on the exam. AlphaServer System Technologies Exam Content (HP0-715) 1.0 Technology Concepts (15%) 1.1 Describe general technology concepts supported by Alpha 1.1.a Define the uses of different Microprocessor architectures 1.1.a.1 1.1.a.2 1.1.b.1 1.1.b.2 1.1.b.3 1.1.b.4 1.1.b.5 1.2 1.2.a 1.2.c 1.2.e 1.2.f Define the key features of CISC and RISC Identify general microprocessor components Describe memory subsystems Describe I/O subsystems Describe switches Describe buses Describe firmware

1.1.b Identify computer system components and organization

Describe the Alpha system architecture Identify EV6 chip architecture Identify how I/O buses are connected to the Alpha subsystem Identify RAMP features Describe memory subsystem including main and B-cache memory 1.2.b Describe the switch and how systems are built using the switch 1.2.d Describe the function of the junk I/O controllers

1.2.g Describe the concept of SMP 1.2.h Define what constitutes the console subsystem 2.0 Product Line (15%) 2.1 2.2 Identify operating systems available for use on an ES or DS AlphaServer 2.1.a Identify minimum version of operating system support Describe AlphaServer ES and DS architecture

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2.2.a 2.2 3.0

Identify components of a DS10L, DS10, DS20E, ES40

2.2.b Describe specific architecture of the system Describe the Alpha series product positioning in the Compaq line

Determining Customer Requirements and Configuring/ Sizing Solutions (25%) 3.1 Assess current and future customer business needs 3.1.a Identify RAS requirements 3.1.b Identify current application requirements 3.1.c Identify project specifications 3.1.d Identify customer constraints 3.1.e Identify performance requirements 3.2 Determine the best solution based on customer requirements 3.2.a Determine the correct system 3.2.b Determine the correct configuration 3.3 Describe the strengths and weaknesses of industry benchmarks as they relate to the customers application requirements 3.3.a Define the goals and limitations of specific benchmarks 3.4 Identify the recommended resources for determining customer configurations 3.4.a Describe the intended us of the following resources: Active Answers Quick Specs Support Options List Solution Sizers Alpha Configuration Utility

3.5 Validate the configuration 4.0 Site Preparation and Planning (10%) 4.1 Identify site characteristics relevant to site preparation 4.1.a Identify footprint, weight and accessibility characteristics 4.1.b Identify electrical characteristics 4.1.c Identify HVAC characteristics 4.1.d Identify the types of environmental site characteristics that could affect system reliability
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4.2 Identify the types of environmental site characteristics that could affect system reliability 4.2.a Describe the monitoring tools available 4.2.b Describe common environmental issues 4.2.c Recognize and engage the right resource 5.0 Installation and Upgrades (25%) 5.1 Describe the general system installation process for Alpha Systems (ES/DS) 5.1.a Describe the system installation process 5.2 Describe the hardware performance tuning and optimization process 5.2.a Describe the concept of interleaving 5.3 Describe the console subsystem installation verification process 5.3.a Define the firmware installation/upgrade procedures 5.3.b Describe the basic diagnostic procedures 5.3.c Identify basic console commands 5.4 Describe basic procedures for installing the operating system 5.4.a Install the base operating system 5.4.b Log on to verify successful installation 5.5 Identify the differences between installation and the upgrade process 5.5.a Define procedural differences 5.5.b Identify compatibility issues of firmware and software 5.5.c Describe procedures on system verification prior to upgrading 6.0 Troubleshooting and Repair (15%) 6.1 Implement system troubleshooting procedures 6.1.a 6.1.c 6.2.a Select the troubleshooting methodology Isolate the problem Identify considerations and dependencies when replacing options 6.1.b Identify event history 6.2 Select problem resolution techniques

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Recommended Training and Study References

This section lists training courses and documents that can help you acquire a majority of the knowledge and skills needed to pass the exam. You must also gain the practical experience outlined in this guide You are not required to take the courses listed in this section. However, Compaq strongly recommends that you attend the classes, participate in class labs, and thoroughly review all course material and documents before taking the exam, even if you believe you have sufficient on-the-job experience.

Instructor-Led Training
Title AlphaServer System Technologies Course Number NA 407 EMEA ASYSPARC How to Enroll Region training sites: NA http://www.compaq.com/training/407.html EMEA http://www.ase.emea.compaq.com/alphaSyst em.html

Web-based Training
Title ES-series Technical Resource Kit Course Number None How to Order/Obtain Training Media Catalog
http://compaq.billyoungprod.com/trk/es_0201 02/ES40TRK/welcome.htm

DS-series system Technical Resource Kit

None

Training Media Catalog http://www.compaq.billyoungprod.com/trk/d strkq4/welcome.htm

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Documentation
System Documentation AlphaServer DS10L AlphaServer DS10 AlphaServer DS20E AlphaServer ES40 AlphaServer ES45 AlphaServer Whitepapers How to Order/Obtain http://www.compaq.com/alphaserver/ds10l/ds10l_tech.html http://www.compaq.com/alphaserver/ds10/ds10_tech.html http://www.compaq.com/alphaserver/ds20e/ds20e_tech.html http://www.compaq.com/alphaserver/es40/es40_tech.html http://www.compaq.com/alphaserver/es45/es45_tech.html http://www.compaq.com/alphaserver/whitepapers.html

Exploring Alpha Power for Technical Computing 64-bit Computing Comes of Age The Alpha 21264 Microprocessor Architecture Switch-based Architecture vs. Bus-base Architecture

Sample Test Items

The sample test items give you a preview of what the actual test items will look like. It is important to note that these items WILL NOT be on the exam itself. However, they are representative of the actual items, and they should help you become familiar with the format and complexity of the test items. These sample test items are not a check for readiness.
1. Cross-bar switches control all of the following EXCEPT A. B. C. D. CPU memory I/O power

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2. What is the minimum version of Tru64 UNIX for a DS20E? A. B. C. D. 3.2G 4.0D 4.0F 5.1A

3. The customer requires an entry level AlphaServer that will easily fit into its existing high performance technical computing environment. It must be flexible enough to connect into their existing cluster architecture and dual attach to a fibre channel SAN. Which AlphaServer configuration would best fit their needs? A. B. C. D. DS10L DS10 ES40 model 1 ES40 model 2

4. Which utility is used to configure and compare Alpha systems? A. B. C. ServerNet Alpha Configuration Utility SmartStart

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D.

Compaq Analyze

5. Which resource helps validate the AlphaServer configurations? A. B. C. D. service manual packing slip Quickspecs Insight Manager

6. After entering the "boot" command at the SRM console prompt, the following error message is displayed: usage is boot <device> [-file <file>] [-flags <flags>] What is the most likely cause? A. B. C. D. Incorrect operating system version. Bad hard drive. Improperly initialized environment variables. Corrupt console memory.

7. Which SRM environment variable do you use to define the boot device? A. B. C.
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boot_osflags boot_file bootdef_dev

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D.

boot_device

8. In a Tru64 UNIX system, which ASCII character flags_value argument is used to autoboot? A. B. C. D. s i d a

9. A reliable system begins to exhibit hardware failures. Which data-gathering question is the most relevant? A. B. C. D. What recent changes have been made to the configuration? What failures are being seen in the application data log? Is the operating system revision supported on the system? How many users are on the system when the failure occurs?

10. Which user interfaces can be used with Compaq Analyze utility, version 4.0 and higher? A. B. C.
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WEB, GUI, and CLI WEB and GUI WEB

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D.

WEB and CLI

11. Which port would you use when connecting to the Compaq Analyze WEB server? A. B. C. D. 8080 8008 7902 7406

12. Compaq Analyze will not start. Which background process needs to be running? A. B. C. D. ca_exec analyze_exec desta_exec webes_exec

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Sample Items- Answers

1= D 2= C 3= B 4= B 5= C 6= C 7= C 8= D 9= A 10= D 11= C 12= C

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Conclusion
Compaq wishes you success in the Compaq Accredited Professional Program and in passing this exam.

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