Specialist Technology Architect Midrange Storage Solutions (DCS-TA) Practice Exam

The Specialist Technology Architect Midrange Storage Solutions (DCS-TA) Exam assesses the candidate's ability to design solutions for Dell EMC Unity and PowerStore. Additionally, the exam evaluates the candidate's understanding of the essential product features of both storage systems.

Who should take the exam?

The Specialist Technology Architect Midrange Storage Solutions (DCS-TA) Exam is for:

• IT Professionals
• Storage Architect
• Storage Engineer
• System Administrator
• IT Consultant (focusing on storage)
• Those Seeking Dell EMC Midrange Storage Specialization

Exam Details

• Exam Code: DES-1D12
• Exam Name: Specialist - Technology Architect, Midrange Storage Solutions
• Exam Languages: English
• Exam Questions: 60 Questions
• Time: 120 minutes
• Passing Score: 60%

Course Outline 

The Exam covers the given topics  - 

Topic 1: Understand Dell EMC Midrange Architectures (25%)

• Describe the Unity and Unity XT hardware (e.g., enclosures, I/O components, storage media options)
• Explain Unity and Unity XT storage resources and features (e.g., dynamic pools, RAID functions)
• Describe the PowerStore hardware components and their functions (e.g., controller and expansion enclosures models, I/O expansion modules, internal components)
• Describe the PowerStore resources and features (e.g., caching and data reduction mechanisms, NVMe and SSD options, PowerStore manager GUI)

Topic 2: Learn about Dell EMC Midrange Product Solutions (55%)

• Describe how to provision and access Unity storage including Block, Files, and VMware datastores
• Identify Unity advanced features for Block storage (e.g. FAST Suite, D@RE, host I/O limit availability, thin clones)
• Identify Unity advanced features for File storage (e.g. IP Multi-tenancy, Advanced Static Routing, IP Packet Reflect)
• Describe Unity Data Protection (e.g., Snapshots, Replication, and Snapshot Replication architecture) solutions and use cases
• Describe Unity Data Mobility features, requirements, and use cases
• Describe PowerStore Data Services and how to provision and access storage via Block, Files, and VMware datastores
• Describe the PowerStore load and resource balancing capabilities and PowerStore replication capabilities
• Describe PowerStore Data Protection and Data Security (e.g., Snapshots, Consistency Groups, Thin Clones) features and use cases
• Describe PowerStore HA features, non-disruptive upgrades and migration options requirements and use cases
• Compare and contrast similar features between Unity and PowerStore solutions

Topic 3: Dell EMC Midrange Best Practices, Sizing, and Design (20%)

• Apply Dell EMC midrange best practice recommendations for data service, system, storage, and host application configurations
• Describe sizing and design considerations
• Describe sizing and design methods
• Describe the tools and resources available to size and design solutions