In June 2020 Dell EMC turned Isilon NAS into PowerScale, so currently, PowerScale represents a modified version of the Isilon OneFS software configured for Dell PowerEdge servers. Candidates who are real experts in implementing solutions on the Dell EMC PowerScale scale-out storage platform and plan to validate their skills, gaining the Expert-PowerScale Solutions (DCE) certification is the right choice. This designation proves that you possess skills in using PowerScale in complex environments, such as systems integrations, security, advanced networking configurations, data protection protocols. The exam you need to pass to become a certified expert is DEE-1421.
Since the certification you need to gain is of the expert-level, you will be required to take some more steps before taking the certification exam. Thus, you will need to earn one of the specialist-level accreditation given on the vendor’s website. It includes Implementation Engineer, PowerScale Version 3.0, Implementation Engineer, Isilon Solutions Version 2.0, or Systems Administrator, Isilon Solutions Version 2.0, to name a few. Next, you need to ensure that you have at least 4 years of experience in dealing with complex PowerScale storage environments. After that, you are allowed to sit for the DEE-1421 Expert-Isilon Solutions exam (DCE). The exam consists of two parts and they both affect your final score. The first part includes theoretical information and experience-based questions. On the whole, you will be given 54 questions which you are to complete within 90 minutes. Here, you need to score at least 60%. The second part contains 6 performance-based simulations, which you have to crack within 30 minutes and achieve 67%.
This exam has been designed to verify your top-notch skills in using a PowerScale scale-out NAS platform within the advanced environments and workflows. You also should have a solid knowledge of the elements of the offered PowerScale solution, such as security and data protection protocols, advanced networking configuration, systems integrations. And you will be required to demonstrate your understanding of the best practices, admin guides, as well as practical skills while dealing with the PowerScale product. So, you should have an in-depth knowledge of such products as OneFS v. 9.0, InsightlQ 4.0, DataiQ 2.0, PowerScale Gen 6.x. To enhance your preparation for the DEE-1421, Dell Technologies offers its candidates to use free practice tests. It’s also a good opportunity to check the topics tested in the exam and be prepared for them.
Speaking of the exam topics, the exam contains 6 parts in which your skills will be assessed. The first part deals with concepts. In this part, you should be able to explain Disaster recovery, its plans, disaster resilience, the OneFS domains, troubleshooting tools and methodologies that refer to system management. Your knowledge of the Job Engine architecture, job types, impact, priorities, as well as Job Engine management will be checked as well.
The second topic is the largest part of the exam and is all about advanced access. In this section, you should possess skills to deal with the networking architecture and its components, create multi-tenancy solutions, evaluate supported authentication methods and providers, and create data access protocols.
The third domain is dedicated to advanced authorization and OneFS reporting. Here, you are required to operate multiprotocol permissions and user identity mapping. You also should be capable in creating OneFS features for system monitoring, designing and analyzing reporting mechanisms.
The fourth part covers the OneFS storage efficiency and services. In this section, you should demonstrate your skills in designing and using SmartQuotas as well as SnapshotlQ, explaining SFSE and Antivirus integration. In addition, you should be skilled in planning and applying data migrations and explaining SyncIQ architecture, management, jobs, and policies.
The fifth topic checks your skills in disaster recovery solutions. In this domain, your skills in designing data recovery solutions, using NDMP, applying cloud and virtual strategies will be assessed.
The sixth topic focuses on performance and monitoring. Here, you will be tested on defining and using data access acceleration, utilizing tools related to use cluster performance analysis. Besides, you should be proficient in analyzing the main reason for performance issues and be able to assess metrics that refer to cluster performance.
Regarding the salary you can earn after gaining the Expert-PowerScale Solutions certification, it ranges from $95,000 to $180,000 as indicated on the Ziprecruiter website.