Number of questions: 65
Number of questions to pass: 42
Time allowed: 120 mins
Status: Live
This exam consists of 5 sections described below.
Apply Information / Installation Planning / Migration Considerations 15%
Identify areas of risk to discuss with customer, relevant business partner(s), and IBM team:
Sysplex, I/O options
End of life / limited life
Drawers for cards (z13 and Infiniband cards)
TCO (workload retention)
Create a mutually developed implementation plan with the customer, including post-install.
Describe and implement consolidation methodology.
Ensure implementation plan is executed per requirements (including all necessary vendors, business partners, and IBM team groups).
Ensure that customer expectations have been met.
Business Resiliency 14%
Identify the elements of high availability which enable a z Systems environment to remain up and running without unscheduled outages (e.g., elements unique to single system environments, or multiple system environments in a single location, and multi-system-multi-location environment).
Identify the elements of continuous availability which enable a z Systems environment to remain up and running without any outages (planned or unplanned).
Identify the elements of a disaster recovery solution which affect the ability of the business to continue to run.
Explain recovery time objective (RTO) and recovery point objective (RPO), and identify the technologies that support these objectives.
Identify business or external elements which make having a resilient business critical, such as governmental and industry regulations or standards (finance, transit, etc), audit points, competition, and revenue impact.
Identify z Systems business resilience options and their capabilities, and alternative offerings, including (but not limited to) IBM BCRS and GDPS.
Given specific customer criteria and requirements, propose the appropriate business resilience solution, product, or process.
Conduct a business impact analysis to identify a solution which eliminates identified single points of failure (networking redundancy, application failover, infrastructure redundancy, HW or SW product redundancy).
Evaluate Customer Environment and Plans 15%
Evaluate and document current customer environment (equipment, software, staff usage, satisfaction, need for change and growth).
Identify opportunities (business resilience, workload consolidation, cloud, analytics, mobile, etc.).
Solve customer business problems using tools, methods, and processes, including benchmarks.
Solve customer business problems using capacity planning tools (zPCR, zCP3000, zBNA, zSoftCap, zTPM, zSCON).
Discuss how customers can use Techline to resolve computing issues.
Solve customer business problems using tools, methods, and processes, including methodology for best fit (newer workloads, operating environments, "fit for purpose," etc.).
Determine which tools are used to compare different platforms: Sizing, TCO analysis, etc. (RACE, Eagle).
z Systems Features and Architecture 38%
Describe z Systems models (z13, z13s).
Describe LinuxONE models (Emperor and Rockhopper).
Describe currently marketed z Systems, operating systems (z/OS, z/VM, and Linux), and related system software, middleware, and compilers.
Describe z Systems virtualization (PR/SM, z/VM, DPM, KVM).
Describe z Systems specialty engines (IFL, zIIP, ICF) use and benefits.
Describe z Systems permanent and temporary capacity offerings (CoD, Capacity Provisioning, CBU).
Describe z Systems security offerings (RACF, PKI, Crypto, TKE).
Describe z Systems storage compatibility options for z/OS, z/VM and Linux on z Systems.
Describe z Systems connectivity options (I/O such as FICON, OSA, RoCE, zEDC and coupling links such as Infiniband, Integrated Coupling Adapter).
Describe z Systems performance improvements (HiperDispatch, zHPF, Out of Order Execution, Flash Express, Large Memory).
Describe z Systems architectural enhancements (SIMD, SMT, new instructions, Chip/Cache structure, PCIe, IFP, IBM zAware, Secure Service Container).
Describe z Systems modernization of legacy applications (new architecture and deployment).
Describe z Systems systems management (HMC, SE, zOSMF, SMF, RMF, IBM WAVE, etc.).
Describe software pricing options under z/OS, z/VM, and Linux on z Systems.
z Systems Solutions 17%
Security: Identify those things in a z Systems environment that protect networks, data, and applications.
Security: Identify common methods to reduce risk exposure in encryption and cryptography.
Security: Discuss gaps in the customer security environment in data security (encryption, data-at-rest, data-in-motion, permissions/access, etc.).
Security: Identify tools, resources and products which monitor, track and secure data, applications, and systems, and differentiate when they are used. (zSecure, crypto coprocessors, IBM Multi-Factor Authentication for z/OS (MFA), etc.).
Security: Given a customer situation, select the security solution (including processes, products, tools and services) which most closely matches the customer requirements.
Cloud: Identify the characteristics of a cloud environment (elastic, broad network access, pooled/shared resources, measured usage/resources).
Cloud: Position cloud solutions on z Systems that differentiate it from cloud solutions on other platforms (elements that are unique to z Systems, such as cryptography, RAS, Capacity on Demand).
Cloud: Position cloud virtualization solutions on z Systems that differentiate it from cloud solutions on other platforms.
Cloud: Describe hybrid cloud characteristics.
Analytics: Describe the unique values of data intensive workloads on z Systems including reliability, availability, security and scalability.
Blockchain: Describe the capabilities and benefits of Blockchain.
This exam has an Assessment Exam option: A9030-644 Assessment: IBM z Systems Technical Support V7
Assessment exams are web-based exams that provides you, at a cheaper costs, the ability to check your skills before taking the certification exam.
This assessment exam is available in: English, Japanese
Passing the exam does not award you a certification, and it is only used to help you assess if you are ready or not to take the certification exam.
You can register for it at Pearson VUE and it will provide you a score report, showing you how you did in each section.
All IBM certification tests presume a certain amount of "on-the-job" experience which is not present in any classroom or Web presentation. The recommended courses and links will help you gain the skill and product knowledge represented in the test objectives. They do�? not teach the answers to the test questions, and are not intended to do so. This information may not cover all subject areas in the certification test, or may contain more recent information than is present in the certification test. Taking these or any classes will not guarantee that you will achieve certification
IBM z Systems Technical Support V7�? certification�? preparation education can be found at the sites below.�? �? �? �?
IBMers:�? �? IBM Systems Academy
Business Partners or Clients:�? IBM PartnerWorld University
QUESTION 1
A customer wants to concurrently add a central processor (CP) to a running z/OS LPAR, but has no reserved processors defined.
What must they do to add this additional processor to the LPAR?
A. Dynamically update and activate the new profile.
B. Invoke Change Running System on HMC/SE (Support Element) to add the CP to the running LPAR.Configure the CP online in z/OS.
C. Configure a CP online in z/OS.
D. Take down the LPAR and deactivate the current profile.Update the profile with the number of processors needed.Activate the new profile and IPL the LPAR.
Answer: D
Explanation:
With a proper PFT (Profile table entry) you can add CP, ZIIP, IFL, and ICSF processor to an LPAR.
References: IBM z13 and IBM z13s Technical Introduction (March 2016), page 90
QUESTION 2
Which functionality provides a high speed networking link for sharing data using server-to-server communications, at low latency, and with lower CPU overhead than traditional TCP/IP communications?
A. SMC-R
B. zEDC
C. OSA Express5S
D. High performance FICON
Answer: A
Explanation:
With SMC-R, System z network capability takes a new leap, strengthening performance for sharing data and reducing data transmission network overhead. The new System z®
RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE) feature — 10GbE RoCE Express—enables industry-standard RDMA capability on the System z platform. As an RDMA-capable network interface card (RNIC), it can transfer data using direct memory-to-memory communication, reducing the CPU overhead of the networking software stack. SMC-R provides application transparent exploitation of this new RoCE feature reducing the network overhead and latency of data transfers, effectively offering the benefits of optimized network performance across processors. This breakthrough also lowers the CPU cost associated when moving large amounts of data.
QUESTION 3
What is hybrid cloud?
A. It is a compute cloud that mixes compute nodes with different CPU architectures.
B. It is an laaS cloud that provides instances with different operating systems.
C. It is an architecture that combines public and private clouds.
D. It is an laaS cloud that provides ephemeral storage only.
Answer: C
Explanation:
A hybrid cloud is an integrated cloud service utilizing both private and public clouds to perform distinct functions within the same organization.
References: https://www.interoute.com/what-hybrid-cloud
QUESTION 4
Which IBM z Systems technology is the foundation of the IBM Bluemix-based Blockchain service High Security Business Network (HSBN)?
A. Hyperedger Fabric
B. Docker
C. KVM
D. Secure Service Container
Answer: A
Explanation:
Blockchain is based on the industry standard Open Linux Foundation Hyperledger.
References: https://www.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk/g-cloud/services/862468845018056
Number of questions to pass: 42
Time allowed: 120 mins
Status: Live
This exam consists of 5 sections described below.
Apply Information / Installation Planning / Migration Considerations 15%
Identify areas of risk to discuss with customer, relevant business partner(s), and IBM team:
Sysplex, I/O options
End of life / limited life
Drawers for cards (z13 and Infiniband cards)
TCO (workload retention)
Create a mutually developed implementation plan with the customer, including post-install.
Describe and implement consolidation methodology.
Ensure implementation plan is executed per requirements (including all necessary vendors, business partners, and IBM team groups).
Ensure that customer expectations have been met.
Business Resiliency 14%
Identify the elements of high availability which enable a z Systems environment to remain up and running without unscheduled outages (e.g., elements unique to single system environments, or multiple system environments in a single location, and multi-system-multi-location environment).
Identify the elements of continuous availability which enable a z Systems environment to remain up and running without any outages (planned or unplanned).
Identify the elements of a disaster recovery solution which affect the ability of the business to continue to run.
Explain recovery time objective (RTO) and recovery point objective (RPO), and identify the technologies that support these objectives.
Identify business or external elements which make having a resilient business critical, such as governmental and industry regulations or standards (finance, transit, etc), audit points, competition, and revenue impact.
Identify z Systems business resilience options and their capabilities, and alternative offerings, including (but not limited to) IBM BCRS and GDPS.
Given specific customer criteria and requirements, propose the appropriate business resilience solution, product, or process.
Conduct a business impact analysis to identify a solution which eliminates identified single points of failure (networking redundancy, application failover, infrastructure redundancy, HW or SW product redundancy).
Evaluate Customer Environment and Plans 15%
Evaluate and document current customer environment (equipment, software, staff usage, satisfaction, need for change and growth).
Identify opportunities (business resilience, workload consolidation, cloud, analytics, mobile, etc.).
Solve customer business problems using tools, methods, and processes, including benchmarks.
Solve customer business problems using capacity planning tools (zPCR, zCP3000, zBNA, zSoftCap, zTPM, zSCON).
Discuss how customers can use Techline to resolve computing issues.
Solve customer business problems using tools, methods, and processes, including methodology for best fit (newer workloads, operating environments, "fit for purpose," etc.).
Determine which tools are used to compare different platforms: Sizing, TCO analysis, etc. (RACE, Eagle).
z Systems Features and Architecture 38%
Describe z Systems models (z13, z13s).
Describe LinuxONE models (Emperor and Rockhopper).
Describe currently marketed z Systems, operating systems (z/OS, z/VM, and Linux), and related system software, middleware, and compilers.
Describe z Systems virtualization (PR/SM, z/VM, DPM, KVM).
Describe z Systems specialty engines (IFL, zIIP, ICF) use and benefits.
Describe z Systems permanent and temporary capacity offerings (CoD, Capacity Provisioning, CBU).
Describe z Systems security offerings (RACF, PKI, Crypto, TKE).
Describe z Systems storage compatibility options for z/OS, z/VM and Linux on z Systems.
Describe z Systems connectivity options (I/O such as FICON, OSA, RoCE, zEDC and coupling links such as Infiniband, Integrated Coupling Adapter).
Describe z Systems performance improvements (HiperDispatch, zHPF, Out of Order Execution, Flash Express, Large Memory).
Describe z Systems architectural enhancements (SIMD, SMT, new instructions, Chip/Cache structure, PCIe, IFP, IBM zAware, Secure Service Container).
Describe z Systems modernization of legacy applications (new architecture and deployment).
Describe z Systems systems management (HMC, SE, zOSMF, SMF, RMF, IBM WAVE, etc.).
Describe software pricing options under z/OS, z/VM, and Linux on z Systems.
z Systems Solutions 17%
Security: Identify those things in a z Systems environment that protect networks, data, and applications.
Security: Identify common methods to reduce risk exposure in encryption and cryptography.
Security: Discuss gaps in the customer security environment in data security (encryption, data-at-rest, data-in-motion, permissions/access, etc.).
Security: Identify tools, resources and products which monitor, track and secure data, applications, and systems, and differentiate when they are used. (zSecure, crypto coprocessors, IBM Multi-Factor Authentication for z/OS (MFA), etc.).
Security: Given a customer situation, select the security solution (including processes, products, tools and services) which most closely matches the customer requirements.
Cloud: Identify the characteristics of a cloud environment (elastic, broad network access, pooled/shared resources, measured usage/resources).
Cloud: Position cloud solutions on z Systems that differentiate it from cloud solutions on other platforms (elements that are unique to z Systems, such as cryptography, RAS, Capacity on Demand).
Cloud: Position cloud virtualization solutions on z Systems that differentiate it from cloud solutions on other platforms.
Cloud: Describe hybrid cloud characteristics.
Analytics: Describe the unique values of data intensive workloads on z Systems including reliability, availability, security and scalability.
Blockchain: Describe the capabilities and benefits of Blockchain.
This exam has an Assessment Exam option: A9030-644 Assessment: IBM z Systems Technical Support V7
Assessment exams are web-based exams that provides you, at a cheaper costs, the ability to check your skills before taking the certification exam.
This assessment exam is available in: English, Japanese
Passing the exam does not award you a certification, and it is only used to help you assess if you are ready or not to take the certification exam.
You can register for it at Pearson VUE and it will provide you a score report, showing you how you did in each section.
All IBM certification tests presume a certain amount of "on-the-job" experience which is not present in any classroom or Web presentation. The recommended courses and links will help you gain the skill and product knowledge represented in the test objectives. They do�? not teach the answers to the test questions, and are not intended to do so. This information may not cover all subject areas in the certification test, or may contain more recent information than is present in the certification test. Taking these or any classes will not guarantee that you will achieve certification
IBM z Systems Technical Support V7�? certification�? preparation education can be found at the sites below.�? �? �? �?
IBMers:�? �? IBM Systems Academy
Business Partners or Clients:�? IBM PartnerWorld University
QUESTION 1
A customer wants to concurrently add a central processor (CP) to a running z/OS LPAR, but has no reserved processors defined.
What must they do to add this additional processor to the LPAR?
A. Dynamically update and activate the new profile.
B. Invoke Change Running System on HMC/SE (Support Element) to add the CP to the running LPAR.Configure the CP online in z/OS.
C. Configure a CP online in z/OS.
D. Take down the LPAR and deactivate the current profile.Update the profile with the number of processors needed.Activate the new profile and IPL the LPAR.
Answer: D
Explanation:
With a proper PFT (Profile table entry) you can add CP, ZIIP, IFL, and ICSF processor to an LPAR.
References: IBM z13 and IBM z13s Technical Introduction (March 2016), page 90
QUESTION 2
Which functionality provides a high speed networking link for sharing data using server-to-server communications, at low latency, and with lower CPU overhead than traditional TCP/IP communications?
A. SMC-R
B. zEDC
C. OSA Express5S
D. High performance FICON
Answer: A
Explanation:
With SMC-R, System z network capability takes a new leap, strengthening performance for sharing data and reducing data transmission network overhead. The new System z®
RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE) feature — 10GbE RoCE Express—enables industry-standard RDMA capability on the System z platform. As an RDMA-capable network interface card (RNIC), it can transfer data using direct memory-to-memory communication, reducing the CPU overhead of the networking software stack. SMC-R provides application transparent exploitation of this new RoCE feature reducing the network overhead and latency of data transfers, effectively offering the benefits of optimized network performance across processors. This breakthrough also lowers the CPU cost associated when moving large amounts of data.
QUESTION 3
What is hybrid cloud?
A. It is a compute cloud that mixes compute nodes with different CPU architectures.
B. It is an laaS cloud that provides instances with different operating systems.
C. It is an architecture that combines public and private clouds.
D. It is an laaS cloud that provides ephemeral storage only.
Answer: C
Explanation:
A hybrid cloud is an integrated cloud service utilizing both private and public clouds to perform distinct functions within the same organization.
References: https://www.interoute.com/what-hybrid-cloud
QUESTION 4
Which IBM z Systems technology is the foundation of the IBM Bluemix-based Blockchain service High Security Business Network (HSBN)?
A. Hyperedger Fabric
B. Docker
C. KVM
D. Secure Service Container
Answer: A
Explanation:
Blockchain is based on the industry standard Open Linux Foundation Hyperledger.
References: https://www.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk/g-cloud/services/862468845018056
