IBM Professional Architect

Study Guide

This study guide will help prepare you for the

IBM Cloud Professional Architect Certification
Examination.

What’s in the Study Guide

This study guide covers:

 IBM Cloud Storage Options

How to Use this Study Guide

Read the content. Take notes. Answer practice

questions.
 Preparation

Thorough study is essential to a successful outcome on the exam.

• Clear your schedule.

• Find a quiet place to study.
• Focus on the content.

• Open the associated on-line course for reference.

• Locate the study guide.
• Download the study guide.

• Print a copy of the study guide.

• Take notes.

Courses and Objectives

Courses in Storage Options Objectives

4.1 File Storage Capabilities and • Define the options and capabilities of classic storage on IBM
Options on IBM Cloud Cloud
4.2 Block Storage Capabilities and • Define the capabilities and options of classic block storage
Options on IBM Cloud
• Define the options and capabilities of classic file storage
4.3 Object Storage Capabilities and • Identify VPC block storage and its capabilities
Options on IBM Cloud
• Distinguish the differences between boot volumes and data
volumes of VPC block storage
• List the data encryption options of VPC block storage
• Identify what Key Protect and Hyper Protect Crypto Services are
and why they are important
• Identify storage classes, resiliency options, and
review encrypting data
• Identify object storage and retention policies
• Define Aspera high-speed transfer and large object storage
• Determine your responsibilities when using IBM Cloud Object
Storage
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 IBM Cloud Storage Options
Study Guide

4.1 File Storage Capabilities and Options on IBM Cloud

Introduction and Objectives

In File Storage Capabilities and Options on IBM Cloud, the subject matter:
• Focuses on IBM Cloud File storage.
• Highlights best use cases for file storage options.
• Emphasizes options and capabilities of classic file storage.
• Provides IBM Cloud classic storage options and capabilities.

Lessons

• Basics of IBM Cloud File Storage (Classic)

• Features of IBM Cloud File Storage (Classic)
• VMware as an Option with IBM Cloud File Storage (Classic)
• Summary

Objectives
• Define the options and capabilities of classic storage on IBM Cloud
• Define the capabilities and options of classic block storage
• Define the options and capabilities of classic file storage

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 IBM Cloud Storage Options
Study Guide

4.1 File Storage Capabilities and Options on IBM Cloud

IBM offers a variety of storage solutions to help clients

store their data that supports traditional and cloud native
workloads.

IBM Cloud File Storage (Classic)

 Traditional, fast, flexible network-attached, NFS-based
storage
 Can be attached to multiple servers at once in an
account
 Structure is set up as files organized by folders in a
hierarchy of directories and subdirectories.

Features include:

Snapshots
• Represents a volume's contents at a particular point in time and considered the first line of defense
for data protection
• Snapshots can be scheduled hourly, daily, or weekly to meet application business requirements

Data Replication

• Data can be replicated using snapshot schedules.

• Copies can be recovered if unexpected events occur.

Encryption-at-rest

• With provider-managed encryption, file storage that is provisioned with either Endurance or
Performance options is secured by default at no additional cost

Adjustable IOPS

• Two options when choosing the IOPS needed for a workload: Endurance & Performance Storage
• Once a user chooses a tiered or customized option, there is no ability to switch between the two

Expandable Storage

• Classic storage can be immediately expanded by GB increments up to 12 TB with self-service (16

TB through a support case).
• Expanding the primary storage results in automatic resizing of the replica.

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Course 4.1: File Storage Capabilities and Options
on IBM Cloud
Check Your Knowledge

Question 1.
Which statement is true regarding snapshots storage volume on classic storage on
IBM Cloud?

A. There is a maximum limit of 200 snapshots per storage volume

B. Snapshots can be scheduled hourly, daily, or at weekly intervals for each
storage volume
C. A client needs to ensure there is enough space in the current block
space area to store the snapshots
D. Snapshots can be used to replace actual off-site Disaster Recovery
replication or long-retention backup

Answer B. Snapshots can be scheduled hourly, daily, or at weekly intervals

for each storage volume.

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Course 4.1: File Storage Capabilities and Options
on IBM Cloud
Check Your Knowledge

Question 2.

How can data be replicated on classic storage on IBM Cloud?

A. Data replication uses snapshot schedules

B. Data can be distributed across regions
C. Snapshot schedules across regions
D. Snapshots can be configured to any remote data center in IBM Cloud

Answer A. Data can be replicated using snapshot schedules.

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Module 4.1: File Storage Capabilities and Options
on IBM Cloud
Check Your Knowledge

Question 3.

Which of these statements regarding IOPS adjustment on classic storage on IBM

Cloud is true?

A. When adjusting IOPS, there will be a very small outage or lack of access
to the storage
B. In order to adjust IOPS of an already deployed storage, a duplicate must
be created or manually copied to new storage
C. When adjusting the IOPS, the replica must also be manually adjusted
D. Once a user chooses a tiered or customized option, there is no ability to
switch between Endurance and Performance

Answer D. There is no ability to switch between Endurance and

Performance once a user chooses a tiered or customized option.

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Course 4.1: File Storage Capabilities and Options
on IBM Cloud
Check Your Knowledge

Question 4.

Which of these statements regarding expanding storage capacity on classic

storage on IBM Cloud is true?

A. It is possible to schedule automatic resizing of storage capacity

B. Client can resize storage up to 48 TB through the console
C. The expand action on the primary storage results in automatic resizing
of the replica
D. There is a small outage or lack of access to the storage while the resize
is taking place

Answer C. Expanding the primary storage results in automatic resizing of

the replica.

8 © Copyright IBM Corp. 2023

 IBM Cloud Storage Options
Study Guide

Module 4.2: Block Storage Capabilities and Options on IBM Cloud

Introduction and Objectives

In Block Storage Capabilities and Options on IBM Cloud, the subject matter:
• Focuses on block storage for IBM Cloud virtual private cloud (VPC) and its capabilities.
• Highlights the boot and data volumes of block storage for VPC.
• Emphasizes volume sizing, Input/Output Operations per Second (IOPS) profiles, and tiers.
• Provides data encryption options for block storage for VPC.

Lessons

• Block Storage for VPC

• IOPS Profiles on Block Storage for VPC
• Data Encryption
• Summary

Objectives
• Identify VPC block storage and its capabilities
• Distinguish the differences between boot volumes and data volumes of VPC block storage
• List the data encryption options of VPC block storage

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 IBM Cloud Storage Options
Study Guide

Module 4.2: Block Storage Capabilities and Options on IBM Cloud

IBM Cloud Block Storage

Block storage for virtual private cloud (VPC) provides hypervisor-mounted, high-performance data
storage for virtual server instances. Like all VPC infrastructure, block storage for VPC provides rapid
scaling and extra performance and security.

Capabilities of Block Storage for VPC

• Supports all virtual server profiles
• Stores volume data redundantly across multiple physical disks in an availability zone to prevent data
loss due to failure of any single component
• Can choose between an IOPS tier profile or a custom IOPS profile
• Data is encrypted at rest using either IBM or client-managed keys
• Provides primary boot volumes and secondary data volumes

Block storage for VPC offers block-level volumes that are attached to an instance as a boot volume
when the instance is created or attached as secondary data volumes. Up to 300 block storage
volumes per account in a region can be configured. Each instance can have up to 12 block storage
volumes attached to it, which can be added one at a time.

IOPS Profiles
When block storage for VPC data volumes are provisioned using the IBM Cloud Console, users specify
an IOPS profile that best meets their storage read/write requirements. IOPS defines the maximum
number of input and output operations per second the storage is capable of, or in other words, the
overall speed of the storage.

IOPS profiles are available as three tiers or as custom IOPS.

IOPS Tiers Workload Volume Size

3 IOPS/GB General purpose workloads 10 GB to 16,000 GB
5 IOPS/GB High I/O intensity workloads 10 GB to 9,600 GB
Demanding storage and highest
10 IOPS/GB 10 GB to 4,800 GB
performance workloads

10 © Copyright IBM Corp. 2023

 Course 4.2: Block Storage Capabilities and
Options on IBM Cloud
Check Your Knowledge

Question 1.

Which of the following is suitable for an application that is running in VPC and
requires 300 GB of high performance, encrypted storage?

A. Cloud Object Storage

B. Object Storage ColdVault
C. Block Storage
D. High Performance Storage

Answer C. Block storage would be suitable for an application that is running

in a VPC and requires 300 GB of high performance, encrypted storage.

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 IBM Cloud Storage Options
Study Guide

Module 4.3: Object Storage Capabilities and Options on IBM Cloud

Introduction and Objectives

In Object Storage Capabilities and Options on IBM Cloud, the subject matter:
• Focuses on storage classes, resiliency options, and encrypting data.
• Highlights IBM Cloud Object Storage.
• Emphasizes the use of encryption keys for high security, including what Key Protect and Hyper
Protect Crypto Services have to offer.
• Provides information on how to use Aspera high-speed transfer, how to store large objects, and both
the client's and IBM's responsibilities when using IBM Cloud Object Storage.

Lessons

• Storage Classes of IBM Cloud Object Storage

• Resiliency Classes of IBM Cloud Object Storage
• Encryption Feature of IBM Cloud Object Storage
• Aspera High-Speed Transfer to IBM Cloud Object Storage
• IBM and Client Responsibility Split for IBM Cloud Object Storage
• Summary

Objectives
• Identify what Key Protect and Hyper Protect Crypto Services are and why they are important
• Identify storage classes, resiliency options, and review encrypting data
• Identify object storage and retention policies
• Define Aspera high-speed transfer and large object storage
• Determine your responsibilities when using IBM Cloud Object Storage

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 IBM Cloud Storage Options
Study Guide

Module 4.3: Object Storage Capabilities and Options on IBM Cloud

IBM Cloud Object Storage

IBM Cloud Object Storage is a highly available, durable, and secure platform for storing unstructured data.
Unstructured data is data that is not highly structured in the manner of a file storage. Object storage is the
most efficient way to store PDFs, media files, database backups, disk images, or even large structured
datasets.

There are four storage classes:

 Smart Tier – Used for any workload, especially dynamic workloads where access patterns are unknown
or difficult to predict
 Standard – Used for active workloads
 Vault – Used for cool workloads where data is accessed less than once a month
 Cold Vault – Used for cold workloads, where data is accessed every 90 days or less

Resiliency Options
IBM Cloud Object Storage offers worldwide locations for data storage through three resiliency options.

Cross Region
Data is stored across three regions within a geography for highest availability and resiliency.

Regional
Data is stored in multiple data center facilities within a single geographic region for best
availability and performance.

Single Data Center

Data is stored across multiple devices in a single data center for when data locality matters
most.

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 IBM Cloud Storage Options
Study Guide

Module 4.3: Object Storage Capabilities and Options on IBM Cloud

Data Encryption
IBM Cloud Object Storage provides several options to encrypt data. By default, all objects that are stored in
IBM Cloud Object Storage are encrypted by using randomly generated keys and an all-or-nothing-transform
(AONT). Clients can manage their keys manually on a per-object basis by providing their own encryption
keys - referred to as Server-Side Encryption with Customer-Provided Keys (SSE-C).

The following services, IBM Key Protect for IBM Cloud and IBM Cloud Hyper Protect Crypto Services,
could be used with IBM Cloud Object Storage, as well as many IBM Cloud services.

IBM Key Protect for IBM Cloud IBM Cloud Hyper Protect Crypto Services
• Provisions encrypted keys for apps across IBM • A dedicated key management service and
Cloud services Hardware Security Module (HSM)

• Keys are secured by the Federal Information • Provides clients with the Keep Your Own Key
Processing Standard Publication (FIPS) 140-2 (KYOK) capability for cloud data encryption
Level 3
• Built on FIPS 140-2 Level 4-certified hardware
• Ability to Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) for exclusive control of their encryption keys

Using Aspera High-Speed Transfer

Aspera high-speed transfer overcomes the limitations of traditional FTP and HTTP transfers to improve
data transfer performance under most conditions, especially in networks with high latency and packet
loss.

Benefits:
• Get faster transfer speeds
• Transfer large object uploads over 200 MB in the console and 1 GB by using an SDK or library
• Upload entire folders of any type of data, such as multimedia files, disk images, and any other
structured or unstructured data
• Customize transfer speeds and default preferences
• View, pause, resume, or cancel transfers independently

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 Course 4.3: Object Storage Capabilities and
Options on IBM Cloud
Check Your Knowledge

Question 1.
A client's stored data needs to be highly available to all the requested regions in
the EU and US. They have a solution where IBM Cloud Object Storage is adopted
to store data objects between several services distributed in several regions.
Which resiliency option will support that case?

A. High availability
B. Regional
C. Single site
D. Cross region

Answer D. Cross region is an option where data is stored across three

regions within a geography for highest availability and resiliency.

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 Course 4.3: Object Storage Capabilities and
Options on IBM Cloud
Check Your Knowledge

Question 2.
What method should be used to upload data objects for a client using a solution
where data objects must be uploaded regularly into IBM Cloud Object Storage and
the minimum size of the transferred objects is 500 MB?

A. FTP
B. Box REST API
C. Aspera using SDKs
D. SCP

Answer C. Aspera transfers large object uploads of 200 MB in the console

and 1 GB by using an SDK or library.

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 Course 4.3: Object Storage Capabilities and
Options on IBM Cloud
Check Your Knowledge

Question 3.
All objects that are stored in IBM Cloud Object Storage are encrypted by default
using randomly generated keys. In some situations, workloads need to be
encrypted using provided client data encryption keys. The keys can be managed
using ______.

A. Hyper Protect Crypto Services

B. IBM Cloud Activity Tracker
C. App ID
D. Certificate Manager

Answer A. Hyper Protect Crypto Services allows clients to manage their

keys manually on a per-object basis by providing their own encryption keys

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 Course 4.3: Object Storage Capabilities and
Options on IBM Cloud
Check Your Knowledge

Question 4.

A client is using IBM Cloud Object Storage as a repository for video images
uploaded to their social media application. What service can the client use to
enable high-speed data transfer for those videos between their web servers and
IBM Cloud Object Storage?

A. IBM Cloud Block Storage

B. Hyper Protect Crypto Services
C. Aspera
D. Akamai

Answer C. Aspera high-speed transfer overcomes the limitations of traditional

FTP and HTTP transfers to improve data transfer performance under most
conditions, especially in networks with high latency and packet loss.
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 Course 4.3: Object Storage Capabilities and
Options on IBM Cloud
Check Your Knowledge

Question 5.
What is the best storage option for a client that has 18 TB of archived data stored
in IBM Cloud that must be available across multiple availability zones to achieve
fault tolerance and high availability?

A. Block Storage for VPC

B. Cloud Object Storage
C. File Storage
D. High Performance Storage

Answer B. Cloud Object Storage is the best storage option for 18 TB of

archived data that must be available across multiple availability zones to
achieve fault tolerance and high availability.
19 © Copyright IBM Corp. 2023
 Course 4.3: Object Storage Capabilities and
Options on IBM Cloud
Check Your Knowledge

Question 6.
An application deployed on a multizone Red Hat OpenShift cluster requires a
multizone, highly available and highly resilient ReadWriteMany storage to store
uploaded images and document files, mainly unstructured data. The IBM Cloud
________ storage type will serve this purpose.

A. VPC Block
B. Classic File
C. IBM Cloud Object
D. IBM Cloud NoSQL Database service

Answer C. IBM Cloud Object storage is a highly available, durable, and

secure platform for storing unstructured data, such as images and
document files.
20 © Copyright IBM Corp. 2023
 Cloud Storage
Study Guide

Acronyms

Acronym Acronym Expansion

AONT All or nothing transformation

HSM Hardware Security Module

IOPS Input/Output Operations Per Second

NAS Network Attached Storage

NFS Network File System

PV Persistent Volume

PVC Persistent Volume Claim

RAS Reliability, Availability, and Scalability

SDS Software Defined Storage

SAN Storage Area Networks

VPC Virtual Private Cloud

21 © Copyright IBM Corp. 2023