It does not help if you just prepare for a set of interview questions. Specifically in a technology domain like Storage or even Virtualization you need to have strong foundation. You should have got hands on experience. Also you should have spent time to learn many things which can be termed as advance technical skill. Some people just collect interview questions & start attending interviews JUST on the basis of those questions. Its worse. True some questions may repeat. But more than depending on few qustions why not spend some solid hours,days, months if time is available to perfect what you are working on.
I've seen people coming from real experience background in storage not able to clearly explain some of the basics. I've also seen people in FC segment not being aware of anything from iSCSI or FCOE areas. Also many people have forgotten the good old Clariion they just know latest stuff & latest CAS etc.
I would always encourage you to prepare seriously for your storage interviews. Having few questions as refence is fine but in Storage any topic you take can become an interview question. So stop searching for interview questions since I know you came here searching for that in Google. Google thankfully lists this website in Top 1 position for "storage interview questions". I've been forced by some of the blog readers to post more interview questions. So before I do that I just want you to start reading "Storage Complete Reference" by Tata McGraw hill. Also get as much handson experience as possible as there is no replacement for that.
Many Storage job interviewer ask one or other question about Luns, Lun management, Lun secure,Lun relocation, Lun replication. But the below one is the most frequently asked question in any storage technology interview. So better you get the basics right.
Interview question: What is Lun Mapping,Lun Masking,Persistent Binding,Fabric Zoning.All these are with respect to a FC SAN array. (Fibre Channel Storage Area Network Array)
LUN Mapping:
LUN Mapping is host-centric method of storage LUN visibility management. LUN Mapping selectively allows a system administrator to scan for specified SCSI targets and LUNs at storage-driver boot time and to ignore selectively non-specified SCSI targets and LUNs.
The advantage of LUN Mapping is that it provides a level of security management in SANs where LUN Masking is not an option, perhaps because it is not supported
on the storage hardware.
The disadvantage is that LUN Mapping is configured and enabled on a host-by-host basis. It requires good coordination among the administrators of the systems sharing the storage, which ensures that only one host sees certain storage unless planned, as in a clustered server configuration.
LUN Masking:
LUN Masking is RAID storage subsystem-centric method of LUN visibility management to
hosts or servers.
LUN Masking makes sure that each RAID controller is configured to allow each host to see only a subset of the actual LUN's & hide all other LUNs from it. so all connected hosts will see only those LUNs that are assigned to them.
The advantage of LUN Masking is easy to implement in storage subsystems and no changes needed in Hosts or servers that are connected to them.
The disadvantage is multi-vendor devices might be present in the real SAN networks & not all the vendors implemented in same way.
Persistent Binding:
It is another host-centric method. This can be implemented in Operating systems (OS) by assigning specific SCSI-Target IDs to the Storage LUNs.
Fabric Zoning:
It is Network-centric method & basically Switch (or Fabric) present in the SAN networks have the capability to allow grouping of Ports from Storage Sub-systems to Connected Hosts in the form of Zoning.
The disadvantage is that Fabric zoning cannot mask individual LUNs that sit behind a port. All hosts connected to the same port will see all the LUNs addressed through that port.
NOTE:
Each of these Host-centric, Storage centric & switch-centric methods provide their own benifits & drawbacks. Usually to provide very good solution, combination of any two methods will be implemented in real SAN networks.
I was waiting from a long time to hear news like this.
Yes Companies have started hiring again. Joining the hiring trend are companies starting from Dell,Sun Microsystems,IBM,HP,NetApp,EMC2,Vmware,Cisco,Brocade.
Thats like message from heaven for many of the people who've been struggling just to get their resumes shortlisted. Yes I understand a lot of people's situation. They've been applying like hell but the response was not at all there.I just was getting many emails saying they are not getting interview schedules. They are not being called for any interviews. There was a lot of frustration growing among people who were in a stable domain like Storage technology.
But things are starting to brighten up now.
I'm getting more emails now saying their resume has been shortlisted,they are getting interview schedules, also I got 2 emails saying they got their offer letters & joining in next 15 days. Thats like the best news I've heard from people who read this blog over a long time. Im glad you guys made it. Help others too.
Just to keep you all updated openings are coming up but NOT in large numbers, its appearning more like strategic hirings or replacement hiring. But still atleast people are getting jobs thats what matters to me.
Email me about your job search process in detail & we'll see if there is any way we can be of some help. Remember interviews are dynamic processes so dont just go by theory or small set of questions.
EMC,NetApp,IBM all these companies were in news sometime back for massive layoffs. Yes even 100 people being laid off I call as massive. I hate Layoffs as much as you do. But this post is not about layoffs. I've also got news that all these companies are hiring for Storage technology openings. There are openings for Storage administrators, Storage Architects, Storage consultants, Storage support engineers.
As per my source the hiring is mainly for experienced pros with more than 3 years experience in this core field. Atleast there is some good news so I thought of sharing with you all.
Dont loose hope I got news that even HP,Accenture are hiring for Storage technology, Data Center Admin roles. Just make your job hunt accelerate with more speed. I'll get you more details soon on which other storage companies are hiring now.
Main Tip : For sure upload your resumes to Major Job websites. Not just that apply through the career sections of each of these Company websites. Also reach out more to hiring consultants(head hunters) the more you network the better in these times.
Interviews for these openings are going little more tough, there will be more rounds of technical interviews. Dont expect it to be easy & dont neglect your interview preparations. There will be more emphasis on practical handson experience coupled with good skill in troubleshooting & advanced configurations, support issues awareness. Keep trying & dont loose hope.
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This post is dedicated to all mothers. I just want to show that you are invaluable. I dont want this website to be just junky technical hence sharing some of the social thoughts too.My brother is expecting a baby. When I see his & his wife's preparations, anxiety,dreaming I get overwhelmed.Parenthood is holy, its also a challenge. Aptly said Joys of parenthood can never be expressed in words.
He spends more time planning for his expected baby than he does for himself.His wife too is happy that they are having a baby after soo many years after their marriage. They both were busy in their work & now something other than work has been of importance.Sometimes I feel they are acting like babies in their excitement & tantrums to buy ahead of time all the essential clothes,cradle,soft mats.... I'm really happy seeing them. I frankly feel I've never seen them so happy before. They are saying in silence words "I Love this experience".
This is an emotional & sensitive subject as its also an essential subject considering your baby's future & health. So I think its important that expectant parents should be aware of cord blood. By storing baby’s umbilical cord blood, parents can take advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to preserve their baby’s valuable stem cells. Stem cells from umbilical cord blood are known to treat more than 75 diseases, and have been used in more than 10,000 transplants worldwide. From blood disorders, malignancies, immunodeficiencies and other inherited disorders, to promising developments on the horizon for dozens of new potential uses in the near future, stems cells are helping people all over the world.Im talking about stem cells & why its important for your baby's future. Every parent should know about cord blood, if you are an expectant parent take time to know about it at Cryo-Cell. Its worth all the time.
Read these Cryo-Cell testimonials.
Its important that you know more about Cryo-Cell Cord Blood Bank services. Before the birth of your baby & after the birth of your baby this service helps in several scenarios.preserving them at birth may provide future opportunities for medical treatments that may not otherwise exist.This process is beneficial to other children in the family too.
There are many precautions & pre-paredness a parent must do & I believe this one is important if you can understand its advantages. This company is providing services in this area get to know more about its current services, current offers .
Parenthood is a real joy I wish you a very happy experience of Parenthood when you are ready for it.
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This is a sponsored post. But my opinions are not influenced by the sponsor.
People often email with these questions so I'll give brief answers to them
1. Which companies are hiring now. What kind of openings are there.
Many storage companies (more than 40% are still hiring) but it may not be for entry level openings. Mid level,higher management is whats being hired right now. But give a good fight & u may get ur shot.
Several openings starting from consultant, support engineer,L2/L3, Developer, Quality, Implementation,Pre Sales lots of options are there.But check out your city specific job portal for the latest info. As far as I got the info through out US though there is a slump Storage pros are still in demand (those who have good years of experience & expertise).
2. How much is being paid? What is the pay package?
Will take a day to update on this since Im waiting for some inputs.
3. How are the interview process in these Storage Companies?
Expect & be ready for several technical interview rounds. Manager/ above rounds are nothing compared to the kind of bashing you'll recieve at tech rounds. So prepare well. Nothing to fear they treat you nice & gentle. But they want you to give the expected solutions/answers.
Dont expect any company hiring for not less than 3 tech rounds. Some companies do 7 rounds or more. Its a norm ,dont panic or act wierd when they ask you to wait a whole day before calling for a 40 min tech discussion.
4. Interview questions being asked in such Storage job interviews.
Interview is a very dynamic process,they mainly ask based on your experience, prior projects,strengths, tech accomplishments, Skillset they need for the opening.
Job seekers you are my 1st focus.People who lost jobs I'm here to support you in whatever little capacity I can. I know how hard its been. Dont let the situation drag you down. Yes I know there are layoffs, yes I know there are no interview calls, yes I know you are not being short listed or even your resume is not being accepted.
But come on dont loose hope. Dont let it overcome you.
Email me in detail writing what you are trying. Where you've been. Where you feel there is hope. Where you think you need help. I want to help but there is a limitation. Dont help me to do A-Z for you. Dont ask me to search for jobs, write your resumes, train you or send you docs, keep you updated etc etc. Let me know what you've done so far. Let me know how many interviews or companies you tried so far & write in detail. I can easily spot a fake story. I will support the people who are genuinely trying for a job, who deserve a job but are not getting an opportunity.
Also please mention your place,city,location of preference,present/previous salary,minimum expected pay package.Any other concerns in detail. This helps to get to the point & not to beat around the bush.
There are some jobs, these jobs are having a little higher expectations, please keep yourself on a steady learning path.Dont get obsolete. Dont let what you've gained as experience go due to inactivity/not revising.
Keep me updated even though I may delay in replying. Let me see what I can do to be of help.
Storage professionals many of them are starting their own websites, I cant say they are inspired by this blog or website. But im glad to say many people creating their own websites & expressing/sharing their experiences, in the process helping others who are looking for a career,job in this bleak time.
Many of you emailed asking how to start your own website , where to buy your own domain name, where to get dedicated server hosting. How to choose the best & affordable website hosting provider.
For real beginners :
Domain Name is just the address like mystorageinterviewexperiences.com Just address
U need to buy space on a server to store all the articles,images,videos which we call Webserver hosting space. So there are 2 things you need to purchase 1. Domain Name 2. Web hosting.
So I found a cool website which gives u all these basic info about different options to choose while buying a domain name & also website hosting. Here is that site http://webhostinggeeks.com/blog/.
I learnt some real cool lessons on how to choose b/w performance & bandwidth, how to make money using just domain names, cloud hosting, database hosting, exchange hosting (Email server). For those who are eagerly searching for the best yet affordable hosting this is definitely a site to check out. Also for those who are just there to learn do learn a ton. Hope u implement it some day & have your own independent website which you can be proud of.
Make sure to write lots of useful & informative articles & share from your experiences.Storage Technology has still potential even in this recession to get you jobs & a good career. Having your own website with real quality content written definitely gives a huge boost to your resume. Tech Blogs being written & updated by you constantly are a big advantage to give a good impression. Start your own website soon.
This is a sponsored post. But my opinions are not influenced by the sponsor.
