Technical FAQ

VMware Optimized All Flash FAS Solution

Karl Konnerth, NetApp
Version 1.1
January 2017

Abstract
This document describes the VMware Optimized AFF solution and benefits and addresses
technical questions about the customized configuration, application provisioning, and preloaded
VMware solution software.

Information Classification
NetApp Confidential
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Product Overview ................................................................................................................................. 3

What is a VMware Optimized All Flash FAS (AFF) solution? .................................................................... 3
What are the benefits of the VMware optimized solution? ......................................................................... 3
When should I choose the VMware optimized solution? ........................................................................... 3
When should I not choose the VMware optimized solution? ..................................................................... 3
Are the OnCommand System Manager guided application provisioning workflows available on all
clusters? .................................................................................................................................................... 3
How do I order the solution? ...................................................................................................................... 3
Is there additional cost for a VMware optimized AFF solution? ................................................................. 4
Can an optimized AFF system be added to an existing cluster? ............................................................... 4
If NetApp is the leader in unified storage, why do we have separate SAN- and NAS-optimized systems? 4

2 Technical Questions............................................................................................................................. 5
How are the NAS- and SAN-optimized AFF clusters configured? ............................................................. 5
What are the OnCommand System Manager application provisioning workflows? ................................... 5
How do the VMware workflows configure storage? ................................................................................... 5
Are there other requirements to use application provisioning workflows? ................................................. 6
Are there other VMware provisioning workflows? ...................................................................................... 6
Which other settings are configured by the application provisioning workflows? ....................................... 6
Which software is installed on optimized AFF systems when the VMware solution is selected?............... 7
What is the benefit of preloading the VMware solution software? ............................................................. 7
Is the software updated with new releases? .............................................................................................. 7
Do I need to reference the Interoperability Matrix Tool (IMT) when I get the solution? .............................. 7
What if the customer wants to change the cluster configuration or not use System Manager application
provisioning? ............................................................................................................................................. 7
How do I take the factory cluster configuration and make it ready for production? .................................... 8
Which VMware software is required for the VMware optimized AFF solution? .......................................... 8
The templates dont align with my customers current environment or system administration processes.
For example, the customer might not follow all NetApp best practices for configuring AFF and ONTAP or
might not use all NetApp VMware tools such as the VASA Provider or Virtual Storage Console. Is there
any value for them in ordering the VMware optimized AFF solution? ........................................................ 8
How is support handled for the VMware optimized AFF solution? ............................................................. 8
Which enhancements are being considered for future releases? .............................................................. 8

3 Additional Resources ........................................................................................................................... 9

4 Contact Us ........................................................................................................................................... 10
Version History ......................................................................................................................................... 11

2 VMware Optimized All Flash FAS Solution 2017 NetApp, Inc. All rights reserved. NETAPP CONFIDENTIAL.
1 Product Overview
What is a VMware Optimized All Flash FAS (AFF) solution?
Answer: The VMware Optimized AFF solution consists of three elements:
A NAS- or SAN-optimized (factory-configured) NetApp AFF cluster
NetApp OnCommand System Manager guided application provisioning workflows
Preloaded VMware solution software

What are the benefits of the VMware optimized solution?

Answer: It is significantly easier to deploy VMware workloads with a factory-configured NetApp VMware
optimized solution. The VMware optimized configuration streamlines the cluster software setup and
storage provisioning processes, ensuring that NetApp best practices are automatically applied to improve
performance and availability. After the cluster is physically installed and cabled, the storage
administrators only tasks are to configure the hosts (either FC SAN or NFS NAS) and provision storage
for the application(s) using specialized OnCommand System Manager application provisioning templates.

When should I choose the VMware optimized solution?

Answer: This optimized solution is aimed at sales teams and customers who are looking for a simpler
system to quote and get started with. The solution is useful for new customers or storage teams who are
not familiar with NetApp ONTAP systems or competitive situations in which simplicity and installation
speed are key factors. The greatest value of an optimized system is for customers conducting proof-of-
concept (POC) or other testsespecially without NetApp or partner assistanceor for product
demonstrations. An optimized solution is also an excellent building block to start a new NetApp cluster
because the cluster conforms to NetApp best practices.

When should I not choose the VMware optimized solution?

Answer: If the customer is experienced with NetApp systems and has defined configuration standards or
uses automated provisioning tools, the preconfigured optimized system might be of limited value. The
application provisioning workflows are available to all AFF systems. Therefore, after a cluster is started
with an optimized system, it might be expanded with AFF systems that are not ordered as optimized. In
fact, an optimized system is only for new clusters; it is not appropriate to add to existing clusters.

Are the OnCommand System Manager guided application provisioning workflows available on all
clusters?
Answer: No. ONTAP 9.0 and 9.1 clusters must consist only of AFF systems to use the OnCommand
System Manager guided application provisioning workflows. If there are non-AFF nodes in the cluster, the
provisioning workflow will fail. We hope to bring the benefits of application provisioning to all systems that
run ONTAP software, including FAS systems, in the future.

How do I order the solution?

Answer: You can order any AFF system as FC SAN or NAS optimized by selecting the appropriate
checkbox in the System Configuration page of the Quote Tool. Selecting the VMware Solution checkbox
also instructs the factory to load NetApp software for VMware using appropriate versions for the selected
ONTAP release. The following figure shows an example.

3 VMware Optimized All Flash FAS Solution 2017 NetApp, Inc. All rights reserved. NETAPP CONFIDENTIAL.
Is there additional cost for a VMware optimized AFF solution?
Answer: No. The factory configuration and the preloaded software are provided at no additional cost.

Can an optimized AFF system be added to an existing cluster?

Answer: No, because the optimized system is configured as a new cluster and is not appropriate to add to
an existing cluster. The best approach for adding to an existing optimized cluster is to add AFF systems
that are not ordered as optimized.

If NetApp is the leader in unified storage, why do we have separate SAN- and NAS-optimized
systems?
Answer: The designation of SAN or NAS optimized indicates only the initial orientation of the
customization and primarily affects the initial network configuration (port personality, LIF type) and
protocol services. AFF systems come with all protocol licenses preinstalled, so with a bit more
configuration work the solution can be configured with other protocol services. The application
provisioning workflows operate on both SAN- and NAS-optimized systems.

4 VMware Optimized All Flash FAS Solution 2017 NetApp, Inc. All rights reserved. NETAPP CONFIDENTIAL.
2 Technical Questions
How are the NAS- and SAN-optimized AFF clusters configured?
Answer: The optimized systems are configured in the factory using NetApp best practices. Only All Flash
FAS systems are supported. A cluster (any number of nodes) is created with defined aggregates, ports,
and administrative accounts and software licenses are installed. Either an FC SAN or an NFS NAS SVM
is created with appropriate data LIFs and management accounts. Several best practice settings are
configured for deduplication and aggregate space monitoring.

What are the OnCommand System Manager application provisioning workflows?

Answer: OnCommand System Manager 9.0 is easily accessed from an ONTAP 9 cluster through the
cluster management LIF. Start by selecting the SVM and then the Application Provisioning tab. This
feature works for the factory-configured default SVM or any other AFF SVM but is not supported on
FAS systems. The cluster must consist only of AFF nodes. If there are non-AFF nodes in the cluster, the
provisioning workflow will fail. The following workflows are available (SAN and/or NAS workflows will be
shown if the appropriate protocols are licensed):
NFS Oracle Single
NFS Oracle RAC
SAN Oracle Single
SAN Oracle RAC
SMB SQL Server
SAN SQL Server
NAS Virtual Server Infrastructure
NAS Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
SAN Virtual Server Infrastructure
SAN Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
The virtual infrastructure workflows support VMware, Hyper-V, and Citrix XenServer/KVM hypervisors.
ONTAP 9.1 adds an SAP HANA workflow.

How do the VMware workflows configure storage?

Answer: For SAN SVMs, specify the type of hypervisor, datastore name prefix, and size (either the
number and size of datastores for virtual servers or the number and average size of desktops for virtual
desktops). You can create an initiator group by specifying host initiator WWPNs or use an existing initiator
group. The workflow logic will select aggregates on the cluster pair with the greatest amount of space
available and create the volumes and LUNs across both nodes in the pair, mapping them to the initiator
group. The volumes and LUNs are thin provisioned with a minimum size of 20MB. The service that is
used (FCP or iSCSI) depends on the LIFs specified and must be already started.
For NAS SVMs, specify the type of hypervisor, datastore name prefix, and size (either the number and
size of datastores for virtual servers or the number and average size of desktops for virtual desktops).
You can create an NFS export policy by specifying host IP addresses or use an existing policy. The
workflow logic will select aggregates on the cluster pair with the greatest amount of space available,
create the volumes across both nodes in the pair, and set their export policy. The volumes are thin
provisioned with a minimum size of 20MB. The CIFS service is configured (along with DNS) for Hyper-V
environments and the NFS service is configured for VMware or Citrix XenServer/KVM.
For virtual desktop configurations, instead of specifying datastores, you specify the number and average
size of the desktops. You can also select persistent or nonpersistent desktops (nonpersistent desktop
volumes have no snapshot policy defined). The workflow logic will create volumes with up to 200
desktops per volume, starting with a minimum of 4 volumes, 2 on each node in the pair.

5 VMware Optimized All Flash FAS Solution 2017 NetApp, Inc. All rights reserved. NETAPP CONFIDENTIAL.
Are there other requirements to use application provisioning workflows?
Answer: The workflows are supported only on AFF systems (through the ONTAP 9.1 release). They
require the appropriate protocol licenses (iSCSI/FCP or CIFS/NFS). For SAN, a data LIF must exist on
each node; this is recommended for NAS but not required.

Are there other VMware provisioning workflows?

Answer: Yes, there are two others. On SAN-optimized AFF systems running Data ONTAP 8.3.1 or later
with the default optimized SVM (AFF_SAN_DEFAULT_SVM) and no existing volumes or LUNs, the
Create FC SAN Optimized LUNs wizard runs when OnCommand System Manager starts. The wizard
provisions volumes, LUNs, and igroups following best practices for Oracle, SQL Server, or other/host
applications.
On all FAS and AFF systems, System Manager also includes the Create NFS Datastore wizard, which
creates a volume and NFS exports for an ESX datastore with NetApp recommended settings.
For optimized AFF systems, the newer application provisioning workflows are recommended. If you are
on a new system and the Create FC SAN Optimized LUNs wizard starts, cancel it and select the SVM
Application Provisioning tab.

Which other settings are configured by the application provisioning workflows?

Answer: For both SAN and NAS configurations:
Volumes are thin provisioned.
Volume autosize is set to grow_shrink, with 50% maximum growth at an increment of 10% of the
20MB base size.
Inline and postprocess deduplication is enabled.
Inline adaptive compression is enabled but not postprocess (because this is an AFF system).
Volumes are set to UNIX security style, no_atime_update.
The default snapshot policy is specified with autodelete and 0% snap reserve.

In addition, for SAN configurations:

LUNs are not space reserved.

What is the history of the provisioning workflows over different ONTAP releases?

Release Provisioning

8.3.1 LUN Create Wizard Create FC SAN Optimized LUNs for Oracle, SQL, or
other/host, if it sees default AFF_SAN_DEFAULT_SVM without any LUNs or
volumes already provisioned. This provisions volumes, LUNs, and igroups
(and best practice settings). No NFS.

8.3.2 Application Provisioning Templates for Oracle SAN, NFS (single, RAC).

9.0 Application Provisioning Templates extended for SQL Server (SMB, SAN),
SAN Virtual Server, SAN Virtual Desktop, NAS Virtual Server, NAS Virtual
Desktop. Any AFF SVM name.

9.1 Add SAP HANA, Guided Cluster Setup.

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Which software is installed on optimized AFF systems when the VMware solution is selected?
Answer: Depending on the release of ONTAP installed on the systems (8.3.2 or 9.0), IMT-appropriate
versions of the following software tools are installed in a new volume named NetApp_Software, with
separate directories for VMware vSphere 5.5 and vSphere 6.0:
NetApp NAS plug-in (to enable NFS VAAI copy offload with VMware)
NetApp OnCommand API-S
NetApp OnCommand Performance Manager
NetApp OnCommand Unified Manager
NetApp OnCommand Workflow Automation
NetApp Virtual Storage Console (vSphere plug-in)
NetApp VASA Provider
NetApp Storage Replication Adapter (Site Recovery Manager plug-in)
NetApp SnapCenter software
Each tool directory includes the software installer or OVA appliance, release notes, installation and/or
administrator guides, and any available notices as posted on the NetApp Support site. Checksums have
been verified for each software package.

What is the benefit of preloading the VMware solution software?

Answer: By preloading the VMware solution software, it is easy to find and use the software tool release
appropriate for the customers ONTAP and vSphere software releases without the Interoperability Matrix
Tool. This approach also exposes the customer to other useful tools for managing an ONTAP VMware
solution, including OnCommand tools.

Is the software updated with new releases?

Answer: The software that is preloaded by the factory is reviewed regularly to ensure that the latest
releases are included. The software is also updated with new major ONTAP releases when they are
generally available, such as ONTAP 9.1. Once the system is shipped to the customer, the software does
not automatically update, but we are looking at approaches to highlight updates for the customer using
the NetApp Support site.

Do I need to reference the Interoperability Matrix Tool (IMT) when I get the solution?
Answer: When you get the VMware optimized AFF solution, the preloaded software is the correct version
for the installed ONTAP release. Over time, there might be enhancements to the tools, or the customer
might choose to upgrade ONTAP. In these cases, NetApp recommends confirming support with the IMT.
As noted above, we are looking at approaches to simplify this process for the customer on an ongoing
basis.

What if the customer wants to change the cluster configuration or not use System Manager
application provisioning?
Answer: If the customer later decides not to use the preconfigured cluster, that customer can either delete
the default SVM or change the settings of the default SVM. The customer can also use Maintenance
Mode to zero the cluster node disks and reinstall ONTAP to create a cluster. Using Maintenance Mode to
zero the disks and reset the cluster can be a lengthy process, and NetApp does not recommend doing so
if rapid cluster setup is required.
The preconfigured cluster can also be used without application provisioning. The cluster would still benefit
from the select best practices applied by the factory.
The VMware solution software volume (NetApp_Software) can also be taken offline and destroyed if the
customer does not want to use the volume and would like to reuse the disk space.

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How do I take the factory cluster configuration and make it ready for production?
Answer: As noted above, the factory configuration makes it simple to get started with an AFF system,
especially for POC testing. Using the system for production applications might require some configuration
changes, especially for network IP addresses, management passwords, and integration with production
name and time services. There is an FC SAN Optimized AFF Setup Guide, and many of its
recommendations are useful for NAS environments. The guide is available on the NetApp Support site in
the AFF and AFF8000 series documentation; here is an example.

Which VMware software is required for the VMware optimized AFF solution?
Answer: The current solution is intended for use with VMware vSphere 5.5 or 6.0 software, licensed
separately. However, this software is not required, and the system can be used with other hypervisors, for
other applications (Oracle, SQL Server, SAP HANA), or with general storage applications without any
changes.

The templates dont align with my customers current environment or system administration
processes. For example, the customer might not follow all NetApp best practices for configuring
AFF and ONTAP or might not use all NetApp VMware tools such as the VASA Provider or Virtual
Storage Console. Is there any value for them in ordering the VMware optimized AFF solution?
Answer: Yes, there is value in ordering a system as a VMware optimized AFF solution. The
preconfiguration simplifies licensing and enables the customer to use the System Manager GUI
immediately (although the customer might need to change some IP addresses depending on the
environment). The customer can then delete or customize whatever they want, as mentioned above.

How is support handled for the VMware optimized AFF solution?

Answer: Support for the AFF system, ONTAP software, and NetApp software tools included in the
solution is handled by NetApp Support just as support is handled for these products when purchased
separately.

Which enhancements are being considered for future releases?

Answer: OSSG and DFMG product teams are considering extending cluster setup to include provisioning
of storage, SVM protocols and LIFs, and adding support for application provisioning on other systems,
including FAS systems, that run ONTAP software. These teams are also considering approaches to
highlight software tool updates for the customer using the NetApp Support site.

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3 Additional Resources
Karl Konnerth is the NetApp technical marketing engineer who supports the field with the VMware
optimized AFF solution. He welcomes all questions about the solution. You can also find more information
in these resources:
TR-4480: All Flash FAS SAN-Optimized Configuration
http://www.netapp.com/us/media/tr-4480.pdf
FC SANOptimized AFF Setup Guide
https://library.netapp.com/ecm/ecm_download_file/ECMLP2508918
Technical Demo Video: Rapid System Setup and Storage Provisioning for Enterprise Applications
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7_FmftCkls

9 VMware Optimized All Flash FAS Solution 2017 NetApp, Inc. All rights reserved. NETAPP CONFIDENTIAL.
4 Contact Us
Do you have a question that you think we should include in this FAQ?
Ask us at docfeedback@netapp.com.
Include VMWARE OPTIMIZED AFF TECHNICAL FAQ in the subject line.

10 VMware Optimized All Flash FAS Solution 2017 NetApp, Inc. All rights reserved. NETAPP CONFIDENTIAL.
Version History
Version Date Document Version History
Version 1.1 January 2017 Karl Konnerth, clarify application provisioning is for any AFF
system

Version 1.0 December 2016 Karl Konnerth, initial release

11 VMware Optimized All Flash FAS Solution 2017 NetApp, Inc. All rights reserved. NETAPP CONFIDENTIAL.
Refer to the Interoperability Matrix Tool (IMT) on the NetApp Support site to validate that the exact
product and feature versions described in this document are supported for your specific environment. The
NetApp IMT defines the product components and versions that can be used to construct configurations
that are supported by NetApp. Specific results depend on each customers installation in accordance with
published specifications.

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