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Cloud Volumes ONTAP release notes

Supported configurations for Cloud Volumes ONTAP in Azure

Contributors netapp-rlithman netapp-manini netapp-driley netapp-bcammett
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Several Cloud Volumes ONTAP configurations are supported in Azure.

Supported configurations by license

Cloud Volumes ONTAP is available in Azure as a single node system and as a high-availability (HA) pair of nodes for fault tolerance and nondisruptive operations.

Upgrading a single node system to an HA pair is not supported. If you want to switch between a single node system and an HA pair, then you need to deploy a new system and replicate data from the existing system to the new system.

Cloud Volumes ONTAP can run on either a Reserved or On-demand VM instance from your cloud provider. Solutions that use other VM instance types aren't supported.

For supported instances specifications, refer to the Microsoft Azure documentation.

Single node systems

You can choose from the following capacity-based or node-based licensing configurations when deploying Cloud Volumes ONTAP as a single-node system in Azure.

Cloud Volumes ONTAP can run on either a Reserved or On-demand VM instance from your cloud provider. Solutions that use other VM instance types aren't supported.

Capacity-based licenses
Freemium Optimized 5 Capacity-based license (Essentials and Professional)

Maximum system capacity
(disks + object storage)

500 GiB

With capacity-based licensing, each Cloud Volumes ONTAP system supports tiering to object storage. The total tiered capacity can scale up to the cloud provider's bucket limit. While the license does not impose capacity restrictions, you should follow the FabricPool Best Practices to ensure optimal performance, reliability, and cost efficiency when configuring and managing tiering.

Supported virtual machine types

  • DS4_v2 1

  • DS5_v2 1

  • DS13_v2 1

  • DS14_v2 1

  • DS15_v2 1

  • E4s_v3 1

  • E8s_v3 1

  • E32s_v3 1,3

  • E48s_v3 1,3

  • E64is_v3 1,3

  • E4ds_v4

  • E8ds_v4

  • E32ds_v4 3

  • E48ds_v4 3

  • E80ids_v4 3

  • E4ds_v5

  • E8ds_v5

  • E20ds_v5 3

  • E32ds_v5 3

  • E48ds_v5 3

  • E64ds_v5 3

  • L8s_v3 2

  • L16s_v3 2

  • L32s_v3 2

  • L48s_v3 2

  • L64s_v3 2

  • DS4_v2 1

  • DS13_v2 1

  • E4s_v3 1

  • E8s_v3 1

  • E4ds_v4 3

  • E8ds_v4 3

  • E4ds_v5

  • E8ds_v5

  • DS4_v2 1

  • DS5_v2 1

  • DS13_v2 1

  • DS14_v2 1

  • DS15_v2 1

  • E4s_v3 1

  • E8s_v3 1

  • E32s_v3 1,3

  • E48s_v3 1,3

  • E64is_v3 1,3

  • E4ds_v4 3

  • E8ds_v4 3

  • E32ds_v4 3

  • E48ds_v4 3

  • E80ids_v4 3

  • E4ds_v5

  • E8ds_v5

  • E20ds_v5 3

  • E32ds_v5 3

  • E48ds_v5 3

  • E64ds_v5 3

  • L8s_v3 2

  • L16s_v3 2

  • L32s_v3 2

  • L48s_v3 2

  • L64s_v3 2

Supported disk types 4

Standard HDD Managed Disks, Standard SSD Managed Disks, Premium SSD Managed Disks, and Premium SSD v2 Managed Disks.

Notes:

  1. 1 The DS_v2 and Es_v3 machine families are no longer available for selection on BlueXP when deploying new instances of Cloud Volumes ONTAP in Azure. These families will be retained and supported only in older, existing systems. New deployments of Cloud Volumes ONTAP are supported in Azure only from the 9.12.1 release. We recommend that you switch to either Es_v4 or any other series compatible with Cloud Volumes ONTAP 9.12.1 and later. The DS_v2 and Es_v3 series machines, however, will be available for new deployments made through the API.

  2. 2 This VM type includes local NVMe storage, which Cloud Volumes ONTAP uses as Flash Cache. Flash Cache speeds access to data through real-time intelligent caching of recently read user data and NetApp metadata. It is effective for random read-intensive workloads, including databases, email, and file services. Learn more.

    The minimum ONTAP version required for configuring Flash Cache on Azure is 9.13.1 GA.

  3. 3 These VM types use an Ultra SSD for VNVRAM, which provides better write performance.

    If you choose any of these VM types when you deploy a new Cloud Volumes ONTAP system, you can't change to another VM type that doesn't use an Ultra SSD for VNVRAM. For example, you can't change from E8ds_v4 to E8s_v3, but you can change from E8ds_v4 to E32ds_v4 because both of those VM types use Ultra SSDs.
    Similarly, when you deploy a new Cloud Volumes ONTAP system, you can't change the VM type to one that doesn't support Premium SSD v2 Managed Disks. To learn more about the supported configurations for Premium SSD v2 Managed Disks, refer to HA single availability zone configuration with shared managed disks.

    Conversely, if you deployed Cloud Volumes ONTAP using any other VM type, you won't be able to change to a VM type that uses an Ultra SSD for VNVRAM. For example, you can't change from E8s_v3 to E8ds_v4.

  4. 4 For information about the supported disk types in single node deployments, refer to Azure (single node). High write speed is supported with all instance types when using a single node system. You can enable high write speed from BlueXP during deployment or any time after. Learn more about choosing a write speed. Enhanced write performance is enabled when using SSDs.

  5. 5 Beginning on August 11, 2025, the Cloud Volumes ONTAP Optimized license is deprecated and will no longer be available for purchase or renewal in the Azure marketplace for pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) subscriptions. For more information, refer to End of availability of Optimized licenses.

Node-based licenses
PAYGO Explore PAYGO Standard PAYGO Premium Node-based BYOL

Maximum system capacity
(disks + object storage)

2 TiB 5

10 TiB

368 TiB

368 TiB per license

Supported virtual machine types

  • E4s_v3 1

  • E4ds_v4 3

  • E4ds_v5

  • DS4_v2 1

  • DS13_v2 1

  • E8s_v3 1

  • E8ds_v4 3

  • E8ds_v5

  • L8s_v3 2

  • DS5_v2 1

  • DS14_v2 1

  • DS15_v2 1

  • E32s_v3 1,3

  • E48s_v3 1,3

  • E64is_v3 1,3

  • E32ds_v4 3

  • E48ds_v4 3

  • E80ids_v4 3

  • E20ds_v5 3

  • E32ds_v5 3

  • E48ds_v5 3

  • E64ds_v5 3

  • DS4_v2 1

  • DS5_v2 1

  • DS13_v2 1

  • DS14_v2 1

  • DS15_v2 1

  • E4s_v3 1

  • E8s_v3 1

  • E32s_v3 1,3

  • E48s_v3 1,3

  • E64is_v3 1,3

  • E4ds_v4 3

  • E8ds_v4 3

  • E32ds_v4 3

  • E48ds_v4 3

  • E80ids_v4 3

  • E4ds_v5

  • E8ds_v5

  • E20ds_v5 3

  • E32ds_v5 3

  • E48ds_v5 3

  • E64ds_v5 3

  • L8s_v3 2

  • L16s_v3 2

  • L32s_v3 2

  • L48s_v3 2

  • L64s_v3 2

Supported disk types 4

Standard HDD Managed Disks, Standard SSD Managed Disks, and Premium SSD Managed Disks

Notes:

  1. 1 The DS_v2 and Es_v3 machine families are no longer available for selection on BlueXP when deploying new instances of Cloud Volumes ONTAP in Azure. These families will be retained and supported only in older, existing systems. New deployments of Cloud Volumes ONTAP are supported in Azure only from the 9.12.1 release. We recommend that you switch to either Es_v4 or any other series compatible with Cloud Volumes ONTAP 9.12.1 and later. The DS_v2 and Es_v3 series machines, however, will be available for new deployments made through the API.

  2. 2 This VM type includes local NVMe storage, which Cloud Volumes ONTAP uses as Flash Cache. Flash Cache speeds access to data through real-time intelligent caching of recently read user data and NetApp metadata. It is effective for random read-intensive workloads, including databases, email, and file services. Learn more.

  3. 3 These VM types use an Ultra SSD for VNVRAM, which provides better write performance.

    If you choose any of these VM types when you deploy a new Cloud Volumes ONTAP system, you can't change to another VM type that doesn't use an Ultra SSD for VNVRAM. For example, you can't change from E8ds_v4 to E8s_v3, but you can change from E8ds_v4 to E32ds_v4 because both of those VM types use Ultra SSDs.

    Conversely, if you deployed Cloud Volumes ONTAP using any other VM type, you won't be able to change to a VM type that uses an Ultra SSD for VNVRAM. For example, you can't change from E8s_v3 to E8ds_v4.

  4. 4 High write speed is supported with all instance types when using a single node system. You can enable high write speed from BlueXP during deployment or any time after. Learn more about choosing a write speed. Enhanced write performance is enabled when using SSDs.

  5. 5Data tiering to Azure Blob storage isn't supported with PAYGO Explore.

HA pairs

You can choose from the following configurations when deploying Cloud Volumes ONTAP as an HA pair in Azure.

HA pairs with page blob

You can use the following configurations with the existing Cloud Volumes ONTAP HA page blob deployments in Azure.

Note Azure page blobs are not supported for any new deployment.
Capacity-based licenses
Freemium Optimized 4 Capacity-based license (Essentials and Professional)

Maximum system capacity
(disks + object storage)

500 GiB

With capacity-based licensing, each Cloud Volumes ONTAP system supports tiering to object storage. The total tiered capacity can scale up to the cloud provider's bucket limit. While the license does not impose capacity restrictions, you should follow the FabricPool Best Practices to ensure optimal performance, reliability, and cost efficiency when configuring and managing tiering.

Supported virtual machine types

  • DS4_v2

  • DS5_v2 1

  • DS13_v2

  • DS14_v2 1

  • DS15_v2 1

  • E8s_v3

  • E48s_v3 1

  • E8ds_v4 3

  • E32ds_v4 1,3

  • E48ds_v4 1,3

  • E80ids_v4 1,2,3

  • E8ds_v5

  • E20ds_v5 1

  • E32ds_v5 1

  • E48ds_v5 1

  • E64ds_v5 1

  • DS4_v2

  • DS13_v2

  • E8s_v3

  • E8ds_v4 3

  • E8ds_v5

  • DS4_v2

  • DS5_v2 1

  • DS13_v2

  • DS14_v2 1

  • DS15_v2 1

  • E8s_v3

  • E48s_v3 1

  • E8ds_v4 3

  • E32ds_v4 1,3

  • E48ds_v4 1,3

  • E80ids_v4 1,2,3

  • E8ds_v5

  • E20ds_v5 1

  • E32ds_v5 1

  • E48ds_v5 1

  • E64ds_v5 1

Supported disk types

Page blobs

Notes:

  1. 1 Cloud Volumes ONTAP supports high write speed with these VM types when using an HA pair. You can enable high write speed from BlueXP during deployment or any time after. Learn more about choosing a write speed.

  2. 2 This VM is recommended only when Azure maintenance control is needed. It's not recommended for any other use case due to the higher pricing.

  3. 3 These VMs are only supported in deployments of Cloud Volumes ONTAP 9.11.1 or earlier. With these VM types you can upgrade an existing page blob deployment from Cloud Volumes ONTAP 9.11.1 to 9.12.1. You cannot perform new page blob deployments with Cloud Volumes ONTAP 9.12.1 or above.

  4. 4 Beginning on August 11, 2025, the Cloud Volumes ONTAP Optimized license is deprecated and will no longer be available for purchase or renewal in the Azure marketplace for pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) subscriptions. For more information, refer to End of availability of Optimized licenses.

Node-based licenses
PAYGO Standard PAYGO Premium Node-based BYOL

Maximum system capacity (disks + object storage)

10 TiB

368 TiB

368 TiB per license

Supported virtual machine types

  • DS4_v2

  • DS13_v2

  • E8s_v3

  • E8ds_v4 3

  • E8ds_v5

  • DS5_v2 1

  • DS14_v2 1

  • DS15_v2 1

  • E48s_v3 1

  • E32ds_v4 1,3

  • E48ds_v4 1,3

  • E80ids_v4 1,2,3

  • E20ds_v5 1

  • E32ds_v5 1

  • E48ds_v5 1

  • E64ds_v5 1

  • DS4_v2

  • DS5_v2 1

  • DS13_v2

  • DS14_v2 1

  • DS15_v2 1

  • E8s_v3

  • E48s_v3 1

  • E8ds_v4 3

  • E32ds_v4 1,3

  • E48ds_v4 1,3

  • E80ids_v4 1,2,3

  • E4ds_v5

  • E8ds_v5

  • E20ds_v5 1

  • E32ds_v5 1

  • E48ds_v5 1

  • E64ds_v5 1

Supported data disk types

Page blobs

Notes:

  1. 1 Cloud Volumes ONTAP supports high write speed with these VM types when using an HA pair. You can enable high write speed from BlueXP during deployment or any time after. Learn more about choosing a write speed.

  2. 2 This VM is recommended only when Azure maintenance control is needed. It's not recommended for any other use case due to the higher pricing.

  3. 3 These VMs are only supported in deployments of Cloud Volumes ONTAP 9.11.1 or earlier. With these VM types you can upgrade an existing page blob deployment from Cloud Volumes ONTAP 9.11.1 to 9.12.1. You cannot perform new page blob deployments with Cloud Volumes ONTAP 9.12.1 or above.

HA pairs with shared managed disks

You can choose from the following configurations when deploying Cloud Volumes ONTAP as an HA pair in Azure.

Capacity-based licenses
Freemium Optimized 7 Capacity-based license (Essentials and Professional)

Maximum system capacity
(disks + object storage)

500 GiB

With capacity-based licensing, each Cloud Volumes ONTAP system supports tiering to object storage. The total tiered capacity can scale up to the cloud provider's bucket limit. While the license does not impose capacity restrictions, you should follow the FabricPool Best Practices to ensure optimal performance, reliability, and cost efficiency when configuring and managing tiering.

Supported virtual machine types

  • E8ds_v4

  • E32ds_v4 1

  • E48ds_v4 1

  • E80ids_v4 1,2

  • E8ds_v5 4

  • E20ds_v5 1,4

  • E32ds_v5 1,4

  • E48ds_v5 1,4

  • E64ds_v5 1,4

  • L8s_v3 1,3,5

  • L16s_v3 1,3,5

  • L32s_v3 1,3,5

  • L48s_v3 1,3,5

  • L64s_v3 1,3,5

  • E8ds_v4

  • E8ds_v5 4

  • E8ds_v4

  • E32ds_v4 1

  • E48ds_v4 1

  • E80ids_v4 1,2

  • E8ds_v5 4

  • E20ds_v5 1,4

  • E32ds_v5 1,4

  • E48ds_v5 1,4

  • E64ds_v5 1,4

  • L8s_v3 1,3,5

  • L16s_v3 1,3,5

  • L32s_v3 1,3,5

  • L48s_v3 1,3,5

  • L64s_v3 1,3,5

Supported disk types 6

Premium SSD Managed Disks or Premium SSD v2 Managed Disks.

Notes:

  1. 1 Cloud Volumes ONTAP supports high write speed with these VM types when using an HA pair. You can enable high write speed from BlueXP during deployment or any time after. Learn more about choosing a write speed.

  2. 2 This VM is recommended only when Azure maintenance control is needed. It's not recommended for any other use case due to the higher pricing.

  3. 3 Multiple availability zone support starts from ONTAP version 9.13.1.

  4. 4 Multiple availability zone support starts from ONTAP version 9.14.1 RC1.

  5. 5 This VM type includes local NVMe storage, which Cloud Volumes ONTAP uses as Flash Cache. Flash Cache speeds access to data through real-time intelligent caching of recently read user data and NetApp metadata. It is effective for random read-intensive workloads, including databases, email, and file services. Learn more.

  6. 6 For information about the internal disks for system data for HA deployments single and multiple availability zones, refer to Azure (HA pair).

  7. 7 Beginning on August 11, 2025, the Cloud Volumes ONTAP Optimized license is deprecated and will no longer be available for purchase or renewal in the Azure marketplace for pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) subscriptions. End of availability of Optimized licenses.

Node-based licenses
PAYGO Standard PAYGO Premium Node-based BYOL

Maximum system capacity (disks + object storage)

10 TiB

368 TiB

368 TiB per license

Supported virtual machine types

  • E8ds_v4 4

  • E8ds_v5

  • L8s_v3 4,5

  • E32ds_v4 1,4

  • E48ds_v4 1,4

  • E80ids_v4 1,2,4

  • E20ds_v5 1

  • E32ds_v5 1

  • E48ds_v5 1

  • E64ds_v5 1

  • L16s_v3 1,4,5

  • L32s_v3 1,4,5

  • L48s_v3 1,4,5

  • L64s_v3 1,4,5

  • E8ds_v4 4

  • E32ds_v4 1,4

  • E48ds_v4 1,4

  • E80ids_v4 1,2,4

  • E4ds_v5

  • E8ds_v5

  • E20ds_v5 1

  • E32ds_v5 1

  • E48ds_v5 1

  • E64ds_v5 1

  • L16s_v3 1,4,5

  • L32s_v3 1,4,5

  • L48s_v3 1,4,5

  • L64s_v3 1,4,5

Supported disk types

Managed disks

Notes:

  1. 1 Cloud Volumes ONTAP supports high write speed with these VM types when using an HA pair. You can enable high write speed from BlueXP during deployment or any time after. Learn more about choosing a write speed.

  2. 2 This VM is recommended only when Azure maintenance control is needed. It's not recommended for any other use case due to the higher pricing.

  3. 3 These VM types are only supported for HA pairs in a single availability zone configuration running on shared managed disks.

  4. 4 These VM types are supported for HA pairs in single availability zone and multiple availability zone configurations running on shared managed disks. For Ls_v3 VM types, multiple availability zone support starts from ONTAP version 9.13.1. For Eds_v5 VM types, multiple availability zone support starts from ONTAP version 9.14.1 RC1.

  5. 5 This VM type includes local NVMe storage, which Cloud Volumes ONTAP uses as Flash Cache. Flash Cache speeds access to data through real-time intelligent caching of recently read user data and NetApp metadata. It is effective for random read-intensive workloads, including databases, email, and file services. Learn more.

Supported disk sizes

In Azure, an aggregate can contain up to 12 disks that are all the same type and size.

Single node systems

Single node systems use Azure Managed Disks. The following disk sizes are supported:

Premium SSD Standard SSD Standard HDD

  • 500 GiB

  • 1 TiB

  • 2 TiB

  • 4 TiB

  • 8 TiB

  • 16 TiB

  • 32 TiB

  • 100 GiB

  • 500 GiB

  • 1 TiB

  • 2 TiB

  • 4 TiB

  • 8 TiB

  • 16 TiB

  • 32 TiB

  • 100 GiB

  • 500 GiB

  • 1 TiB

  • 2 TiB

  • 4 TiB

  • 8 TiB

  • 16 TiB

  • 32 TiB

HA pairs

HA pairs use Azure Managed Disks. The following disk type and sizes are supported.

(Page blobs are supported with HA pairs deployed before the 9.12.1 release.)

Premium SSD

  • 500 GiB

  • 1 TiB

  • 2 TiB

  • 4 TiB

  • 8 TiB

  • 16 TiB (managed disks only)

  • 32 TiB (managed disks only)

Supported regions

For Azure region support, see Cloud Volumes Global Regions.