Configuration analysis for Cloud Volumes ONTAP
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NetApp Console analyzes storage system configurations regularly to determine if there are any configuration issues. When issues are found, the Console shows you what the issues are and explains what needs to change to ensure your storage systems achieve peak performance, cost efficiency, and compliance with best practices.
Key capabilities include:
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Daily configuration analysis
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Automatic best practice validations for NetApp ONTAP storage systems and partner storage providers
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Proactive observability
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Insights to action
Analysis requirements
For a complete Cloud Volumes ONTAP system analysis, you must deploy a NetApp Console agent. Console agent connectivity lets the Console analyze all Cloud Volumes ONTAP system configurations like data protection and performance.
Best practices and recommendations for Cloud Volumes ONTAP systems
NetApp assesses storage configurations to provide an in-depth view of ONTAP configuration best practices and for compliance with the Azure Well-Architected Framework. The assessment also recommends improvements and fixes.
The well-architected analysis categorizes configurations in the following pillars of the framework: reliability, security, operational excellence, cost optimization, and performance efficiency.
Reliability
Reliability ensures that workloads perform their intended functions correctly and consistently, even when there are disruptions.
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Schedule local snapshots
Schedule local snapshots for efficient backup and quick restores. Snapshots are instant, point-in-time images of your volumes.
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SSD capacity threshold
The SSD storage tier capacity should not exceed 80% utilization on an ongoing basis. Exceeding this threshold can degrade throughput and cause data volumes to become read-only, causing write operations to fail.
Security
Security emphasizes protecting data, systems, and assets through risk assessments and mitigation strategies.
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Autonomous Ransomware Protection with AI (ARP/AI)
NetApp Autonomous Ransomware Protection with AI (ARP/AI) helps enhance cyber resiliency and protect your volumes from ransomware threats. We recommend enabling ARP/AI for all volumes.
Operational excellence
Operational excellence focuses on delivering the best architecture and business value.
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Volume capacity utilization threshold
NetApp recommends that volume capacity doesn't exceed 80% utilization on an ongoing basis. This might impact data reads and writes to your application. Volume capacity increases can be manual or automatic using the volume autogrow feature.
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Cache relationship write mode
For optimal performance, NetApp recommends the cache relationship write mode that best suits your workload. Write-around mode provides better performance for read-heavy workloads with small files, whereas write-back mode provides better performance for write-heavy workloads with large files.
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ONTAP cache volume size
NetApp recommends enabling volume autosize and scrubbing on cache volumes to maintain optimal size and focus the cache on frequently accessed (hot) data for peak efficiency.
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ONTAP version compliance
Upgrade to the latest ONTAP version for full compatibility, support, and access to new features.
Cost optimization
Cost optimization helps you get the most value for your business while keeping costs low.
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Identify underutilized SSD capacity
An underutilized SSD capacity tier might be incurring unnecessary costs. NetApp recommends reducing the SSD tier capacity while maintaining a 20% free space buffer above current used capacity. A decrease operation can take several hours to several days, and the system does not support other file system operations during this time.
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Data tiering policy
Enable cold data tiering to move cold data from the SSD storage tier to lower-cost storage. Azure Blob Storage serves as the capacity tier for inactive data.