Program summary

This FlexPod Express solution is part of the FlexPod converged infrastructure program.

FlexPod Converged Infrastructure Program

FlexPod reference architectures are delivered as Cisco Validated Designs (CVDs) or NetApp Verified Architectures (NVAs). Deviations based on customer requirements from a given CVD or NVA are permitted if these variations do not create an unsupported configuration.

As depicted in the following figure, the FlexPod program includes three solutions: FlexPod Express, FlexPod Datacenter, and FlexPod Select:

  • FlexPod Express. Offers customers an entry-level solution with technologies from Cisco and NetApp.

  • FlexPod Datacenter. Delivers an optimal multipurpose foundation for various workloads and applications.

  • FlexPod Select. Incorporates the best aspects of FlexPod Datacenter and tailors the infrastructure to a given application.

The following figure shows the technical components of the solution.

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NetApp Verified Architecture program

The NVA program offers customers a verified architecture for NetApp solutions. An NVA provides a NetApp solution architecture with the following qualities:

  • Is thoroughly tested

  • Is prescriptive in nature

  • Minimizes deployment risks

  • Accelerates time to market

This guide details the design of FlexPod Express with direct-attached NetApp storage. The following sections list the components used in this solution design.

Hardware components

  • NetApp AFF A220 or FAS 2750/2720

  • Cisco UCS Mini

  • Cisco UCS B200 M5

  • Cisco UCS VIC 1440/1480

  • Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches

Software components

  • NetApp ONTAP 9.5

  • VMware vSphere 6.7U1

  • Cisco UCS Manager 4.0 (1b)

  • Cisco NXOS firmware 7.0(3)I6(1)

Next: Solution overview.