Redundant NetApp FAS, AFF, ASA, or AFX controllers are required in the FlexPod architecture. The controllers run ONTAP software. When the storage controllers are ordered, the preferred software version can be preloaded on the controllers. For ONTAP, a complete cluster is ordered. A complete cluster includes a pair of storage controllers and a cluster interconnect (switch or switchless).

Different options and configurations are available, depending on the selected storage platform. Consult your sales representative for details about these additional components.

The controller families that are listed in the table below are appropriate for use in a FlexPod Datacenter solution because their connection to the Cisco Nexus switches is seamless. See the NetApp Hardware Universe for specific compatibility details on each controller model.

The following table lists the Nexus cluster interconnect switches that are available for FlexPod architectures. FlexPod supports all ONTAP-supported cluster switches, including non-Cisco switches, provided they are compatible with the version of ONTAP being deployed.

For a list of supported cluster interconnect switches, go to NetApp Hardware Universe, click on Products > Networking > Switches, and then select Cluster InterConnect Switch. You can filter by vendor type, select a switch, and click on Show results to see detailed information about the switch.

The table below lists the Cisco switches that can be used as a cluster interconnect switch.

A minimum of one NetApp disk shelf is required for the storage controllers that do not have a built-in disk shelf. The selected NetApp shelf type determines which drive types are available within that shelf.

The following table lists the NetApp disk shelf options for FlexPod Datacenter along with links to their technical specifications.

To get the list of supported drives for your disk shelf, go to NetApp Hardware Universe, under Products > Storage > Shelves select ONTAP (AFF, ASA, FAS) or ONTAP (AFX), select the version of ONTAP you are using, then select the shelf type (example: DS212C) and click on Show Results. Click on Supported Drives to see the drives supported for specific versions of ONTAP and the disk shelves.

The following table lists the NetApp software licensing options.

Refer to the following link for more information about NetApp software licensing: NetApp Software Licensing.

SupportEdge Premium licenses are required, and the part numbers for those licenses vary based on the options selected in the FlexPod Datacenter design.

The following table lists the NetApp support licensing options for NetApp AFF, ASA, FAS, and AFX Storage systems.