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FlexPod

Optional Features

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This section describes the optional features for FlexPod Express.

Note SAN boot is optional but strongly recommended, as it allows server profile moves during hardware upgrades or replacements.

iSCSI boot option

The minimum requirements for the iSCSI boot option include:

  • An iSCSI license/feature activated on the NetApp storage controller

  • A two-port 10Gbps Ethernet adapter on each node in the NetApp storage controller HA pair

  • An adapter in the Cisco UCS server that is capable of iSCSI boot

Cisco UCS X-Series Direct and direct-attached AFF/ ASA/ FAS option

NetApp storage controllers can be directly connected to the Cisco UCS fabric interconnects without any upstream SAN switch. FlexPod Express supports both FC and iSCSI boot with the UCS X-Series Direct.

The licensing and hardware requirements are as follows:

  • A protocol license on the NetApp storage controller is required.

  • A Cisco UCS adapter (initiator) is required on the server. For a list of supported Cisco UCS adapters, see the NetApp IMT.

  • A target adapter on the NetApp storage controller is required.

The following figure shows an UCS X-Series Direct and direct-attached ASA topology for IP-based SAN.

UCS X-Series Direct and direct-attached ASA topology for IP-based SAN

Notes:

  • Cisco UCS is configured in Ethernet switching mode.

  • iSCSI ports from the target to fabric interconnects are configured as Ethernet storage ports for iSCSI data.

The following figure shows an UCS X-Series Direct and direct-attached ASA topology for IP-based and FC-based SAN.

UCS X-Series Direct and direct-attached ASA topology for IP-based and FC-based SAN

Notes:

  • Cisco UCS is configured in FC switching mode.

  • FC ports from the target to fabric interconnects are configured as FC storage ports.

For more information about this configuration, see FlexPod SAN Solution with Cisco UCS X-Series Direct and NetApp ASA.

Note The above examples use the NetApp ASA storage controller, but the same configuration is supported with the NetApp AFF and FAS storage controllers.