Beginning with ONTAP 9.6, ONTAP includes an expansive REST API that provides the foundation for automating the deployment and administration of your storage systems. Since then the REST API has continued to expand and mature. It now provides the preferred and strategic option when automating the administration of your ONTAP deployments. There are several considerations when using the ONTAP REST API.

You can access the ONTAP REST API directly using any programming language that supports a REST client. Popular language choices include Python, PowerShell, and Java.

The ONTAPI API (ZAPI) is the original set of proprietary calls included with the NetApp ONTAP software to support the automation of data storage administration and management tasks. The ONTAPI interface will be disabled in future versions of ONTAP. If you have existing code using the ONTAPI API, you should plan to migrate away from ONTAPI. NetApp provides support for converting your code to use the newer ONTAP REST API. See Migrate to the REST API for more information.

NetApp provides client toolkits that abstract the ONTAP REST API and make it easier to create automation code. You should choose one appropriate for your development language and environment.

The Python client library is a package you can use when writing scripts to access the ONTAP REST API. It provides support for several underlying services, including connection management, asynchronous request processing, and exception handling. By using the Python client library, you can quickly develop robust code to support your ONTAP automation goals. See Python client library for more information.

You can use the NetApp.ONTAP PowerShell Toolkit to automate the administration of an ONTAP cluster from a Windows host. See Overview of the PowerShell Toolkit for more information.

You can create and deploy automation code using one of several frameworks

Ansible is an open-source software tool that supports provisioning, configuration management, and application deployment. Since its release and subsequent acquisition by RedHat, it has continued to grow in popularity. NetApp provides Ansible-certified modules that customers can use to automate the administration of their ONTAP storage systems. See Learn more and NetApp Ansible DevOps Solutions for additional information.

The NetApp BlueXP automation catalog is available through the BlueXP web user interface. The catalog provides access to packaged solutions that can help you to automate the deployment and integration of ONTAP with other products. See NetApp automation for documentation and more information.