Skip to main content
ONTAP FLI

Learn about key features and benefits of ONTAP Foreign LUN Import

PDFs

ONTAP Foreign LUN Import (FLI) is a built-in block migration capability that copies data from a foreign (third-party) array LUN to a native ONTAP LUN and supports both offline and online migration styles. FLI is designed to migrate SAN LUNs from a range of third party arrays into ONTAP, and it offers a consistent migration methodology that helps standardize planning, execution, and validation across different hosts and arrays.

Key features

  • Online and offline migrations to match business downtime requirements.

  • Block-level, OS-independent migration does not rely on host volume managers or OS utilities to move the data.

  • Works across heterogeneous SAN environments and is designed to migrate SAN LUNs from a range of third party arrays into ONTAP.

  • Backend transport is flexible with both FC and iSCSI backend connectivity, although supported configurations depend on interoperability validation.

  • Native multipathing and load balancing support that leverages standard SAN pathing models.

  • CLI-driven control and visibility, enabling repeatable execution and operational monitoring.

Key benefits

  • ONTAP FLI is included with ONTAP. A separate migration appliance is not required to perform FLI-based LUN imports.

  • Reduces downtime risk by enabling an online workflow where host access can resume after a short cutover while the import continues in the background.

  • Consistent migration methodology that helps standardize planning, execution, and validation across different hosts and arrays.

  • Supports complex transition scenarios, including 7 Mode to ONTAP migrations where alignment and format considerations can be addressed as part of the transition workflow.

  • Strongly supported operational model, although professional services are not mandatory, NetApp recommends professional services or qualified partners for scoping, planning, and training for anything beyond simple migrations.