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ONTAP MetroCluster

Differences between the ONTAP MetroCluster configurations

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The various MetroCluster configurations have key differences in the required components.

In all configurations, each of the two MetroCluster sites are configured as an ONTAP cluster. In a two-node MetroCluster configuration, each node is configured as a single-node cluster.

Feature

IP configurations

Fabric attached configurations

Stretch configurations

Four- or eight-node

Two-node

Two-node bridge-attached

Two-node direct-attached

Number of controllers

Four or eight*

Four or eight

Two

Two

Two

Uses an FC switch storage fabric

No

Yes

Yes

No

No

Uses an IP switch storage fabric

Yes

No

No

No

No

Uses FC-to-SAS bridges

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Uses direct-attached SAS storage

Yes (local attached only)

No

No

No

Yes

Supports ADP

Yes (beginning with ONTAP 9.4)

No

No

No

No

Supports local HA

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

Supports ONTAP automatic unplanned switchover (AUSO)

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Supports unmirrored aggregates

Yes (beginning with ONTAP 9.8)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Supports array LUNs

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Supports ONTAP Mediator

Yes (beginning with ONTAP 9.7)

No

No

No

No

Supports MetroCluster Tiebreaker

Yes (not in combination with ONTAP Mediator)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Supports All SAN Arrays

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Important

Notice the following considerations for eight-node MetroCluster IP configurations:

  • Eight-node configurations are supported beginning with ONTAP 9.9.1.

  • Only NetApp-validated MetroCluster switches (ordered from NetApp) are supported.

  • Configurations using IP-routed (layer 3) backend connections are not supported.

  • Configurations using shared private layer 2 networks are not supported.

  • Configurations using a Cisco 9336C-FX2 shared switch are not supported.

Support for All SAN Array systems in MetroCluster configurations

Some of the All SAN Arrays (ASAs) are supported in MetroCluster configurations. In the MetroCluster documentation, the information for AFF models applies to the corresponding ASA system. For example, all cabling and other information for the AFF A400 system also applies to the ASA AFF A400 system.

Supported platform configurations are listed in the NetApp Hardware Universe.