Skip to main content

Storage limits

Contributors netapp-ahibbard netapp-thomi

There are limits for storage objects that you should consider when planning and managing your storage architecture.

Limits are often platform dependent. Refer to the NetApp Hardware Universe to learn the limits for your specific configuration. See Navigate the NetApp Hardware Universe for instructions on identifying the appropriate information for your ONTAP configuration.

Limits are listed in the following sections:

Storage limits for Cloud Volumes ONTAP are documented in the Cloud Volumes ONTAP Release Notes.

Volume limits

Storage object Limit Native storage Storage arrays

Array LUNs

Minimum size for root volume1

N/A

Model-dependent

Files

Maximum size

Version-dependent2

Version-dependent2

Maximum per volume4

Volume size-dependent, up to 2 billion

Volume size-dependent, up to 2 billion

FlexClone volumes

Hierarchical clone depth5

499

499

FlexVol volumes

Maximum per node1

Model-dependent

Model-dependent

Maximum per node per SVM6

Model-dependent

Model-dependent

Minimum size

20 MB

20 MB

Maximum size1

Model-dependent

Model-dependent

FlexVol volumes for primary workloads

Maximum per node3

Model-dependent

Model-dependent

FlexVol root volumes

Minimum size1

Model-dependent

Model-dependent

LUNs

Maximum per node6

Model-dependent

Model-dependent

Maximum per cluster6

Model-dependent

Model-dependent

Maximum per volume6

Model-dependent

Model-dependent

Maximum size

Version-dependent2

Version-dependent2

Qtrees

Maximum per FlexVol volume

4,995

4,995

Snapshot copies

Maximum per volume7

255/1023

255/1023

Volumes

Maximum per cluster for NAS

12,000

12,000

Maximum per cluster with SAN protocols configured

Model-dependent

Model-dependent

Notes:

  1. In ONTAP 9.3 and earlier, a volume can contain up to 255 Snapshot copies. In ONTAP 9.4 and later, a volume can contain up to 1023 Snapshot copies.

  2. Beginning with ONTAP 9.12.1P2, the limit is 128 TB. In ONTAP 9.11.1 and earlier versions, the limit is 16 TB.

  3. Beginning with ONTAP 9.7, the maximum supported number of FlexVol volumes on AFF platforms with at least 128 GB of memory has increased to 2,500 FlexVol volumes per node.

    For platform-specific information and for the latest support details, see Hardware Universe.

  4. 2 billion = 2 × 109.

  5. The maximum depth of a nested hierarchy of FlexClone volumes that can be created from a single FlexVol volume.

  6. This limit applies only in SAN environments.

  7. You can use a SnapMirror cascade deployment to increase this limit.

FlexClone file and FlexClone LUN limits

Limit Native storage Storage arrays

Maximum per file or LUN1

32,767

32,767

Maximum total shared data per FlexVol volume

640 TB

640 TB

Note:

  1. If you try to create more than 32,767 clones, ONTAP automatically creates a new physical copy of the parent file or LUN.

    This limit might be lower for FlexVol volumes that use deduplication.

Navigate the NetApp Hardware Universe

To find platform-specific and model-dependent limits, refer to the NetApp Hardware Universe.

Steps
  1. In the Products dropdown menu, select your hardware configuration.

    Hardware Universe products menu
  2. Select your platform.

    Hardware Universe platforms menu
  3. Select the appropriate version of ONTAP then Show Results.

    Hardware Universe OS filter menu