topic Re: We want to know Min and Max disk(RAID0 config) counts about FlexArray in ONTAP Discussions

We want to know Min and Max disk(RAID0 config) counts about FlexArray

SHINSASA — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 13:06:58 GMT

Hi all,

We are currently configuring a FlexArray configuration by connecting
one E5660 (6TB x60)(Santricity 08.25.06) and Five DE 6660(6TB x 60) to
FAS 8040 (ONTAP 8.3.2 P 1) Single Controller (not HA).

In use Snapmirror as DestinationFAS for DR site.

Maximum number of disks per path in FlexArray configuration has reached 360.
And the number of volumes is also close to the upper limit of 255.

Therefore, in order to expand the FlexArray configuration, it is necessary to newly
construct another Path (2nd Path) in order to expand the E-series.

I'm trying to add three E2812 Duplex FC (12 x 8 TB) and DE212C (12 x 8 TB).
At first I was considering at E5760.

However, since it is 90 centimeters long and does not fit in a rack with a depth
of 1 meter, it is a candidate for E2812 and DE212C with short total length.

Question 1.

What is the minimum number of disks when configuring RAID 0 with FlexArray?
What is the maximum number of disks when configuring RAID 0 with FlexArray?

I want to grasp the number of usable disks and design it, but I could not find the information in the following materials.

-TR-3461-0516 FlexArray and V-Series Best Practices_v4.pdf

-implementation guide for third-party storage

https://library.netapp.com/ecm/ecm_download_file/ECMP1369079

Best Regards,

Re: We want to know Min and Max disk(RAID0 config) counts about FlexArray

donlab — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 12:25:23 GMT

Question 1.
Refer to the disk and aggregate powerguide. page 74 - considerations for sizing raid groups.

https://library.netapp.com/ecm/ecm_download_file/ecmlp2496263
The recommended range of RAID group size is between 12 and 20.

You must decide which factors -assurance against risk of data loss due to backend LUN unavailability, optimizing I/O performance. The other two factors - optimizing storage space and speed of RAID rebuild don't apply here.

Minimum? 1 LUN in one raidgroup in Raid0

Max? Theoretically you can have a very large number of raid groups with up to 28 LUNS per raidgroup however how large a failure domain (single aggregate) do you want to create?

Re: We want to know Min and Max disk(RAID0 config) counts about FlexArray

SHINSASA — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 05:13:42 GMT

Mr donlab,

Sorry for late.

Thank you for your reply.

I understood your information about RAID0 and Max/Min counts.

We prepare E-seriese's a disk 22 slot and ohter e-series 32 slot.

(so we will be create 44 volume and 16 volume on eache E-seriese)

Even with this configuration, volume 16 is not a problem.
However, Volume 22 has a limit number
It will exceed 20 pieces.
Therefore, I will make up less than 20 pieces.

Best Regards,

Re: We want to know Min and Max disk(RAID0 config) counts about FlexArray

SHINSASA — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 05:18:57 GMT

#I Made Miss.

#I post again.

Mr donlab,

Sorry for late.

Thank you for your reply.

I understood your information about RAID0 and Max/Min counts.

We prepare E-seriese's a disk 22 slot and ohter e-series 16 slot.

(so we will be create 44 volume and 32 volume on eache E-seriese)

However, Volume 44 and 32 has a limit number
It will exceed 20 pieces.

Therefore, I will make up less than 20 pieces.

Best Regards,