topic Re: create multiple SVMs on two node cluster in ONTAP Discussions

create multiple SVMs on two node cluster

FelixZhou — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 12:06:17 GMT

We are switching from EMC VNX5600 to NetApp AFF, we have around 50 virutal data movers and 50 cifs servers on EMC for different applications. Sice we only allow one CIFS server on one SVM on NetApp, looks we will need to create 50 SVMs. We are still wondering if we should merge to a few SVMs or just keep the same amount of SVMs. Please share your experience. thanks.

Re: create multiple SVMs on two node cluster

Ontapforrum — Sun, 15 Dec 2019 22:42:09 GMT

Yes, you are correct. Only one CIFS server is supported per Vserver (SVM). However, you can create multiple vservers if you want to manage them separately for security or other reasons. It's eintirely up to you.

From my personal experience : I have not seen that many SVMs for CIFS purposes for the same oraginization. You may have 50 SVMs if it's multi-tenancy environment and there are 50 separate clients.

Advise: I would suggest, merge the CIFS into manageable size (May be 1 or 2 SVMs) , and use CNAME/Aliases inorder to have a separate them as far as the shares are concerend.

For example:

Host:IP
CIFS:192.168.0.10
Alias:
CIFS_HR
CIFS_Fiannace
CIFS_Eng

\\cifs
\\cifs_hr
\\cifs_eng

FAQ: Vservers / SVMs
https://kb.netapp.com/app/answers/answer_view/a_id/1002407
http://docs.netapp.com/ontap-9/index.jsp?topic=%2Fcom.netapp.doc.dot-cm-cmpr-910%2Fvserver__cifs__create.html

Re: create multiple SVMs on two node cluster

FelixZhou — Mon, 16 Dec 2019 15:40:23 GMT

thanks for your suggestion. it makes a lot of sense. Just wondering if we will see any performance issue in case we do need to create so many SVMs.

best regards.

Re: create multiple SVMs on two node cluster

mjdalton1 — Mon, 16 Dec 2019 16:05:51 GMT

Since you're moving to an AFF, I would doubt you NetApp architect didn't already take this into consideration.

Also If you're concerned about network performance you may want to consider multiple data lifs per node in the cluster and using "DNS-Zone" for load-balancing.

Re: create multiple SVMs on two node cluster

Ontapforrum — Mon, 16 Dec 2019 16:46:46 GMT

Creating multiple SVMs is more of a manageability conceren rather than performnace. Ultimately, SVM is going to use the physical resources i.e volume/aggr and LIF, as long as the resources are not physically bound, you are fine. SVMs will ony create a small meta-data foot-print thats it.

Re: create multiple SVMs on two node cluster

FelixZhou — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 19:00:08 GMT

thanks for reply. still confusing with aliases and data LIFs. please share your expreience.

1). let us say we have cifs server CIFS001 on single SVM with data shares DS1, DS2 and DS3, can we make aliases "//cifs001/DS1" to "//HR", "//cifs001/DS2" to "//finance" and //cifs001/DS3" to "//IT"?

2). can we use different LIF for different alias, how?

Re: create multiple SVMs on two node cluster

Ontapforrum — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 08:03:26 GMT

Hi,

I can reply to this thread but it wouldn't be right. Your queries are going way out of original question. It more of a design queries.

Please spin up new thread.

Thanks!

Re: create multiple SVMs on two node cluster

FelixZhou — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 15:22:45 GMT

new discussion opened "netapp cifs share aliases". Please provide your informaton.

thanks