topic Re: Aggregate configuration recommendation in ONTAP Hardware

Aggregate configuration recommendation

cwiley2566 — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 05:26:56 GMT

Hello, I have a new FAS8020 that I am setting up and could use some help deciding aggregate setup. This a DR array.

HA pair 8020
4246 with 24x4TB FSAS
2246 with 12x600GB SAS

Now the roots are taking 6 4TB drives which is annoying. So here is what I am not sure about.

1. Should I add disks to the roots to save the space. I did this but then read a lot about this is not being recommended. Then create a third aggregate for 600GB disks.
2. Move the roots to the 600s but then have 6 drives left over; that seems like a waste. Then create two aggregates for the 4TB drives.
3. Go back to defaults which would eat up 6 4TB drives again that seems like a waste. Then an aggregate for the 600s and two 8 disk 4TB aggregates.
4. There is also creating RAID 4 roots but sure how I feel about that.

Any thoughts or help is greatly appreciated.

Anyone going to Insight this year?

Re: Aggregate configuration recommendation

ekashpureff — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 08:46:22 GMT

CWILEY -

7-Mode or Cluster Mode ?

If 7-Mode then I'd assign all SAS to one controller, SATA to the other.

I'd create one aggr on each, and use it for other volumes along with vol0.

I hope this response has been helpful to you.

At your service,

Eugene E. Kashpureff, Sr.
Independent NetApp Consultant http://www.linkedin.com/in/eugenekashpureff
Senior NetApp Instructor, IT Learning Solutions http://sg.itls.asia/netapp
(P.S. I appreciate 'kudos' on any helpful posts.)

Re: Aggregate configuration recommendation

cwiley2566 — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 09:58:46 GMT

Shoot sorry... Cluster mode.

Re: Aggregate configuration recommendation

ekashpureff — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 10:23:15 GMT

CWILEY -

Ouch.

Cluster Mode needs to have a dedicated aggr to host vol0 for each node.

My gut response is that I'd still assign all SATA to one node and SAS to the other.

I'd also go with RAID4 for the aggr0s to conserve disks on both nodes.

Create another aggr on each node using the other disks.

I might also break the 2 spare disks rule and have one spare on each node.

Re: Aggregate configuration recommendation

cwiley2566 — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 11:39:06 GMT

Thanks very much for the feedback.

I didn't think to assign SAS to one node and SATA to the other. I will do that.

With the RAID 4, I meant to say 2 disk RAID 4. Should I be concerned with the rebuild time of 4TB drives and RAID 4?

Thanks again!!!