topic Re: Are FlexGroup volumes supported on Data ONTAP 9.1 and NSE Disks? in ONTAP Hardware

Are FlexGroup volumes supported on Data ONTAP 9.1 and NSE Disks?

nicholsongc — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 12:06:25 GMT

Documentation clearly shows VOLUME encryption isn't supported for FLexGroup volumes until 9.2.

But are FlexGroup volumes supported on NetAppself-encrypting (NSE) disks before Ontap 9.2?

My error doesn't state this:

Error: command failed: Request to create FlexGroup "TestFlexGroup_vol" failed because the requested size is greater than the maximum size. The maximum possible size is 0B (0B).

Re: Are FlexGroup volumes supported on Data ONTAP 9.1 and NSE Disks?

SpindleNinja — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 22:51:27 GMT

I don't believe NSE will matter, different tech than NVE. NSE isn't mentioned in the FlexGroup TR either.

What's the ONTAP version, platform and what command where you trying to run?

Re: Are FlexGroup volumes supported on Data ONTAP 9.1 and NSE Disks?

nicholsongc — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 13:48:56 GMT

Thank you for your response!

My goal is to create a FlexGroup SnapMirror destination volume on this cluster. The specific command is referenced in the FlexGroup documentation.

Platform: FAS8200 running ONTAP 9.1P16

Command:

CLUSTER-DR::> volume create -vserver SVM01DR -aggr-list aggr1_node1_sata,aggr1_node2_sata -aggr-list-multiplier 6 -size 1TB -type DP SVM01_ntap_FlexGroupDEV_vol_mirror

Warning: A FlexGroup "SVM01_ntap_FlexGroupDEV_vol_mirror" will be created with the following number of constituents of size 85.33GB: 12.

Do you want to continue? {y|n}: y

Warning: The export-policy "default" has no rules in it. The volume will therefore be inaccessible.
Do you want to continue? {y|n}: y

Error: command failed: Request to create FlexGroup "SVM01_ntap_FlexGroupDEV_vol_mirror" failed because the requested size is greater than the maximum size. The maximum possible size is 0B (0B).

Aggregates listed have 5TB and 25TB free respectively. I am able to create FlexGroup volumes on my FAS8040 platform running ONTAP 9.1P16

Re: Are FlexGroup volumes supported on Data ONTAP 9.1 and NSE Disks?

SpindleNinja — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 15:38:59 GMT

Odd... even if you make it too big, it'll still say how big it can make it, not 0. Does it let you create even a tiny one? like this for example?

volume create -vserver SVM01DR -aggr-list aggr1_node1_sata -aggr-list-multiplier 2 -size 100gb -type DP SVM01_ntap_FlexGroupDEV_test

Have you tried making a non-DP version and even adding -space-guarantee none in there?

Re: Are FlexGroup volumes supported on Data ONTAP 9.1 and NSE Disks?

nicholsongc — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 15:47:22 GMT

Running the exact command you offered results in the same error. It's as though ONTAP is saying the volume is not supported - hence the "maximum possible size is 0B (0B)" message. This one's a head-scratcher for sure. I'll probably engage support next but wanted to reach out to the community before doing so.

Thanks for the feedback!

Re: Are FlexGroup volumes supported on Data ONTAP 9.1 and NSE Disks?

nicholsongc — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 20:25:48 GMT

Support has weighed in... one of the aggregates in the aggr-list is at 85% capacity utilization. ONTAP is looking for 20% free on the aggregates in order to create the FlexGroup.

Re: Are FlexGroup volumes supported on Data ONTAP 9.1 and NSE Disks?

SpindleNinja — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 21:10:52 GMT

So if you just create on the other aggr, it works?