topic Ontap 8.3 direct connect FC to a Win2008R2 box in Network and Storage Protocols

Ontap 8.3 direct connect FC to a Win2008R2 box

ilonak — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 04:09:14 GMT

Customer wants to direct attach FC to Windows 2008 R2 server with two QLogic cards. Looking for KB/instructions to accomplish this if possible.

Currently have 0c from each of the two nodes connected to the QLogic cards on the Win box. As a test/control, 0d is connected to a Brocade switch. "fcadmin" shows all 4 ports online, but "adapter show -instance" only shows the ports connected to the Brocade switch as connected. What am I missing?

Re: Ontap 8.3 direct connect FC to a Win2008R2 box

aborzenkov — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 04:02:13 GMT

Do you use 16G adapters on NetApp side by any chance?

Re: Ontap 8.3 direct connect FC to a Win2008R2 box

shatfield — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 04:40:26 GMT

"Direct-attached configurations are not supported." See pg 11:
https://library.netapp.com/ecm/ecm_download_file/ECMP1636036

I don't think you'll get very far with direct attached NPIV.

Re: Ontap 8.3 direct connect FC to a Win2008R2 box

ilonak — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 11:10:29 GMT

Yes, they sent 16Gb SFP+ adapters for both the NetApp and the Windows box. I was assured that they would automatically adjust to the lowest common denominator (in this case, 8Gb).

Re: Ontap 8.3 direct connect FC to a Win2008R2 box

ilonak — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 11:12:51 GMT

Well, that solves that 🙂 I read through that doc, but didn't catch that. Thanks!