AFF8020 latest ONTAP release

[laser]

Hi Guys,

We have AFF8020 and our current ONTAP is 9.1

I saw there is ONTAP 9.7 version

1. What is the newest ONTAP we can use ?

2. And, if possible to know what will it improve ?

BTW - 

3. If we'll stay with 9.1, will the Netapp will be able to support VMware version 7 components ? [ESXi,VCenter etc.]

Thanks in advance ~!

[pedro_rocha]

Hello,

From the HWU site, the AFF8020 supports up to the latest ONTAP version (9.7P4).

Since 9.1 a lot has changed. I would suggest you to take a look at the ONTAP release notes here.

Checking the IMT, 9.1 interoperates with ESXi 7.0. I would also suggest to check VMware's matrix.

Regards,

Pedro

[paul_stejskal]

I would upgrade. Reasons are as follows:

1) 9.1 is ending support.

2) 9.7 has much more support for newer technologies, like Flexgroups, FlexCache, even more inline efficiencies, and so on.

3) Better CIFS performance Support.

4) Many optimizations under the hood which have improved performance quite a bit.

[Ontapforrum · Accepted solution]

Additional pointers...

This is a nice KB to find out the 'Minimum Stable Release' for your ONTAP:

https://kb.netapp.com/Support_Bulletins/Customer_Bulletins/SU2

For 9.7x : I would suggest 9.7P3 (P4 is just released on 29-May, therefore it is better to stick to P3).

What it will improve, for that we may have to go through the features & release notes:
https://www.netapp.com/us/media/ar-StorageReview-netapp-ontap.pdf
https://blog.netapp.com/ontap-9-7-do-more-with-less-time-and-effort/
https://www.quickstart.com/blog/the-review-for-netapp-ontap-9.7/
http://docs.netapp.com/ontap-9/index.jsp?topic=%2Fcom.netapp.ndc.ontap-home%2FGUID-17A4E47B-2D95-4D40-85DF-B5A36D419635.html

If you do decide to upgrade, then this is handy:Cluster update requirements
https://docs.netapp.com/ontap-9/index.jsp?topic=%2Fcom.netapp.doc.exp-dot-upgrade%2FGUID-AC0EB781-583F-4C90-A4C4-BC7B14CEFD39.html

Thanks!

[paul_stejskal]

If you think adding more content to the KB about where to go would help, we can take that feedback forward.

[laser]

Thanks for the info.

We've upgraded our system to 9.7P3, But, something weird is going on.

In the "new experience"  view, we are unable to view snapshot polices !

We can see in the volume details that it's protected, and also the name of the snapshot policy, but when clicking on the snapshot policy, it's getting us to the snapshot policy page and it's empty !

And, from the 'classic view"/"classic version", We are able to see the snapshot policy, and we are ablt o restore from it. which means that it's exist .

What can be the issue ? do you familiar with the situation that things can't be shown via "new experience" view ?

thanks 

[Ontapforrum]

I am not surprised with your observations. I have 9.7 running on Simulator and I find it difficult to adjust to the new experience, may be I am hooked to the classic view and don't have patience to view/read through it yet. I have seen few posts where users have raised concerns about certain options not visible or available, however on switching to classic view it does. Thank god, atleast the 'classic view' is still maintained. I will try to view snapshot policies in my lab (as you observed) and let you know how I find it.

[laser]

Thanks for that ! 

Nice to hear I'm not the only one, but, while waiting for your results, is there a Netapp official answer for that ?

[pedro_rocha]

Hello,

I installed a few systems with 9.7P3. I saw several GUI issues (export policies with more than one IP not working, editing initiator groups could lead to lost of initiators... ). Recently NetApp released P4 which fix a few issues. Take a look to see if this is listed.

I keep switching to the "previous GUI" to do a lot of tasks since this new experience lacks a lot of basic capabilities (IMHO).

Regards,

Pedro

[tgrondman]

For the people using fabricpool, don't install 9.7p3 :

https://mysupport.netapp.com/site/bugs-online/product/ONTAP/BURT/1313762

Stick  with 9.7p2 (or for the brave 9.7p4, personally i am not found of the latest and greatest)