How to get started?

[joliver]

I have never touched NetApp stuff before.  I've just inherited a small VMware cluster that has a Dell Equalogic NAS, and a DS4243 that is supposed to be the new datastore.  The DS4243 came with a poster-sized "quick start", but it doesn't tell me how to access it.

I know there's a bunch of free courses in NetApp U, but which ones should I watch in which order to get moving on this?

[GregH]

Two things that have been recommended include:

Installation and Service Guide:

https://library.netapp.com/ecm/ecm_download_file/ECMP1119629

And the NetApp DS4243 Planning and Implementation course.  I do not know if this is something that you can access:

http://learningcenter.netapp.com/LC?ObjectType=WBT&ObjectID=00206597

I am trying to find other information for you but hope this can help.

Gerg Hyman

NetApp Certification and Accreditation Program Manager

ghyman@netapp.com

[joliver]

Thanks, Greg. I had already seen that document. It assumes you already know what you're doing... it mentions running commands, but where? It seems to be at the 200 level, after "other stuff" has been done. I do have access to that course, but I'm afraid it'll be the same thing... it'll assume I already have some level of knowledge about the basics, which I don't. For starters, the documentation sounds suspiciously like this is just a disk shelf that needs to be attached to "something else". I have a sinking feeling someone bought this not knowing what the heck they were buying. But maybe I'm just not understanding. What's the NetApp 101 that will start giving me some kind of foundational knowledge?

[ekashpureff]

J -

If there isn't a controller to go with that disk shelf, then your sinking feeling is correct !

(Though I find it hard to believe they could have purchased a disk shelf wo a controller.)

There's an 'Introduction to NetApp Products' web based course on learning center you may wish to view...

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, FastLane US http://www.fastlaneus.com/
(P.S. I appreciate 'kudos' on any helpful posts.)