The NetApp EF-Series Flash Arrays are all solid-state systems which use SSDs resulting with exceptional perforamnce
February 07, 2022
The NetApp EF-Series Flash Arrays are all solid-state systems which use SSDs resulting with exceptional perforamnce
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with NetApp EF-Series All Flash Arrays
My customer use this NAS storage devices for bronze application servers (mainly VMs on ESX clusters with important databases). EF- series deliver microsecond response to client's most demanding DBs and maximum uptime. EF-series purchase from NetApp was decided directly by customer architects, and as the devices are powered by NetApp® SANtricity software to give extensive configuration flexibility and custom performance tuning, this was definitely good choice. NetApp here offers
ONTAP9 SW and on client environment we use FlexArray Virtualisation as well,
becasue ONTAP can integrate with almost any third-party hardware. So, generally, solution for my customer touches
virtualization of the environment in 4 regions with most demanded DBs. Globally, likewise for these devices, NetApp
come from a larger non-hyperconverged storage family.
ONTAP9 SW and on client environment we use FlexArray Virtualisation as well,
becasue ONTAP can integrate with almost any third-party hardware. So, generally, solution for my customer touches
virtualization of the environment in 4 regions with most demanded DBs. Globally, likewise for these devices, NetApp
come from a larger non-hyperconverged storage family.
Pros
- Storage pooling with thin provisioning
- Solution of MetroCluster in Cluster-Mode known as MCC
- very good solution for more than 500 users per cluster
- impressive IOPS, microsecond response times
- Faster database application
Cons
- maximum of 2TB for FAS250 models
- Schedule a downtime maintenance window for SAS expansion cards
- Its price is competitive to other NetApp devices, but generally very high with additional licensing
- MCC solution
- SSD drives with installed SSD-optimized ONTAP OS AFF resulting with great performance and almost no latency
- Easy to manage and use for admins
- very good support from Netapp generally
- easy setup
Recently upgraded system doesn't need to update so frequently like different storage devices. EF series were selected directly bu customer due to experience for shared customer infra where they are used. Performance and almost non-latency was huge trigger to get them into production for bronze application within VM environment for the most demanded DBs. Comparing to already evaluated products e.g IBM Flash systems or Dell EMC VMAX, I see NetApp EF series as trending solution for critical environment including critical system backup data. specially with this integrity with third party devices. Because of mandatory expertise and knowledge of NetApp family, the solution isn't suited for non-trained experienced users.
Do you think NetApp EF-Series All Flash Arrays delivers good value for the price?
Yes
Are you happy with NetApp EF-Series All Flash Arrays's feature set?
Yes
Did NetApp EF-Series All Flash Arrays live up to sales and marketing promises?
Yes
Did implementation of NetApp EF-Series All Flash Arrays go as expected?
Yes
Would you buy NetApp EF-Series All Flash Arrays again?
Yes
NetApp EF-Series All Flash Arrays Feature Ratings
Evaluating NetApp EF-Series All Flash Arrays and Competitors
- Product Features
- Product Reputation
- Prior Experience with the Product
NetApp EF-Series All Flash Arrays Support
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Quick Resolution Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed Immediate help available Support understands my problem Support cares about my success Quick Initial Response | None |
yes, based on contract
Using NetApp EF-Series All Flash Arrays
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Relatively simple Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Feel confident using | Lots to learn |
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