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NetApp FAS with CDOT: Jack of All Trades, Master of Unstructured CIFS/NFS Data
March 12, 2021

NetApp FAS with CDOT: Jack of All Trades, Master of Unstructured CIFS/NFS Data

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with NetApp FAS series

NetApp FAS controllers are being used to store critical system data for operational sites. They provide the primary storage platform for VMware-based storage at a number of locations. Applications running on NetApp FAS controllers range from infrastructure-based services (VMware, Monitoring, Anti-Virus) and application servers. Deployments range from standalone FAS to MetroCluster deployments.
  • Unstructured data
  • Lifecycling of hardware (C-DOT)
  • Metro level high-availability (MetroCluster)
  • MyASUP integration
  • 7-mode's licensing model was more favorable.
  • Some CLI commands are too cumbersome without automation, driving users to the GUI.
  • Physical cabling can be daunting for new users or DC facilities.
  • High availability architecture.
  • Scalability (up and out).
Like most other unified solutions, NetApp excels in one particular area, unstructured data. Whilst it can, and does support the presentation of block-based volumes, I do not view it as a strong suit for NetApp. When comparing to other products, the two Unified products that I see it compete with are DellEMC Unity or VMAX/PowerMax with eNAS. The VMAX/PowerMax with eNAS is probably the most Tier 1 enterprise-class solution, but the complexity of integration between the two products, and the inability to manage things such as your own upgrades should be reviewed with care.

Do you think NetApp FAS Storage Arrays delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with NetApp FAS Storage Arrays's feature set?

Yes

Did NetApp FAS Storage Arrays live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of NetApp FAS Storage Arrays go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy NetApp FAS Storage Arrays again?

Yes

NetApp FAS is well suited to environments running VMware with an IP-based fabric. Whilst I have used FC storage fabrics, other storage arrays manage FC better than NetApp. So if you have a requirement for a large number of RDM's in VMware or WSFC disks, another product might suit you better. NetApp FAS also excels in environments with Linux-based deployments that require the consumption of NFS-based volumes.