We're currently evaluating our options, and the Cisco Nexus 9336C-FX2 is NetApp's is the only validated swtich that makes sense for new deployments, but there are raising concerns due to its aging hardware and potential EOL status. This makes it a risky investment, especially for deployments planned beyond 2025.
Is anyone aware of ongoing validation efforts for newer switch models?
We have a few 9336C-FX2 for different use-cases and they will be replaced soon,
where can we find the detailed Bill of Materials (BOM) to check if these switches can be validated?
#Switch Recommendations for C30 MetroCluster IP & Future Expansion
knotty light
flint cosmos
It’s still sold by Cisco. No end of activity or end of sale announced.
Still a great switch. Does everything needed
(Cluster, storage, shared, metro cluster) and can support all platforms.
Might be a little premature on the paranoia
mossy beacon
yeah, I wouldn't worry about a switch being "old". In contrast to servers, which have changing requirements with every OS or application update, a switch does one thing and one thing only. It was designed to handle full 100g traffic with 7.2Tbit/s of switching capacity, and it still handles that pretty well.
that being said, there are always new switches/switch models being evaluated, and at some point there will be new models. I don't think there is any roadmap on that available, but you might want to ask your sales rep if they can share additional information in an NDA session, for example
knotty light
Ok, thanks for the previous insights. We already own Cisco Nexus 9336C-FX2 switches and want to verify if our current hardware meets NetApp’s compatibility requirements (e.g., configured memory, licenses).
As we are in strong relationship with Cisco, we’re also open to procuring additional/replacement hardware if needed.
While NetApp’s Interoperability Matrix provides validated configurations, we’re struggling to map them to the detailed Cisco BOM. Our NetApp account team could only share NetApp product numbers, but we need the Cisco-equivalent part numbers to cross-check our existing setup. Could anyone share the Cisco-validated BOM for the Nexus 9336C-FX2 when used with NetApp?
mossy beacon
I'm pretty sure NetApp will not support your config if you didn't buy the backend switches through them. We had very long discussions with our PTMs and other folks at NetApp, because we had customers in the same boat (they already had the correct switches and wanted to use them as backend switches). The answer was always "we won't support it"
knotty light
it directly contradicts what our NetApp account team told us, which is honestly quite confusing. They explicitly stated that self-procured Nexus 9336C-FX2 switches are considered fully validated as long as they're used exclusively for NetApp storage.
mossy beacon
interesting 🤔
flint cosmos
It’s the basic switch. I also have been told that unless the backend cluster switch is procured through NetApp it’s not supported.
You may be able to do a pvr to get it supported.
It requires using the rcf and specific nxos code versions
flint cosmos
In fact, see this link
https://docs.netapp.com/us-en/ontap-systems-switches/get-started/learn-switch-concept.html
See the info note near the top of the page
knotty bronze
I think you are confusing two things: cluster switches and metrocluster switches. Cluster switches are only supported if purchased from NetApp but for MetroCluster switches there are options.
Still would be nice to have options to the cluster switches also, especially smaller customers are struggling with the Cisco cost.
mossy beacon
I think you are confusing two things: cluster switches and metrocluster switches...
MetroCluster switches are also only supported if bought from NetApp
knotty bronze
Nope, you can even run metrocluster with no dedicated switches
mossy beacon
NetApp compliant switches, yes, not validated switches. But that only works for 2-node clusters and direct attached storage
"NetApp validated switch" means you buy it from NetApp and use it with the cluster RCF, but nothing else. In that case you must buy the switch through NetApp.
"NetApp compliant switches" means any switch that meets minimum requirements (large MTU, QOS, ECN, etc) but those can only be used for 2-node clusters (4-node MetroClusters) and without switch-attached storage. And you don't get support from NetApp for anything network related
this page shows the differences
so, long story short: you can of course use (almost) any Cisco switch as "NetApp compliant" switch in an "Open Network" MetroCluster configuration, if you are fine with the limitations. But NetApp will not do validation/testing of any of those switches for such a configuration
blazing torrent
It’s the basic switch. I also have been told that unless the backend cluster swi...
This is the way... (FPVR to source the switches from somewhere else).
mossy beacon
This is the way... (FPVR to source the switches from somewhere else).
we tried this in the past and were told that FPVR won't work for that scenario. Do you have an FPVR number or some other reference that we can supply next time this comes up with our customers?
blazing torrent
Sure... FPVR 89466.
mossy beacon
Sure... FPVR 89466.
thanks! Is this for cluster switches, MetroCluster, or both?