SU512: ONTAP support requirements for VER2 hardware

Summary

Starting in the February to August 2024 timeframe, upcoming hardware changes (known as VER2 hardware) in some purchased AFF and FAS storage systems will require support from specific minimum versions of ONTAP, as shown in the following table:

Table 1: Minimum ONTAP versions to support VER2 hardware

If you are changing the ONTAP version that is shipped with VER2 hardware, you must ensure that the chosen version supports VER2 hardware, as well.

Issue Description

In response to recent supply chain challenges across the industry, NetApp has changed certain components in AFF and FAS controllers and shelf module hardware to ensure we have products to fulfill orders and provide replacement parts over their supported lifespan. New storage system orders with updated controller and shelf hardware (known as VER2 hardware) will be available for shipment starting in the February to August 2024 timeframe and are supported across multiple major releases of ONTAP through patch releases, as shown in the Summary section, above.

Shipped VER2 hardware with an ONTAP support dependency will have a warning label affixed on the hardware component with the following text:

Solution

Planning for VER2 Hardware

To prepare for VER2 hardware being incorporated into your ONTAP environment some time after February 2024, review the following scenarios:

• New VER2 hardware is being deployed as a new ONTAP Cluster:
  • Use the ONTAP version that was shipped with the VER2 hardware or an alternate ONTAP version that supports VER2 hardware

• New VER2 hardware is being added to an existing ONTAP Cluster:
  • Clusters must run on the same major ONTAP release (E.g., ONTAP 9.8)
  • Different patch (P) releases can be mixed in the cluster (E.g., ONTAP 9.8P14 and ONTAP 9.8P19), if necessary
  • Plan for an ONTAP upgrade of your existing cluster by 2024
  • Choose an available ONTAP version from Table 1, above

• New VER2 hardware is being added to an environment with specific approved versions of ONTAP:
  • Plan to qualify and approve an ONTAP version that supports VER2 hardware by the 2024 timeframe
  • Choose an available ONTAP version or later patch release from Table 1, above

Note: The minimum ONTAP versions for support of AFF C-Series, ASA A-Series and ASA C-Series models already exceeds the minimum ONTAP versions for VER2 hardware

Part Replacement Strategy

• When part replacements are needed for hardware failures, Netapp Support will continue to use a "like for like" replacement strategy.
• Spare parts for both original and VER2 hardware variants will continue to be available to fulfill part requests for the specific hardware variant.

VER2 Hardware Part Number Information

Table 2 provides detailed hardware part number information to help you identify VER2 hardware components:

Table 2: Hardware Part Number Information

• Part number information labels are affixed to hardware components
• To verify motherboard (Controller Module) part number information, use the system node run -node <name> sysconfig -a command
• To verify NIC or IO Module part number information, use the system node run -node <name> sysconfig -ac command

Additional Information

• NetApp Hardware Universe
• Due to positive changes in supply-chain outlook, the AFF A250, AFF C250, ASA A250, ASA C250 and FAS500f models are no longer part of the VER2 program

Important: The purpose of this communication is for NetApp to notify its installed base end users about urgent and important product information that may affect product performance or reliability. The information contained herein are NetApp confidential materials that are subject to restrictions on redistribution.

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Services Partners Additional Notes

• Supply Chain Continuity SE Presentation (Field Portal)