FlexPod Express: UCS-Managed Configuration

Among the three previous Small / Medium / Large configurations in FlexPod Express, another one appeared under the name Cisco UCS-Managed . This article will discuss this new configuration. FlexPod Express and FlexPod Datacenter are divided into two main types of connection: direct connection of storage to servers (there is no switch between storage and servers) or through switch (there is a switch between storage and servers), I remind you that Fabric Interconnect is not a switch, but part of the UCS server domain .

It is worth noting several important differences of the new configuration from the previous three.

• First, Fabric Interconnect appeared in the architecture, even if it was performed by internal devices installed in the UCS Mini chassis with blades.
• Secondly, the architecture has the ability to directly connect the storage system to the Fabric Interconnect, previously between the servers and the storage system the switch had to be present. In this case, the switch was supposed to be only Nexus (3048/3500/9300).
• Third, if we have a Cisco UCS-Managed direct- connect FlexPod Express configuration, the switch for connecting end users does not have to be a Nexus. Now it can be any standard switch supporting failover like Multi Chassis Etherchannel. But if a switch is needed between UCS and FAS, then the switch must be a Nexus.

It is important to note that the absence of Nexus is provided only in the FlexPod Express configuration with direct connection of the storage to UCS mini . Nexus switches are still needed for FlexPod DataCenter , even in the case of Storage Directly Attached configurations , as well as FlexPod Express Small / Medium / Large and FlexPod Express UCS-managed (where you need a switch between FI and DSS). Direct connection for both FlexPod DataCenter and FlexPod Express is supported with block protocols only.
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Minimum requirements for software:

NetApp Data ONTAP

• Data ONTAP 7-Mode requires 7.3.5 or later, including Data ONTAP 8.X
• Clustered Data ONTAP requires Data ONTAP 8.1.1 or later

Cisco

• CiscoNX-OS version 5.0 (3) N1 (1c) or later, if the Nexus is
• Cisco UCS Manager 3.0 (1c), if available

All software versions must be checked in the compatibility matrix .

Support level requirements

• SMARTnet 24x7x4 support for Cisco equipment.
• SupportEdge Premium 4 hours onsite, CS-O2-4HR support for NetApp equipment
• Both support must act an equal number of months.
• Minimum required support is 36 months.

If you already have NetApp and UCS Mini

You can register them as FlexPod Express and get cooperative technical support. Similarly, you can register and FlexPod DataCenter. For this you need to meet a number of requirements:

• Match the configuration to the architecture (network settings, profile settings, storage, component wiring diagrams, etc.), for FlexPod Express and UCS Mini (without a Nexus switch) connect the storage directly.
• Make sure that all the firmware versions in the compatibility matrix are present and if not, then bring your configuration into the corresponding matrix.
• The level of service for technical support must meet the requirements of the architecture.

When all requirements are met, you should contact your partner (integrator) with a request to register your existing configuration as FlexPod Express / DataCenter. Integrator contact your NetApp distributor and representative who register such a system for cooperative support.

UCS Director

UCS Director is an orchestrator that can manage NetApp hardware, Nexus switches (including virtual and VM-FEX), manage server profiles, and virtual machines on various hypervisors. The orchestrator allows you to create workflows of previously created configuration sequences for the entire data center, automating and simplifying the process of its operation. UCS Director also contains a self-service portal, which makes it possible to provide IaaS and PaaS services for both internal and external consumption. It is also very important that the orchestrator allows billing of consumed resources, this makes it possible for IT departments to more easily justify their spending and attract additional investments in the IT budget.

The benefits of FlexPod configurations are here.

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Configurations of FlexPod architecture allow you to reduce the time for testing and commissioning solutions, as well as simplify operation in the future due to the openness of documentation and automation of routine administrative processes.

FlexPod with Cisco UCS Mini Design Guide

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Comments, additions and questions on the article on the contrary, please in the comments .