Requirements for using Flash Pools

Flash Pools have some configuration requirements that you should be aware of before planning to use them in your storage architecture.

A Flash Pool can use either RAID-DP or RAID4 protection (but not both in the same aggregate).

Flash Pools can be created from mirrored aggregates; however, the SSD configuration must be kept the same for both plexes.

Flash Pools cannot be used on all platforms. For a list of the platforms that support Flash Pools, see the Hardware Universe.

Flash Pools cannot be used in the following configurations:

•	32-bit aggregates

•	Aggregates that use third-party storage

•	Aggregates that use the ZCS checksum type

•	SnapLock aggregates

•	A storage system that uses Storage Encryption

You must either disable the automatic creation of aggregate Snapshot copies or enable the automatic deletion of aggregate Snapshot copies for a Flash Pool. These operations must be done by using the Data ONTAP Command Line Interface. For information about automatic aggregate Snapshot copy creation and deletion, see the Data ONTAP System Administration Guide for 7-Mode.

If you create a Flash Pool using an aggregate that was created using Data ONTAP 7.1 or earlier, the volumes associated with that Flash Pool will not support write caching.