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How Data ONTAP reports disk types
Data ONTAP associates a type with every disk. Data ONTAP reports some disk types differently than the industry standards; you should understand how Data ONTAP disk types map to industry standards to avoid confusion.
When Data ONTAP documentation refers to a disk type, it is the type used by Data ONTAP unless otherwise specified. RAID disk types denote the role a specific disk plays for RAID. RAID disk types are not related to Data ONTAP disk types.
For a specific configuration, the disk types supported depend on the storage system model, the shelf type, and the I/O modules installed in the system. For more information about the types of disks supported by your configuration, see the Hardware Universe at hwu.netapp.com.
The following tables show how Data ONTAP disk types map to industry standard disk types for the SAS and FC storage connection types, storage arrays, and for virtual storage (Data ONTAP-v):
SAS-connected storage
Data ONTAP disk type
Disk class
Industry standard disk type
Description
BSAS
Capacity
SATA
Bridged SAS-SATA disks with added hardware to enable them to be plugged into a SAS-connected storage shelf.
FSAS
Capacity
NL-SAS
Near Line SAS
MSATA
Capacity
SATA
SATA disk in multi-disk carrier storage shelf
SAS
Performance
SAS
Serial-Attached SCSI
SSD
Ultra-performance
SSD
Solid-state drives
FC-connected storage
Data ONTAP disk type
Disk class
Industry standard disk type
Description
ATA
Capacity
SATA
FCAL
Performance
FC
Storage arrays
Data ONTAP disk type
Disk class
Industry standard disk type
Description
LUN
N/A
LUN
A logical storage device backed by storage arrays and used by Data ONTAP as a disk. These LUNs are referred to as array LUNs to distinguish them from the LUNs that Data ONTAP serves to clients.
Virtual storage (Data ONTAP-v)
Data ONTAP disk type
Disk class
Industry standard disk type
Description
SAS
N/A
VMDK
Virtual disks that are formatted and managed by VMware ESX.
For information about best practices for working with different types of disks, see Technical Report 3437: Storage Subsystem Resiliency Guide.
Related Link:  
TR 3437: Storage Subsystem Resiliency Guide

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