Minimum SnapDrive host requirements

Each Windows host in a SnapDrive for Windows configuration must meet minimum hardware, software, and OS requirements.

Hardware requirements

Component	Requirement
CPU	32-bit OS 2.8 GHz Pentium 4 or compatible 64-bit OS x64: Intel Xeon or AMD Opteron IA64: Intel Itanium (for Windows Server 2008)
Memory	1 GB
NIC	The NIC you use to facilitate data transfer for the Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator can come from any vendor, but it must be approved by Microsoft for use with Windows Server.

Operating system requirements

The host must be running either Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2003 Standard or Enterprise Edition 32-bit or 64-bit (x64 and IA64) with Service Pack 2 with the following hotfixes.

Note: For a list of the latest Service Packs and hotfixes required by SnapDrive, see the product description page in the software download section of the NOW site at http://now.netapp.com/.

Operating system and Service Pack level	Required hotfixes
Windows Server 2003 SP2	919117 931300 932755 937382
Windows Server 2008	(none at this time)

Software requirements

The exact number and type of HBAs and NICs required by each host depend on your specific SnapDrive configuration.

To ensure high network bandwidth and ease of configuration, make sure you have the latest firmware and drivers for all HBAs and NICs you are using.

Component	Requirement
FCP driver and firmware	The latest FCP driver and firmware is available on the NOW site at http://now.netapp.com/. From this gateway, navigate to the SAN Host Attach Kit for Fibre Channel Protocol on Windows download page.
HBAs and software initiators
FCP	See the FCP Host Utilities (Attach Kits) for Windows in the software download section at http://now.netapp.com/.
iSCSI HBA	See the iSCSI Host Attach Kit for Windows in the software download section at http://now.netapp.com/.
Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator	The Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator must be downloaded from the Microsoft site at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/.