A database administrator needs 30 writeable copies of a database that will not take additional space when created. Which NetApp ONTAP feature meets…

NetApp FlexClone technology creates instantaneous, writeable, point-in-time copies of a volume, LUN, or file. A FlexClone copy is space-efficient because it shares the data blocks of its parent Snapshot copy and consumes no additional storage upon creation. Storage is only consumed as data is written or modified in the clone, making it ideal for creating multiple database copies for development, testing, or analytics without consuming significant initial storage space. This directly meets the administrator's requirement for 30 writeable copies that do not take up additional space when created.

A. FlexCache is a caching technology used to accelerate read performance for data located in a different cluster or geographic location; it does not create independent writeable copies.

C. SnapLock is a Write-Once, Read-Many (WORM) feature for data compliance and retention, which makes data unchangeable, the opposite of the "writeable" requirement.

D. SnapVault is a disk-to-disk backup and archival solution for disaster recovery and long-term retention, not for creating instantaneous, operational, writeable copies.

1. NetApp Technical Report 4015: FlexClone Best Practices and Performance.

Section: Introduction, Page 5.

Quote: "NetApp FlexClone technology enables you to create instantaneous, space-efficient, writable copies of a NetApp FlexVol volume or a LUN. A FlexClone volume or LUN is a point-in-time copy of its parent that shares data blocks with its parent, consuming no storage except for what is required for metadata."

2. NetApp ONTAP 9 Documentation: Logical storage management > How FlexClone volumes, files, and LUNs work.

Content: This section explains that a FlexClone volume is a writable, point-in-time copy that initially consumes minimal storage space because it shares data blocks with its parent. This directly supports the answer.

3. NetApp Technical Report 4741: FlexCache in ONTAP.

Section: Introduction, Page 5.

Quote: "FlexCache in NetApp ONTAP software is a persistent caching technology that you can use to serve data to clients from a cache that is located close to the clients." This confirms FlexCache's purpose is caching, not cloning.

4. NetApp ONTAP 9 Documentation: Data protection and disaster recovery > SnapLock overview.

Content: This document describes SnapLock as a WORM solution for retaining files in an unaltered state, which is contrary to the requirement for a writeable copy.