A customer with a FlexPod solution wants to expand their NetApp ONTAP 9.7 switchless cluster. The new hardware must support expansion slots. In…

The customer requires two components to expand their switchless cluster into a switched cluster: a new storage system and a cluster interconnect switch. The NetApp AFF A400 is a suitable storage system as it supports ONTAP 9.7, features two PCIe expansion slots per controller for future I/O card additions, and supports 100GbE adapters for the cluster interconnect. The Cisco Nexus 3232C switch is a 100GbE-capable switch, fulfilling the requirement to upgrade the cluster interconnect fabric for future growth. This combination allows the customer to move from a two-node switchless configuration to a larger, high-performance switched cluster.

B. Nexus N3132Q-V: This is a 40GbE switch, which does not meet the customer's requirement for a 100 Gbps-capable cluster interconnect.

C. NetApp FAS2720: This system is a 2U appliance with integrated controllers that lack the required PCIe expansion slots for future hardware additions.

1. NetApp AFF A400 Hardware Specifications: The AFF A400 controller module includes two PCIe Gen 3 expansion slots, which can be used for additional network adapters, including 100GbE cards for cluster interconnect.

Source: NetApp, "AFF A400 and FAS8300/FAS8700 Systems Installation and Setup," Document Version 1.1, February 2021. Section: "Controller module components," Page 15.

2. Cisco Nexus 3232C Switch Specifications: The Cisco Nexus 3232C is a 100-Gbps switch, providing 32 QSFP28 ports, which meets the requirement for a 100GbE cluster interconnect fabric.

Source: Cisco, "Cisco Nexus 3232C and 3264Q Switch Data Sheet," Document ID: D06-123456-00, Updated: February 2020. Section: "Product overview," Paragraph 1.

3. NetApp FAS2720 Hardware Limitations: The FAS2700 series systems are designed as compact units and do not contain PCIe expansion slots. All connectivity is provided through onboard ports.

Source: NetApp Hardware Universe (hwu.netapp.com), "FAS2720 System Information." The I/O expansion module section for this model is listed as "None." (Accessed October 2023).

4. Cisco Nexus 3132Q-V Switch Specifications: The Cisco Nexus 3132Q-V is specified as having 32 fixed 40 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP+ ports, making it unsuitable for the 100GbE requirement.

Source: Cisco, "Cisco Nexus 3100-V Platform Switches Data Sheet," Document ID: D06-123456-00, Updated: July 2021. Section: "Product specifications," Table 2.