I dont think the issue here, is that netapp doesnt document where to download the PROPER version of ONTAP.

Agreed. I think my biggest issue is that I misinterpreted the documentation. In the docs when it say's :

Go to the NOW site at http://now.netapp.com/NOW/main/software.shtml and download the version of Data ONTAP for your existing system that matches the version installed on the FAS31xx system.

I interpreted this as meaning download the version for your existing system (3050 in my case) that matches the version installed on the FAS3170, which I assumed meant the version number (7.2.6.1) in my case.

But..ya think you're reading "upgrade version" a little too...narrowly?

Yes, I guess I was.

How can Netapp prevent this chain of errors?

I would say by doing what you and I have both suggested. Amending the documentation to unambiguously state what they really want to happen.

--
Romeo Theriault
System Administrator
Information Technology Services