You can't connect 3rd party shelves to the same filer that has NetApp shelves. There is limited support for 3rd party disk arrays connected to filer heads via the V-Series product line. Now, I'm not sure how less expensive the supported arrays will be, but if they are (or you already have purchased those disks), consider a V-Series head.

Also, as Glenn said, you can connect NetApp ATA shelves to your existing head with FC disks and that could be cheaper, but still NetApp gear.

-- Adam Fox adamfox@netapp.com

-----Original Message----- From: Glenn Walker [mailto:ggwalker@mindspring.com] Sent: Sunday, June 04, 2006 11:08 AM To: Brent Ellis; toasters@mathworks.com Subject: RE: Newbie: Question about 3rd party shelve with NetApp 3020

NetApp doesn't support 3rd party equipment, but you can purchase ATA-based storage from them that will work with a 3020.

Glenn

-----Original Message----- From: owner-toasters@mathworks.com [mailto:owner-toasters@mathworks.com] On Behalf Of Brent Ellis Sent: Saturday, June 03, 2006 6:18 PM To: toasters@mathworks.com Subject: Newbie: Question about 3rd party shelve with NetApp 3020

I am working with two NetApp 3020s and I was wondering how difficult is it to connect non-NetApp equipment. I haven't found a lot of info with this particular hardware so I thought someone here might help.

Essentially we want to use our netapp branded shelves for the important stuff since they are fully covered under service agreement, but we would like to have some cheaper storage for transitory files and short term projects which doesn't have the same reliability needs.

If I could attach a less expensive disk shelf to the filer head I think I would be in good shape. I just don't want to buy a fibre channel disk shelf and then find out it doesn't work.

Brent Ellis Computing Services Group Boston University