Netapp Storage Architecture

Summary

This tutorial delves into the architecture of NetApp storage, distinguishing between physical and logical layers. It explains the organization of disks into RAID groups for data safety and the creation of aggregates, which are collections of disk space with RAID groups. The logical layer involves mapping physical storage to containers, utilizing volumes and flex volumes to allocate disk space and serve files. The presentation aims to clarify the abstraction layers and the overall storage architecture of NetApp.

Takeaways

• 🗄️ The tutorial discusses storage architecture, focusing on two layers: the physical layer and the logical layer.
• 💾 Physical layer involves disks and hard drives, which are the actual storage devices where data is stored.
• 🔄 RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is introduced as a method for ensuring data safety and recovery in case of disk failure.
• 📚 RAID groups are created by combining physical disks, with different configurations like RAID 0, 1, 5, and 6, each offering different levels of data protection and performance.
• 🔗 An 'aggregate' in NetApp storage is a collection of physical disk space that contains one or more RAID groups.
• 🌐 The logical layer is about mapping physical storage resources to logical containers, which is a process managed by NetApp storage.
• 📂 In the logical layer, 'volumes' are used, which in the context of NetApp, are FlexVol volumes that can contain files and luns (logical units of storage).
• 📈 A FlexVol is an allocation of disk space that is a portion of the available space within an aggregate.
• 🔍 Aggregates contain RAID groups, which in turn consist of different types of disks, such as SATA, SAS, or SSDs.
• 📝 The architecture of NetApp storage is a series of abstraction layers starting from physical disks, to RAID groups, to aggregates, and finally to volumes and files.
• 👋 The tutorial concludes with an invitation to the next tutorial, indicating a series of educational content on the topic.

Q & A

What are the two main layers of storage architecture discussed in the tutorial?

The two main layers of storage architecture discussed are the physical layer and the logical layer.

What are the physical storage devices mentioned in the script?

The physical storage devices mentioned are disks, such as SAS disks or SSDs.

What is the purpose of RAID groups in the storage architecture?

RAID groups are used to keep data safe on disks, allowing for data recovery in the event of a disk failure.

What does the term 'aggregate' refer to in the context of NetApp storage?

An aggregate in NetApp storage is a collection of physical disk space that contains one or more RAID groups.

How are RAID groups and aggregates related in the storage architecture?

Disks are grouped into RAID groups, and then one or more RAID groups are combined to create an aggregate.

What is the difference between the physical and logical layers in storage architecture?

The physical layer involves the actual storage devices and their configurations, while the logical layer involves mapping physical storage resources to logical containers.

What is a FlexVol in the context of NetApp storage?

A FlexVol is an allocation of disk space that is a portion of the available space within an aggregate.

How are files stored in the logical layer of the storage architecture?

Files are stored within volumes, which are part of the logical layer of the storage architecture.

What is the significance of the abstraction layers in the storage architecture?

The abstraction layers allow for a separation between the physical storage devices and the logical containers, making it easier to manage and allocate storage resources.

What is the role of volumes in the logical part of the storage architecture?

Volumes serve as the allocation of disk space where files are stored and managed logically.

Can you provide an example of a RAID configuration mentioned in the script?

The script mentions different RAID configurations like RAID 4, RAID 5, and RAID 6, which are configurations with different numbers of parities.

Outlines

00:00

💾 Introduction to Storage Architecture

This paragraph introduces the topic of the tutorial, focusing on storage architecture within NetApp storage systems. It explains the dual-layer structure of the architecture, consisting of a physical layer and a logical layer. The physical layer involves disks and RAID groups, which are used to ensure data safety and recovery in case of disk failure. The logical layer, on the other hand, is about mapping physical storage resources to logical containers, such as volumes and flex volumes, which contain files and are allocated disk space from aggregates. The paragraph sets the stage for a deeper dive into the configurations and workings of RAID and the abstraction layers of the storage system.

Keywords

💡Storage

Storage refers to the capacity to hold and retain data. In the context of the video, it is the fundamental concept around which the tutorial is built, focusing on how data is managed and preserved within a NetApp storage system. The script discusses the architecture of storage, indicating that it is a critical component for data safety and accessibility.

💡Architecture

Architecture, in this script, pertains to the structure or framework that defines how components interact within a system. Specifically, the video talks about the storage architecture being divided into physical and logical layers, which is essential for understanding how data is organized and retrieved within the NetApp environment.

💡Physical Layer

The physical layer represents the tangible components of a storage system, such as disks and hard drives. The script explains that data is physically stored on these devices, which are then grouped and managed at a higher level of abstraction within the storage architecture.

💡Logical Layer

The logical layer is an abstraction that sits on top of the physical layer, dealing with how data is logically organized and accessed. The script mentions that the NetApp storage maps physical storage resources to logical containers, indicating a separation between the physical storage devices and how data is perceived and managed by the system.

💡Disks

Disks, in the script, are the physical storage media where data is stored. They can be SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) disks or SSDs (Solid State Drives). The video emphasizes the importance of disks as the basic units of storage within the physical layer of the architecture.

💡RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks)

RAID is a method of storing the same data in different places on multiple hard disks to protect data in the case of a drive failure. The script discusses various RAID configurations that ensure data safety and redundancy, which is a key aspect of the physical layer in storage architecture.

💡RAID Group

A RAID group, as mentioned in the script, is a collection of disks that are combined to form a single storage unit with redundancy. The video explains that RAID groups are part of the physical layer and are crucial for data protection and performance.

💡Aggregate

An aggregate, according to the script, is a collection of physical disk space that contains one or more RAID groups. It represents a higher level of abstraction than RAID groups, combining multiple RAID configurations into a cohesive storage unit.

💡Volume

A volume, in the context of the video, is an allocation of disk space that is part of the logical layer. It is where files are stored and managed. The script explains that volumes are created within aggregates, representing a portion of the available space.

💡FlexVol

FlexVol, as used in the script, refers to a flexible volume, a type of volume in the NetApp storage system that allows for more dynamic management of disk space. It is part of the logical layer and is an example of how the system abstracts physical storage into manageable units.

💡LUN (Logical Unit Number)

Although not explicitly mentioned in the script, LUNs are typically part of the logical layer in storage systems. They are identifiers used to uniquely address storage devices. The script's mention of volumes and the logical organization of data implies the use of LUNs or similar concepts for logical addressing.

Highlights

Introduction to storage architecture in NetApp storage, divided into physical and logical layers.

Explanation of physical layer components like disks, hard disks, SAS disks, and SSDs.

Introduction to the concept of RAID groups for data safety and recovery in case of disk failure.

Different RAID configurations and how they work for data protection.

Definition and purpose of an aggregate in NetApp storage.

Aggregates as a collection of physical disk space containing one or more RAID groups.

Mapping of physical storage resources to logical containers in NetApp.

Logical layer components including volumes, FlexVol volumes, and luns.

FlexVol volumes as an allocation of disk space within an aggregate.

Aggregates containing RAID groups and their role in the storage architecture.

Understanding the layers of abstraction with luns, files, volumes, and aggregates.

The role of physical RAID in the overall storage architecture.

Different types of disks involved in RAID groups, such as SATA and SSD disks.

The importance of understanding the storage architecture for effective data management.

The tutorial's aim to educate viewers on the core concepts of NetApp storage architecture.

Engagement with the audience, inviting them to look forward to the next tutorial.

Transcripts

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hello and welcome to this tutorial today

we want to talk about storage

architecture in the net of storage in an

atom storage we divided the search

architecture to two different layers one

is physical layer and the other one is

logical layer as you can see the picture

at the right here at the bottom we have

the disks and hard disks these are

physical dislikes era disk like SAS disk

or SSDs these are the discs at the end

of the day we are putting your data

inside we are gathering we are actually

combining and grouping these these

together equation something called the

rate group and if you're not familiar

with the term rates raid groups actually

do I mean the rate itself it's it's not

really the case right now don't worry

you will learn it in the next section

I'll talk about different configuration

of the raid and how they are working but

as as you may know the rate is just

redone that way of keeping the data safe

on the disks in order if you have a disk

failure we can recover the actual data

from disks and you can calculate

actually the data that is lost but

anyway so we are combining disks

physicalist winners and we are going to

create a red group and we have different

rates like rate for write DP or write

tech for free parities and we're

creating rate groups here and then we

are combining one or more than one I

mean two or three or different rate

groups together and then we are going to

create an aggregate so we have a term

aggregate ended in the NetApp storage so

in other word I can say that disks are

grouped into rate groups and I can say

that an aggregate is a collection of

physical disk space

that contain one or more raid groups

right so there are just different layers

that we are using here and at the end of

the day until here until this aggregate

I can say that

these are actually in the physical layer

so I can grab a picture for you here I

can show you that until he right

actually this part is the physical part

and the other part which is here

it's a usually illogical part so this

goes here this goes here so the storage

the actually the net up search what is

doing is just mapping the physical

surgery sources to logical containers

that's already this storage is actually

doing for the logical containers if I'm

going to talk about logical parts we

usually have volumes right in anatomical

flex while volumes and and inside actual

volumes we have lungs or we have all

files that we can serve the Dare out of

this these volumes and at the end of the

day we can say that F volume or a flex

volume is an allocation of disks right

disk space that is a portion of the

available space in the aggregate and the

aggregates also contains some rate

groups which we have read here at this

level if you take a look at closely you

can easily understand that these are

just some layer of abstractions we have

Long's and files inside the volumes and

the volumes are actually the free space

and the aggregates and the aggregates

are allocation of different rate groups

here which we have the physical rain on

them and then it's rate group consists

of different disks which could be Sailor

disks as disk SSD disks so here is the

actual architecture of the storage

NetApp storage hope you enjoyed this

tutorial and I'll see you in the next

one

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