NetApp FAS8000 Series Announced

NetApp recently announced their FAS8000 series.  This current lineup has three models - the FAS 8020, 8040 and 8060.  As expected, they are now using Sandy Bridge processors with many more cores than the previous models, and the specs are quite impressive.

	FAS8060	FAS8040	FAS8020
Maximum Raw Capacity	4,800TB	2,880TB	1,920TB
Maximum Drives	1,200	720	480
Controller Form Factor	Single enclosure HA; 2 controllers in single 6U chassis	Single enclosure HA; 2 controllers in single 6U chassis	Single enclosure HA; 2 controllers in single 3U chassis
Memory	128GB	64GB	48GB
Maximum Flash Cache	8TB	4TB	3TB
Maximum Flash Pool	18TB	12TB	6TB
Combined Flash Total	18TB	12TB	6TB
NVRAM	16GB	16GB	8GB

From what we can ascertain, this is a direct replacement for the mid-range line - where the number of spindles and maximum capacity is identical.

	FAS6220	FAS3250	FAS3220
Maximum Raw Capacity	4,800TB	2,880TB	1,920TB
Maximum Drives	1,200	720	480
Maximum Flash	12TB	4TB	1.6TB

Based on these specs, one can surmise the following:

1. The 8020 will replace the 3220

2. The 8040 will replace the 3250

3. The 8060 will replace the 6220

From what we can see, this will be a welcome changeover - especially the increased amount of flash.  But it also leaves questions - what will become of the 6250 and the 6290?  Will there be a new 9000 model line?  Or will they fill in the top end of the 8000 series?  How many models will be at the top of the line?

At this point, only time will tell.