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What is ONTAP tools VASA Provider?

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Applies to

NetApp ONTAP tools for VMware vSphere

Answer

  • VMware vStorage APIs for Storage Awareness (VASA) Provider is an integrated VMware function that enables Virtual Volumes (vVols) support and the management of storage capability profiles within ONTAP tools for VMware (OTV).
  • When VASA Provider is enabled, you are allowed to perform the following tasks:
  • Provision VMware Virtual Volumes (vVols) datastores
  • Create and use storage capability profiles that define different storage service level objectives (SLOs) for your environment
  • Verify for compliance between the datastores and the storage capability profiles
  • Set alarms to warn you when volumes and aggregates are approaching the threshold limits
  • Monitor the performance of virtual machine disks (VMDKs) and the virtual machines that are created on vVols datastores
  • VASA configuration also includes vVols replication capabilities and individual Virtual Machine (VM) vVols performance monitoring.
  • VASA acts as the communication bridge between the VMware vCenter Server and NetApp ONTAP storage systems.
  • When registering the VASA Provider in OTV, it is automatically given the name: NetApp-VP-NG. 
  • When enabled, you can view the VASA Provider details, from within vSphere, select Configure | Security | Storage Providers

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  • VASA is also critical for Disaster Recovery when using VMware Site Recovery Manager (SRM).
  • VASA enables SRM to communicate with NetApp storage arrays, manages SnapMirror relationships for replication
, and coordinates storage-level VM failovers.
  • VASA is also required when utilizing a NetApp Storage Replication Adapter (SRA) within OTV.
  • When the VASA Provider not enabled, SRA cannot properly integrate with VMware SRM for disaster recovery operations.
  • VASA runs as a daemon server that provides the following services: 
  1. VASA APIs Implementation - The APIs as per VMWare VASA specification (mainly vVol APIs and out-of-band communications from vCenter Host to VASA
  2. Backend for SRA (Storage Replication Adapter) - To perform Storage Disaster Recovery operations
  3. Storage Profile Management for Traditional datastores
  4. Storage Events and Alarms Notification to vCenter

Additional Information

NetApp provides no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or reliability or serviceability of any information or recommendations provided in this publication or with respect to any results that may be obtained by the use of the information or observance of any recommendations provided herein. The information in this document is distributed AS IS and the use of this information or the implementation of any recommendations or techniques herein is a customer's responsibility and depends on the customer's ability to evaluate and integrate them into the customer's operational environment. This document and the information contained herein may be used solely in connection with the NetApp products discussed in this document.