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Questions for qualified Cisco cluster and storage network switches

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Applies to

Cisco cluster network, storage network and MetroCluster IP switches purchased from NetApp.

Answer

NetApp is a pass-through reseller of Cisco MDS and Nexus switches. Each switch is sold with Cisco SMARTnet Service, which entitles the customer to post-sales technical support from Cisco Support - including parts replacement and technical support.  All software license activation is done by Cisco.  It is the customer responsibility to register all the switches purchased from NetApp directly with Cisco or a Cisco reseller as well change entitlements or to renew their systems to get support for the switches.  More information on Cisco registration and other resources can be found here: Cisco Ethernet Software. There is additional information on 3rd party support on the Support Site.  

Questions:
  • Who owns the switches?

The customer owns the switches.

  • Who owns the Cisco SmartNet Contract?

The customer owns the SmartNet contract.

  • Who monitors the switches; is there any reason for the customer to do any monitoring?

The customer will be responsible for monitoring the switches. However, most problems will impact the ONTAP cluster and is detected by NetApp monitoring and alerting processes.

  • Who has the passwords for them?

The customer will be responsible for establishing administrative credentials for the switches (along with the cluster nodes).

  • Who calls Cisco and raises the TAC case when there is a Cisco issue?

If the problem is believed to be a switch issue, then the customer should contact Cisco directly. However, if the issue is uncertain, the customer should contact NetApp Support to triage. If subsequent determination points to Cisco, NetApp will assist the customer with their engagement with Cisco.

  • Who arranges access for engineers for hardware replacement or other on-site support?

The customer will need to arrange physical access to the switches.

  • Who does hardware swap out/in for failed switch hardware (Does Cisco SmartNet cover any on-site support)?

Cisco offers on-site replacement support with 4-hour response and it is expected that the customer purchases this level of support at point of sale.

  • Who configures the switches during installation?

Contracted Installation Services would install the firmware and "reference configuration file" (RCF) when deploying the cluster. NetApp also supports customer installations (the switch software is downloaded from Cisco's Support Site and the RCF would be downloaded from the NetApp Support Site).

  • Who reloads the configuration when a switch is replaced through the Cisco RMA process?

The customer is responsible for ensuring the appropriate RCF file and NX-OS software version is downloaded and installed. If the switch was purchased with Cisco's onsite replacement entitlement, a Cisco onsite field engineer can reconfigure the switch for management access, load the desired NX-OS version, and reload the RCF file if instructed to do so prior to going onsite. See: How do NetApp, Cisco and Customers Collaborate for Switch Troubleshooting and Replacement?

  • Who arranges for NetApp hardware connectivity to the switches? Who handles suspected cabling faults on an ongoing basis?

Contracted Installation Services will be responsible for the cabling during initial installation. Onsite troubleshooting is performed by the customer.

  • Who looks after powering down switches and bringing them back up for data center power maintenance?

The customer would be responsible for this type of maintenance activity.

  • Who loads NX-OS and RCF when an upgrade is required?

The customer is responsible for NX-OS and RCF upgrade activities.

  • What NX-OS and RCF versions should be used on supported Cisco switches?

The Cisco Ethernet Switches Compatibility Matrix is available from the Cisco Cluster and Storage Switches Download NSS page.

  • Where can I find additional documentation on cluster and storage switches?

See the AFF and FAS Switch Documentation page.

Note: The responses above assume the customer has purchased a SupportEdge Premium/Advisor/Expert contract from NetApp and an on-site part replacement SmartNet contract from Cisco.

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.