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What is the difference between FIPS and SED drives?

  1. Last updated
    Mar 12, 2025
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Last Updated:
3/12/2025, 5:01:11 AM

Applies to

  • ONTAP 9
  • NetApp Storage Encryption (NSE)
  • FIPS Drives
  • SED Drives

Answer

NetApp Storage Encryption (NSE) supports two drive types:

  • FIPS Drives
    • Self-encrypting FIPS-certified SAS or NVMe drives are supported on all FAS and AFF systems. 
  • SED Drives
    • Beginning with ONTAP 9.6, self-encrypting NVMe drives that have not undergone FIPS testing are supported on AFF A800, A320, and later systems.
FIPS Drives SED Drives
Entire disk encrypted Entire disk encrypted
AES 256 encryption AES 256 encryption
Onboard or external key management Onboard or external key management
FIPS 140-2 level 2 validated when used with external key manager; FIPS level depends on key manager use and implementation No FIPS 140-2 certifications
All drives (including HA pairing) must be NSE drives; you cannot mix NSE and
non-NSE drives		 You can mix NVMe SSDs and NVMe SEDs, but not NSE drives
Source: Datasheet NetApp Storage Encryption, NVMe Self-Encrypting Drives, NetApp Volume Encryption, and NetApp Aggregate Encryption

Additional Information

 

 

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