The objective is to add cost-effective nearline storage for archiving to an existing high-performance All-Flash FAS (AFF) cluster. NetApp ONTAP supports heterogeneous clusters, which allows for the combination of different node types within a single cluster. By adding a new FAS system, which can be populated with high-capacity, lower-cost SAS or SATA HDDs, the administrator can create a distinct storage tier optimized for archiving. This approach leverages the existing cluster management framework while introducing a capacity-focused tier that is more economical for infrequently accessed data, directly fulfilling the requirement without altering the high-performance AFF tier.

A. Upgrade the AFF controllers to a higher system.

This increases the performance and potential scale of the existing flash tier but does not add cost-effective nearline storage.

C. Expand the cluster with a new AFF system.

This adds more high-performance, expensive flash storage, which is contrary to the goal of adding cost-effective storage for archiving.

D. Add SSDs to the existing AFF cluster.

This expands the capacity of the existing high-performance tier, not adding a separate, cost-effective nearline tier for archiving.

1. NetApp ONTAP 9 Documentation, Cluster and SVM administration, "Rules for clusters": "A cluster can contain a mix of different controller models... You can mix AFF and FAS systems in the same cluster, which enables you to move data to the class of storage that is appropriate for your needs." This source directly confirms that AFF and FAS systems can be combined in a single cluster to create different storage tiers.

(Reference: NetApp ONTAP 9.10.1 Documentation Center -> Cluster and SVM administration -> Concepts -> Rules for clusters)

2. NetApp Technical Report 4684, "All-Flash FAS Design and Implementation Guide": Section 2, "AFF Models," describes AFF systems as being designed for the highest performance with all-flash media. In contrast, other NetApp documents position FAS systems for a balance of performance and capacity, often utilizing HDDs. This distinction supports using FAS for a cost-effective capacity tier.

(Reference: NetApp TR-4684, Section 2, Page 6)

3. NetApp Product Datasheet, "FAS Storage Systems": This document describes FAS systems as hybrid storage that unifies SAN and NAS workloads, with configurations that can be optimized for capacity using HDDs. This positioning validates the FAS platform as the appropriate choice for a cost-effective, nearline storage expansion for an archive use case.

(Reference: NetApp DS-4388-0322, "FAS Storage Systems," Page 2, "Meet your storage requirements")