The BlueXP Connector is an essential component deployed within a user's cloud or on-premises network to manage resources. It requires outbound internet access to communicate with the BlueXP SaaS platform. When a Cloud Volumes ONTAP (CVO) instance is deployed in a restricted network without direct outbound internet connectivity, BlueXP automatically configures the Connector to act as an HTTP/HTTPS proxy. This allows the CVO instance to route its AutoSupport messages through the Connector, which then forwards them to the NetApp support backend. This architecture ensures that critical health and diagnostic data is transmitted securely without exposing the CVO instance directly to the internet.

A. Page blob: This is a type of storage object within Microsoft Azure Blob Storage, used for virtual hard disks, and has no networking proxy function.

B. Mediator: The ONTAP Mediator is a service used exclusively in NetApp MetroCluster configurations to act as a quorum witness and assist in automated switchover decisions.

C. Collector: A Collector is a component of the NetApp Cloud Insights service, responsible for gathering performance and inventory data, not for proxying AutoSupport messages.

1. NetApp BlueXP Documentation, "Networking for Cloud Volumes ONTAP": "If Cloud Volumes ONTAP doesn't have an outbound internet connection to send AutoSupport messages, BlueXP automatically configures Cloud Volumes ONTAP to use the Connector as a proxy server." This statement directly confirms the Connector's role. (Found under the section detailing network requirements and connectivity).

2. NetApp BlueXP Documentation, "Connector security": "The Connector needs an outbound internet connection so it can communicate with the BlueXP SaaS layer and other NetApp cloud services... The Connector can also act as a proxy for other systems, like Cloud Volumes ONTAP..." (This is typically found in the security or networking requirements section for the Connector).

3. TR-4597: Cloud Volumes ONTAP Best Practices and Implementation Guide: This technical report discusses deployment architectures. In sections covering networking and security, it explains that for deployments in private subnets, the Connector facilitates communication for management and support services like AutoSupport, effectively acting as a proxy. (Refer to sections on Network Topology and Security).