Getting Started with NetApp CDOT

Our focus here is specifically on Cluster Mode, which has been the default deployment model since the retirement of 7-Mode. While 7-Mode was widely used in legacy environments, it was last updated in ONTAP 8.2.3, and is no longer recommended for new installations.

This guide will cover Clustered ONTAP version 9.5, which is still widely used in labs and legacy environments, even though newer versions are available.

Lab Requirements and Prerequisites

Hardware and Software Requirements

• A virtualization platform: VMware ESXi (preferred for multi-node clusters), VMware Workstation, or VMware Player
• Memory requirements: Each ONTAP node requires 8 GB of RAM. For a basic two-node cluster, plan for at least 16 GB of total system memory
• NetApp NOW account: Access to the NetApp Support site (now.netapp.com) to download ONTAP OVA files, licenses, and documentation

Files to Download

1. ONTAP Simulator OVA (specific to your virtualization platform—ESXi or Workstation)
2. License file (must match the ONTAP version you’re installing)
3. Setup Guide for ONTAP 9.5 (used to supplement these instructions)
4. OnCommand Unified Manager (optional but helpful for managing multiple NetApp systems)

Network Setup and Planning

Before deploying your ONTAP virtual appliances, you’ll need to set up 2 to 3 virtual networks depending on your lab goals:

1. Management Network – This network should be routable to your laptop or workstation. Used for ONTAP system manager, SSH, and general cluster management.
2. CDOT Internal Network – A non-routable private network for communication between ONTAP nodes (cluster interconnect). Should only be accessible by your ONTAP virtual machines.
3. NAS/Data Network (Optional) – If you plan to present NFS or CIFS shares, this network should be routable to your laptop or client machines.

IP Address Planning

Have the following information ready before deployment:

• Default Gateway and Netmask for your Management network
• DNS Server IP address
• Cluster Name
• Cluster Management IP address
• Node Management IP addresses for each node (you’ll need two for a basic lab)

Installing the ONTAP Simulator OVAs

The ONTAP simulator is distributed as an OVA (Open Virtualization Appliance)—a prepackaged virtual machine image that includes the system configuration, virtual disks, and startup scripts. OVAs are widely supported across VMware platforms including ESXi, Workstation, Player, and Fusion.

Deploy the First ONTAP Node (NetApp01)

1. Log in to your ESXi host or vCenter
2. Launch the VM Deployment Wizard – Right-click on the ESXi host and select Create/Register VM
3. Choose “Deploy a virtual machine from an OVF or OVA file”
4. Upload the OVA file and give the VM a meaningful name (e.g., NetApp01)
5. Configure VM settings during the wizard, including target datastore and network adapters

Assign the four virtual network adapters as follows:

• Adapter 1: CDOT private network (used for cluster interconnect)
• Adapter 2: CDOT private network
• Adapter 3: Management network (used for web UI, SSH, etc.)
• Adapter 4: Management or NAS/data network, depending on your use case

Configuring ONTAP Simulator Nodes

Now that you’ve successfully deployed your ONTAP simulator OVAs, it’s time to configure each virtual node. This section will guide you through the initial setup of the first node, which includes performing a clean installation, assigning network settings, and configuring the cluster.

Step 1: Initialize Node 1

1. Power on the first node (NetApp01)
2. Watch the boot screen carefully. When prompted, press Ctrl + C to access the Boot Menu
3. Select Boot Option 4: Clean Configuration and Initialize All Disks
4. You’ll be asked to confirm – answer Yes to both prompts
5. The system will automatically reboot once complete

Step 2: Management Interface and IP Configuration

After the reboot, ONTAP will ask if you want to enable AutoSupport. Since this is a lab setup, you can safely answer No. Next, ONTAP will prompt you to select a management network interface. By default, it will suggest e0c. You can simply press Enter to accept the default.

You’ll now be prompted to enter networking details for this node’s management interface:

• Node Management IP Address
• Subnet Mask
• Default Gateway

Setting Up the Second Cluster Node

With your first node fully configured and the cluster initialized, it’s time to add the second node to the cluster. This step allows you to simulate a multi-node production environment with features like high availability (HA), logical interface (LIF) failover, and distributed storage.

Joining the Existing Cluster

After the basic network configuration is complete, ONTAP will prompt you to begin the cluster setup process. When asked “Create or join a cluster?”, select Join.

Enter the IP address of an interface on the private cluster network from the first node (visible in System Manager under Network → Network Interfaces, typically 169.254.x.x).

This tells ONTAP how to find the existing cluster and join it. The system will handle the discovery and synchronization automatically.

Applying ONTAP Licenses

1. Open a web browser and go to: https://<Cluster Management IP>
2. Log in with your admin credentials
3. In the top-right corner of System Manager, click the plus icon ➕ or navigate to: Cluster → Settings → Licenses
4. Click Add Licenses
5. When prompted, click Choose File, then select the license file you downloaded earlier
6. Click Add to apply the licenses

Troubleshooting License Uploads

If you encounter an error while uploading the license file (a common issue with the simulator), try the following:

• Open the license file in a text editor (e.g., Notepad)
• Copy only the actual license keys (each is a 28-character alphanumeric string)
• Paste them into the license entry field as a comma-separated list

ABCDEFGH1234567890WXYZ1234,ZYXWVUT9876543210LKJHGFEDCBA

Summary and Next Steps

Congratulations—you’ve successfully built a working two-node NetApp Clustered ONTAP (CDOT) lab environment. You’ve deployed virtual ONTAP nodes, configured a cluster, assigned management IPs, and applied the necessary license keys to unlock core features.

Your environment is now ready for the next phase: creating aggregates, configuring Storage Virtual Machines (SVMs), and enabling protocols like NFS, SMB/CIFS, or iSCSI. These will allow you to simulate real-world use cases such as hosting file shares, mounting exports, and testing storage automation workflows.

Suggested Next Steps

• Log in to System Manager and explore the Cluster → Nodes, Network Interfaces, and Disks views
• Try creating an aggregate manually via the CLI or UI
• Begin planning your SVM and volume layout to match a use case you’re familiar with

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