NetApp ONTAP Reviews

NetApp ONTAP demonstrates substantial ROI through features like deduplication and compression, optimizing storage space by up to 70% in some cases and significantly lowering storage costs. Users report efficient manageability and reduced administrative needs, while multi-protocol support enhances time efficiency. Flash array integration improves performance and reduces latency, contributing to financial benefits. The technology facilitates secure data management and operational support, offering notable reductions in storage and operational expenses, leading to significant overall savings.

NetApp ONTAP's pricing is perceived as high but offers substantial value, particularly for enterprises. Various users highlight the costs balanced by strong performance, bundled licenses, and the option to utilize OPEX agreements. While some criticize the "a la carte" licenses, others find value in the comprehensive support functions included. Discounted pricing and wholesale contracts offer favorable pricing, but for new enterprises, initial costs can be substantial. The solution's long-term total cost of ownership is seen as competitive.

• "The pricing for NetApp ONTAP is moderate."
• "It is cost-effective for the benefits you get."
• "We have a wholesale contract with NetApp. We also have NetApp ONTAP On-Demand activation for certain things. We also have some preferential pricing for licenses. The licensing that I see here doesn't apply to other clients in the field. NetApp is expensive, but so are the competitors, making it hard to ascertain precise retail value. However, based on my perspective, NetApp pricing appears competitive."

NetApp ONTAP is utilized primarily for cloud storage, systems management, file sharing, and virtualization. It supports VMware environments, enterprise storage, disaster recovery, and data protection. Customers employ it for both on-premise and cloud-based services, including SQL, Oracle, and SAP HANA deployments. High scalability and efficiency are key characteristics, making it suitable for handling mission-critical applications, unstructured data storage, and asynchronous synchronization across various sectors like finance, education, and manufacturing.

NetApp ONTAP customer support demonstrates mixed feedback. Some describe their service as prompt, knowledgeable, and excellent, offering quick issue resolution. However, others report difficulty reaching specialized personnel, slow responses, and inefficiencies at the first support level. Some users appreciate the effective escalation process for critical issues and 24/7 availability. Despite occasional delays and communication issues, NetApp ONTAP generally receives praise for its supportive, responsive team and useful documentation, earning it a high rating from many.

Many users found NetApp ONTAP's initial setup straightforward, especially with assistance from third parties or NetApp's team. A few users noted complexity, particularly with customizations or data migrations, but emphasized improvement over time. Tools like Active IQ and Ansible playbooks were highlighted as beneficial. Some encountered challenges due to legacy systems or architectural complexities. Expertise and prior experience with the system often contributed to an easier setup process.

NetApp ONTAP is highly scalable, allowing for easy expansion by adding nodes. Users find it flexible with options for both scale-up and scale-out. Clustering facilitates workload distribution and reduces disruptions. While ONTAP accommodates large infrastructures, performance issues may arise in certain environments. Generally, it supports large-scale operations efficiently, though some users note limitations in specific configurations. It integrates well with existing landscapes, enhancing elasticity and operational efficiency across various sectors.

NetApp ONTAP is praised for excellent stability and reliability, with users rarely encountering major issues or downtime. While some experience minor bugs or random crashes, especially in new versions, others highlight its robustness, seamless updates, and continuous uptime. It's commonly described as rock solid, with powerful failover mechanisms and effective handling of hardware failures. Users rate stability highly, often giving it nine or ten out of ten. Stability varies with use cases and setup configurations.