Migrating LUNs using NetApp 7MTT and where does FLI (Foriegn LUN Import) comes handy.

Take-away: 7MTT is a tool for Data Migration of NAS & SAN (LUNs) between NetApp Storage Arrays only. It is designed by NetApp engineering to help professional services and customers in migrating their data from 7-mode hardware to cDOT (Now called ONTAP). This tool is necessary b'cos NetApp is only pulling resources for cDOT, 7-mode core-ontap code production is stopped, 8.2.x, was the the end of it.  Data ONTAP 8.3 and later do not include a 7-Mode version.

Also, it makes sense for any existing 7-mode NetApp customers to move to cDOT, as that is where all the R&D efforts lies.


Can 7MTT migrate LUN?
Yes, it can.


When it cannot?
If the LUN is in 32-bit aggregate. Pre-check in 7MTT tool will not let you go ahead if it finds LUNs hosted on 32-bit aggr, following error will be seen:

What is the remedy?
Convert 32-bit to 64-bit aggregates prior to transitioning to clustered Data ONTAP using 7MTT.


What if my LUN is mis-aligned in 7-mode?
7MTT cannot correct the mis-alignment, it will inherit it.


Which tool can I use to fix the mis-alignment, instead of copying data into newly aligned LUN?
FLI (Foreign LUN Import)


What's cool about FLI?
As the name suggest 'Foreign' LUN Import : It not only PULLs LUNs from 3rd-Party Storage Array, but also between the 7-mode & cDOT (starting Data ONTAP 8.3.1) NetApp Arrays, and can also do the LUN alignment plus auto-transition from a 32-bit to 64-bit aggregate, without having to do it first as in the case of 7MTT. Further, with ONTAP 9.1, even AFF has FLI support enabled by-default.


What protocol FLI supports?
Strictly FC only. It can do iSCSI LUNs as well, but for that the LUN protocol must be changed to iSCSI to FC and then you should be able to do it.

DEMO: Unfortunately, I only have iSCSI in my LAB, hence I cannot do the demo, but if you do have access to FC setup in your lab, then please give it a try.


For more info on :Foreign LUN Import 7-Mode to Clustered Data ONTAP Transition Workflow, Please read this TR-4380, it has all the details.