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NetApp FAS Series pros and cons

Vendor: NetApp
4.4 out of 5
Badge Ranked 1
2,374 followers
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Pros & Cons summary

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Prominent pros & cons

PROS

NetApp FAS Series provides enhanced performance and cost efficiency, standing out for its speed-optimized OS.
Users value its centralized data sharing capabilities across Windows and Unix teams, simplifying data management.
NetApp FAS Series' disaster recovery features with replication have transformed DR practices, offering greater data protection.
The flexibility and ease of use, notably in multi-protocol environments, make NetApp FAS Series a preferred choice for diverse storage needs.
The stability, reliability, and comprehensive feature set, including advanced Snapshot and SnapMirror technologies, underline users' satisfaction with NetApp FAS Series.

CONS

NetApp FAS Series is costly compared to competitors like Dell and EMC.
Interfacing with the cloud environment could be improved, specifically with seamless cloud volume integration.
There is a need for better replication features and smoother transitioning from on-premise to cloud environments.
The pricing is considered expensive, with calls for reducing costs to enhance market share.
The system's configuration is inflexible and lacks automatic data tiering features that manage cold and hot data effectively.
 

NetApp FAS Series Pros review quotes

reviewer2560449 - PeerSpot reviewer
Sep 24, 2024
It gives us the performance we need and the reliability we need to make sure that our systems have the uptime that our internal customers demand.
TW
Aug 10, 2023
The SnapMirror is a good tool because, as long as you're going NetApp to NetApp, it's ultimately the fastest way to move data. We replicate everything to another site for disaster recovery.
GA
Jan 17, 2022
Flexible and reliable storage solution with multiple features such as cloning, replication, and deduplication. Data migration can be done without any performance implications on the production systems.
Learn what your peers think about NetApp FAS Series. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2025.
847,772 professionals have used our research since 2012.
LS
Jul 27, 2020
For us, the greatest aspect of the solution is the fact that it just runs. It is amazingly resilient. That's very important to us, because we are basically, with some exceptions, have a 24/7 operation.
reviewer2689182 - PeerSpot reviewer
Apr 9, 2025
In NetApp FAS Series, I appreciate the visibility.
AR
Sep 25, 2024
The ONTAP tools make managing VMware easier.
Temitope Oladeji - PeerSpot reviewer
Apr 22, 2021
I like the unified management feature because sometimes you end up running a single protocol on the entire system.
AdrianoSimao - PeerSpot reviewer
Mar 3, 2022
The replication feature is noteworthy because it's faster than most and it uses little bandwidth. Then there's the friendly interface that the equipment offers. With this interface, it is very easy to manage.
reviewer2560956 - PeerSpot reviewer
Sep 25, 2024
It's enabled us to allow admins across the IT organization to more easily manage their own subset of data within our organization.
MC
Mar 12, 2024
At the moment, we use NetApp SnapMirror to replicate data to another filer at an offsite location for backup. So, I like this feature.
 

NetApp FAS Series Cons review quotes

reviewer2560449 - PeerSpot reviewer
Sep 24, 2024
When we were going through all the MFA hardening and the anti-ransomware setup, I gave some feedback to our executive. The MFA process for getting that set up on the AFF systems was cumbersome compared to some of our other systems.
TW
Aug 10, 2023
NetApp systems are somewhat more complex, though not excessively so. If you're transitioning from a Windows server environment to NetApp, get training or education; otherwise, you might struggle with this solution.
GA
Jan 17, 2022
No other area for improvement comes to mind other than its price. Making the price more attractive will help this solution have a bigger market share.
Learn what your peers think about NetApp FAS Series. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2025.
847,772 professionals have used our research since 2012.
LS
Jul 27, 2020
The one aspect of the solution that's negative for us is also more unique to us due to the fact that we did a MetroCluster. The tiebreaker piece that does the monitoring of the two different locations, and determines if one is not talking to the network normally (or if it's truly down) is a little difficult. It feels like it was not designed from the beginning to fit well into the other pieces. It feels like it was thrown in at the last minute and it is not smooth.
reviewer2689182 - PeerSpot reviewer
Apr 9, 2025
It was not possible to have a custom user inside ONTAP without the delete permission to delete the volume. We wanted others to be able to create a SnapMirror and volume, but have no volume deletion permission. In the newest version, it seems to already be in place, but there was a bug enabling this one in older versions 9.11, 9.10, or earlier.
AR
Sep 25, 2024
It's hard to find in-person training that fits our schedule in our area. They offer a lot of online training, but we need somewhere to go because we can't really get away from the office.
Temitope Oladeji - PeerSpot reviewer
Apr 22, 2021
Interfacing with the cloud environment could be better. I want to be able to move some cloud volume and integrate it seamlessly with my home on-premise storage. Sometimes I have issues with port permissions. NetApp probably needs to improve more on the integration side from on-premise to the cloud.
AdrianoSimao - PeerSpot reviewer
Mar 3, 2022
I think this kind of infrastructure is mostly obsolete. To keep up with developments in this space, you need to move all these features to an All-Flash solution.
reviewer2560956 - PeerSpot reviewer
Sep 25, 2024
A big problem with physical appliances is that updating them can be a bit burdensome.
MC
Mar 12, 2024
We have some experience with older equipment end-of-life. For example, when warranty support stops or updates stop – it can be frustrating. Not all clients can buy a new filer every year or two, and NetApp ending support a bit quickly can be a concern.