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How FlexClone Revolutionized Our Operations

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By David Tanigawa, NetApp Sr. Storage Engineer
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As a NetApp IT Sr. Storage Engineer, I have firsthand experience of the transformative impact of FlexClone technology on our infrastructure operations, including database management, troubleshooting, testing, and data replication.

The Genesis of FlexClone in Our Workflow

NetApp IT has utilized FlexClone extensively, tracing back to the days of NetApp's Data ONTAP 7-mode system. The primary use has been creating instant replicas of data volumes to spin up new database instances, which is invaluable for development, testing, and reporting.

FlexClone has significantly enhanced our operational efficiency by offloading work from the primary production database. Whether transitioning from production to development or for sub-production tasks, FlexClone offers the flexibility to manage our data more effectively.

Imagine you're an artist with a unique painting that you need to experiment on but don't want to risk damaging. FlexClone is like having a photocopier in your art studio that can instantly create a replica of your painting. You can test different colors and techniques on the copy without fear of ruining the original. Just like this photocopier allows for risk-free experimentation, FlexClone enables IT teams to test and troubleshoot data copies, ensuring the integrity of the original data remains untouched.

Troubleshooting Made Easier

One enlightening experience with FlexClone involved a complex file system auditing task. Our security team required enhanced logging capabilities, necessitating permission changes on our critical Stingray volume housing customer data. The initial implementation disrupted access for support engineers, who could no longer analyze customer data effectively.

By leveraging FlexClone, we cloned the affected volume and rigorously tested solutions without risking further disruption to our production environment. This capability effectively addressed the permission issues, underscoring FlexClone's pivotal role in our troubleshooting toolkit.

The FlexClone Advantage

FlexClone sets itself apart with its efficiency and speed. It allows us to spin up cloned volumes in seconds—without significant additional data storage until changes are made—providing a clear advantage in our agile environment. This rapid deployment capability is critical for an organization that thrives on innovation and continuous improvement.

FlexClone in Action: A Practical Example

During one notable incident, a permissions change needed to enable auditing inadvertently locked out some of our engineers from accessing essential customer data. With FlexClone, we cloned the affected volume and experimented with different solutions to restore access without breaking the new auditing features. This experience resolved the issue and illustrated how FlexClone supports complex, real-time problem-solving without impacting production.

Streamlining Operations

FlexClone has streamlined many operations, allowing our teams to manage data more dynamically and responsively, providing a means to replicate data environments quickly and accurately, and reducing the downtime associated with deployments and testing. This efficiency boost is critical for maintaining the pace required in modern IT environments.

Looking ahead

Embracing FlexClone technology has been a pivotal decision for us at NetApp IT. It has enhanced our ability to handle data with agility and precision, proving itself as a tool and a game-changer in managing, protecting, and leveraging our data assets. As we continue to push the boundaries of what's possible with our IT infrastructure, FlexClone remains a crucial player in our strategy, enabling us to meet the evolving needs of our customers and our business.

Through FlexClone, we have optimized our operational efficiency and ensured that our IT infrastructure can adapt quickly to new challenges, confirming our commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in the IT industry.

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