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Gain the benefits of multiprotocol access with Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP
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 Robert Bell
Robert Bell

Diverse file protocols and systems often introduce complexities into data management due to differing semantics and access mechanisms. This diversity typically results in the creation of data silos and data duplication—all of which come with synchronization issues, additional costs, and data conversion challenges in the information technology (IT) landscape.

These multiprotocol challenges translate into complicated workarounds that create obstacles to sharing data, increase storage expenses, and add operational overheads.

This post looks at the challenges enterprises face in implementing multiprotocol data access, and shows how to solve them with Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP. Using FSx for ONTAP, data can be accessed simultaneously over Network File System (NFS), Server Message Block (SMB), and Amazon S3 protocols.

Read on to find out more, or jump ahead with these links:

The multiprotocol data access challenge

Large enterprises employ a variety of hardware, systems, and applications, to address different needs, but they don’t all rely on the same access protocols. For example, Windows-based devices and systems normally use the SMB protocol, while Linux-based systems usually use the NFS protocol. Meanwhile, AWS services require access over the Amazon S3 object storage protocol.

But what happens when users need to share and access data in the same environment? If different services and applications need access to the same data simultaneously, how do you make this work smoothly without dealing with protocol mismatches?

The challenges to working with multiprotocol at the enterprise level include:

  • Interoperability across protocols. Many organizations need to access data as NFS and SMB file shares, as well as through Amazon S3 protocol, and they usually address this problem by employing more than one storage service—one for each protocol in use. That introduces additional overheads, costs, and performance issues, both for the services themselves and for trying to keep all the data in sync.
  • Cross-platform compatibility. To achieve cross-platform compatibility across Windows, Linux, and macOS devices, you need seamless data access, which is easier said than done: File and object storage structures, access mechanisms, and data handling have nuances that are unique to each platform, and those nuances need to be addressed.
  • Effective permissions management. Each protocol has its own permission structures. It’s time consuming for administrators to configure and maintain access controls that align with each protocol’s requirements.
  • Data structure and hierarchy. Each protocol has its own way of representing paths and directory structures, and storing metadata (for example, file permissions, timestamps) differently or have variations in their metadata models. These differences can pose challenges when users try to access the same data using multiple protocols.
  • Data duplication and synchronization. Data duplication in various formats or locations can lead to data synchronization inconsistencies and higher costs for the added storage capacity.
  • Access to AWS services. Many AWS services, such as those for AI and machine learning (AI/ML) and analytics, are designed to access data stored in Amazon S3 buckets using the Amazon S3 protocol. For teams looking to use those services, that normally means migrating and syncing duplicate data sets on Amazon S3.

Multiprotocol data access challenges such as these translate into workarounds that are inherently less scalable due to data duplication, synchronization issues, additional costs, and changed performance loads. There is a way to avoid that with FSx for ONTAP.

Solving multiprotocol access challenges with FSx for ONTAP

FSx for ONTAP is a fully managed storage service that provides trusted NetApp® data management capabilities as an AWS-native service.

FSx for ONTAP simplifies multiprotocol data access by allowing different clients to seamlessly access the same dataset in various protocols, operating systems, hybrid environments, and storage types. Options include NFS and SMB, as well as Amazon S3 object storage access directly to the file data stored in FSx for ONTAP. Regardless of the client’s protocol or operating system (OS), FSx for ONTAP intelligently presents data in the protocol native to each client to provide a consistent and secure experience from a single service.

With FSx for ONTAP, you can integrate Linux and Windows workloads into one service or file system, whether they share common data or not. This kind of consolidation simplifies the IT environment by reducing overhead, streamlining processes, and saving costs.

Diagram of Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP consolidates Linux and Windows workloads into a single, unified file system, simplifying IT management, reducing costs, and enhancing performance and data protection.

FSx for ONTAP also makes it simpler and more efficient to migrate multiprotocol workloads to AWS. As a result, enterprises can take advantage of AWS services while maintaining their diverse workloads.

How FSx for ONTAP multiprotocol access works

FSx for ONTAP implements multiprotocol data access by using several key techniques:

  • Mounting volumes across protocols. FSx for ONTAP data can be accessed from various operating systems. FSx for ONTAP volumes can be mounted using NFS and SMB and the files in the volume can also be accessed using the S3 protocol thanks to Amazon S3 Access Points for FSx for ONTAP.

    When an Amazon S3 Access Point is attached to an FSx for ONTAP volume, a username from the existing UNIX or Windows access directory is used to allow the correct permissions when accessing files via the Amazon S3 protocol. Multiple Amazon S3 Access Points can be attached to each FSx for ONTAP volume. The files are accessed directly, with no need to migrate the data to Amazon S3 buckets
  • Setting permissions and security controls. Permissions, access controls, and security parameters are all definable within FSx for ONTAP, helping you maintain security across different protocols and user environments.
  • Keeping data consistent when sharing. FSx for ONTAP has several features that safeguard data that’s shared with simultaneous client access. It preserves consistency by preventing concurrent writes, and file-locking prevents data corruption when multiple clients access and modify the same dataset.

How you can benefit from FSx for ONTAP multiprotocol access

Benefits of leveraging FSx for ONTAP for multiprotocol data access include:

  • Enhanced flexibility and efficiency. FSx for ONTAP supports multiprotocol access, including NFS, SMB, and Amazon S3 protocols. That enables FSx for ONTAP to cater to Linux, Windows, and macOS clients as well as AWS services designed to work with Amazon S3.
  • Streamlined data management. With multiprotocol access support, changes made through one protocol are instantly accessible through others, reducing operational complexities, data inconsistencies, and storage overhead. This simplifies data management by eliminating complex synchronization between duplicated datasets that serve different clients’ protocols.
  • Native integration with AWS services. To support different workload types, FSx for ONTAP natively integrates with the full range of AWS compute services, including:
  • Making ONTAP on-premises data accessible to Amazon S3-based services. Using FSx for ONTAP, customers with on-premises NetApp ONTAP® storage systems can use Amazon S3-based AWS services without migrating data to Amazon S3. ONTAP data can be replicated seamlessly to FSx for ONTAP, where Amazon S3 Access Points makes the data accessible over the Amazon S3 protocol.
  • No need to refactor applications. With FSx for ONTAP, you don’t need to refactor applications for individual protocols, and you don’t need dedicated hardware or software to access protocol-compatible storage.
  • Easier lift-and-shift migration. Because FSx for ONTAP makes it possible for each protocol to rely on a single dataset rather than multiple versions, lift-and-shift migrations are easier, faster, and less expensive.
  • Reduced storage costs. Concurrent data access through multiple protocols also eliminates duplicate datasets. Ultimately, this not only helps streamline data management but also optimizes storage resources and reduces costs. Plus, FSx for ONTAP storage efficiencies and data tiering reduce your overall footprint and costs.
  • Other notable FSx for ONTAP features:
    • Multiple Availability Zone (Multi-AZ) deployment provides uninterrupted access to data even when an entire AZ fails.
    • Data protection with NetApp Snapshot™ copies, backups, and cross-region disaster recovery mechanisms.
    • Storage area network (SAN) block storage accessibility using iSCSI and non-volatile memory express over Transition Control Protocol (NVMe/TCP).

Using Workload Factory to set up multiprotocol access

FSx for ONTAP is even easier to use with the help of NetApp Workload Factory. Workload Factory is a free service designed to automate FSx for ONTAP provisioning, configuration, and management so that your deployments align with workload-specific requirements and AWS Well-Architected Framework principles for storage.

Configuring multiprotocol access for FSx for ONTAP volumes is easy. In Workload Factory:

  1. Go to an FSx for ONTAP file system.
  2. Select the Volumes tab.
  3. Find an existing volume in the Volumes list and open its menu options (three-dot icon).
  4. Select Advanced actions from the drop-down menu. Here you will be able to choose from the different protocol options available.

FSx for ONTAP volumes multiprotocol configuration process.

For more detailed steps, watch these demo videos on how to access the same data using NFS and SMB protocols and how to access the same data using Amazon S3 protocol with FSx for ONTAP and Workload Factory.

An M&E company solves multiprotocol access for video editing with FSx for ONTAP

This internet giant is a renowned media and entertainment (M&E) company, headquartered in the United States. The company offers web-based services, including a web portal, search engine, and other popular platforms.

The company was looking to establish a live video editing environment, where video streams needed to be edited for social media channels and mobile devices. This required concurrent access to the same video files from one application that used NFS and another that used SMB.

The challenge was to find a storage solution that could support multiprotocol access, deliver high-performance capabilities for video editing, and maintain uptime for business continuity.

The company chose FSx for ONTAP to solve these challenges and gain other important benefits, including:

  • Multiprotocol network attached storage support. Because FSx for ONTAP accommodates both NFS and SMB protocols, the company didn’t need to maintain separate storage services. This meant that the company’s graphic artists could access and edit video files on their workstations concurrently regardless of whether they were using NFS on Linux systems or SMB on Windows.
  • Amazon S3 access for file data. Analytics jobs using AWS services can access the file data over the Amazon S3 protocol thanks to Amazon S3 Access Points for FSx for ONTAP. Read more about Amazon S3 access to FSx for ONTAP in this post to learn more.
  • High-performance shared file workspace. The high-performance capabilities of FSx for ONTAP translate to rapid data retrieval, efficient handling of large video files, and low latency.
  • High availability with Multi-AZ deployment. The FSx for ONTAP Multi-AZ deployment provides an uptime rate of 99.99%. This level of availability is essential for the company, because any downtime or data unavailability during the editing process could result in significant disruptions and delays.

Conclusion: One service, many protocols

Enterprise workloads demand a comprehensive approach to data access that can accommodate diverse protocols and data types. Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP can help.

With FSx for ONTAP, organizations can consolidate their data by bridging the gap between disparate locations and protocols. This means greater efficiency, easier collaboration, and a more reliable single source of truth to fuel your operations.

Don’t let protocols slow you down or double your costs. Read the Enabling multiprotocol workloads with FSx for ONTAP blog to learn how to set it up.
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