What technology allows for non-disruptive upgrades of NetApp storage systems?

The technology that enables non-disruptive upgrades of NetApp storage systems is Clustered Data ONTAP. This architecture allows multiple storage nodes within a cluster to work together as a single unified storage system. One of the primary features of Clustered Data ONTAP is its ability to perform upgrades and maintenance operations without taking the system offline, ensuring continuous availability of data and services.

During a non-disruptive upgrade, specific components of the system can be upgraded one at a time while the remaining parts continue to operate normally. This design reduces downtime and minimizes the risk of disruption to applications and users relying on the storage system.

In contrast, other options such as Data ONTAP 8 refer to earlier versions of the operating system that do not support the same level of non-disruptive upgrade capabilities as Clustered Data ONTAP. ONTAP Select focuses on software-defined storage but does not inherently provide the same capabilities as the clustered architecture, and Storage Grid targets object storage solutions rather than the non-disruptive upgrade functionalities crucial for traditional storage management.