Which component is responsible for connecting FAS or AFF controllers to create a multinode cluster?

The Cluster Interconnect is the key component responsible for connecting FAS (Fabric-Attached Storage) or AFF (All Flash FAS) controllers to form a multinode cluster. This infrastructure enables communication between the nodes within the cluster, allowing data access and processing to be efficiently managed across multiple storage controllers.

The Cluster Interconnect facilitates high-speed data transfer and sharing of resources, which is critical for redundancy, load balancing, and improving overall system performance. This connectivity is essential for enabling features such as high availability and seamless failover in case of node failure, thereby ensuring that services remain uninterrupted.

Other options pertain to different aspects of network and cluster communication. The Data Interconnect generally refers to connections that facilitate data access operations rather than the overarching framework for a clustered environment. Network Interface Cards (NICs) are important for connecting individual nodes to the network, but they do not specifically handle the interconnectivity function required for clustering nodes. The Cluster Management Interface pertains to management functions and monitoring of the cluster but does not serve the primary role of connecting the nodes themselves.