NetApp AFF A800
The NetApp AFF A800 was NetApp's first end-to-end NVMe enterprise all-flash storage system, pairing internal NVMe SSDs with NVMe over Fibre Channel (NVMe/FC) front-end connectivity. In a 4U dual-controller enclosure, it delivered sub-200 microsecond latencies for real-time analytics, Oracle RAC, and high-frequency transaction environments.
Specifications
| Brand | NetApp |
|---|---|
| Family | AFF A-Series |
| Form factor | 4U rack |
| Released | May 2018 |
| End of sale | May 2024 |
| End of support | May 2029 |
| Controller configuration | Dual controllers in 4U enclosure |
| Processor | Dual Intel Xeon Skylake processors per controller |
| Memory | 256GB system memory per HA pair with NVRAM |
| Drive bays | Up to 48x internal 2.5-inch NVMe SSDs in 4U chassis, plus NS224 shelves |
| Supported drives | NVMe TLC SSDs (1.9TB, 3.8TB, 7.6TB, 15.3TB) |
| Maximum raw capacity | Up to 316PB in a 24-node cluster |
| Host connectivity | PCIe slots supporting 100GbE, 40GbE, 25GbE, 10GbE, and 32Gb FC |
| Storage protocols | NVMe/FC, FC, iSCSI, NFS, SMB |
| Clustering | Up to 24 nodes (12 HA pairs) |
| Management | NetApp ONTAP 9 |
Generations
- Previous generation: NetApp AFF A700s
- Next generation: NetApp AFF A90
Compatible parts
Cables
X6566B-3-R6 NetApp X6566B-3-R6 10 GbE network cable, 3 m
X6566B-5-R6 NetApp X6566B-5-R6 10 GbE network cable, 5 m
X66211-1 NetApp X66211-1 100 GbE cable, 1 m
X66211-2 NetApp X66211-2 100 GbE cable, 2 m
X66211-5 NetApp X66211-5 100 GbE cable, 5 m
X66211A-05 NetApp X66211A-05 100 GbE cable, 0.5 m
X66240A-2 NetApp X66240A-2 25 GbE cable, 2 m
X66240A-5 NetApp X66240A-5 25 GbE cable, 5 m
X66250-15 NetApp X66250-15 Fibre Channel optical cable, 15 m
X66250-2 NetApp X66250-2 Fibre Channel optical cable, 2 m
X66250-30 NetApp X66250-30 Fibre Channel optical cable, 30 m
X66250-5 NetApp X66250-5 Fibre Channel optical cable, 5 m
Works together
How the NetApp AFF A800 connects to servers, storage and the network: 1 way, with the parts and products on each path.
Fibre Channel SAN
Match the speed: 16Gb and 32Gb FC HBAs, switches and array ports work together, and each generation also runs one or two speeds below its own (a 32Gb port runs at 16Gb and 8Gb).
Servers
HPE Edgeline EL300 Converged Edge System DIN rail / compact box
Supermicro GPU SuperServer 4U Multi-GPU System 4U rack
Dell PowerEdge R240 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R340 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R6415 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R740xd2 2U rack
Adapters for the server
540-BBUU Dell Emulex LPe31002 Dual Port 16Gb Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
540-BBUV Dell QLogic 2692 Dual Port 16Gb Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
540-BCMS Dell QLogic 2770 Single Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter
540-BCMT Dell QLogic 2772 Dual Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter
Switches
Optics
57-1000262-01 Brocade 16G FC SFP+ ELWL 25 km
57-1000333-01 Brocade 32G FC SFP+ SWL
57-1000487-01 Brocade 16G FC SFP+ SWL
Plan and size it
- Draw this setup in the topology planner mrplanb.com
- Add up rack power and space rack-density.com
- Virtualization storage Ledger: scored storage platforms mrplanb.com
- SAN transport and NVMe over FC for backup mrplanb.com
- What an hour of downtime costs outagecost.org
Check compatibility with NetApp
Before you buy, confirm the exact configuration against the vendor's own lists: firmware levels, operating systems, adapters and optics that NetApp has tested with the NetApp AFF A800.
- Compatibility NetApp Interoperability Matrix Tool (IMT) (free vendor sign-in)
- Specifications NetApp Hardware Universe (platform specs and supported parts)
- Support NetApp Support
Equivalent models from other brands
FAQ
What made the AFF A800 notable in NetApp's portfolio?
The AFF A800 was NetApp's first system to support end-to-end NVMe, from internal SSDs to front-end NVMe/FC host connectivity.
What replaced the AFF A800?
The AFF A800 reached end-of-sale in May 2024 and was succeeded by the AFF A90.
Buying or selling AFF A800?
New, refurbished or used. Tell us the quantity and condition and we connect you with a vetted reseller in your region, usually within one working day.
Sources
- NetApp AFF A800 Documentation, checked 2026-10-28
- NetApp Hardware Universe - AFF A800 Specifications, checked 2026-10-28
- Install an AFF A800 system using detailed step-by-step instructions, checked 2026-10-28