NetApp ASA A1K
The NetApp ASA A1K is a high-end dedicated block storage system delivering symmetrical active-active controller processing for mission-critical enterprise SAN environments. Engineered strictly for Fibre Channel, iSCSI, and NVMe block workloads, it guarantees continuous data availability and sub-millisecond response times without failover delay.
Specifications
| Brand | NetApp |
|---|---|
| Family | ASA A-Series |
| Form factor | 4U modular rack |
| Released | May 2024 |
| Controller configuration | Symmetrical active-active dual controllers in high-availability modular chassis |
| Processor | Dual Intel Xeon Scalable processors per controller |
| Memory | 1024GB system memory per HA pair with NVRAM cache |
| Drive bays | Connects to NS224 NVMe drive shelves via 100GbE RoCE |
| Supported drives | NVMe TLC SSDs (1.9TB to 30.7TB) |
| Maximum raw capacity | Up to 367PB in a cluster |
| Host connectivity | PCIe Gen 5 slots supporting 64Gb/32Gb FC, 100GbE, 25GbE, and 10GbE |
| Storage protocols | NVMe/FC, NVMe/TCP, Fibre Channel, iSCSI |
| Clustering | Up to 12 HA pairs (24 nodes) |
| Management | NetApp ONTAP SAN-optimized System Manager |
Generations
- Previous generation: NetApp ASA A900
Works together
How the NetApp ASA A1K 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
Cisco UCS C225 M8 1U rack
Cisco UCS C245 M8 2U rack
Dell PowerEdge R HS7710 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R260 1U rack (short-depth)
Dell PowerEdge R670 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R6715 1U 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
Cisco MDS 9396V 2RU
Cisco MDS 9124V 1U rack
Cisco MDS 9148V 1RU
Dell Connectrix DS-7730B 2U switch
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 ASA A1K.
- 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 protocols does the NetApp ASA A1K support?
The ASA A1K supports dedicated block storage protocols: NVMe/FC, NVMe/TCP, Fibre Channel, and iSCSI.
How does symmetrical active-active multipathing benefit the ASA A1K?
All paths to both controllers are active, eliminating path failover latency and providing instantaneous I/O continuation.
Buying or selling ASA A1K?
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 All-SAN Array (ASA) Overview, checked 2026-10-28
- NetApp Hardware Universe - ASA A1K Specifications, checked 2026-10-28