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This page provides a guide to configuring a NetApp SnapLock storage as a Storage Target in Verba.

SnapLock is an alternative to the traditional optical "write once, read many" (WORM) data. SnapLock is used for the storage of read-only WORM data. SnapLock is a license-based, disk-based, open-protocol feature that works with application software to administer non-rewritable storage of data. The primary objective of this Data ONTAP feature is to provide storage-enforced WORM and retention functionality by using open file protocols such as CIFS. SnapLock can be deployed for protecting data in strict regulatory environments in such a way that even the storage administrator is considered an untrusted party. SnapLock provides special purpose volumes in which files can be stored and committed to a nonerasable, non-rewritable state either forever or for a designated retention period. SnapLock allows this retention to be performed at the granularity of individual files through standard open file protocols such as CIFS.

For a general description of storage targets, please refer to Storage and export targets.

Please refer to the official NetApp SnapLock guide to deploy and configure the NetApp system.

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NetApp SnapLock permissions

The system uses standard SMB protocol for file operations. The following permissions must be enabled:

  • read, 
  • write, 
  • delete, 
  • list.

The system requires permission for the following Data ONTAP API calls:

  • Cluster mode (NetApp v9.x or later with cluster mode enabled):
    • snaplock-get-node-compliance-clock
    • snaplock-set-file-retention
    • snaplock-get-file-retention
  • 7-mode (NetApp v8.x or earlier):
    • snaplock-get-system-compliance-clock
    • file-set-snaplock-retention-time
    • file-get-snaplock-retention-time

Configuring the DATA ONTAP API permissions on NetApp v9.x or later (cluster mode)

Follow the steps below to create a user account on NetApp with the necessary permissions:

Step 1 - Login to the cluster OnCommand System Manager

Step 2 - Navigate to Settings by pressing the gear icon on the top right

Step 3 - Create a new cluster-level role. Click on the Roles link on the right panel under the Management section, press Add. In the new window define the Role Name and add the Role Attributes by clicking on the Add button as follows:

CommandQueryAccess Level
snaplock compliance-clock show
All
volume file retention
All

Step 4 - Press Add to save the new role

Step 5 - Create a new cluster-level user. Click on the Users link on the right panel under the Management section, press Add. In the new window define the Username, Password and add the User Login Method by clicking on the Add button as follows:

ApplicationAuthenticationRole
ontapiPasswordThe name of the previously create cluster-level role

Image Modified

Step 6 - Press Add to save the new user

Configuring the DATA ONTAP API permissions on NetApp v8.x or earlier (7-mode)

Follow the steps below to create a user account on NetApp with the necessary permissions:

Step 1 - Login to the NetApp server via SSH

Step 2 - Run the following commands to create a new role with the required permissions:

Code Block
languagetext
useradmin role add your_new_verba_role_name -a login-http-admin,api-snaplock-get-system-compliance-clock,api-file-set-snaplock-retention-time,api-file-get-snaplock-retention-time

Step 3 - Run the following commands to create a new group and assign the new role to the group:

Code Block
languagetext
useradmin group add your_new_verba_group_name -r your_new_verba_role_name

Step 4 - Run the following commands to create a new user and add the user to the new group:

Code Block
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useradmin domainuser add your_new_user_name -g your_new_verba_group_name

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Configuration itemDescription
NameName your storage target. This name will identify this target across the system.
TypeSelect NetApp SnapLock
PathSpecify the path where the storage is accessible in the Windows file system (UNC path)
Use ONTAP REST API for SnaplockSnaplock 
Status
colourPurple
titleSince Verba 9.8.5

 When When checked the storage service will use the ONTAP REST API to set retention on files via Snaplock API calls.

Volume Path

Specify the NetApp specific volume path. Run the following command to find out the volume path:

volume show

Example:

Code Block
languagetext
verba::> volume show
Vserver   Volume       Aggregate    State      Type       Size  Available Used%
--------- ------------ ------------ ---------- ---- ---------- ---------- -----
verba-01  vol0         aggr0_verba_01
                                    online     RW       3.16GB     2.05GB   31%
vs1.verbatest.local
          test_volume    vfs          online     RW      342.5MB    50.46MB   84%
vs1.verbatest.local
          svm_root     vmd          online     RW         20MB    17.48MB    7%

The Volume Path value is:

Code Block
/vol/test_volume


Host Name or IP Address

The connection string used by the application to connect to the NetApp SnapLock Data ONTAP API.

Depending on the version of the NetApp SnapLock system, 7-mode or cluster mode can be configured.

For 7-mode NetApp SnapLock systems:

  • 7-mode system with a connection to the NetApp server: define the FQDN or IP address of the NetApp server without defining the protocol (it will be HTTPS by default)

    Code Block
    languagetext
    netapp_server_address


  • 7-mode system with a connection to the vFiler: define the hostname or IP address of the NetApp vFiler, HTTP protocol must be defined

    Code Block
    languagetext
    http://netapp_vfiler_address


  • 7-mode system with vFiler tunneling to allow HTTPS connections: define the hostname or IP address of the NetApp server and the instance name of the vFiler after a comma (,) or semicolon (;), without defining the protocol (it will be HTTPS by default)

    Code Block
    languagetext
    netapp_server_address;instancename


For cluster mode, further parameters are needed which can be advertised in the Host Name or IP Address field:

  • cluster FQDN or IP address
  • cluster_mode=1, which enables cluster mode in the API
  • vserver=, the name of the vServer hosting the storage folder
  • node=node hosting the vserver

The parameters should be concatenated either with ; or ,

Code Block
languagetext
netapp_server_address;cluster_mode=1,vserver=vserver_name,node=node_name

The parameters can be determined from NetApp console with the following commands:

  • vserver show
  • node show

Example:

The IP address of the server is 10.2.1.13

Code Block
languagetext
verbalabs::> vserver show
Admin Operational Root
Vserver Type Subtype State State Volume Aggregate
test data default running running test_root test_root
verbalabs admin - - - - -
verbalabs-01
node - - - - -

verbalabs::> node show
Node Health Eligibility Uptime Model Owner Location
verbalabs-01 true true 1 days 15:54 SIMBOX

Then hostname field value is:

Code Block
languagetext
10.2.1.13;cluster_mode=1;vserver=test;node=verbalabs-01


PortThe access port of the NetApp SnapLock Data ONTAP API (443 by default)
API UserUser name of the API user configured for Verba access in NetApp SnapLock
API PasswordPassword of the API user configured for Verba access in NetApp SnapLock
Use custom credentials for accessing the file share

It is possible to use credentials other than the service user for each NetApp SnapLock storage. Provide the username and password credentials for accessing the storage through SMB.

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