An end-of-life product (EOL product) is a product at the end of the product lifecycle which prevents users from receiving updates, indicating that the product is at the end of its useful life. The OEM will no longer market, sell, or update your equipment after the EOL date.

End of Support (EOS) indicates the ending of services and updates for your server, storage and network equipment. The OEM no longer sells, provides updates, or renews hardware support contracts on these systems.

What is the viability of NetApp FAS Filers beyond NetApp’s EOL and EOS dates? That is the question on the minds of many NetApp customers as their systems  approach its End Of Support.

EOL/EOS FAS Hardware:

• NetApp FAS8020 (EOL: Feb 2014) (EOS: 12/31/2017)
• NetApp FAS8040 (EOL: Feb 2014) (EOS: 12/31/2017)
• NetApp FAS8060 (EOL: Feb 2014) (EOS: 12/31/2017)
• NetApp FAS2520 (EOL: May 2014) (EOS: 12/31/2017)
• NetApp FAS2552 (EOL: May 2014) (EOS: 12/31/2017)
• NetApp FAS2554 (EOL: May 2014) (EOS: 12/31/2017)
• NetApp FAS8080 EX (EOL: June 2014) (EOS: 12/31/2017)

Whether your EOL and EOS dates are approaching, or already expired, this article will cover what it means for your environment and where to go from here.

Migrate to a new system

NetApp recommended that customers migrate their data to new storage devices once their End of Support period has expired. The migration process can be quite lengthy and costly which is why that may not be the best case scenario for some companies.

Get third-party hardware support.

NetApp has ended maintenance and support of of some FAS hardware. But, there is no need to worry as third party support is a great option. 

Pre Rack IT provides the optimum service for your FAS Filer storage systems. We can provide the same level of service you are getting from NetApp, with the same quality. Our service includes the proactive monitoring of the system, managing configuration, troubleshooting and problem solving, resolving the issues and many more. We can provide this service at a very affordable price.

We can help you with the following services: 

• Storage system repair 
• System upgrades 
• Warranty support 
• FAS storage system configuration 
• Data migration  
• FAS storage system integration 
• FAS storage system maintenance

Advantages of NetApp FAS Third-Party Support

There are many advantages of choosing third-party maintenance for products that have reached their End of Service Life. Besides providing better responsiveness, options more flexible than the OEM’s recommendations, and lower cost, the following are some additional advantages of NetApp FAS Third Party Support: 

• Longer Service Life

You need to keep in mind that the OEM telling you to replace your device in just three to five years is optional. With NetApp FAS Post Warranty Support, you can enjoy access to critical technical expertise and strong support for years even after the End of Service Life date has been announced. 

• Boosts ROI (Return on Investment)

Investments made on IT hardware can be pretty costly. However, a regular refresh cycle would not allow for the maximum ROI (Return-on-Investment). What third-party support does is boost that ROI by extending the lifespan of your IT equipment. 

• Uptime

Proactive hardware monitoring combined with top-notch engineering and spare parts strategically located near client sites, result in a faster mean time to repair. These factors, in turn, translate into more Uptime. 

Additionally, Third-Party Support also promises a competent team at your service along with customizable and scalable SLAs (Service Level Agreement). This means you are no longer at the mercy of the OEM!

Are You Ready to Get the Support You Require? 

From what we have seen, NetApp FAS Third Party Support can be very beneficial in extending the ownership and lifespan of your IT asset. From scalable and customizable SLAs to having the best support team at your service with Pre Rack IT. Additionally, you can finally be free from the headache of getting a hardware refresh and boost the ROI. 

It is time to consider NetApp FAS Third-Party Support as a post-warranty option. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us!