In NetApp ONTAP, what action expands an existing AFF cluster to include nearline storage?

• A. Upgrade the AFF controllers to a higher system.
• B. ADD SSDs to the existing AFF cluster.
• C. Add a new FAS system to the existing AFF cluster.
• D. Expand the cluster with a new AFF system.

Answer: (C)

Expanding with nearline storage in ONTAP is achieved by bringing in a system that provides SATA-based disks into the existing cluster. In this setup, you add a new FAS system to the existing AFF cluster. The FAS system carries the nearline disks, and the cluster can present that capacity alongside the all-flash storage managed by the AFF controllers, giving you larger total storage at a lower cost while keeping the high-performance flash for primary workloads.

Upgrading AFF controllers or adding SSDs would either increase performance or capacity on the flash tier, not introduce nearline capacity. Expanding with a new AFF system would add more all-flash capacity, not nearline.