Tip: For basic local lab usage, bridge or map Network Adapter 3 to a "Host-Only" or "NAT" virtual network that has access to your local workstation's subnet. 3. Initial Boot and Cluster Setup Power on the virtual machine in VMware.
You can register as a Guest, Customer, or Partner. Note that a corporate or business email address is usually required for full access approval. Step 2: Navigate to the Simulator Download Page Log in to your approved NetApp Support account. Go to the menu and select Software .
Select the version of ONTAP 9 you wish to run (e.g., ONTAP 9.13, 9.14, or the latest available release).
To download the simulator, follow these steps on the NetApp Support Site: netapp ontap 9 simulator download free
Before downloading the simulator, ensure your host system meets the minimum hardware and software requirements to run the virtual machines smoothly. Hardware Requirements
64-bit Intel or AMD processor with virtualization extensions (VT-x/AMD-V) enabled in BIOS.
Compatible with VMware Workstation (Windows), VMware Fusion (Mac), or VMware Player. Key Strengths & Limitations Ontap Simulator Download Tip: For basic local lab usage, bridge or
Optimized for VMware Workstation and VMware Fusion.
The ONTAP 9 Simulator is a virtual appliance that emulates the behavior of a real NetApp controller. It runs the same ONTAP 9 codebase found on physical enterprise arrays. You can interact with it via:
Test Ansible playbooks, Python scripts, or REST API calls safely before pushing them to production. You can register as a Guest, Customer, or Partner
Connect to the simulator's IP address via a web browser to use the modern GUI.
Test features like SnapMirror, FlexClone, Storage Efficiency (deduplication/compression), and NVMe.