Documentation Update Request: Clarification Required for TSSE Behavior on Thick-Provisioned Volumes

[Wyu-2023]

Page URL

https://docs.netapp.com/us-en/ontap/volumes/enable-temperature-sensitive-efficiency-concept.html

Page title

Learn about ONTAP temperature-sensitive storage efficiency

Summary

Background:
We have received feedback from a customer regarding the documentation of Temperature Sensitive Storage Efficiency (TSSE) on AFF-C series platforms running ONTAP 9.16.1P7.
Summary of Customer Feedback:
The customer observed that when a volume is thick-provisioned, the TSSE scanner appears to run, but no compression or deduplication actually occurs.
The storage efficiency ratio remains 1:1, and there is no data reduction, which is consistent with the ONTAP design.
However, the customer pointed out that:
• There is no clear, explicit statement in the current public documentation or KB articles that TSSE does not perform compression or deduplication on thick-provisioned volumes.
• The current documentation could lead to a misunderstanding, as it does not clearly differentiate the behavior between thin- and thick-provisioned volumes regarding TSSE.
• The customer requests that the documentation explicitly state that:
o TSSE only works on thin-provisioned volumes.
o Thick-provisioned volumes are not eligible for TSSE.
o On thick-provisioned volumes, the TSSE scanner may appear to run, but no compression or deduplication is performed, and the efficiency ratio remains 1:1.

References:
• ONTAP Documentation: Temperature-sensitive storage efficiency
https://docs.netapp.com/us-en/ontap/volumes/enable-temperature-sensitive-efficiency-concept.html

• KB: How to disable TSSE in ONTAP 9.8 and later　
https://kb.netapp.com/on-prem/ontap/OHW/OHW-KBs/How_to_disable_TSSE_in_the_ONTAP_9.8
※Regarding the KB, I’ve just added the following from my side for now:

＞Thick provisioned volumes are not eligible for TSSE.
＞TSSE only works on thin-provisioned volumes.

Current Documentation Excerpts:
• The above documentation and KBs mention TSSE is enabled for new volumes on AFF platforms and cannot be disabled on AFF-C series, but do not clearly state the limitation regarding thick-provisioned volumes.

Customer’s Request:
The customer has specifically requested that the documentation be updated to explicitly clarify the above points, to prevent further confusion for users.

Request for Documentation Update:
Please review and update the relevant ONTAP public documentation and KB articles to include the following clarifications:

1. TSSE only applies to thin-provisioned volumes.
2. Thick-provisioned volumes are not eligible for TSSE.
3. On thick-provisioned volumes, although the TSSE scanner may appear to operate, no compression or deduplication is performed, and the efficiency ratio remains 1:1.
4. This is by design in ONTAP, and is not a defect.

Impact:
The lack of clear documentation has led to repeated customer inquiries and confusion regarding the expected behavior of TSSE on thick-provisioned volumes.
Addressing this will improve customer experience and reduce support cases on this topic.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Public issues must not contain sensitive information

• This issue contains no sensitive information.