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ostype (LUN multiprotocol type) guidelines

The ostype (sometimes called LUN multiprotocol type) specifies the OS of the host accessing the LUN. It also determines the layout of data on the LUN, the geometry used to access that data, and the minimum and maximum size of the LUN.

Not all Data ONTAP versions support all LUN multiprotocol types. You should consult the Interoperability Matrix to get the most up-to-date information. The ostype (LUN multiprotocol type) options and when each should be used are listed below:
Note: If you are using SnapDrive for Windows, the LUN multiprotocol type is automatically set.
solaris
Use if your host operating system is Solaris and you are not using Solaris EFI labels.
Solaris_efi
Use if you are using Solaris EFI labels.
Note: Using any other LUN multiprotocol type with Solaris EFI labels might result in LUN (mis)alignment problems.
For more information, see your Solaris Host Utilities documentation and release notes.
windows
Use if your host operating system is Windows 2000 Server, Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003 using the MBR partitioning method.
windows_gpt
Use if you want to use the GPT partitioning method and your host is capable of using it. Windows Server 2003, Service Pack 1 and later are capable of using the GPT partitioning method, and all 64-bit versions of Windows support it.
windows_2008
Use if your host operating system is Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2012; both MBR and GPT partitioning methods are supported.
hpux
Use if your host operating system is HP-UX.
aix
Use if your host operating system is AIX.
linux
Use if your host operating system is Linux.
netware
Use if your host operating system is Netware.
vmware
Use if you are using ESX Server and your LUNs will be configured with VMFS.
Note: If you configure the LUNs with RDM, you can use the guest operating system as the LUN multiprotocol type.
xen
Use if you are using Xen and your LUNs will be configured with Linux LVM with Dom0.
Note: For raw LUNs, you can use the type of guest operating system as the LUN multiprotocol type.
hyper_v
Use if you are using Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V and your LUNs contain virtual hard disks (VHDs). If you are using hyper_v for your LUN type, you should also use hyper_v for your igroup os type.
Note: For raw LUNs, you can use the type of the child operating system as the LUN multiprotocol type.

For information about supported hosts, see the Interoperability Matrix.