Each Data ONTAP release family introduces new features. Most issues are resolved automatically in the Data ONTAP software, but a few issues require manual configuration.
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Major and minor upgrade types
When you upgrade Data ONTAP, you must select one of two upgrade types: a major upgrade between release families, or a minor upgrade within a release family.
Required intermediate upgrades If you want to upgrade to a Data ONTAP 8.2.x release from a release earlier than 8.1.x, you must perform an intermediate upgrade (also known as a multi-hop upgrade) to the latest Data ONTAP 8.1.x release before upgrading to the target 8.2.x release.
Upgrades within a release family
Upgrades within a release family are usually simpler and involve less service disruption than upgrades between release families.