7th Gen of IBM VTL: TS7700 R5.0.1

IBM TS7700 R5.0.1 offering maximizes capacity with a flexible infrastructure design

IBM TS7770 is the 7th gen of its virtual tape system technology, delivering the next level in cybersecurity while maintaining the reliability and availability of the mainframe enterprise storage platform to support business across hybrid multicloud deployments.

It optimizes data protection and business continuance for Z data while improving storage economics, system resiliency, and data stability for mission-critical workloads.

TS7770 is built on the POWER9 platform and includes the following:

• Two 10 core, 3.8GHz processors
• 64GB DDR4 memory
• 16GB Ficon (up to 4 adapters, 2 ports per adapter, 512 paths per port)
• 1GB/s copper and 10GB/s longwave grid network (up to 4 ports total)
• 4x16Gb FC attachment to disk cache and tape drives (up to 16 ports)
• SSD or SAS drive for storage
• Common DS8000 pSeries hardware, I/O bays, and adapters
• Single-phase power (30A) and three-phase (400V) support
• Primary Ethernet and FC adapters integrated into pSeries slots

TS7700 Release 5.0 builds upon and expands the capabilities of earlier TS7700 offerings while extending enterprise storage system leadership for IBM Z virtual tape systems.

It is comprised of:

• TS7770 Server 3957 Model VED
• TS7770 Cache Controller 3956 Model CSB and Cache Module Model XSB
• TS7770 Tape Frame 3952 Model F06

TS7770 supports all the functionality of the previous TS7760 solution
while delivering these additional enhancements:

• POWER9 serve
  • All-flash POWER9 option (775GB SSDs)
• Maximum repository capacity of more than 3.94PB before compression
  • 10TB 7,200rpm SAS drives
  • AES256 encryption
  • Local and external key management support
  • Security Key Lifecycle Manager (SKLM) KMIP with Transport Layer Security protocol (TLS) 1.2 support (distributed SKLM only)
• DS8000 object store
  • Reduction of host MIPs
  • Elimination of DFSMShsm recycle processing
  • Coexistent object storage and FICON host attachment
• Secure data transfer
  • Encrypt data in flight between clusters in a grid using AES128 or AES256 bit encryption
• Operational administration efficiency
  • Remote Code Load designed to help reduce coordination costs
  • Capacity on demand in 20TB and 100TB increments
  • Concurrent cache expansion without business interruption
  • Concurrent library service eliminates physical tape recovery downtime
• Enhanced data handling
  • 200 times longer data retention with expire hold (10 to 2,000 years)
  • 400% increase in DR testing availability with write protect exclusion categories (32 to 128)
• Single-phase and three-phase power support
• Client-supplied rack – iRPQ 8B3721
  • Eliminates the need for the 3952-F06 frame, enabling clients flexible deployment of the TS7770 in their own industry standard client-supplied 19-inch rack
• Web Updater
  • Automating the fix delivery process

Product Preview
In 2H20, IBM intends to release Compression and Encryption for DS8000 Object Store (feature number 5282), DR Export and Restore for Cloud (feature number 5278), and cybersecurity enhancement Dual Control.

Preview announcements provide insight into firm’s plans and directions.

Availability, prices, ordering information, and terms and conditions will be provided when the product is announced.

Key requirements

• TS7700 servers attach to Ficon channels on select Z servers and require the appropriate levels of Z software.
• 16Gb FC switches are required when connecting TS7770 Model VED with a TS3500 or TS4500 tape library.
• Additional features may be required on the TS7770 components or automation frames.

Planned availability date

• May 15, 2020: All countries, except Taiwan and India
• May 29, 2020: Taiwan
• September 22, 2020: India