IBM FlashSystem 9200 With Storage Expert

IBM FlashSystem 9200 with IBM Storage Expert Care

IBM FlashSystem 9200 machine type 4666 offers IBM Storage Expert Care service and support options in combination with Spectrum Virtualize software, FlashCore Modules, Storage Insights, and storage-class memory to deliver a NVMe accelerated, hybrid cloud-enabled storage system.

FlashCore Module performance combined with the use of storage-class memory as the highest level storage tier delivers increased performance and lower latencies.

FlashSystem 9200R is a precabled, preconfigured rack containing multiple FlashSystem 9200 control enclosures using Spectrum Virtualize to linearly scale the performance and capacity through clustering.

FlashSystem 9200 utility model UG8 delivers a variable capacity system, where billing is based on actually provisioned space above the base. The base subscription is covered by a 3-year lease that entitles to utilize the base capacity at no additional cost. If storage needs increase beyond the base capacity, usage is billed based on the average daily provisioned capacity per terabyte, per month, on a quarterly basis.

FlashSystem 9200 NVMe control enclosures feature:

• 2 node canisters, each with 2×16-core processors and options for up to 768GB memory to deliver a system total of 1.5TB memory
• 8 (4 per canister) 10GbE ports standard for 10GB/s iSCSI connectivity
• Up to 6 (3 per canister) I/O adapter features for 16Gb FC, 32Gb FC, and 25GbE connectivity
• Support for up to 24 NVMe flash drive options
• 2U, 19-inch rack mount enclosure

FlashSystem 9200 supports 2x12Gb SAS expansion enclosure models. FlashSystem 9000 small form factor (SFF) Expansion Enclosure Model AFF supports up to 24x.5-inch flash drives, while FlashSystem 9000 large form factor (LFF) High-Density (HD) Expansion Enclosure Model A9F supports up to 92 SSDs in a 3.5-inch carrier. SFF and LFF HD expansion enclosures can be intermixed within a FlashSystem 9000 system.

Attachment and intermixing of existing machine type 9846 or 9848 expansion enclosure models A9F and AFF with machine type 4666 FlashSystem 9200 controller and expansion models is supported.

Model AG8 FlashSystem 9200 systems can scale up to 760 drives with the attachment of FlashSystem 9000 expansion enclosures. FlashSystem 9200 systems can be clustered to help deliver greater performance, bandwidth, and scalability. A FlashSystem 9200 clustered system can contain up to 4 FlashSystem 9200 systems and up to 3,040 drives.

Machine type 4666 FlashSystem 9200 systems can be added into existing clustered systems that include FlashSystem 9200, FlashSystem 9100, FlashSystem 7200, and Storwize V7000 systems.

FlashSystem 9200R is available as a precabled, preconfigured rack with a dedicated FC network for clustering. Available with 3, 3, or 4 clustered FlashSystem 9200 systems and up to 4 expansion enclosures, it can be ordered as a FlashSystem 9202R, 9203R, and 9204R.

All FlashSystem 9200 function capabilities are provided through Spectrum Virtualize software and licensed through Spectrum Virtualize Software for FlashSystem 9000 (5639-EA4). For additional information about FlashSystem 9200 functional capabilities and software, see the materials listed in the Reference information section.

FlashSystem 9200 utility models are intended for use where variable billing is required to meet a solution’s requirements. Storage Insightshttps://www.ibm.com/us-en/marketplace/analytics-driven-data-management is used to monitor the system and is required in the utility model space.

The local project office will work with the Storage Insights data to determine the actual physical data provisioned in the system. This data will be compared to the base system capacity subscription, and any provisioned capacity beyond that base subscription will be billed per terabyte, per month, on a quarterly basis.

Key requirements

• Machine type 4666 FlashSystem 9200 requires Spectrum Virtualize Software for FlashSystem 9000 8.4.0.2, or later, for operation. Use of the software is entitled through the acquisition of Spectrum Virtualize software licenses.
• FlashSystem 9200 function capabilities are provided through Spectrum Virtualize software and licensed through Spectrum Virtualize Software for FlashSystem 7000 (SW PID 5639-EA4) for control enclosures and Spectrum Virtualize Software for FlashSystem 9000 Expansions (SW PID 5639-EB2) for expansion enclosures.
• FlashSystem 9200 control enclosures support external storage virtualization. Use of the external virtualization capability is entitled through the acquisition of Spectrum Virtualize Software for SAN Volume Controller (SW PID 5641-VC8 in AAS and SW PID 5725-M19 in Passport Advantage).
• A 3-month registration of software maintenance (SWMA) for 5639-EA4 or 5639-EB2 is required if Storage Expert Care is not ordered with the system.

Storage Insights is used to monitor the system and is required in the utility model space.

For a comprehensive list of supported environments, devices, and configurations, see the IBM System Storage Interoperation Center (SSIC) website.

Planned availability dates:

• August 27, 2021: All FlashSystem 9200 models and features, except feature codes 4651, AL01, AL02, AL03, AL04, FSRS, AL0B, and AL0S
• September 17, 2021: Features codes 4651, AL01, AL02, AL03, AL04, FSRS, AL0B, and AL0S