IBM FlashSystem 7300 Delivers Virtualized, SDS System

IBM FlashSystem 7300 delivers a virtualized, SDS system

IBM FlashSystem 7300, machine type 4657, offers IBM Storage Expert Care service and support options in combination with IBM Spectrum Virtualize software, IBM flashCore Modules, IBM Storage Insights, and storage-class memory to deliver a NVMe accelerated, hybrid cloud-enabled storage system.

IBM FlashCore Modules and the use of storage-class memory as a higher level storage tier enables FlashSystem 7300 to deliver high available performance with low latencies.

FlashSystem 7300 is the replacement for FlashSystem 7200. It is a 2U, 24 NVMe, dual controller drawer that will take advantage of the second release from Intel of the Cascade Lake processor for greater performance.

FlashSystem 7300 utility model U7D 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 you 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 7300 NVMe control enclosures feature:

• Two node canisters, each with 2×10-core processors and options for up to 768GB memory to deliver a system total of 1.5TB memory
• Eight (4 per canister) 10GbE ports standard for 10Gb/s iSCSI connectivity
• Up to 6 (3 per canister) I/O adapter features for 32Gb FC, 10/25GbE connectivity, and 100GbE connectivity
• Support for up to 24 NVMe flash drive options
• 2U, 19-inch rack mount enclosure

The FlashSystem 7000 family offers large form factor (LFF) and small form factor (SFF) 12Gb SAS expansion enclosure models, as well as a high-density expansion enclosure model. FlashSystem 7000 LFF Expansion Enclosure Model 12G supports up to 12×3.5-inch drives, while FlashSystem 7000 SFF Expansion Enclosure Model 24G supports up to 24×2.5-inch drives. FlashSystem 7000 HD Expansion Enclosure Model 92G supports up to 92 drives. 10,000rpm disk drives, 7.2,000rpm disk drives, and SSDs are supported. Drives of the same form factor can be intermixed within an enclosure and expansion enclosures can be intermixed within a FlashSystem 7300 system.

Attachment and intermixing of existing machine type 2076 expansion enclosure models 12G, 24G, and 92G with machine type 4657 FlashSystem 7300 controller and expansion models is not supported.

FlashSystem 7300 systems scale up to 392 drives with the attachment of FlashSystem 7000 expansion enclosures. They can be clustered to help deliver greater performance, bandwidth, and scalability. A FlashSystem 7300 clustered system can contain up to 4 FlashSystem 7300 systems and up to 1,568 drives.

Machine type 4657 FlashSystem 7300 systems can only be clustered with other FlashSystem 7300 systems. Clustering with machine types 2076, 4664, 4666, 9846, or 9848 is not supported.

All FlashSystem 7300 functional capabilities are provided through IBM Spectrum Virtualize software.

Key requirements

• FlashSystem 7300 requires Spectrum Virtualize licensed machine code level 8.5, or later, for operation.
• FlashSystem 7300 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 (PID 5641-VC8 in AAS and PID 5725-M19 in Passport Advantage).
• See the FlashSystem product documentation and the IBM Support site for additional information about licensed machine code levels and other requirements.
• FlashSystem 7300 function capabilities are provided through IBM Spectrum Virtualize software and licensed through Spectrum Virtualize Software for FlashSystem 7000 (PID 5639- F7K) for control enclosures and Spectrum Virtualize Software for FlashSystem 7000 Expansions (PID 5639-EC1) for expansion enclosures.
• A 3-month registration for software maintenance (SWMA) for 5639-F7K or 5639-EC1 is required if IBM Storage Expert Care is not ordered with the system. IBM 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, go to the IBM System Storage Interoperation Center (SSIC) website.

Planned availability dates:

• March 4, 2022: All IBM FlashSystem 7300 models and features, except as noted below
• June 3, 2022: TAA Compliance (feature number 0983)

Availability within a country is subject to local legal requirements.