IBM Spectrum Virtualize Software 8.5

IBM Spectrum Virtualize software 8.5 delivers support for IBM FlashSystem 9500 and IBM SAN Volume Controller (SVC) Model SV3

IBM Spectrum Virtualize 8.5 delivers support for FlashSystem 9500 machine type 4666 models with IBM Storage Expert Care and SVC Model SV3 for machine types 2145 and 2147.

This release provides all of the software functionality of Spectrum Virtualize software to FlashSystem 9500 and SVC hardware, adding NVMe RDMA support and multifactor authentication, as well as enabling the use of FlashCore Modules and 100GbE.

Key requirements
Software requirements

• Spectrum Virtualize software for FlashSystem 9500 (5639-011) is required for all FlashSystem 9500 controller enclosures.
• Spectrum Virtualize software for FlashSystem 9000 Expansion (5639-EB2) continues to be required for all FlashSystem 9000 expansion enclosures.
• Externally virtualized storage is subject to the same capacity-based licenses as SVC and is optional.
• SVC utility models (5639-UTL) require configuration and monitoring of the capacity utilized by IBM Storage Insights or Storage Insights Pro (5725-U02).

Hardware requirements

• Spectrum Virtualize software for FlashSystem 9500 Controller with PID 5639-011 is only installable on FlashSystem 9500 MTMs 4666-AH8 and 4666-UH8.
• Spectrum Virtualize software for SAN Volume Controller utility requires at least one pair of System Storage SVC storage engines (2145-SV1, 2145-DH8, 2145-SA2, 2145-SV2, 2145-SV3, 2147-SV1, 2147-SA2, 2147-SV2, 2147-SV3) for installation.
• Spectrum Virtualize software for FlashSystem 9000 Expansion with PID 5639-EB2 is only installable on FlashSystem 9000 MTMs 4666-AFF and 4666-A9F.

Additional requirements

• A Storage Expert Care Service and Support option is recommended when configuring an FlashSystem 9500 machine type 4666 with these software licenses.
• A 3-month software maintenance (SWMA) offering will be defaulted when no Storage Expert Care Service and Support option is selected.
• Current support summaries, including specific software, hardware, and firmware levels supported, are maintained at FlashSystem 9500 and SAN Volume Controller support website.

Planned availability date: March 4, 2022

Availability within a country is subject to local legal requirements.