Faster IBM DS8880

IBM DS8880 delivers faster performance than the previous DS8000 models with the reliability and availability to support digital business

IBM DS8880 delivers faster performance than the previous DS8000 models while maintaining the reliability and availability of the enterprise storage platform to support digital business.

DS8000 has extended enterprise storage system leadership
by offering following options:

DS8886 Model 981 and Model 98E Expansion Unit
DS8884 Model 980 and Model 98B Expansion Unit
IBM POWER8-based processors
Scalable system memory and process cores in the controllers
Repackage rack power system
Improved I/O enclosure pairs
Reduced 19-inch rack footprint
Small form factor hardware management console (HMC)
Machine Type Model conversion from DS8870 to DS8886

IBM is introducing the new DS8880, a family of business-critical, hybrid data systems that span a range of price points. The family is powered by the next generation of the DS8000 platform and delivers critical application acceleration, availability, and leading capabilities.

The new DS8880 family includes two high-performance models (DS8884 Model 980 with its associated DS8884 Expansion Unit Model 98B, and DS8886 Model 981 with its associated DS8886 Expansion Unit Model 98E) that can be ordered with one, two, three, or four years of support, which covers both the hardware and advanced function features.

It is also designed to deliver new hardware features for a combination of price and efficiency for all application needs. In order to fulfill different application needs, DS8880 enables both hybrid-flash and traditional disk configuration options. Incorporating DS8880 with advanced storage tiering and thin provisioning can improve storage efficiency and reduce the TCO.

DS8880 also boasts HA and special integration with z Systems to deliver value. For organizations seeking a combination of performance, HA, resilience, and agility, DS8880 is a choice.

IBM POWER8 processor technology
DS8880 systems feature POWER8 server technology to help support high performance. These DS8880 models deliver up to two times throughput improvement over DS8870.

Each model within the DS8880 enables a concurrent upgrade from the smallest to the largest configuration. This includes adding cache and processors for increased performance, adding host ports for increased connectivity, adding HDDs and SSDs and additional expansion frames to the base frame for increased capacity, and adding advanced feature functions.

Memory support
Total memory support with the new DS8880 has increased by 100% as compared to DS8870. These new models deliver from 64GB to 2TB of system processor memory, while continuing to be managed in 4KB segments for optimal cache efficiency. The additional memory on the new DS8880 platform increases the system read and write cache capacity, improving its performance capability based on workload.

Repackaged rack power system
The DS8880 power distribution system is based on the DS8870 power supply. The power supply has been repackaged to fit the 19-inch rack. These repackaged power supplies maintain energy efficiency and are designed to support emerging energy efficiency standards. The repackaged power system provides 8KW and is single phase power only.

Improved I/O enclosure pairs
The new I/O enclosure pairs are PCIe Gen3 capable. The new I/O enclosure supports 6 PCIe adapter slots and two additional direct attached, high-performance flash enclosure ports. The I/O enclosures are attached to the POWER8 servers by two 8x PCIe Gen3 cables. Internal transfer rate to each I/O bay is four times faster compared to the prior model.

Reduced footprint rack
The DS8880 is implemented in a standard 19-inch rack footprint. The rack footprint occupies two floor tiles on a raised floor. The standard footprint assists clients in floor space planning and can help to reduce the footprint by up to 30%.

The rack ships as a 40U configuration that can be expanded to 46U at installation. The rack includes integrated anti-tip caster outriggers that stow under the rack, and also has an integrated keyboard and display pocket in the side wall accessed from the front of the rack. The keyboard and display do not take up additional rack space in the 19-inch rail area.

A small form factor HMC is used on the DS8880. One or two HMCs are supported in the base rack.

IBM DS8884 configuration options
This model delivers a lower cost system and smaller scale solution with performance on par with the DS8870. The DS8884 supports six core processors, up to 256GB system memory, 64 host adapter ports, four high-performance flash enclosures, and 768 disk drives.

DS8884 advanced function features can now be purchased based on customer usage and not the total physical capacity of the system (exclude base function licenses).

IBM DS8884 Model cannot be upgraded to IBM DS8886 Model.

DS8880 offers following drive capacities which are encryption capable:

300GB 15,000rpm SAS
600GB 15,000rpm SAS
600GB 10,000rpm SAS
1.2 TB 10,000rpm SAS
4 TB 7,200rpm nearline SAS
200GB SSD
400GB SSD
800GB SSD
1.6 TB SSD

Machine Type Model conversion from DS8870 to DS8886
The field model conversion from DS8870 to DS8886 is available for existing customers. This offering will only be available for DS8870 Enterprise Configurations (2-core processors excluded). Some restrictions apply for the model conversions.

Value-based pricing and licensing
DS8880 requires a corresponding advanced function license (283x-LF8) for the total physical capacity of the storage system.

Product preview
IBM plans to announce a new member of the DS8880 family in 2016. This new model will be flash optimized to provide an all-flash, higher performance storage subsystem model.

Key prerequisites
All announced features and functions are supported on the DS8000 series and require DS8000 LMC 8.8.00.xx.xx (bundle version 88.0.xxx.xx), or later.

Planned availability date

December 4, 2015: All features and feature conversions, except feature number 1906 (Earthquake kit)
January 22, 2016: availability for Taiwan, Korea, and Vietnam
March 4, 2016: Feature number 1906

These products will not be available for ordering in Argentina.

List prices