IBM Spectrum Virtualize Software V7.7.1

IBM Spectrum Virtualize Software V7.7.1 software-only offering
delivers the ability to run on Intel servers

IBM Spectrum Virtualize software is the software-defined storage layer designed to virtualize and optimize storage within the data center or managed private cloud service.

It can virtualize more than 370 different brands and models of storage, including storage from competitors.

Deployed as software on supported commodity Intel servers,
it is designed to:

Virtualize block storage arrays with FC and iSCSI front-end ports to centralize management of storage volumes for management from a single point
Improve utilization of storage capacity so that businesses can tap into previously unused disk capacity
Utilize ease of use and management
Avoid downtime for backups, maintenance, and upgrades
Support data migration without disruption to applications
Enable virtualized storage volumes to be managed as a single pool of storage
Enable functionalities to be used across multiple virtualized storage array, even if the virtualized storage array does not have these advanced functionalities natively, including Real-time Compression (in-line, real-time compression), stretched cluster and HyperSwap (HA solution), Easy Tier (automatic and dynamic data tiering), encryption of external virtualized capacities, FlashCopy (snapshot), and remote data replication
Enable a HA storage infrastructure through stretched cluster or HyperSwap
Improve the efficiency of the virtualized block storage infrastructure with technologies such as Real-Time Compression for up to 80% data compression rates without performance impact, and high-performance thin provisioning with zero detection
Move the most accessed data to higher performance tiers automatically and dynamically through Easy Tier

The software delivers a solution for storage efficiency in environments where clients deploy storage from a mix of storage vendors or from a single storage vendor who can benefit from the optimization and management of Spectrum Virtualize software. When used in combination with any of the supported 370 disk storage arrays, Spectrum Virtualize delivers the benefits of storage virtualization and storage capabilities, including HyperSwap, encryption, VMware Virtual Volumes (VVOL) support, FlashCopy, replication, Real-time Compression, and Easy Tier.

Spectrum Virtualize software offers a value proposition for enterprise IT as well as service providers (CSPs and MSPs) who are searching for more flexible and agile ways to deploy block storage on commodity Intel hardware. Using these standard Intel servers, the software can be added to existing infrastructures to deliver storage efficiency through virtualization.

Spectrum Virtualize software includes following functions
with deployment on supported standard Intel Servers:

EasyTier: It enables to define up to three tiers of storage to manage system performance with each tier representing a different performance capability and requirement.
Real-time Compression: Data can be compressed by up to 80% inline and in real-time by Spectrum Virtualize and is transparent to the host and the virtualized disk storage arrays.
The Comprestimator tool: It is now integrated as part of Spectrum Virtualize software to enable compression estimates for data stored on systems based on Spectrum Virtualize.
FlashCopy snapshots: They provide point-in-time copies of data which enable immediate access to data for mining or backup processes.
Remote data replication: It delivers flexibility for DR between physical locations.
Encryption: For improved data security and confidentiality, it is available and can be applied to virtualized storage arrays even if the virtualized array doesn’t have encryption capabilities.
HA: Spectrum Virtualize software supports Stretched Cluster and HyperSwap to deliver HA to mission-critical environments.
iSCSI Virtualization: Spectrum Virtualize software includes the capability to virtualize iSCSI attached storage devices, in addition to FC SANs.

Spectrum Virtualize v7.7.1 adds new software benefits, including:

Manageability with CLI support for Host Groups, enabling multiple hosts to be grouped together for easier mapping and management and the same virtual disk to be mapped to all hosts in the host cluster in one step
Scalability with support for up to 10,000 Virtual Disks
Flexibility with iSCSI virtualization support for XIV arrays

Spectrum Virtualize software will be orderable as an all-inclusive license, installable on supported bare metal Intel servers. It will be a self-contained binary that includes all features, options, GUIs, and CLIs supported in SVC. The first supported server available on the availability date is the Lenovo x3650 M5 server.

Software requirements
Spectrum Virtualize software only V7.7.1 (5725-Z61) has the same software prerequisites as SAN Volume Controller V7.7.1.

Hardware requirements
Spectrum Virtualize software requires at least one pair of supported Intel servers. The hardware requirements for this announcement are: