IBM FlashSystem 7200 Combines Spectrum Virtualize, FlashCore Technology, and Storage Insights

IBM FlashSystem 7200 combines IBM Spectrum Virtualize, IBM flashCore technology, and IBM Storage Insights to accelerate workloads and deliver cloud-based analytics

FlashSystem 7200 systems are virtualized, NVMe-based, all-flash, SDS solutions designed to unlock the power of your data by combining the latest Spectrum Virtualize, FlashCore Modules, storage-class memory, and Storage Insights technologies.

The 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 High-density Expansion Enclosure Model 92G supports up to 92 drives. 10,000rpm and 7.200rpm HDDs, 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 7200 system.

Attachment and intermixing of existing Storwize V7000 expansion enclosure models 12F, 24F, and 92F with FlashSystem 7000 expansion enclosure models 12G, 24G, and 92G is supported with FlashSystem 7200 Model 824 and with Storwize V7000 models 524, 624, and 724.

FlashSystem 7200 systems scale up to 760 drives with the attachment of FlashSystem 7000 expansion enclosures. They can be clustered to help deliver greater performance, bandwidth, and scalability. A FlashSystem 7200 clustered system can contain up to 4 FlashSystem 7200 systems and up to 3,040 drives.

FlashSystem 7200 Model 824 systems can be added into existing clustered systems that include Storwize V7000 systems (full feature software option required), FlashSystem 9100, or FlashSystem 9200 systems.

All FlashSystem 7200 functional capabilities are provided through Spectrum Virtualize Software.

Key requirements

• FlashSystem 7000 Model 824, U7C, 12G, 24G, and 92G require Spectrum Virtualize Software V8.3.1, or later, for operation. Use of the software is entitled through the acquisition of IBM Spectrum Virtualize software licenses.
• The 4.8TB, 9.6TB, and 19.2TB FlashCore Modules (features ADS5, ADS6, ADS7) require Spectrum Virtualize Software V8.2.1.6, or later for operation on the V8.2 code stream, or Spectrum Virtualize Software V8.3.0.1, or later for operation on the V8.3 code stream.
• The 38.4TB FlashCore Module (feature ADS8) requires Spectrum Virtualize Software V8.3.1, or later for operation.
• The 350GB, 750GB, 800GB, and 1.6TB Storage Class Memory drives (features ADTA, ADTB, ADTE, ADTF) require Spectrum Virtualize Software V8.3.1, or later for operation.
• FlashSystem 7200 function capabilities are provided through Spectrum Virtualize software and licensed through IBM Spectrum Virtualize Software for FlashSystem 7000 (SW PID 5639-DB8) for control enclosures and Spectrum Virtualize Software for FlashSystem 7000 Expansions (SW PID 5639-XD8) for expansion enclosures.
• FlashSystem 7200 external virtualization capabilities are provided through Spectrum Virtualize software and licensed through Spectrum Virtualize Software for SAN Volume Controller (SW PID 5641-VC8 in AAS and SW PID 5725-M19 in Passport Advantage).

Planned availability dates:

• March 6, 2020: All IBM flashSystem 7000 models and features, except as noted below
• June 12, 2020: TAA Compliance (feature number 0983)
• April 17, 2020: 32Gb FC LW SFP Transceivers (feature number ACHV) and 25GbE (RoCE) Adapter Pair (feature number ADB6)