Stec MLC SSDs Into IBM DS8800/8700 and Storwize V7000

STEC, Inc. announces the integration of its MLC-based ZeusIOPS SSDs into IBM Corp.‘s high-end DS8800 and DS8700 as well as mid-range IBM Storwize V7000 storage systems.

This signals a new milestone in the expansion of MLC usage within the enterprise storage market. ZeusIOPS MLC SSDs are available with a 6Gb Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) or 4Gb Fibre Channel (FC) interface.

MLC flash is a solid state technology traditionally used in consumer devices because it is more affordable than single level cell (SLC) flash. MLC-based drives are now an increasingly important element within enterprise storage systems given the growing need for cost-effective high-performance storage within these systems. Using MLC NAND Flash technology, STEC has enabled its SSDs to achieve their performance in higher capacities and at competitive price points.

As a pioneer of high-end enterprise SSDs, STEC delivers innovation through its proprietary CellCare and Secure Array of Flash Element (S.A.F.E. technologies, both of which are designed to extend the endurance and reliability of MLC media in robust applications.

"By leveraging our CellCareTM and S.A.F.E. technologies in the development of our MLC-based Zeus IOPS SSDs, STEC is able to add significant value to key customers like IBM who are constantly looking to increase the efficiency of their storage systems," said Manouch Moshayedi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of STEC. "This type of collaboration effectively lowers the cost of SSD integration, without compromising performance, and paves the way for further SSD adoption across the enterprise."

STEC’s MLC-based SSDs with CellCare technology utilize adaptive Flash access, signal processing, data management algorithms and error correcting codes (ECC) to improve the endurance of MLC Flash components. These drives, available in capacities up to 800 GB, are able to handle workloads of up to 10 writes per day for over five years without limiting performance, a key consideration for enterprise environments. In addition, S.A.F.E.T technology eliminates virtually all failures associated with MLC Flash, reduces component-level failures and delivers the data reliability required by enterprise storage applications. These technologies are integral to extending the longevity of MLC media under increasingly demanding enterprise workloads.

The IBM Storwize V7000 system was introduced in October 2010 to help clients simplify administrative tasks such as set up and management. The new system allows room for clients’ future growth and includes a highly-integrated set of advanced software for storage efficiency that frees clients from buying piece-parts or making trade-offs between price and capability. The Storwize V7000 is equipped to take advantage of the IO horsepower of STEC’s ZeusIOPS SSDs.

The IBM System Storage DS8800 is the most advanced model in IBM’s high-end disk portfolio with hardware that offers faster performance and a significant reduction in floor space and energy requirements. The System Storage DS8700 is another offering in IBM’s lineup of high-end disk systems, offering reliability.

The IBM DS8800, DS8700 and Storwize V7000 are all equipped to optimize the use of SSDs with IBM’s System Storage Easy Tier feature, which uses ongoing performance monitoring to move only the most active data to SSDs.