IBM Storwize Software for Flex System V7000 V7.2

IBM Storwize Family Software for Flex System V7000 V7.2 enables software-defined storage capabilities for the Flex System V7000 Storage Node, the integrated storage system for IBM PureFlex System and IBM Flex System.

It can help customers reduce the complexities
and cost of managing their storage by:

Centralizing management of storage volumes, enabling administrators to manage storage volumes from a single point
Improving utilization of storage capacity with virtual volumes, enabling businesses to tap into previously unused disk capacity
Avoiding downtime for backups, maintenance, and upgrades
Performing data migration without disruption to applications
Enabling all storage devices to be organized into storage pools from which virtual volumes, whether standard, compressed, or thin-provisioned, are created with the desired characteristics
Leveraging SRM automation with the Virtual Storage Center, Tivoli Storage Productivity Center (as applicable by platform), and Tivoli Storage FlashCopy Manager (as applicable by platform)
Increasing the performance of storage pools that use solid state devices with Easy Tier
Restoring data access quickly with near and remote copy capabilities across FC, FCoE, and IP networks

Storwize Family Software V7.2 introduces replication over IP networks that is easy to configure in existing IP infrastructures. This is a lower-cost alternative to the current FC-based and FCoE-based replication, eliminating the need for FCIP routers and dark fibre. By placing the IP replication function in the Storwize Family Software, server CPU and management overhead is freed up and a single point of replication control is available for all server types.

Performance improvements for remote mirroring and VMware environments will benefit from support for VMware 5.5 and act as a provider for the vSphere API for Storage Awareness.

Current ordering information and processes for Storwize Family Software for Flex System V7000 remains unchanged by this announcement.

Software requirements
Flex System V7000 V7.2 (5766-NX7, 5766-EV7, 5766-RX7, and 5766-CX7) has the same software prerequisites as Flex System V7000 V7.1.

Hardware requirements
Storwize Family Software for Flex System V7000 requires at least one Flex System V7000 (4939-X49, 4939-H49) Control Enclosure for installation. Flex System V7000 V7.2 software (5766-NX7, 5766-EV7, 5766-RX7, and 5766-CX7) is preinstalled and shipped on the required IBM 4939-X49 IBM Flex System V7000 Control Enclosure.

Planned availability date
November 29, 2013