Publication: IBM Redbook Storage DS8A00 Architecture and Implementation Guide

By Roy Peek, IBM Corp.

Two Advanced Technology Group (ATG) friends, @Michael Frankenberg and @Peter Kimmel, key DS8000 subject matter experts from IBM Europe, helped author the following DS8A00 Architecture and implementation Guide. Their collaborative effort has resulted in an invaluable resource, sharing key guidelines and insights on the new DS8A00.

For those considering usage of the DS8A00, please take the time to review this and share with others, key insights and experience has been shared here to help you in the planning for your organization’s deployment of the DS8A00.

About IBM Storage DS8A00 Redbook
This IBM Redbooks publication describes the concepts, architecture, and implementation of the IBM DS8A00 family. The Redbook provides reference information to assist those who need to plan for, install, and configure the DS8000 G10 systems. This edition applies to DS8000 G10 systems with Licensed Machine Code (LMC) 7.10.0 (bundle version 10.0.xxx.x), referred to as Release 10.0.

DS8000 G10 systems are all-flash exclusively, and currently offer 2 key models/classes:

• IBM DS8A50: Agility Class
  The Agility Class consolidates all your mission-critical workloads for IBM Z, IBM LinuxONE, IBM Power Systems, and distributed environments under a single all-flash storage solution.
• IBM DS8A10: Flexibility Class
  The Flexibility Class reduces complexity while addressing various workloads at the lowest DS8000 family entry cost. 

The DS8A00 architecture relies on IBM POWER9+ processor-based servers that manage the cache to streamline disk I/O, which maximizes performance and throughput. These capabilities are further enhanced by High-Performance Flash Enclosures (HPFE) Gen-3.

Like its predecessors, the DS8A00 models support advanced DR solutions, business continuity solutions, and thin provisioning. In addition to several performance enhancements, they offer compression.

Special thanks
Thank you to Michael, Peter, and the team of authors for their dedication in creating this comprehensive guide. Their insights and expertise will undoubtedly help organizations unlock the full potential of the DS8A00.