By using techniques such as real-time compression, IBM has bumped up the storage capacity of its FlashSystem array to 1.6 petabytes and bumped up application performance five times over previous versions of the all-flash array.
IBM’s new FlashSystem V840 also integrates with IBM’s SAN Volume Controller (SVC) data virtualization system, a key component of IBM’s software defined storage (SDN) solution. The solution includes such advanced technologies as real-time compression that compresses “live” data on-the-fly for a three-and-a-half times boost in performance over the previous version.
The result is a simplified configuration for scalable architecture and reduction in cost of operation, according to Andy Walls, chief technology officer and chief architect of IBM’s FlashSystems.
The V840 is built on three 2U rack mount boxes that include a storage enclosure and two active-active control enclosures. The storage enclosure supports up to 12 flash modules with 1TB, 2TB or 4TB capacity bringing raw capacity up to 48TB and configurable capacity to 40TB. Organizations can deploy up to eight of storage enclosures for a maximum configurable capacity of 320TB which can be increased to 1.6PB via 80 per cent compression of data in the system.
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Walls said IBM made three key enhancements of FlashSystem:
- Simplified configuration for scalable architecture
- Improved performance by at least 33 per cent
- Obtained 36 per cent more power efficiency than in previous generations
- Reduced the number of physical chassis from five to three by integrating the battery into the controller
While gaining up to five times more flash storage and accelerating both physical and virtual applications, the V840 is able to cut the cost of effective capacity by as much as 80 per cent.
Some of the ideal applications of V840 include the following categories:
- Transactional
- Enterprise resource planning and supply chain management
- Big data and analytics
- Server and desktop virtualization
- Cloud
No pricing is available yet on the V840.