IBM Flex System V7000 Expansion Enclosure 4939H29 User Manual
Product codes
4939H29
Chapter 1. Introduction to IBM Flex Systems and IBM PureSystems offerings
35
Draft Document for Review January 29, 2013 12:52 pm
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1.7 External Storage
In addition to the IBM Flex System V7000 Storage Node, the IBM Flex System Enterprise
Chassis offers several possibilities for integration into storage infrastructure, such as Fibre
Channel, iSCSI, and Converged Enhanced Ethernet
Chassis offers several possibilities for integration into storage infrastructure, such as Fibre
Channel, iSCSI, and Converged Enhanced Ethernet
There are several options for attaching external storage systems to Enterprise Chassis,
including:
including:
Storage area networks (SANs) based on Fibre Channel technologies
SANs based on iSCSI
Converged Networks based on 10 Gb Converged Enhanced Ethernet (CEE)
Fibre Channel-based SANs are the most common and advanced design of external storage
infrastructure, they provide high levels of performance, availability, redundancy, and
scalability. However, the cost of implementing FC SANs will be higher in comparison with
CEE or iSCSI. The major components of almost every FC SAN include server’s HBAs, FC
switches, FC storage servers, FC tape devices, and optical cables for connecting these
devices to each other.
infrastructure, they provide high levels of performance, availability, redundancy, and
scalability. However, the cost of implementing FC SANs will be higher in comparison with
CEE or iSCSI. The major components of almost every FC SAN include server’s HBAs, FC
switches, FC storage servers, FC tape devices, and optical cables for connecting these
devices to each other.
iSCSI-based SANs provide all the benefits of centralized shared storage in terms of storage
consolidation and adequate levels of performance, but use traditional IP-based Ethernet
networks instead of expensive optical cabling. iSCSI SANs consist of server hardware iSCSI
adapters or software iSCSI initiators, traditional network components such as switches,
routers, and so forth, and storage servers with an iSCSI interface, such as IBM System
Storage DS3500 or IBM N Series.
consolidation and adequate levels of performance, but use traditional IP-based Ethernet
networks instead of expensive optical cabling. iSCSI SANs consist of server hardware iSCSI
adapters or software iSCSI initiators, traditional network components such as switches,
routers, and so forth, and storage servers with an iSCSI interface, such as IBM System
Storage DS3500 or IBM N Series.
Converged Networks are capable of carrying both SAN and LAN types of traffic over the
same physical infrastructure. Such consolidation allows you to decrease costs and increase
efficiency in building, maintaining, operating, and managing of the networking infrastructure.
same physical infrastructure. Such consolidation allows you to decrease costs and increase
efficiency in building, maintaining, operating, and managing of the networking infrastructure.
iSCSI, FC-based SANs, and Converged Networks can be used for diskless solutions to
provide greater levels of utilization, availability, and cost effectiveness.
provide greater levels of utilization, availability, and cost effectiveness.
At the time of writing, the following IBM System Storage products are supported with the
Enterprise Chassis:
Enterprise Chassis:
IBM Storwize V7000
IBM XIV® Storage System series
IBM System Storage DS8000® series
IBM System Storage DS5000 series
IBM System Storage DS3000 series
IBM System Storage N series
IBM System Storage TS3500 Tape Library
IBM System Storage TS3310 Tape Library
IBM System Storage TS3100 Tape Library
For the latest support matrices for storage products, refer to the storage vendors’
interoperability guides. IBM storage products can be referenced in the IBM System Storage
Interoperability Center (SSIC):
interoperability guides. IBM storage products can be referenced in the IBM System Storage
Interoperability Center (SSIC):
For the purpose of this book, we will limit the information to IBM Storwize V7000, and for more
information about the other supported IBM System Storage products, refer to IBM PureFlex
System and IBM Flex System Products and Technology, SG24-7984.
information about the other supported IBM System Storage products, refer to IBM PureFlex
System and IBM Flex System Products and Technology, SG24-7984.