Chapter 1. Introduction to IBM Flex Systems and IBM PureSystems offerings 35
Remote replication functions create exact copies of your data at remote locations to help
you stay up and running in case of an emergency.
FlashCopy and snapshot functions create instant copies of data to minimize data loss.
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.
There are several options for attaching external storage systems to Enterprise Chassis,
including these possibilities:
Storage area networks (SANs) based on Fibre Channel technologies
SANs based on iSCSI
Converged Networks based on 10 Gb Converged Enhanced Ethernet (CEE)
1.7.1 Storage products
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.
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.
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.
iSCSI, FC-based SANs, and Converged Networks can be used for diskless solutions to
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:
IBM Storwize V7000
IBM XIV® Storage System series
IBM System Storage DS8000® series
IBM System Storage DS5000 series
Mirroring limitations: Global (long distance of greater than 300 Km) mirroring is
supported only over an FC SAN infrastructure. Local Mirroring (less than 300 Km) is
supported over either an FC or FCoE SAN infrastructure. Mirroring over iSCSI fabric is
not supported at this time. Consult System Storage Interoperability Center for
supported configurations.
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