IBM Flex System V7000 Storage Node 4939H49 User Manual

Draft Document for Review January 29, 2013 12:52 pm

IBM Flex System V7000 Storage Node Introduction and Implementation Guide

When virtualizing external storage arrays, an IBM Flex System V7000 Storage Node can 
provide up to 32 PB of usable capacity. An IBM Flex System V7000 Storage Node supports a 
range of external disk systems similar to what the IBM Storwize V7000 system supports 
today. A control enclosure contains two control canisters; an expansion enclosure contains 
two expansion canisters. Both of these enclosures can contain up to 24 disk drives of the 2.5 
inch form factor.

The IBM Flex System V7000 Storage Node is a modular storage system designed to fit into 
the IBM Flex System Enterprise chassis. When purchased in the IBM PureFlex configurations 
the IBM Flex System V7000 Storage Node is configured from the factory into the hardware 
solution purchased. If however, the desired configuration is not offered in the predefined 
offerings then a “Build to Order” configuration is designed to meet your needs. 

The IBM Flex System V7000 Storage Node includes the capability to virtualize its own 
internal storage in the same manner as the IBM Storwize V7000 does. The IBM Flex System 
V7000 Storage Node is built upon the software base of the IBM Storwize V7000 which uses 
technology from IBM System Storage SAN Volume Controller (SVC) for virtualization and the 
advanced functions of the IBM System Storage DS8000 family for it RAID configurations of 
the internal disks, and the highly flexible graphical user interface (GUI) of the IBM XIV Storage 
Subsystem for management.

The IBM Flex System V7000 Storage Node provides a number of configuration options that 
are aimed at simplifying the implementation process. It also includes automated instruction 
steps, called 

, to assist in resolving any events that 

might occur. The IBM Flex System V7000 Storage Node is a clusterable, scalable, storage 
system, and an external virtualization device.

The IBM Flex System V7000 Storage Node is designed to be a scalable internal storage 
system to support the compute nodes of the IBM Flex System environment. It will contain a 
control enclosure which contains a pair of clustered node canisters and accommodates up to 
twenty-four 2.5-inch disk drives within the enclosure. Each control enclosure can additionally 
attach a maximum of two IBM Flex System V7000 Expansion Enclosures which can reside in 
the IBM Flex System Enterprise chassis with it.

Optionally, up to nine IBM Storwize V7000 Expansion Enclosures can be installed externally; 
however, a total of no more than nine expansion enclosures using either IBM Flex System 
V7000 internal Expansion Enclosures (max 2), IBM Storwize V7000 external Expansion 
Enclosures (max 9), or any combination are supported. With the configuration of a single IBM 
Flex System V7000 Control Enclosure using twenty four 1TB 2.5" disks attached to nine IBM 
Storwize V7000 Expansion enclosures each using twelve 3TB 3.5"  the system can manage a 
raw capacity of 348TB. 

The IBM Flex System V7000 Storage Node can contain up to four control enclosures in a 
cluster configuration, each supporting the full configuration above, resulting in a maximum 
total raw capacity of 1392TB.

The control enclosure can support the addition of up to nine IBM Storwize V7000 expansion 
enclosures connected externally. The additional expansions allow for a total of 240 disks 
drives; or for a maximum capacity of 348TB supported per control enclosure.

Note: For maximum capacity numbers, the 7026-212 expansion enclosure and 3TB SAS 
Nearline drives must be used.