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IBM FlashSystem Family Overview FAQHow To Select The Right IBM FlashSystem ProductFebruary 2021Matt SmithIBM FlashSystem Offering [email protected]
PerformanceIBM FlashSystem Product FamilyCustomer install, setup and serviceIBM install, ECS service9x5 next business day, service upgrades availableTechnical Advisor, 24x7, 30 min responseSAS Hybrid & AFANVMe Hybrid & AFANVMe /HEnd-to-End NVMe with FCMsIBM Spectrum Virtualize software across the whole familyScalability
It’s All Powered by IBM Spectrum VirtualizeStorage Insights (AI Predictive Analytics and Proactive e & Container IntegrationMulti-tenancy3-Site Data CopiesMetro/Global Mirror (remote copy)FlashCopy (local and cloud copy snapshots)Easy Tier (Automated Hot/Cold Extent Movement)Data Migration (from 500 Supported Arrays)Distributed RAID 1, 5 & 6DRP (Software Only)Data Reduction Pools (Hardware Assist Compression)Clustering (Multiple I/O Groups)HyperSwap (Active / Active Access)Encryption (Local and Server Based Keys)NVMe Flash and NVMeOF Host ConnectionsFCMs (Highest performance NVMe with compression & encryption)External Storage Virtualization ( 500 Supported Arrays)Storage Class Memory (ultra low latency drives)
Choosing a FlashSystem ProductWith the new simplified FlashSystem family,how do I select the right product?What’s a “Typical Configuration”?How much storage capacity do you need?Each system is designed around a set of componentsto meet a performance goal The CPU is right sized for the expect workloads, but if you’re making useof advanced functions, simultaneously, you need more CPU The internal bandwidth is right-sized for each controller, but addingmore ports and more storage will not increase that bandwidth Likewise, having too many drives and not enough ports to serve them isalso bad Consider the size of cache relative to your working set and totalcapacity. Some functions, such as DRP, benefit from maximizing thecache tooDoes data reduction change that figure?FlashSystem 5000 and 7200 have “H” (for hybrid) models which meansyou can mix HDDs and SSD. 9200/R is AFA onlyWhat performance are you expecting? Compare to your existing environmentConsider future growthSee example workloads in the IBM FlashSystem Product TourAre you going to use any advanced function (DRP,copy services, HyperSwap, etc)? Does this change the capacity or performance?Use the Storage Modelling Tool (StorM) to validateyour choicesSelect your product and adjust the configurationA “Typical Configuration” is a best practise,balanced configuration that’s optimised acrosscomponentsTry and match your configuration to be close to a typicalconfiguration
*Illustrative performance comparison, will vary based on workloads and configurationsIBM FlashSystem 5015 and 5035Typical ConfigurationsEntry enterprise SAS controllerFlashSystem 5015/HEntry Enterprise4k read miss 140k IOPS*Great for blending HDD with SSDs toaccelerate workloads with EasyTierIf you load a 5015 with SSDs, you’ll NOTget maximum drive performance!A modest CPU will limit the advancedfunction that can be used simultaneouslyUpwards of 10TB raw(less for workloads, more for bulk storage)32GB of cacheper system2 x 16Gb FC HBAper system, or SAS, or 10 or 25Gb HBA4k read hit 400k IOPS*Optional SAS expansion for more capacityAlso an entry enterprise SAS controller,but suited for a higher mix of SSDs forprimary workloads and/or EasyTierFlashSystem 5035/HEntry Enterprise4k read miss 400k IOPS*4k read hit 1.2k IOPS*A low cost entry point for smallerHyperSwap configs100TB raw capacityUp to 64GB of cache2 x 16Gb FC HBASome copy services. Good for IPreplication with higher RPO requirementsper system, or SAS or 10 or 25Gb HBA
*Illustrative performance comparison, will vary based on workloads and configurationsIBM FlashSystem 5200 and 7200Typical ConfigurationsAn entry into NVMe FCM drives withperformance neutral hardwarecompression and encryptionFlashSystem 5200/HEntry Enterprise4 to 8 NVMe drives is the sweet spot forthis hardware, which can be adequatelyserviced by a 16Gb FC HBA. Add moredrives for capacity, not performance.FlashSystem 7200/HMidrange Enterprise4k read miss 700k IOPS*4k read hit 2.5M IOPS*Upwards of 256GB of cacheper system2 x 16Gb FC HBA4k read miss 450k IOPS*4k read hit 1.5M IOPS*50-100TB raw capacity(100-200TB with FCM compression)Better CPU and larger cache make this amore capable box for advanced functionper system with onboard 10Gb iSCSIA midrange enterprise NVMe box with a 8– 16 drive sweet spot100-200TB raw capacityCan really start to leverage multipleadvanced functions, including DRPUpwards of 256GB of cacheIf using Remote Copy or doingclustering, allow for 2 extra FC cards toensure box is not host port constrainedper system with onboard 10Gb iSCSI(200-400TB with FCM compression)per system4 x 16Gb/32Gb FC HBA
*Illustrative performance comparison, will vary based on workloads and configurationsIBM FlashSystem 9200Typical ConfigurationsTarget 12-24 drives and at least 2 FCcards, with 3 for HA and DR. Bestperformance with 32Gb FC cardsFlashSystem 9200High-end Enterprise4k read miss 1.2M IOPS*4k read hit 4.5M IOPS*FlashSystem 9200 with SCMWith more powerful CPUs, the 9200family can run multiple advancedfunctions simultaneouslyLarge cache options for more workloadsand larger working set4k read hit 4.5M IOPS*400-800TB with FCM compressionAt least 768GB of cacheper system4 x 16Gb/32Gb FC HBAsper system with onboard 10Gb iSCSITrade some FCM capacity for up to 12Storage Class Memory drives to boostperformance and/or lower latency furtherUpwards of 300 TB rawClustering pushes the performance andcapacity envelopes beyond a single boxTowards 1.5TB of cacheHigh-end Enterprise4k read miss 1.2M IOPS with lower latency*200-400TB raw capacityEnterprise Class Service makes all 3year warranty 9200 controllers best forenterprise customers 600TB with FCM compressionper system6 x 32Gb FC HBAper system, with onboard 10Gb iSCSI
SCALE UPScale Up (Expansions) and Scale Out (Clustering)EXPANSIONSAdds SAS capacityIt doesn’t increase IOPSCLUSTERINGAdds NVMe capacityScales performance linearly4k read miss up to 4.8M IOPSSCALE OUTSINGLE point of control, with SINGLE GUI and CLIManage all storage from a SINGLE pane of glass
Clustering Across The FamilyFlashSystem5015FlashSystem50352 WAY, Also with5030, 04 WAY4 WAY,also with V7000,9100 & 92004 WAY,also with V7000,7200 & 9100Clustering is supported across the FlashSystem familyas a way of linearly scaling performance, connectivity and capacity
*Illustrative performance comparison, will vary based on workloads and configurationsIBM FlashSystem 9200RThe FlashSystem 9200R is a bundle of products thatwill be assembled, delivered and configured for thecustomer.2, 3 or 4 9848-AG8 FlashSystem 9200s, clusteredtogether with a single point of control and packaged in a7965-S42 rack and sold as a 9202R, 9203R and 9204Rrespectively 2, 3 or 4 times the performance of a single FlashSystem 9200Optional expansions 2U 24 drive and 5U 92 drive optionsDedicated fibre channel backbone Isolated from host traffic Broadcom 8960-F24 switchesCan be expanded with additional controllers or expansionenclosures in the future4k read miss 4.8M IOPS with 9204R, lower latency when combined with SCM drives*4k read hit 18M IOPS with 9204R*
Have I Selected The Right Product?Deviating from a “Typical Configuration” is expected!Flexibility is good, we all have different needs use the StorM tooling to validate the workload requirementsCompare your configuration with the “TypicalConfigurations”Consider ”Model Up” or even “Model Down” if you’ve deviated significantlyotherwise you have something that’s likely unbalanced!Clustering might also be an option for you to increase connectivity orperformanceGenerally, avoid unbalanced configurationsYou’re either over spending or you’re setting yourself up for disappointment(or you’ve a specific use case)
Product Selection FAQWhat’s the difference between each of the products?What machine type model (MTM) is the FlashSystem 9200RAll platforms run the same IBM Spectrum Virtualize software, but each product’shardware is targeted at a different price-performance point.It doesn’t have it’s own MTM, it’s a bundle of products that’s pulled togetherthrough econfig and then assembled, delivered and configured for the customer.Will anything bad happen if I create an unbalanced configuration?I want a FlashSystem 9200R, what should I use as guidance for atypical configuration?No! The idea of this advice is to help you balance cost with capability andunderstand any trade-offs. There maybe use cases (such as “deep-and-cheapstorage”) where a lack of balance between the processing and connectivitycapabilities, and the overall storage capacity is not an issue.Why do you offer unbalanced configurations?Flexibility is good! We don’t want to prevent you using the product to meet yourunique needs. We want you to be informed about the decisions you make.If I use clustering, what should I use as guidance for a typicalconfiguration?The FlashSystem rack products are based on clustered FlashSystem 9200s.Use the FlashSystem 9200 as guidance, and scale linearly.I want a different configuration to the FlashSYstem 9200Rconfigurations offered.Right now only a limited set of configurations are offered. You can still expandthe 9200R by ordering extra components, or by ordering everything separatelyand using Lab Services to assemble it for you. You must stay within theconfiguration limits of the FlashSystem 9200.Clustering allows you to scale linearly. Use the guidance for the product thatyou’re clustering, for each of the controllers in the cluster.What’s the difference between hybrid and AFA (All Flash Array)products, e.g. FlashSystem 5200 and FlashSystem 5200H?When should I cluster rather than model up?The hardware is the same for hybrid (ie models ending in “H”) and AFA (ie “nonH” models). AFA models are limited to containing just flash drives, preventingHDDs from being ordered, installed or used.Clustering controllers together scales performance, capacity and connectivitylinearly. If you’re looking to just increase performance then compare theperformance of the next model up with the performance of a clustered systemand consider cost and future expansion.When should I not cluster?Clustering reduces your management overhead and creates flexibility, but alsocreates larger failure domains. If you want to isolate different workloads (e.g.core customer function from internal business functions), then managing thecontrollers individually may be more appropriate.Why do you offer both hybrid and AFA variants?To ensure we can meet a range of different customer requirements.I don’t get the IOPS performance stated on the chart!This is a maximum IOPS number using 4k random reads. Many workloads arenot like this and your experience will be different. The numbers have beenprovided as a high level comparison across products. You should use the StorMtool to validate your use case and workloads.
Other ResourcesIBM Spectrum Virtualize FAQDetails on the IBM Spectrum Virtualize products, covering IBM FlashSystem family and SAN Volume ControllerIBM FlashSystem Family Overview FAQOverview of the IBM FlashSystem family with guidance on how to select the product that’s right for youIBM FlashWatch FAQGuidance on the IBM FlashWatch programsIBM RedbooksDetailed information on both IBM FlashSystem products and IBM Spectrum Virtualize functionFlashSystem Product TourInteractive product tour showing GUI usage and performance
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IBM Spectrum Virtualize FAQ Details on the IBM Spectrum Virtualize products, covering IBM FlashSystem family and SAN Volume Controller IBM FlashSystem Family Overview FAQ Overview of the IBM FlashSystem family with guidance on how to select the product that's right for you IBM FlashWatch FAQ Guidance on the IBM FlashWatch programs IBM Redbooks
