Overview
The IBM FlashSystem 7300 is a mid-tier block-storage system capable of virtualizing all attached disks and other attached storage systems. FlashSystem utilizes IBM Spectrum Virtualize software as the underlying embedded software. The FlashSystem 7300 is an evolution of the previous FlashSystem 7000 models and Storwize V7000 systems. The 7300 starts as a dual controller system and scales out to four pairs of controllers. It supports devices in a cabinet along with the ability to virtualize external attached storage systems. The system features data reduction of primary data included in the base price. Data is compressed inline using the processor chipset hardware as it is received in the 7300 controllers. FlashCore Modules also provide encryption at the device level.
The FlashSystem 7300 was released in February 2022 and similar to the earlier FlashSystems, offers NVMe over Fabric support, NVMe protocol for SSDs and Flash Core Modules (FCMs) that are also offered in the FlashSystem 9500. The 7300 supports storage class memory devices (SCM) – up to 12 modules. Expansion enclosures of 12 HDDs, 24 SSDs or HDDs, and 96 SSDs or HDDs are supported with SAS attach.
The functionality of the FlashSystem 7300 is the same as the IBM SAN Volume Controller (SVC). The management of the 7300 is a web-based GUI that has advanced over the earlier GUI adapted from the IBM XIV system. Different from most other storage systems, the advanced features are pre-installed on the 7300 with many being included in the base price of the system. Additional cost features are enabled with license keys.
For high availability, FlashSystem runs in a paired configuration with custom clustering software. Clustering for a scale out configuration is supported for up to four pairs of controllers. (Note – IBM uses the term ‘node’ for a controller rather than a pair of controllers, which is different from most other vendors).
IBM FlashSystem 7300 Product Review Includes:
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