IBM adds similar Sonas NAS header to create storwize v7000u Unified Storage Array

IBM added a similar Sonas NAS header to create a storwize v7000u Unified storage Array, which, according to IBM, complements Sonas and N-series devices from NetApp.

Storwize V7000 is a tiered midrange access storage array with San Volume Controller (SVC) code that enables storage virtualization to become a storage pool, bringing third-party arrays from EMC and other vendors into the pool. This feature is similar to NetApp's V-series and EMC's Vplex offerings.

Sonas is IBM's enterprise-level, Scale-out NAS product, while the N series provides unified block access and file access, but is positioned by IBM for pure NAS applications.

V7000U is a supplement to V7000 and SVC products. It has two file access modules, NAS headers attached to the controller, and a unified management platform. It supports file access such as NFS, CIFS, FTP, and HTTPS, as well as the SCP file protocol, plus file-level replication and snapshot capabilities for data protection.

Storage media supports 2TB and 3TB near-line SAS hard drives (3.5-inch, 7200-rpm), 146GB and 300GB 15,000 to 2.5-inch hard drives, 300GB/450GB/600GB 2.5-inch 10,000-turn SAS hard drives, 1TB 2.5-inch 7200-near-line SAS hard drives , 200GB/300GB/400GB EMLC Solid state disk. Each cabinet will have 240 hard disks, a cluster that has 480 hard disks, and supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10.

Using IBM's Active Cloud Engine (ACE) Setting rules, users can assign files to different tiers of storage, including tapes in the Tivoli Storage Manager system. You can also remove unwanted or outdated files through Aces.

V7000U integrates McAfee and Symantec anti-virus kits to prevent virus infection files, as well as easy Tier, flashcopy, and automatic thin configuration features.

V7000 Operating system upgrades

SVC, V7000 and V7000U products incorporate the latest version 6.3 software, including:

• Longer-distance (300km) cluster configuration to achieve data movement and migration between intercity clusters

• New snapshot based replication capabilities to provide greater flexibility in global mirroring distances and better balance network bandwidth and RPO

• Enhanced external virtualization architecture connectivity-improved Robin port utilization for multiple paths to virtualized storage

• Enhanced external Virtualization Architecture

• Enhanced user interface to collect performance data--more in-depth analysis of real-time performance data under the new unified GUI

• Native LDAP support

• Enhanced storage interoperability with the XIV Gen 3, HP 3PAR, violin Flash Memory Bae, Fujitsu Eternus, Bull Storeway and TMS Ramsan versions

It was speculated that IBM's move to buy BlueArc implied that IBM wanted to end its OEM relationship with NetApp. V7000U seems to overlap a lot with NetApp N-series feature sets, so IBM's diminished focus on N-series sales is expected.

We are still waiting for V7000 to increase the compression capabilities, if any, will greatly enhance storage efficiency.

(Responsible editor: The good of the Legacy)