On February 5,  IBM announced new features and improved performance for the XIV Storage System Gen 3.  Here is a summary  of the announcement:   IBM® XIV® Storage Systems, a powerful, innovative enterprise-class storage from IBM , includes the following features for new model 214: Up to twelve 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) ports for connecting to iSCSI-attached hosts or twenty-two 1Gb Ethernet ports Up to 15 CPUs providing ninety physical cores (180 logical cores using Intel™ Hyper-Threading technology) More energy-efficient hardware that can... [More]

Tags:  gen3 residency xiv

Read the latest draft of the 10th edition of the   IBM System Storage Solutions Handbook; SG24-5250 .   This  publication is intended for anyone who wants to learn about IBM storage solutions and how IBM addresses data storage challenges with smart storage cloud solutions. It is suitable for IBM clients, storage solution integrators, and IBM specialist sales representatives. It takes you on a journey with overviews and pointers for information about the most current IBM System Storage; disk, tape and virtualized solutions such as IBM... [More]

Tags:  handbook storage portfolio

The IBM SmartCloud Storage Access V1.1 Configuration Cookbook, SG24-8120 just published to coincide with the General Availability of the  solution.     This IBM   Red books Publication will help you plan, implement and manage your storage cloud.      IBM SmartCloud™ Storage Access V1.1 enables enterprises to implement a private cloud storage service where users can request and receive storage capacity, share files with other users, and administrators can easily monitor and report usage with just a few clicks. Enables self service with a simple... [More]

Tags:  storwize scsa smartcloud

Cloud computing is defined as the use of computing services and resources (hardware and software) that are delivered over a network, typically Ethernet.  OpenStack is being developed as an industry standard Cloud computing project.   OpenStack is a global collaboration of developers and cloud computing technologists producing the ubiquitous open source cloud computing platform for public and private clouds. To learn more about  OpenStack, refer to the  project website at:  www.openstack.org     With the availability of the IBM Storage Driver... [More]

Tags:  openstack xiv cloud

Read the latest draft of the second edition of the  IBM ProtecTIER Implementation and Best Practices Guide, SG24-8025 .   This guide provides best practices and expertise gained from the IBM ProtecTIER Field Technical Sales Support (FTSS/CSS) Group, development, and Quality Assurance teams to boost the performance and the effectiveness of the data deduplication for your ProtecTIER family of products and application platforms. In addition to Virtual Tape Library (VTL) and Open Storage Technology (OST) support, ProtecTIER Version 3.3 provides... [More]

Tags:  protectier

Today, the changes in our world include the instrumentation, interconnectedness, and intelligence of our environments. Such changes combine to produce a massive glut of new useful information, from new and existing sources, with new ways to use it. These pressures typify a few of the storage challenges that we dealt with for some time now, but on a whole new scale.   Businesses face a tidal wave of information and data that seems to increase daily. The ability to successfully and efficiently manage information and data has become imperative.... [More]

Tags:  data solution tivoli storage protection redbook manager

The IBM® Linear Tape File System™ (LTFS) is the first file system that works in conjunction with Linear Tape-Open (LTO) tape technology to set a new standard for ease of use and portability for open systems tape storage. In 2011, LTFS won an Engineering Emmy Award for Innovation from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The IBM Linear Tape File System: Installation and Configuration, SG24-8090 Redbooks® publication helps you install, tailor, and configure the new IBM Linear Tape File System Single Drive Edition (LTFS SDE),... [More]

Tags:  lto-6 ltfs

We are currently accepting applications for an exciting opportunity to join us in IBM Manchester Labs, UK, starting May 13th for 6 weeks ! This will be a residency to work on the IBM Storwize V3700 book update, and create a new book detailing new product enhancements and features. This will involve extensive hands-on work based in the same building as some of the developers.   Refer to http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redpieces/abstracts/sg248107.html?Open to download and reference the book that will be updated.   To apply for the residency, fill... [More]

Tags:  virtualization redbook redbooks storwize v3700 residency

The residency team will work on IBM Flex System V7000 Storage Introductions and Implementation Guide (SG24-8068) update to include all the new features and functions since the product was first announced in November, 2012. This will involve hands-on testing alongside the product team based in Raleigh.   You can download the  current version of this book .    This residency begins 20 May 2013, ends 14 Jun 2013 (4 weeks), and requires 3 residents. The residency location is Raleigh NC USA. To submit a nomination, you must use the  online web... [More]

Tags:  flex virtualization redbooks storage v7000

All communication between the XIV GUI, XCLI, Multi-System Manager and XIV systems utilize Secure Sockets Layering (SSL) via x509 certificates. Beginning with XIV Storage System Software version 11.2 and XIV Storage Management Software version 4.1, you have the flexibility to install and use your own x509 certificates in addition to the built-in certificate.  You can choose to use a certificate that is signed by either a trusted Certificate Authority (CA) vendor or your organization’s own private CA server.   There are four steps required to... [More]

Tags:  x509 xiv certificate

Thin Provisioning provides a volume size as specified but uses physical storage only when needed. While this sounds like a great way to efficiently use the available storage space, in real life situations this may not always be true. When files are deleted or moved the now unused data is usually still residing on the physical storage. The host system may indicate that the used capacity is now smaller but the physical storage is still in use and remains allocated to that host system. Space reclamation deals with this situation by providing a way... [More]

Tags:  xiv "space reclamation" "thin provisioning"

Remote maintenance consists of autonomous maintenance work that does not require an immediate interaction with the client. The remote maintenance process is started when the product detects a malfunction and notifies the service provider. Product documentation usually refers to this as Call Home. The Call Home is either realized by sending an email to IBM or through an  “Electronic Service Agent”. The Service Agent can establish an SSL or IPSec secured connection to dedicated IBM servers and report issues by opening a support... [More]

Tags:  on-site assist aos

Easy Tier Server Easy Tier Application Easy Tier Heat Map Transfer Are you a DS8870 user and do you already  take advantage of  the  Easy Tier functions offered at no charge? If so - here are some highlights  from the June 4th  announcement for DS8870. With  Easy Tier generation V ,   three substantial enhancements  you are now able to: ... maximize the performance of your applications in System p / AIX environments with Easy Tier Serve r Easy Tier Server is a unified storage caching and tiering solution... [More]

On June 4 ,  IBM announced improvements to  the IBM DS8870 storage software.  I had the pleasure to work with a team of IBM colleagues  from around the world to document  some of those enhancements  in IBM  Redbooks  publications. My focus was on VMware vSphere and  in particular the new features that  pertain to the  DS8870.   With  VAAI  we now also support the Block Zero primitive in addition to ATS and Clone Blocks previously  introduced. We did some testing... [More]