System overview

IBM® Storage FlashSystem 7300 is cost-effective storage that accelerates performance and seamlessly modernizes infrastructures.

Part of the FlashSystem family, the FlashSystem 7300 is powered by IBM FlashCore Modules and NVMe technology. Built on IBM Storage Virtualize software, FlashSystem 7300 is simple, smart, and secure storage for the modern enterprise, delivering incredible performance.
Figure 1. Front view of the control enclosure
Front view of the control enclosure
Table 1. FlashSystem 7300 Models
Machine Type - Model Description Minimum Software Level
4657-924 FlashSystem 7300 controller with Expert Care 8.5.0
4657-U7D FlashSystem 7300 controller with Expert Care - Utility mode 8.5.0
4657-12G 2U12 SAS Expansion enclosure with Expert Care 8.5.0
4657-24G 2U24 SAS Expansion enclosure with Expert Care 8.5.0
4657-92G 5U92 SAS Expansion enclosure with Expert Care 8.5.0
Figure 2. Rear view of the control enclosure
Rear view of the control enclosure

IBM Storage Virtualize software

IBM Storage FlashSystem 7300 runs IBM Storage Virtualize which provides the following functions for the host systems that attach to the system:
  • A single pool of storage
  • Logical unit virtualization
  • Management of logical volumes
The software also provides the following functions:
  • Replication:
    • Simplify data management by automating configuration tasks.
    • Ensure seamless continuity while maintaining high throughput and low latency to applications.
  • Data reduction:
  • Ransomware threat detection enhanced with FlashCore Module 4 computational storage assists.
  • High-performance Distributed RAID for redundancy and fast rebuild
  • Large scalable cache
  • Easy to use management and automation that is consistent across the Storage Virtualize portfolio, including RestAPI, Ansible Playbooks, CSI integration, VMWare integration, and a modern Graphical User Interface (GUI).

For more information on IBM Storage Virtualize software, see the relevant IBM Documentation.

Control Enclosure

IBM Storage FlashSystem 7300 comprises a 2U Rack-Unit (2U) Control enclosure, which contains:
  • 24 slots for NVMe Flash devices (front)
  • Two Node Canisters
  • Two Power Supplies.

The system can be expanded with the addition of SAS-based Expansion Enclosures.

NVMe Flash Devices

IBM Storage FlashSystem 7300 supports the use of IBM FlashCore Modules, with inbuilt hardware compression and computational storage assists. The system also supports the use of Industry-Standard Flash Drives.
Note: Only drives that are sold as system options are supported.

Highly Available Architecture

IBM Storage FlashSystem 7300 implements an Active-Active architecture, with the two Node Canisters forming a redundant I/O Group. Because data volumes are served by both node canisters, the volume remains available if one node canister fails or is taken offline.

Node canisters contain the systems CPUs, memory, backup batteries, and Network Attachment adapters.

Flexible Network Attachment

IBM Storage FlashSystem 7300 supports a range of Network Attachment adapter features.

The following adapter types are supported by the system:
Table 2. Adapter types
Adapter Type Protocols supported Minimum or maximum per node canister Minimum software level
Dual-port 64 Gbps Fibre Channel SCSI, FC-NVMe 0 - 3 8.7.0
Quad-port 32 Gbps Fibre Channel SCSI, FC-NVMe 0 - 3 8.5.0
Dual-port 100 Gbps Ethernet iSCSI, RoCE, NVMe/TCP

0 - 3

8.5.0
Dual-port 25 Gbps Ethernet (RoCE) iSCSI, RoCE, NVMe/TCP

0 - 3

8.5.0
Dual-port 25 Gbps Ethernet (iWARP) iSCSI, iWARP (Replication/High availability)

0 - 3

8.5.0
Dual-port 12 Gbps SAS Expansion SAS (expansion) 0 - 1 8.5.0

In addition, each canister has four on-board Ethernet ports that are used for system management, replication, and Host I/O.

Power Supplies and Battery Backup

IBM Storage FlashSystem 7300 has two redundant Power Supplies. The power supplies require a high-line (200 V - 240 V) AC power source.

Each node canister contains a Battery that allows a canister to save its cache and metadata in an unscheduled power-down event.

Enterprise Warranty and Services

IBM Storage FlashSystem 7300 is available with IBM Storage Expert Care, with several levels of support to suit different deployment models. Refer to IBM Enterprise Support and Preferred Care options for more information.

System components

For more details on the different components of the system, see the following pages: