System overview

IBM® Storage FlashSystem C200 is cost-effective and power efficient all-flash storage for backup and data repository use cases.

Part of the FlashSystem family, the FlashSystem C200 is powered by IBM FlashCore Modules and NVMe technology. Built on IBM Storage Virtualize software, FlashSystem C200 is simple, smart, and secure storage for the modern enterprise.
Figure 1. Front view of the control enclosure
Front view of the control enclosure
Table 1. FlashSystem C200 Models
Machine Type - Model Description Minimum Software Level
5202-C25 FlashSystem C200 controller with Expert Care 8.7.2
Figure 2. Rear view of the control enclosure
Rear view of the control enclosure

IBM Storage Virtualize software

IBM Storage FlashSystem C200 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 C200 comprises a 2U Rack-Unit (2U) Control enclosure, which contains:
  • 24 slots for NVMe Flash devices (front)
  • Two Node Canisters
  • Two Power Supplies.

NVMe Flash Devices

IBM Storage FlashSystem C200 supports the use of IBM FlashCore Modules, with inbuilt hardware compression and computational storage assists.
Note: Only drives that are sold as system options are supported.

Highly Available Architecture

IBM Storage FlashSystem C200 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 C200 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
Quad-port 32 Gbps Fibre Channel SCSI, FC-NVMe 0 - 2 8.7.2
Dual-port 25 Gbps Ethernet (RoCE) iSCSI, RoCE, NVMe/TCP 0 - 2 8.7.2
Dual-port 25 Gbps Ethernet (iWARP) iSCSI, iWARP (iSCSI and High speed replication, Native IP replication) 0 - 2 8.7.2
Dual-port 12 Gbps SAS Expansion SAS (expansion) 0 - 1 8.7.2

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 C200 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 C200 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: