The use of external storage and the benefits of virtualization became a topic of discussion in the IBM® i area during the last several years. The question tends to be, what are the advantages of the use of external storage that is attached to an IBM i environment as opposed to the use of internal storage. The use of IBM PowerVM® virtualization technology to virtualize Power server processors and memory also became common in IBM i environments. However, virtualized access to external storage and network resources by using a VIO server is still not widely used. This IBM Redbooks® publication gives a broad overview of the IBM Storwize® family products and their features and functions. It describes the setup that is required on the storage side and describes and positions the different options for attaching IBM Storwize family products to an IBM i environment. Basic setup and configuration of a VIO server specifically for the needs of an IBM i environment is also described. In addition, different configuration options for a combined setup of IBM PowerHA® SystemMirror® for i and the Storwize family products are described and positioned against each other. Detailed examples are provided for the setup process that is required for these environments. The information that is provided in this book is useful for clients, IBM Business Partners, and IBM service professionals who need to understand how to install and configure their IBM i environment with attachment to the Storwize family products.

This IBM® Redbooks® publication provides an introduction and overview of the latest products in the IBM FlashSystem® 5000 Family, including their hardware and software features.

IBM® has announced native Internet Protocol (IP) replication using Bridgeworks SANSlide technology with its IBM System Storage® SAN Volume Controller (SVC), IBM Storwize® V7000, IBM Storwize V5000 and Storwize V3700 virtualized storage systems. This combination of SANSlide and the SVC/Storwize family provides a powerful solution for clients who require efficient, IP-based replication over long distances. This certification gives SVC/Storwize clients a fully supported, transparent technology that includes unmatched levels of performance and reliability. With the SANSlide protocol acceleration technology, it is now possible to replicate data across continents in a cost-efficient way, with little or no loss in performance. At the same time, bandwidth usage can improve to over 95%, rather than the 1% - 5% normally achieved in long-distance IP networks. This IBM RedpaperTM publication shows the steps required to implement this solution efficiently and speedily.

Continuing its commitment to developing and delivering industry-leading storage technologies, IBM® introduces Data Reduction Pools (DRP) and Deduplication powered by IBM SpectrumTM Virtualize, which are innovative storage features that deliver essential storage efficiency technologies and exceptional ease of use and performance, all integrated into a proven design. This book discusses Data Reduction Pools (DRP) and Deduplication and is intended for experienced storage administrators who are fully familiar with IBM Spectrum Virtualize, SAN Volume Controller, and the Storwize family of products.

Data is the new currency of business, the most critical asset of the modern organization. In fact, enterprises that can gain business insights from their data are twice as likely to outperform their competitors; yet, 72 percent of them have not started or are only planning big data activities. In addition, organizations often spend too much money and time managing where their data is stored. The average firm purchases 24% more storage every year, but uses less than half of the capacity it already has. A member of the IBM® Storwize® family, IBM SAN Volume Controller (SVC) Data Platform is a storage virtualization system that enables a single point of control for storage resources to help support improved business application availability and greater resource utilization. The objective is to manage storage resources in your IT infrastructure and to make sure they are used to the advantage of your business, and do it quickly, efficiently, and in real time, while avoiding increases in administrative costs. Virtualizing storage with SVC Data Platform helps make new and existing storage more effective. SVC Data Platform includes many functions traditionally deployed separately in disk systems. By including these in a virtualization system, SVC Data Platform standardizes functions across virtualized storage for greater flexibility and potentially lower costs. SVC Data Platform functions benefit all virtualized storage. For example, IBM Easy Tier® optimizes use of flash storage. And IBM Real-time CompressionTM enhances efficiency even further by enabling the storage of up to five times as much active primary data in the same physical disk space. Finally, high-performance thin provisioning helps automate provisioning. These benefits can help extend the useful life of existing storage assets, reducing costs. Integrating these functions into SVC Data Platform also means that they are designed to operate smoothly together, reducing management effort. In this IBM Redbooks® publication, we discuss the latest features and functions of the SVC 2145-DH8 and software version 7.3, implementation, architectural improvements, and Easy Tier.

This IBM® Redbooks® publication helps administrators and technical professionals understand Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) and how to implement it for use with IBM Storwize® storage systems. iSCSI can be used alone or with other technologies. This publication provides an overview of the iSCSI protocol and helps you understand how it is similar to and different from Fibre Channel (FC) technology. It helps you plan and design your network topology. It explains how to configure your IBM Storwize storage systems and hosts (including IBM AIX®, Linux, VMware, and Microsoft Windows hosts) to interact with it. It also provides an overview of using IBM Storwize storage systems with OpenStack. This book describes configuring iSCSI for IBM Storwize and SAN Volume Controller storage systems at Version 7.6 or later. In addition to configuration, this publication provides information about performance and troubleshooting.

This IBM® Redbooks® publication describes the new features that have been added with the release of the IBM System Storage® SAN Volume Controller (SVC) and IBM System Storage Storwize® V7000 6.4.0 code, including Replication Family Services. Replication Family Services refers to the various copy services available on the SVC and Storwize V7000 including IBM FlashCopy®, Metro Mirror and Global Mirror, Global Mirror with Change Volumes, Volume Mirroring, and Stretched Cluster Volume Mirroring. The details behind the theory and practice of these services are examined, and SAN design suggestions and troubleshooting tips are provided. Planning requirements, automating copy services processed, and fabric design are explained. Multiple examples including implementation and server integration are included, along with a discussion of software solutions and services that are based on Replication Family Services. This book is intended for use by pre-sales and post-sales support, and storage administrators. Readers are expected to have an advanced knowledge of the SVC, Storwize V7000, and the SAN environment. The following publications are useful resources that provide background information: Implementing the IBM System Storage SAN Volume Controller V6.3, SG24-7933 Implementing the IBM Storwize V7000 V6.3, SG24-7938 IBM SAN Volume Controller and Brocade Disaster Recovery Solutions for VMware, REDP-4626 IBM System Storage SAN Volume Controller Upgrade Path from Version 4.3.1 to 6.1, REDP-4716 Real-time Compression in SAN Volume Controller and Storwize V7000, REDP-4859 SAN Volume Controller: Best Practices and Performance Guidelines, SG24-7521 Implementing the Storwize V7000 and the IBM System Storage SAN32B-E4 Encryption Switch, SG24-7977