 "IBM Delivers New Solid State Offerings")
IBM has announced that it is delivering new solid-state offerings across its hardware platforms using new smart data management software to enable customers to improve response times on Solid State Drives (SSDs), while also helping to reduce costs.
Solid state drives use Flash technology, similar to that used in MP3 players, but on a more advanced and larger scale. As it has no moving parts, or spinning disks, such as used in traditional storage, solid-state storage technology can conduct up to 20,000 transfers per second compared to one hard drive disk at approximately 200 data transfers per second. IBM is unveiling a targeted approach to implement flash technology by leveraging and integrating IBM’s hardware, software and research expertise.
IBM’s solid-state lineup includes a suite of enhanced software tools that enable customers to migrate, monitor and place data on SSDs to maximise value. For example, smart data placement through IBM Data Facility Storage Management Subsystem (DFSMS) provides for targeted data placement on SSDs in an IBM zSeries and DS8000 environment. In another example for Power systems, IBM’s most recent product line to incorporate SSDs, IBM provides SSD Data Balancer software tools that allow a system administrator to move frequently accessed, or hot data, to SSDs, while moving cold data to traditional hard drives. This approach recognises that most customers will have a hybrid environment using both SSDs and traditional disks.
This capability is vital to information-intensive industries, enabling faster credit checks, real-time financial analytics and enhanced fraud detection. IBM has also announced an expansion of solid-state drives to include Power systems, joining IBM’s System x servers, as well as its System Storage DS8000 devices, as offering SSDs.
IBM Expands SSDs on Power
IBM has announced its newest product line to support solid state with new energy-efficient solid state drives for its Power Systems servers, offering faster I/O response rates than traditional disk drives to help clients optimise cost, performance and energy savings. The new drives will be supported on all POWER6 systems, from Blades to enterprise servers.
New Solid State Offerings on System x
IBM is now adding to its System x lineup of diskless drive options with new SATA-style SSDs. BladeCenter was updated with new 2.1 watt, 50GB SSD in a 2.5-inch disk package. A 50GB drive, designed for higher I/O performance, is available in either a 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch form factor for blades and System x rack and tower servers. The SSDs support Windows, Linux, and ESX Server, VMware’s hypervisor.
SSD on the System Storage DS8000
Solid-state drives on its System Storage DS8000 can help customers decrease back-end drive response times significantly, which is critical in offering solid state drive benefits for distinct application workloads. IBM also invested in integrating DS8000 with servers and system software to maximise the performance benefit of SSDs. The integrated solution will enable customers to optimise the hybrid environment with SSDs and HDDs.
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