IBM has announced several key improvements to its XIV Storage System Gen3 including a new SSD caching option that can increase system performance by up to three times, as well as a new iPhone app that allows people monitor their XIV storage environment wherever they go.
With SSD caching, the most frequently used data is stored on solid state memory and is placed between the system memory and hard drives. Because SSDs use no moving parts, the storing and retrieving of data is accomplished with virtually no latency and improves data access speed by orders of magnitude. Additionally, SSD cache requires no separate tier to manage.
The IBM new SSD Caching option gives users up to 6TB of fast-read SSD and is the latest advancement that IBM has developed for the enterprise storage system in the last six months. Announced last July, the XIV Storage System Gen3 lowered the total cost of ownership and improved system performance by four times over its predecessor. In addition, the XIV replaced the system’s Ethernet-based backplane with a high-performance InfiniBand backplane, which increased the system’s internal bandwidth between modules by 40 times. By October 2011, IBM increased system capacity by 50 percent, adding 3TB disk drives to the system.
IBM also announced the ability to mirror data between previous models of XIV and XIV Gen3 systems. As a result, this will ease data migration and help customers repurpose their XIV models as disaster recovery backup systems. Additionally, IBM announced the XIV Mobile Dashboard for the iPhone, which gives customers the ability to monitor XIV systems from virtually anywhere. The free app will be available for download later this month from the Apple Online Store.
Lastly, IBM announced an update to its Linear Tape File System Library Edition. Version 1.2.5 supports Mac OS X and allows users to create, manage, and optimize video workflows using LTO-5 based tape libraries.
IBM’s credit qualified clients can acquire the new Storage Systems with monthly payments and financing from IBM Global Financing. In addition, low-rate leasing programs allow clients to preserve up-front cost and plan for mid-lease upgrades as requirements change.
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