IBM Disk Storage Systems

IBM has produced multiple storage solutions over the years. It has consistently maintained a policy of providing affordable and high-performance devices for data management and protection. These devices include Disk Systems, Virtual Tape Systems, Cloud Storage Solutions, and even Data Tiers.

The Initial Phase of Disk Storage Systems

The long train of Disk Systems began with DS 8000.

DS 8000 had high speed and high flexibility and came with the ability of open server support. It was made compatible with the IBM System Z mainframe. DS 8000 allowed automatic optimization of data saving time and kept data safe and secure with inbuilt self-encryption drives.

DS 8100 followed soon after, with dual 2 core POWER 5+ based processors, storage space for 384 drives, and Fiber Channel/ SATA drive systems.

DS 8300, its successor, had a dual 4 core POWER 5+ based processor, Fiber Channel based drives with storage space for 1024 drives, and was based on IBM’s pSeries Servers.

DS 8700 with dual 4 core POWER 6 based processors and storage for 1024 drives, also incorporated flash drives.

The DS 8800 included 2 or 4 core POWER 6+ processors, combined space for 1536 drives, and also allowed storage of flash drives and Nearline drives.

Current Era of IBM Disk System

In 2013, IBM introduced the DS 8870 disk storage system. DS 8870 came in 2, 4, 8, or 16 core processors based on POWER 7.

Allowing simultaneous working of 64 threads and fitted with 1 TB cache memory, it had storage space for 1536 drives with 120 flash cards. It also incorporated flash drives and Nearline drives.

The DS 8880 series came right after the DS 8870 range. They are still in high demand today. DS 8880 is fitted with the POWER 8 and has a 2 TB cache memory.

Along with the ability to simultaneously run 96 threads, drive storage space of 1536 drives and compatibility with flash and Nearline drives, the DS 8880 series comes with High-Performance Flash Enclosure that speeds up processes and reduces space usage.

The DS family has been built alongside other disk storage systems, which include IBM XIV ( with 458 TB memory and 12 TB cache), IBM SONAS (14.4 PB storage), and smaller systems like IBM Storwize, DCS3860, and DCS3700.