This IBM Redbooks publication describes the concepts, architecture, and implementation of the IBM DS8900F family. The book provides reference information to assist readers who need to plan for, install, and configure the DS8900F systems. This edition applies to DS8900F systems with IBM DS8000® Licensed Machine Code (LMC) 7.9.10 (bundle version 89.10.xx.x), referred to as Release 9.1. The DS8900F family offers two classes: IBM DS8910F: Flexibility Class all-flash: The Flexibility Class is designed to reduce complexity while addressing various workloads at the lowest DS8900F family entry cost. IBM DS8950F: Agility Class all-flash: The Agility Class is designed to consolidate all your mission-critical workloads for IBM Z®, IBM LinuxONE, IBM Power Systems, and distributed environments under a single all-flash storage solution. The DS8900F architecture relies on powerful IBM POWER9™ processor-based servers that manage the cache to streamline disk input/output (I/O), which maximizes performance and throughput. These capabilities are further enhanced by High-Performance Flash Enclosures (HPFE) Gen2. Like its predecessors, the DS8900F supports advanced disaster recovery (DR) solutions, business continuity solutions, and thin provisioning. The IBM DS8910F Rack-Mounted model 993 is described in a separate publication: IBM DS8910F Model 993 Rack-Mounted Storage System Release 9.1, REDP-5566.

This IBM® Redpaper™ publication is a brief overview of synergistic aspects between various VMware offerings and the IBM Spectrum™ Accelerate family, including IBM XIV® and IBM FlashSystem® A9000 and IBM FlashSystem A9000R servers. After reviewing different integration concepts and explaining general implementation aspects for attaching the IBM Spectrum Accelerate™ family to VMware ESXi deployments, the paper focuses on components that are enabled by IBM Spectrum Connect v3.4. This paper is intended for planning to use or implementing the IBM Spectrum Accelerate family of storage systems in a VMware environment.

Abstract This IBM® Redbooks® publication describes the challenge that most data centers face when updating and modernizing their IT infrastructure. New business demands are driving new applications, joining, and creating in the digital world. A rich, meaningful digital experience is the key to effective engagement in today’s integrated digital world. Companies are able to customize digital experiences for their employees with personalized, targeted content for fully connecting with customers, co-workers, and business partners in the most powerful and productive ways. To achieve this, a robust infrastructure is required. Speed of access to data is one of the most important factors. The development of the flash storage devices helped with the insatiable desire for data access speed, but even that is not enough for the most demanding uses. The needs of SAN switches, servers, and software defined infrastructure (SDI) technologies are all requiring more; therefore, the bigger picture needs to be wholly analyzed to build a balanced ecosystem. This publication can help you with planning for growth in your IT infrastructure. This publication explores the concept of modernization and considers important aspects of IT, such as SAN switches, storage systems, and software defined storage.

Abstract This edition applies to IBM® Spectrum Accelerate V11.5.4. IBM Spectrum Accelerate™, a member of IBM Spectrum Storage™, is an agile, software-defined storage solution for enterprise and cloud that builds on the customer-proven and mature IBM XIV® storage software. The key characteristic of Spectrum Accelerate is that it can be easily deployed and run on purpose-built or existing hardware that is chosen by the customer. IBM Spectrum Accelerate enables rapid deployment of high-performance and scalable block data storage infrastructure over commodity hardware on-premises or off-premises. This IBM Redbooks® publication provides a broad understanding of IBM Spectrum Accelerate. The book introduces Spectrum Accelerate and describes planning and preparation that are essential for a successful deployment of the solution. The deployment is described through a step-by-step approach, by using a graphical user interface (GUI) based method or a simple command-line interface (CLI) based procedure. Chapters in this book describe the logical configuration of the system, host support and business continuity functions, and migration. Although it makes many references to the XIV storage software, the book also emphasizes where IBM Spectrum Accelerate differs from XIV. Finally, a substantial portion of the book is dedicated to maintenance and troubleshooting to provide detailed guidance for the customer support personnel.