The IBM Storage Virtualize User Group was held on 10 September at the IBM Innovation Studio in Washington D.C., bringing together IBM customers, business partners, and industry experts. Attendees had the opportunity to hear the latest IBM FlashSystem and IBM Storage Virtualize updates, share strategic insights, and discuss best practices in addition to networking with peers and IBM experts.
The agenda featured insightful presentations and solutions spanning the IBM Storage Virtualize family of products including Ransomware Threat Detection, The Future of clustering - Flash Grid, IBM Storage Assurance, IBM FlashSystem 5300, IBM Storage Defender, and IBM Storage Insights.
Tim Fisher, IBM STSM, Master Inventor, FCM Lead Architect kicked off the morning agenda with an in-depth presentation on Ransomware Threat Detection and the innovative capabilities of the IBM FlashCore Module (FCM). IBM FlashSystem (made possible with the FlashCore Module) is universally known for its unparalleled performance and density, setting it apart as one of the most advanced flash storage systems on the market. Tim shared key differentiators of FCM shared including:
- Enterprise QLC using IBM IP
- World-class Characterization
- Hardware Compression
- Effective capacity up to 115 TB
- Worry Free Endurance
- System Offloads (Computational Storage)
- World’s First Enterprise QLC drive (Feb 2020)
Tim shared how IBM Cyber Resilience is in a class of its own by developing and maintaining the entire ecosystem:
- IBM FlashCore technology and FlashCore Module
- IBM Storage Virtualize Software
- IBM FlashSystem All Flash Array Appliances
- IBM Storage Insights
- IBM Cloud
- IBM Artificial Intelligence
Tim also highlighted IBM’s Cyber Resilience mission to address cybersecurity threats using a holistic approach from Early Detection to Safe Recovery.
Gemma Izen, IBM FlashSystem Product Manager, showcased the capabilities of the IBM FlashSystem 5300. Building on the success of its predecessor, IBM FlashSystem 5200, this new offering has increased performance and enhanced security including:
- Intel Icelake D
- Upgrade controller PCIe fabric to G4
- 45% increase in 16K 70/30/50
- FCM 4 Ransomware Threat detection
- Separated management and IO ports
- Flexible Onboard IO integration
This IBM FlashSystem 5300 video features the compact yet powerful IBM FlashSystem 5300 (a small box with a big impact!)
“One voice is one voice – but a community speaks louder. A community can make change and drive innovation” - Maria McDade, IBM Product Manager, Hybrid Multi-Cloud Storage Infrastructure
We concluded the morning agenda with an invitation for IBM customers and business partners to join the IBM Champions program for IBM FlashSystem. IBM Champions are enthusiasts and advocates: IT professionals, business leaders, developers, executives, educators, and influencers who support and mentor others to help them get the most out of IBM software, solutions, and services.
To become a part of the community of like-minded individuals who play a pivotal role in shaping the future of IBM FlashSystem visit the IBM Champions program page or get in touch with Kyle Cline).
After lunch, Barry Whyte, Principal Storage Technical Specialist & IBM Master Inventor gave a presentation on the Future of Clustering - Flash Grids and Modernizing Your Data Centre. Barry shared how IBM Storage Virtualize development has focused on three key pillars that help solve todays critical business challenges:
- Trouble free performance with data reduction through IBM’s unique NVMe FlashCore technology
- Policy-based Management providing operational efficiency and integrated AIOps business automation with Flash Grid
- Security and Cyber Resiliency with box level security hardening, Safeguarded Copy, and realtime FCM4 Ransomware Threat Detection
The next session, led by Matt Smith, IBM Storage Defender Product Manager, provided exciting updates on IBM Storage Defender. Matt showcased how IBM Storage Defender is early threat detection:
- Active Threat Detection - at the primary storage layer with FlashSystem & FlashCore Modules and on the server with Defender scanner deployment
- Clean Copies - immutable copies can be scheduled on primary storage and regularly scanned for threats
- Clean Room – scan backups for dormant threats as part of regular recoverability testing
- Security Integration – share potential threat information with SIEM/SOAR software for further analysis and automated reaction
Johanna Hislop, IBM Senior Software Engineer presented the IBM Storage Insights Roadmap. Key priorities include:
- Using AI to help with application deployment and management
- Continuous modernization
- Managing the storage lifecycle
- Proactive support experience
Gemma Izen returned to discuss how IBM Storage Assurance Perpetual with FlashSystem is IT for Life, solving for the bigger picture centered around:
- Data Resilience – Defend, protect and recover your “minimum viable company” from cyber attacks
- Efficiency & Sustainability – Reduce cost and energy consumption to free up money for strategic projects
- Modernization – Simplify storage management and consumption for autonomous and human use
The event concluded with a final presentation by Wayne Tull, Principal Systems Architect at Broadcom, on the importance of Safeguarded SAN for a cyber-resilient storage solution.
Thank you to all of the speakers, Customers, and Business Partners who attended and a huge thank you to our sponsor Broadcom.
We had a great turnout for the North America IBM Storage Virtualize User Group meetings in both Washington D.C. and Houston and we’re thrilled to be back in person. We look forward to the next meeting in 2025!
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