IBM announces v8.1 of the Spectrum Virtualize software that works with the latest models of SAN Volume Controller, Storwize and FlashSystem V9000 products.
This v8.1 release will not support older hardware. For these older models, continue to use v7.8.1 release until end of service and support:
- SAN Volume Controller, CF8 and CG8 models
- FlashSystem V840, AC0 model
- Storwize V7000 Gen 1, models 1xx, 2xx and 3xx
- Storwize V5000 Gen 1, models 24 C/E, 12 C/E
- Storwize V3500 and V3700, all models
Hot Spare Node
Higher availability provided by automatically swapping a spare node into the cluster if the cluster detects a failing node. Following the N-port ID Virtualization (NPIV) features introduced in previous release, this new feature is available for SVC and FlashSystem V9000.
Spare nodes can also be extremely helpful with code updates and node refreshes. Update the code load on a spare node, and use this to roll forward the other nodes. In this manner, you are never in "single node" mode!
You can have up to four spare nodes per SVC cluster, and three spare nodes per FlashSystem V9000 cluster. These spares are "site-aware" to support Enhanced Stretch Cluster and HyperSwap configurations.
This feature requires Fibre Channel switches, so it won't work if you are using direct-attached SAS, iSCSI or FC point-to-point connections.
256 GB memory support
Spectrum Virtualize will now take full advantage of system memory, rather than just the first 64 GB. A fixed 12 GB is set aside for write cache, the rest is used for operating system code, read cache, and compression work space.
IBM supports up to 128 GB per canister on the Storwize V7000 Gen2+ models, and up to 256 GB for SAN Volume Controller SV1 and FlashSystem V9000 models.
Improved Multi-threading
One two-socket nodes, IBM previously dedicated specific cores to perform I/O operations, and others for Real-time Compression. With v8.1 release, the team implemented a more sophisticated multi-socket, multi-core, multi-threaded approach. Internal tests showed this improved performance 36 to 50 percent on SAN Volume Controller DH8 and SV1 models.
Enhancements for Encryption
IBM Security Key Lifecycle Manager (SKLM) support has been expanded to support up to three Key Server clones for a total of four Key Servers (one master and three clones).
You can use both central key management (SKLM servers) and local key management(using USB keys physically attached to the back of the controllers) at the same time. This can be useful to transition from one method or another, or use both concurrently for added flexibility.
Both SKLM and USB-based keys can also be used to encrypt FlashCopy targets written to the Cloud with Transparent Cloud Tiering.
Remote support assistance
IBM support engineers can perform system or upgrade recoveries over secure support sessions. This enables remote concurrent upgrades to be done securely and is only available only for clients who purchase Enterprise Class Support.
Health Checker
Since you are already sending periodic inventory updates as part of "call home" support, you might as well let IBM review the configuration and provide customized recommendations!
There is no additional cost, and this provides an additional review to catch any potential problems, single points of failure, or other issues that could be a problem later on.
Improved GUI
Based on the success of the Hyper-Scale Manager GUI developed for the FlashSystem A9000, the new Spectrum Virtualize GUI offers an updated look and feel, with new fonts, colors, banner, navigation, dashboard, and other interactive elements.
New Pause Feature for Concurrent Code Update (CCU)
The Pause function will allow users to pause CCU indefinitely. This pause allows customers to do any problem determination, such as multi-pathing issues, or simply to pause the upgrade, take a break for lunch, then resume the upgrade when convenient to do so.
To learn more, see [IBM Spectrum Virtualize Software V8 delivers improvements] press release.
There were also enhances to the hardware models themselves.
IBM FlashSystem V9000
The IBM FlashSystem V9000 has two enhancements. First, there is an option to add a pair of AC3 nodes without AE2 enclosures to scale performance.
The second is the ability to add a single AC3 node for use as a hot spare node. You can have up to three of these extra AC3 spares per V9000 cluster.
IBM Storwize V7000
IBM Storwize V7000 Gen2+ offers increased cache of up to 256 GB per controller, 128 GB per canister. This follows on the heels of the recent increase to 256 GB per node for the SAN Volume Controller and FlashSystem V9000. More memory means more cache hit ratios for faster performance, and more compressed volumes.
900 GB 15K rpm 2.5-inch SAS drive
IBM SAN Volume Controller (SVC) and Storwize Family delivers an additional option with a 900 GB 15K rpm 2.5-inch SAS drive.
(Honestly, I didn't think we would see larger capacity 15K drives, but IBM was qualifying these for the DS8000 boxes, and made sense to add them to the Spectrum Virtualize hardware offerings as well.)
To learn more, see [ IBM SAN Volume Controller, FlashSystem V9000, and Storwize family deliver improved performance options] press release.