File System helps manage SAN-based storage
Press Release Summary:
TotalStorage® SAN File System provides data sharing capabilities for heterogeneous servers accessing SAN-attached storage in open environment. It also facilitates data sharing across servers. Scalable solution's hardware consists of one cluster of IBM TotalStorage SAN File System Metadata Server engines and one master console. Master console is IBM xSeries 305 with preloaded code, which can provide Remote Support interface and Service Alert capability.
Original Press Release:
IBM 4146 Models T30 and 1RX Provide Hardware for the IBM TotalStorage SAN File System
At a glance
The IBM TotalStorage SAN File System solution is designed to help reduce both the complexity and cost of managing your SAN-based storage. The SAN File System hardware (4146 Model T30) consists of a cluster of IBM TotalStorage SAN File System Metadata Server engines (4146 Model 1RX) and a master console.
The SAN File System is designed to allow you to:
o Lower the cost of storage management
o Scale your infrastructure for storage and data on demand
o Improve productivity and reduce the pain for IT storage and server management staff by centralizing and simplifying management through policy-based storage management automation
o Provide higher storage utilization
o Reduce application downtime and failover costs
o Simplify and lower the cost of data backups through application-server-free backup and built-in file-based FlashCopy® images
o Allow enhanced data sharing and collaboration
o Eliminate data migration during application server consolidation
This solution includes a Common Information Model (CIM) Agent, supporting storage management by products based on open standards for units that comply with the open standards of the Storage Network Industry Association (SNIA) Common Information Model.
For ordering, contact:
Your IBM representative, an IBM Business Partner, or the Americas Call Centers at 800-IBM-CALL (Reference: YE001).
Overview
The IBM TotalStorage® SAN File System is a member of the IBM TotalStorage Virtualization Family of solutions. A network-based heterogeneous file system, it is designed:
o To provide high performance data sharing for heterogeneous servers accessing SAN-attached storage in an open environment
o To provide a common file system for UNIX® and Windows(TM) servers with a single global namespace to facilitate data sharing across servers
o As a highly scalable solution supporting both very large files and very large number of files without the limitations normally associated with NFS or CIFS implementations
The SAN File System hardware (4146 Model T30) consists of a cluster of IBM TotalStorage SAN File System Metadata Server engines (4146 Model 1RX) and a master console. The SAN File System Metadata Server engines are based on IBM xSeries® 345 servers with hardware added for increased redundancy. The SAN File System hardware combines servers into a cluster designed for high availability. The cluster consists of a minimum of two, and up to a maximum of eight, SAN File System Metadata Server engines.
The master console is an IBM xSeries 305 with preloaded code. The master console can, using Virtual Private Network (VPN), provide a Remote Support interface and Service Alert (call home) capability. These can help eliminate the requirement for frequent on-site support. In addition, the master console provides a common point of residence for the IBM Tivoli® Bonus Pack for SAN Management, IBM Director, and other tools associated with the capabilities just described.
Key prerequisites
The SAN File System hardware supports connectivity with Intel(TM)-based servers running Windows 2000 Server and Advanced Server, and with RISC-based servers running the IBM AIX® 5.1 32-bit mode operating system. IBM TotalStorage Enterprise Storage Server(TM) (ESS) SAN disk arrays are supported, as well as the SAN Volume Controller and SAN Integration Server, and any storage devices they support.
The IBM TotalStorage SAN File System Software must be ordered separately. For additional details, refer to Software Announcement 203-275 , dated October 14, 2003.
A pre-install Solution Assurance Review (SAR) will be conducted with customers before the SAN File System is shipped. This SAR will be used to support a successful installation into the customer's existing SAN environment.
Planned availability dates
November 14, 2003: Except feature 2930 (Japanese publications)
December 15, 2003: Japanese publications
