IBM updates midrange storage range with Storwize V7000

IBM has today introduced a new virtual disk midrange system to help businesses manage the growing volume and types of data they store.

The IBM Storwize V7000 updates the vendor’s storage area networking (SAN) tools, so that small-to-midsized enterprises can categorise and prioritise data for workloads such as real-time analytics.

IBM System Storage Easy Tier technology updates the IBM System Storage SAN Volume Controller to deliver ongoing performance monitoring and automatically move only the most active data to faster solid-state devices (SSDs) so the data can be accessed quickly.

Stewart Bazneh, IBM virtualised disk solution and storage software sales lead in the UK and Ireland, told V3.co.uk that the Storwize V7000 could simplify storage set-up and management and in so doing lower cost of ownership by 50 per cent.

“This new system brings new levels of efficiency to midrange storage. Storage virtualisation breaks the host-storage stovepipe, which improves application availability by making sure the right data is on the right storage at the right time.”

He said the enhancements made with the Easy Tier technology made the V7000 vendor-agnostic, so companies could maximise existing, best-of-breed storage investments and access large enterprise-class control in a midrange system.

Bazneh also said customers can add either 24 2.5in drives or 12 3.5in drives, with additional expansion for up to nine units, using serial attached SCSI (SAS) disks or nearline SAS disks.

The Storwize V7000 also includes a graphical user interface (GUI) modelled after the high- end XIV disk storage user interface IBM acquired in 2008 to reduce system set-up and administration.

“We’ve had phenomenal success with the message that, with virtualised storage, you can add to it and evolve most cost-effectively over time,” he added.

IBM also introduced a range of other storage products and improvements it said would help clients manage exponential data growth. These included the IBM System Storage TS7610 ProtecTIER appliance, providing midsized organisations with deduplication.

Enhancements to the IBM Tivoli Storage Productivity Centre v4.2 software have been made to its monitoring, reporting, and management capabilities.

The IBM System Storage DS8800 device has also been introduced, offering up to 40 per cent faster performance than its predecessor, the DS8700, according to IBM performance testing. The new high-end disk will support IBM Easy Tier next year.