IBM Storage FlashSystem

Score8.9 out of 10

317 Reviews and Ratings

What is IBM Storage FlashSystem?

IBM Storage FlashSystem, an all-flash storage array, delivers ~2 PB of effective capacity per single rack unit. Engineered with unique FlashCore Modules, it offloads data services including compression, encryption, deduplication, and ransomware threat detection ensuring optimum performance and resiliency.

Categories & Use Cases

Enterprise Flash Array Storage

Media

Screenshot of IBM FlashSystem 5600 (rear)

Screenshot of IBM FlashSystem 7600 and 9600

Screenshot of IBM FlashSystem 7600 and 9600 (rear)

1 / 5

Screenshot of Flash Core Module 5th Gen

Non-Intrusive Upgrades
Software upgrades are often seamless with no performance tuning required
Category average: 8.6
Flash Array Performance
Solid state flash arrays offer high speed compared to hard-disk drives
Category average: 8.6
Simplicity
Flash arrays should be simple to use and require little training
Category average: 9.2

Flash Array Integration
Integration with hypervisors and applications
Category average: 9.1
Data Compression
Flash Arrays include compression and deduplication features to reduce storage requirements
Category average: 7.2
Power Savings
Flash arrays use significantly less power than hard-disk drives
Category average: 6.8

Most Frequent Users

Top 3 industries using IBM Storage FlashSystem.

Based on HG Insights installation data

View all Reviews

#1 most frequent

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

27.0%

94 installations of 348

“ideal I/O”
— Technician, EBIZOLUTION (Mid-sized Companies)

#2 most frequent

Finance and Insurance

16.1%

56 installations of 348

#3 most frequent

Information

10.1%

35 installations of 348

“ease of use, etc. reduce the amount of time required for administration and free time for other required tasks”
— System Engineer, SVA System Vertrieb Alexander GmbH (Enterprises)

Pros

Exceptional performance with low latency and high I/O, driven by FlashCore Modules and NVMe.
High reliability and stability, ensuring continuous operation and data integrity.
Robust data security features, including rapid ransomware detection and safeguarded snapshots.

Cons

Graphical user interface (GUI) can be immature, with minor duplications and limited localization.
High initial investment cost and a perceived need for more flexible licensing options.
Complexity in understanding licensing and pricing models, especially for features like Storage Insight.

Laurent Fondacci View profile

IBM infrastructure expert (Power and storage solutions) in Information Technology at Top Security Consulting (1-10 employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I am mainly using IBM Storage FlashSystem with Power systems running IBM i partitions and operate as an integrator for IBM systems (Power, Storage, and SAN solutions).

IBM Storage FlashSystem product is able to add 'intelligence' on storage subsystem like Flashcopies or more recently snapshots to add some flexibilty on backup or creating a clone partition (with our without additionnal tools).

IBM Storage FlashSystem is also able to virtualize other storage systems which can be interesting when migrating systems without having to deal with a complete save/restore operation (a great way to minimize downtime during this king of operations).

Another great advantage of IBM Storage FlashSystem is the ability to provide a complete DRP, replacing complex software products at no cost or so. Side by side migration using replication is another use case here (when I do not want to virtualize other storage subsystems).

As you can see, as an integrator, I am using a lot of advanced functionalities and would be happy to discover new ones.

Pros

Replication services providing a complete DRP (Disaster Recovery Plan) for most IBM i use cases:
- Based on replication services,
- Can provide active/passive replication via copy services or Policy-based replication (PBR),
- Can provide active/active replication via Hyperswap or Policy-based High-Availability (PBHA).
A complete solution to design the DRP based on customers needs.
Flashcopy or Snapshots:
- Used for daily/weekly/monthly backup of customers,
- Often with a product called Flash4i (M81),
- A good way to clone an IBM i partition for testing purpose: With or without other product.
Storage virtualization:
- IBM Storage FlashSystem products are able to virtualize other storage products (IBM or not IBM branded),
- A complete
Safeguarded copies/snapshots:
- As in 2026, security is more and more present, IBM Storage FlashSystem are able to add this layer of security on snapshots or Flashcopies,
- Noboby can modify any bit of a safeguarded copy so disaster recovery after a cryptolocker or any kind of intentionnal deletion can be done quickly instead of taking hours and hours (maybe days).

Cons

On code v9: No way to do repetitive tasks via GUI (like acting on many volumes in one single action).
This force us to use CLI for basic operations available easily on v8.7.
Urgent need here, could save a lot of time.
Storage insight pricing is really hard to understand for most of my customers which lead to no storage insight and probably a lack of monitoring.

Return on Investment

Using snapshots to do backup operations increase uptime for a near 24/7 uptime.
No downtime during upgrade increase uptime for a near 24/7 uptime.
Flexibility with capacity planning: easy to allocate new LUNs for an unknown/new project. Saving a lot of time without the need to add physical storage before starting a project or adding a new use case.

Ken Melander View profile

IT Specialist in Information Technology at Atea (5001-10,000 employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We are a managed services provider and we use the IBM FlashSystem as our core for all of our block storage needs.

FlashSystem is very convenient to use due to the simple web interface. The simplicity saves a lot of time in day to day management tasks. At the same time it does not take away the powerful tools from under the hood.

Reliability and speed is another key factor for our use. Flash core modules do not break as often as hard disk based enclosures do. And the speed from the flash modules solves our worry about potential bottlenecks in storage.

Pros

Speed of the overall system
Reliability of the hardware and firmware
Ransomware protection on every flash core module that works really fast.
Ease of use

Cons

FlashSystem Grid needs to mature a bit more
Patching away some of legacy code without disruptions
It's not quite like an SVC even if IBM claims it basically has the same functions.
It's hard to estimate the total free capacity with the compression and built in tools

Return on Investment

Time savings from less management and maintenance
Power,cooling and space savings. We saved about 11kWh in power + equal amount in cooling by decommissioning our hard disk based clusters to a single 4U FS9500.
Upgraded disk speed which we can bill more for
Fewer human errors in managing the platform.

Alternatives Considered

Dell Unity XT Unified Storage

Andreas Jochum

System Engineer in Information Technology at SVA System Vertrieb Alexander GmbH (1001-5000 employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

As a business partner we use, sell and support the whole IBM Storage FlashSystem portfolio. We use them as a backend storage for SVC clusters or in pairs as HyperSwap Cluster or parts of the new IBM Storage FlashSystem Grid with PBHA or alternatively PBR. The IBM Storage FlashSystem as a product addresses reliability, accessibility and performance- as well as security issues of our customers. The customers are really satisfied with the products and love using them. Last but not least we are all happy about the price point of the IBM Storage FlashSystems.
This helps pretty much competing the systems of other vendors. Even if these are often not doing basic technical research and development like IBM does. But the pricepoint also counts. Thank you very much!

Pros

Extremely performant
extremely reliable
Very easy to set up and use
Good pricepoint
Tons of features.

Cons

GUI could be better in some points like menus are duplicated sometimes
CLI commands
Better translation in GUI for non English speakers

Return on Investment

Very reliable
Less power and climate performance consuming than e.g. netapp
very easy to service and operate
because of capacity and performance at a really good pricepoint, the ROI is achieved quite quick.

Alternatives Considered

NetApp ASA, Pure Storage FlashArray and Dell Unity XT Unified Storage

Other Software Used

IBM Spectrum Control, Db2, BNA, IBM Storage Insights

Usability

Umesh Harade

Manager in Information Technology at ICICI AMC Ltd (501-1000 employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

ISBL Flash Storage is a reliable, High-Performance Storage Platform with Strong Cyber Resilience. One of the key strengths of FlashSystem is its user-friendly management. The centralized management interface and storage virtualization capabilities simplify day-to-day administration and capacity planning. The implementation process was smooth, and integration with our VMware environment was straightforward.

Pros

User friendly dashboard and easy to understand.
Highly scalable and easy to upgrade.
Works with exiting solution and major OEM.
Great technical Support and technical sound TAC Team.

Cons

High CPU and Memory of utilization.
feasibility and reclinate check for cloud infra.
Multiple partner availability in market.

Return on Investment

Not fully utilized and some challenges with other OEM.
Limited partners in market.

Other Software Used

Hitachi Storage Virtualization Operating System (SVOS), HPE StoreEasy 1000 Storage, Dell Data Center IT Outsourcing Services

Deepsagar Naik View profile

Network Engineer in Information Technology at Waisl Ltd (201-500 employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We have been using IBM Storage FlashSystem as our enterprise Data Centre where we store critical data which needs to be highly secured from cyber attacks and readily available as required. It has addressed multiple problems like slow performance, security/cyber breaches and relative high cost. Scope of use is high availability and big data processing.

Pros

Cyber and Ransomware Protection
High speed compression and processing
High availability and storage assurance

Cons

Missing authentication features like authentication fallback & inconsistent functionality of Single sign-on (SSO)
High cost for licensing and scaling
Complex installation and integration especially while troubleshooting

Return on Investment

IBM Storage FlashSystem has reduced our infrastructure cost with predictable pricing via storage assurance
It has protected our data against cyber attacks and disasters
Saved time via automation and high uptime

Alternatives Considered

Dell PowerMax NVMe

Other Software Used

Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers, FortiAnalyzer, VMware vCenter

IBM Storage FlashSystem

What is IBM Storage FlashSystem?

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