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IBM Storage FlashSystem

Score8.9 out of 10

314 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.

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Categories & Use Cases

Media

Screenshot of Flash Core Module 5th Gen
Screenshot of IBM FlashSystem 5600
Screenshot of IBM FlashSystem 5600 (rear)
Screenshot of IBM FlashSystem 7600 and 9600
Screenshot of IBM FlashSystem 7600 and 9600 (rear)

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Screenshot of Flash Core Module 5th Gen

Top Performing Features

  • 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

Areas for Improvement

  • 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: 6.9

Pros

  • High performance and low latency for demanding workloads
  • Robust reliability and high availability for continuous operations
  • User-friendly administration for setup, daily operations, and firmware updates

Cons

  • Graphical User Interface (GUI) requires improvements in organization and clarity
  • High initial investment and ongoing licensing costs
  • Complex installation and integration, particularly for troubleshooting

IBM Storage FlashSystem rules

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

IBM Storage Flash System is a robust scalable solution.

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

Fast and highly resilient

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 Review

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

It addresses latency, capacity, and, most importantly, performance.

Pros

  • It works well with Oracle databases and the operating system.

Cons

  • It could be cooled a lot better. It gets very hot.

Return on Investment

  • I would say there’s a great return on investment for this product because of its resiliency, performance, and reduction in latency.

Other Software Used

IBM AIX

Usability

IBM Storage FlashSystem - Smooth Reliable

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

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

Cons

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

Return on Investment

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

Alternatives Considered

Dell PowerMax NVMe

Other Software Used

Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers, Fortinet FortiGate