Modernizing Your IT Infrastructure with IBM b-type Gen 6 Storage Networking and IBM Spectrum Storage Products

Modernizing Your IT Infrastructure with IBM b-type Gen 6 Storage Networking and IBM Spectrum Storage Products

by Simone Bosisio, Lee Cockrell, Steve Guendert, Abilio Oliveira, Rodrigo Jungi Suzuki
Released February 2018
Publisher(s): IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 9780738442938

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Book description

Abstract

This IBM® Redbooks® publication describes the challenge that most data centers face when updating and modernizing their IT infrastructure.

New business demands are driving new applications, joining, and creating in the digital world. A rich, meaningful digital experience is the key to effective engagement in today’s integrated digital world. Companies are able to customize digital experiences for their employees with personalized, targeted content for fully connecting with customers, co-workers, and business partners in the most powerful and productive ways.

To achieve this, a robust infrastructure is required. Speed of access to data is one of the most important factors. The development of the flash storage devices helped with the insatiable desire for data access speed, but even that is not enough for the most demanding uses. The needs of SAN switches, servers, and software defined infrastructure (SDI) technologies are all requiring more; therefore, the bigger picture needs to be wholly analyzed to build a balanced ecosystem.

This publication can help you with planning for growth in your IT infrastructure. This publication explores the concept of modernization and considers important aspects of IT, such as SAN switches, storage systems, and software defined storage.

Table of contents

  1. Front cover
  2. Notices
    1. Trademarks
  3. Preface
    1. Authors
    2. Future contributors welcome
    3. Comments welcome
    4. Stay connected to IBM Redbooks
  4. Chapter 1. Introduction
    1. 1.1 Today’s data center
    2. 1.2 Data center component evolution
    3. 1.3 SAN infrastructure in the data center
    4. 1.4 Network monitoring
  5. Chapter 2. Product introduction
    1. 2.1 IBM b-type Gen 6 storage
      1. 2.1.1 IBM b-type Gen 6 Fibre Channel
      2. 2.1.2 Product Overview
      3. 2.1.3 Fabric OS features
      4. 2.1.4 Fabric Vision technology
      5. 2.1.5 SAN IBM b-type family and name convention
    2. 2.2 IBM DS8000 family
      1. 2.2.1 Overview of the product
      2. 2.2.2 IBM DS8000 models and expansions
      3. 2.2.3 Supported environments
    3. 2.3 IBM Flash Storage
      1. 2.3.1 The right flash for the right task
      2. 2.3.2 3D NAND technology
      3. 2.3.3 IBM FlashCore technology
      4. 2.3.4 IBM FlashSystem 900 model AE3
    4. 2.4 IBM Spectrum Storage software-defined family
      1. 2.4.1 IBM Spectrum Virtualize
  6. Chapter 3. Cloud impact in the modern data center
    1. 3.1 Cloud computing key characteristics
    2. 3.2 Cloud computing service models
      1. 3.2.1 Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)
      2. 3.2.2 Platform as a service (PaaS)
      3. 3.2.3 Software as a service (SaaS)
    3. 3.3 Cloud computing delivery models
      1. 3.3.1 Public cloud
      2. 3.3.2 Private cloud
      3. 3.3.3 Community cloud
    4. 3.4 Cloud storage use cases
      1. 3.4.1 External storage virtualization
      2. 3.4.2 Boosting the backup performance
      3. 3.4.3 Backup repository
    5. 3.5 Connectivity impact
      1. 3.5.1 Fibre Channel (FC)
      2. 3.5.2 Internet Small Computer Systems Interface (iSCSI)
      3. 3.5.3 Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE)
      4. 3.5.4 Determine SAN requirements
    6. 3.6 Software-defined storage (SDS)
      1. 3.6.1 Defining SDS
      2. 3.6.2 Components in the control plane and data plane
  7. Chapter 4. Storage network modernization
    1. 4.1 Modernizing SAN infrastructures is essential
      1. 4.1.1 Critical capabilities in a storage architecture
    2. 4.2 Basic preferred practices for SAN design and RAS
      1. 4.2.1 Architecting a SAN
      2. 4.2.2 Developing technical specifications
      3. 4.2.3 Zoning
      4. 4.2.4 Predeployment cabling and optics validation
      5. 4.2.5 Monitoring, troubleshooting and optimization
      6. 4.2.6 Summary of SAN Design and implementation preferred practices
    3. 4.3 When, where, and how to use b-type products
      1. 4.3.1 The differences between Gen 5 and Gen 6
      2. 4.3.2 Importance of Gen 6
      3. 4.3.3 NVMe over Fibre Channel
    4. 4.4 When, where and how to use Fabric Vision features
      1. 4.4.1 Fabric Vision tools overview
      2. 4.4.2 Before, during, and after the modernization effort
      3. 4.4.3 Help ensure highest availability, performance, and visibility
    5. 4.5 Preferred practices, high level steps, and products formodernizing storage networks
    6. 4.6 Providing guidance for modernizing your storage network
      1. 4.6.1 Deciding when to upgrade SAN
      2. 4.6.2 When and where to add new switches in regards to legacy equipment
      3. 4.6.3 Modernize without disruption
      4. 4.6.4 How to ensure low latency apps and flash are in optimum position
      5. 4.6.5 SAN assessment using various tools
      6. 4.6.6 Troubleshooting
      7. 4.6.7 Tools to use to streamline the process
  8. Chapter 5. Modernizing IBM Z storage networking
    1. 5.1 Gen 6 technology with IBM Z
      1. 5.1.1 Gen 6 highlights
      2. 5.1.2 Speed, scale, and performance
      3. 5.1.3 Autonomics and Integrity
    2. 5.2 Gen 6 Fibre Channel (FICON) performance benefits for IBM Z and Flash Storage
      1. 5.2.1 Improved performance
      2. 5.2.2 Improved VM support
      3. 5.2.3 NVMe over fabrics
    3. 5.3 Trends in storage array internal architecture
    4. 5.4 Trends and directions in mainframe to storage connectivity
    5. 5.5 Summary
  9. Related publications
    1. IBM Redbooks
    2. Online resources
    3. Help from IBM
  10. Back cover

Product information

  • Title: Modernizing Your IT Infrastructure with IBM b-type Gen 6 Storage Networking and IBM Spectrum Storage Products
  • Author(s): Simone Bosisio, Lee Cockrell, Steve Guendert, Abilio Oliveira, Rodrigo Jungi Suzuki
  • Release date: February 2018
  • Publisher(s): IBM Redbooks
  • ISBN: 9780738442938