Unlocking the Future of Mainframe Storage: Exploring IBM DS8000 10th Generation
As businesses scale and their data needs expand, the importance of efficient, high-performance storage becomes critical. At the forefront of this technological evolution is IBM’s DS8000 10th Generation storage system, specifically designed for mainframe environments.
In this blog, I explore the enhancements and features that make the DS8000 10th Generation a game changer for enterprises relying on robust storage solutions.
The DS8000 series, particularly the DS8A series, is a high-end enterprise disk storage subsystem primarily used in mainframe environments. With the DS8000 10th Generation, IBM has significantly improved upon its previous models, particularly in terms of throughput, latency, and cyber resiliency.
Key Enhancements
One of the major advancements in the DS8000 10th Generation is its 2x throughput increase, thanks to the PCIe Gen 4 I/O architecture. This improvement results in 15% faster IOPS and 25% more system bandwidth, ensuring that even the most data-intensive applications run smoothly. This generation also marks the shift from SAS to NVMe technology, which significantly boosts the speed and lowers latency, with response times decreasing to as low as 14–16 microseconds if using zHyperlink.
Additionally, the DS8000 10th Generation introduces flash core modules and two-to-one compression, allowing enterprises to store much more data in a given array or footprint. This will enable organizations to increase the retention period of their safeguarded copies from 7–10 days to potentially 30 days or more. This leap in capacity is crucial for companies dealing with massive volumes of data, especially in industries like finance and insurance.
Cyber Resiliency and Ransomware Protection
Cybersecurity is another focal point of the DS8000 10th Generation, particularly in combating ransomware. IBM’s biggest offering for cyber and ransomware protection is safeguarded copy, which creates immutable copies of data to protect against malicious attacks. With the increased storage capacity and performance of the DS8000 10th Generation, organizations will have the flexibility to store safeguarded copies for extended periods, providing a stronger line of defense against cyber threats.
Why Choose IBM Over Competitors?
While competitors like Hitachi and Dell EMC also offer high-end disk solutions, IBM’s copy services and replication technologies are second to none. The ability to seamlessly manage Metro Mirror and Global Mirror functions sets IBM apart, especially when considering the efficiency of its replication processes. When you’re pushing tons of data… IBM’s Global Mirror can handle high data loads without filling up journals or affecting performance.
IBM also shines in its ease of configuration. Unlike some vendors that charge extra for reconfiguration, IBM provides the DSCLI (command-line interface), which allows users to reconfigure the system themselves at no additional cost. This flexibility, combined with the performance and reliability of IBM’s storage, makes the DS8000 10th Generation an unmatched solution for mainframe customers.
Sizing and Best Practices
For companies looking to upgrade to the DS8000 10th Generation, accurately sizing their storage needs is crucial. The use of IBM Storage Insights, which captures key performance data metrics that can be fed into IBM’s storage modeling tool (Storm). This allows organizations to compare their current systems with the new configuration and ensure that their storage solution is properly sized for future growth.
One of the best practices recommended by Evolving Solutions is to model for failure scenarios. By considering the performance impact of potential subsystem failures, companies can ensure that their new storage system will maintain optimal performance even under duress. Additionally, balancing disk usage across enclosures ensures maximum throughput and avoids overloading specific components.
The Future of Mainframe Storage
The DS8000 10th Generation is a significant leap forward for enterprise storage, offering improvements in speed, capacity, and cybersecurity. For mainframe customers, the enhanced performance and cyber resiliency features make it a compelling option. As businesses continue to face increasing data demands, the DS8000 10th Generation provides a future-proof solution designed to handle the complexities of modern data storage while ensuring security and reliability.
In conclusion, the DS8000 10th Generation isn’t just an upgrade; it’s an essential tool for enterprises that prioritize performance, security, and efficiency in their data storage strategy. With its cutting-edge technology and unmatched copy services, it’s clear why IBM continues to be the leader in mainframe storage solutions.
