New IBM Storage System Designed to Handle AI Data
A look at IBM storage announcements and an update on IBM Champions, with Rob McNelly
IBM just unveiled a new storage system:
“IBM Storage FlashSystem C200 is a virtualized, software-defined, high-capacity and energy-efficient storage solution designed for applications that don’t require ultra-low latency but can benefit from significant performance improvements over disk solutions and considerable operating cost savings. Packaged in a 2U form factor, it includes twenty-four 46TB raw FlashCore Module NVMe drives providing 1.1PB raw and up to 2.3PB effective storage capacity.”
The C200 is designed to provide non-disruptive migration for high-capacity workloads, as noted in this description. It’s capable of scaling hundreds of devices, which is especially significant now that AI data figures prominently into the challenge of meeting data storage requirements.
More From IBM Storage
They’re busy at IBM Storage. Check out the latest version of IBM Storage Virtualize:
“IBM Storage Virtualize 8.7.3 delivers additional features and updates to the IBM Storage Virtualize family of products, including IBM FlashSystem and SVC…
“FlashSystems grid is a scalable storage architecture with federated management comprising of multiple FlashSystem or SVC devices with the ability to virtualize external storage systems. Using Storage Partitions, FlashSystems grid automates storage operations reducing the cost and effort of management. With AI and predictive analytics powered by Storage Insights, FlashSystems grid optimizes workloads for capacity and performance.
“These updates provide automation and native management for non-disruptive partition migration and coordinated highly available (HA) snapshots.”
If you’re unfamiliar with FlashSystems grid, this post from late 2024 summarizes the solution and its capabilities.
I can certainly appreciate these enhancements, along with the ease of use of the storage interfaces (GUI and CLI). When it comes to allocating LUNs and attaching hosts to the SAN, setting up HA/DR for my storage subsystems is simpler now. Configuring storage replication is also simpler, which is another nice step forward. In addition, I appreciate the capability to log into my FlashSystem grid “single pane of glass” and from there, launch the dashboards of any of the storage subsystems I’m managing. It’s far less cumbersome compared to logging into each SAN in turn.
Introducing New IBM Champions
Do I ever tire of being an IBM Champion, or hearing about IBM Champions? No, I do not:
“More than 1400 new and returning advocates were invited to become 2025 IBM Champions based on their expertise, contributions, and thought leadership. Throughout 2024, these individuals built a portfolio of advocacy as they completed thousands of activities and contributed hours of their time to code, to content, to community, to mentoring and teaching, to feedback, to user groups, and to events over the last year, beyond the scope of their jobs. We’re now pleased and proud to introduce them to you through our new IBM Champions directory and enhanced website.”
Here, by the way, is my page.
One particular benefit of being a Champion is getting access to lab and demo equipment. I recently had the opportunity to work with yet-to-be-released new systems. Getting this hands-on time with products and software is beyond cool, since I might not get a chance to use this stuff in my day-to-day work. It’s much easier to talk to clients about things I actually have experience with as opposed to things I’ve only read about (though I certainly do that as well).
In addition—and I’ve mentioned this before—I’ve gotten to know other IBM Champions through our Slack channel. And that’s not just an occasion to chitchat; we ask questions and get answers from one another. I’m truly privileged to be part of this group.
A Significant HMC Development
Here’s something I recently learned of on Champions Slack. Per this recent update from IBM Support, HMC Model 7063-CR1 no longer supports management of Power server models beyond Power10. However, other HMC solutions continue to support Power server models beyond Power10, including the CR2 HMC HW Appliance (7063-CR2) and the virtual HMC (vHMC).
Keep this in mind when planning for new systems in the future.
chdev Command Issue, HMC GUI Error
From IBM Support: Why does the chdev command to add a static route fail with the error “0821-228 chgif: Bad attribute(s) or attribute value(s): route?
“The chdev fails because ‘route’ is an invalid attribute for the interface. The correct syntax to add a route is as below.
“# chdev -l inet0 -a route=net,-netmask,255.0.0.0,-static,5.0.0.0,5.26.0.130
inet0 changed
“…To delete the route, use following syntax.
“# chdev -l inet0 -a delroute=net,-netmask,255.0.0.0,-static,5.0.0.0,5.26.0.130
inet0 changed
“The route command also adds the route, but it doesn’t write to the ODM. Hence, unlike the chdev command, the change will not survive the reboot.
“# route add -net 5.0.0.0 -netmask 255.0.0.0 5.26.0.130
5.26.0.130 net 5.0.0.0: gateway 5.26.0.130”
Also a timely tip from IBM Support, as someone I worked with had recently encountered this issue: HMC GUI query fails for VIOS partition.
“Symptom: Unable to connect to the database.
Error occurred while querying for PhysicalVolume from VIOS with ID <LPAR ID> in System <Type-Model*SerialNumber> – Error Getting Attribute List Attr
“Cause: HMC events are no longer in sync with VIOS CMDB
“…Resolving The Problem: Rebuild VIOS CMDB by running rebuild_cmdb_sequence.sh script available for download.
“Transfer script to VIOS’s /home/padmin directory.
As padmin, run:
“$ oem_stup_env
# chmod +x rebuild_cmdb_sequence.sh To make script executable
# ./rebuild_cmdb_sequence.sh To execute
“Then, retry the HMC query to the VIOS.”
On Another, Final Note
This video made me wonder about how I consume media. It may be because I am old, but I find myself looking at sites via bookmarks as opposed to being fed sites via an algorithm. Or maybe I’ve been blindly led down a path without realizing it. In any case, it’s worth stepping back and thinking about how and where we spend our time online.