Hitachi Unified Storage VM, Product Overview Manual

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System overview
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Hitachi Unified Storage VM Product Overview Guide
Block module storage system
This section briefly describes the Unified Storage VM block module storage
system.
Overview
Hitachi Unified Storage VM block module storage systems contain new
technology that was not available in previous Hitachi Data Systems storage
systems. This technology is used to create a smaller, more efficient, cooler
running controller than the VSP controller, while using the same high speed
architecture.
Hitachi Unified Storage VM is based on a new block storage system powered
by a storage virtualization controller connected to the data drives and the
host servers. Its dual node, shared resource architecture creates a
redundant configuration in which the storage system can continue operation
should a component failure occur. Main components can be added,
removed, and replaced without shutting down a device and while the
storage system is in operation. The microcode can also be upgraded without
shutting down the storage system. A service processor that monitors the
operational status of the storage system is mounted in the controller
chassis. Connecting the service process with a Hitachi service center
enables remote maintenance.
The system can be configured starting with a single diskless system up to a
large, three-rack system that includes up to 1,152 HDD drives including up
to 128 SSD drives and up to 96 flash module drives, and a total of 256 GB
cache. The system provides a highly granular upgrade path allowing the
addition of file modules or data drives to the drive chassis in an existing
system as storage needs increase, all mounted in standard 19-inch racks.
A basic Unified Storage VM storage system consists of a controller chassis
and either no drives or one or more drive boxes that contain the hard disk
drives or solid state drives. Unified Storage VM supports multiple concurrent
operating systems to create a heterogeneous system environment.
Features
This section describes the main features of the Unified Storage VM block
module storage system.
Scalability
The Unified Storage VM storage system is highly scalable and can be
configured in several ways as needed to meet customer requirements.
• The minimum configuration is a single rack containing one controller
chassis in a diskless configuration.
• A single rack containing one controller chassis and up to seven dense
drive boxes or 16 standard drive boxes, or a combination of the two.
• The maximum configuration is a system that contains one controller
chassis and a combination of drive boxes containing a maximum of
1,152 drives, including 2-1/2 inch and 3-1/2 inch HDD or SSD drives,