FlashSystem 900 Product Guide
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Scalable configurations
FlashSystem 900 can scale usable capacity from as low as 2.4 TB to as high as 57 TB in its compact 2U
enclosure. With FlashSystem 900, many granular capacity points are possible due to the three choices in
IBM MicroLatency module capacity: 1.2 TB, 2.9 TB, and 5.7 TB. IBM MicroLatency modules can be added
so that IT personnel can expand capacity to support changing needs for organizations and enterprises of
all sizes. However, capacity expansion does require reformat of existing RAID 5 arrays to include the new
IBM MicroLatency modules.
FlashSystem 900 supports the RAID 5 configurations with the latest capacity points as listed in Table 7.
Table 7. Supported FlashSystem RAID 5 configurations with latest FlashSystem 900 capacity points
Capacity Selection (in TB)
FlashSystem 900 IBM MicroLatency Modules
2.4
4 X 1.2 TB
4.8
6 X 1.2 TB
7.2
8 X 1.2 TB
9.6
10 X 1.2 TB
12
12 X 1.2 TB
11.6
6 X 2.9 TB
17.4
8 X 2.9 TB
23.2
10 X 2.9 TB
29
12 X 2.9 TB
22.8
6 X 5.7 TB
34.2
8 X 5.7 TB
45.6
10 X 5.7 TB
57
12 X 5.7 TB
RAID 5 configurations provide a high degree of redundancy with Variable Stripe RAID and RAID 5
protection.
RAID 5 data protection includes one IBM MicroLatency module dedicated as parity and another as a
dedicated hot spare. Maximum capacity utilization for RAID 5 is provided using 12 IBM MicroLatency
modules.
Depending on your needs, and if capacity expansion is expected over time, consider initial RAID 5
configurations with 12 IBM MicroLatency modules which provides the least capacity penalty for RAID 5
protection.
Note: Different IBM MicroLatency module sizes cannot be intermixed in the same IBM FlashSystem 900
chassis.
