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Virtual Storage Platform

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Virtual Storage Platform is the brand name for a Hitachi Data Systems line of computer data storage systems for data centers. Model numbers include G200, G400, G600, G800, G1000, G1500 and G5500

History

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Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform, also known as VSP was first introduced in September, 2010.[1] This storage platform builds on the design of Universal Storage Platform V, originally released in 2007.[2]

Architecture

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At the heart of the system is the HiStar E-Network, a network crossbar switch matrix. This storage platform is made up of different technologies than USP and USP V. The connectivity to back-end disks is via 6 Gbit/s SAS links instead of 4 Gbit/s Fibre Channel loop. The internal processors are now Intel multi-core processors, and in addition to 3.5-inch drives support has been added for 2.5 inch small-form factor HDDs. The VSP supports SSD, SAS and SATA drives.[3]

Features included:[4]

  • The ability for growth in three ways:
    • Scale up to meet increasing demands by dynamically adding processors, connectivity and capacity in a single unit. This enables tuning the configuration for optimal performance for both open systems and mainframe environments.
    • Scale out to meet demands by dynamically combining multiple units into a single logical system with shared resources. Support increased needs in virtualized server environments and ensure safe multitenancy and quality of service through partitioning of cache and ports.
    • Scale deep to extend the functions of Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform to multivendor storage through virtualization. Offload less-critical data to external tiers in order to optimize the availability of the tier one resources.
  • Supports automated storage tiering, known as Dynamic Tiering, to automate the movement of data between tiers to optimize performance.
  • Front to back cooling airflow for more efficient cooling
  • Improved capacity per square foot and lower power consumption compared to the USP V.
  • Enables virtualization of external SAN storage from Hitachi and other vendors into one pool
  • Supports online local and distance replication and migration of data nondisruptively internally and between heterogeneous storage, without interrupting application I/O through use of products such as Tiered Storage Manager, ShadowImage, TrueCopy and Universal Replicator.
  • Single image global cache accessible across all virtual storage directors for maximum performance.[5]
  • Automated wide-striping of data, which allows pool balancing and lets volume grow or shrink dynamically.[5]
  • The system can scale between one and six 19-inch rack cabinets. It can hold a maximum of 2,048 SAS high-density 2.5-inch drives for 1.2 petabytes of capacity, or 1,280 3.5-inch SATA drives for a maximum capacity of 2.5 petabytes.[6]
  • Supports thin provisioning and storage reclamation on internal and external virtual storage
  • Provides encryption, WORM and data shredding services, data resilience and business continuity services and content management services.

Specifications

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Virtual Storage Platform specifications in 2010 were:[7][8]

  • Frames (19-inch racks) - Integrated Control Chassis/Disk Chassis Frame (2) and up to 4 optional Disk Chassis Frames
  • HiStar-E Network - Number of grid switches 4 pair (8)
  • Aggregate bandwidth (GB/sec) - 192
  • Aggregate IOPS - 5,600,000
  • Cache Memory
    • Number of data cache adapters (DCA) 2-16
    • Module capacity 2-8 GB
    • Maximum cache memory 1,024 GB
  • Control Memory
    • Number of control memory modules 2-8
    • Module capacity 2-4 GB
    • Maximum control memory 32 GB
  • Front End Directors (Connectivity)
    • Number of Directors 2-24
    • Fibre Channel host ports per Director - 8 or 16
    • Fibre Channel port performance - 2, 4, 8 Gbit/s
    • Maximum Fibre Channel host ports - 192
    • Virtual host ports - 1,024 per physical port
    • Maximum IBM FICON host ports - 192
    • Maximum IBM FCoE host ports - 96
  • Logical Devices (LUNs) — Maximum Supported
    • Open systems 65,536
    • IBM z/OS 65,536
  • Disks
    • Type: Flash 200 GB (2.5"), 400 GB (3.5")
    • Type: SAS 146, 300, 600 GB (2.5")
    • Type: SATA II 2 TB
    • Number of disks per system (max) 2.5" - 2,048; 3.5" - 1,280
    • Number spare disks per system (min-max) 1-256
    • Maximum Internal Raw Capacity - (2 TB disks) 2.52PB
    • RAID 1, 5, 6 support
    • Maximum internal and external capacity 255PB
    • Max. Usable Internal capacity RAID-5 (7D+1P)
      • OPEN-V 2,080.8 TB
      • z/OS 3390M 2,192.2 TB
    • Max. Usable Internal Capacity RAID-6 (6D+2P)
      • OPEN-V 1,879 TB
      • z/OS 3390M 1,779.7 TB
    • Max. Usable Internal Capacity RAID-1+0 (2D+2D)
      • OPEN-V 1,256.6 TB
      • z/OS 3390M 1,190.2 TB
  • Virtual Storage Machines 32 max
  • Back End Directors 2-8
  • Operating System Support
    • Mainframe
      • IBM: z/OS, z/OS.e, OS/390, z/VM, VM/ESA, zVSE, VSE/ESA, MVS/XA, MVS/ESA, TPF, Linux for IBM S/390 and zSeries;
    • Open systems
      • HP: HP-UX, Tru64 UNIX, Open VMS
      • IBM: AIX
      • Microsoft: Windows Server 2000, 2003, 2008
      • Novell: NetWare, SUSE Linux
      • Red Hat: Enterprise Linux
      • Oracle: Solaris
      • VMware: ESX Server

Storage Management

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Hitachi Command Suite (formerly Hitachi Storage Command Suite) provides integrated storage resource management, tiered storage and business continuity software.[9] Hitachi Command Suite employs a use case-driven, step-by-step wizard-based approach that allows administrators to perform tasks such as new volume provisioning, configuration of external storage, and creation/expansion of storage pools easily on the fly.[10]

Hitachi Command Suite is composed of the following software products:[11]

  • Hitachi Basic Operating System[12]
    • Hitachi Dynamic Provisioning
    • Hitachi Device Manager
    • Hitachi Dynamic Link Manager Advanced
  • Hitachi Basic Operating System V[13]
    • Hitachi Universal Volume Manager
  • Hitachi Dynamic Tiering
  • Hitachi Command Director
  • Hitachi Storage Capacity Reporter, powered by APTARE
  • Hitachi Tiered Storage Manager
  • Hitachi Tuning Manager
  • Hitachi Virtual Server Reporter, powered by APTARE

Hitachi Command Suite also supports management interfaces such as SNMP and SMI-S.[14]

References

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  1. ^ "Hitachi Data Systems Unveils the World's First 3D Scaling Storage Platform for Unprecedented Cost Savings and Agility". Hitachi Data Systems l. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
  2. ^ "Hitachi Data Systems Unveils 3D Scaling Storage Platform". Network Computing. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
  3. ^ "HDS unveils 3D scaling with revamped flagship: the Virtual Storage Platform" (PDF). the 451 Group. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
  4. ^ "Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform Datasheet" (PDF). Hitachi Data Systems. February 2016. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform Overview" (PDF). Hitachi Data Systems. September 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 9, 2010. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  6. ^ "Hitachi launches top-end storage array". ZDNet. Retrieved 2010-11-01.
  7. ^ "Virtual Storage Platform Product Page". Hitachi Data Systems l. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
  8. ^ "Hitachi VSP (Virtual Storage Platform) & Command Suite 7– Technology, Comparisons, Architecture". StorageNerve. Retrieved 2010-11-03.
  9. ^ "Hitachi Command Suite Overview" (PDF). Hitachi Data Systems. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
  10. ^ "The Evolution of the Data Center and the Role of Virtualized Infrastructure and Unified 3D Management" (PDF). IDC. Retrieved 2010-10-29.
  11. ^ "Hitachi Command Suite Overview" (PDF). Hitachi Data Systems. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
  12. ^ "One Set of Management Tools for All Hitachi Storage Systems". Hitachi Data Systems. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
  13. ^ "Hitachi Command Suite Overview" (PDF). Hitachi Data Systems. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
  14. ^ "Hitachi Data Systems and SMI-S". Hitachi Data Systems l. Retrieved 2010-03-24.