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Is your storage adapted to today's environment? IBM system virtualization gives you the flexibility you need to survive in today's unpredictable business environment.

The right storage systems are critical to a flexible, on demand IT infrastructure—and to meeting today's growing compliance demands. To help you attain both objectives, IBM offers a wide range of performance and capacity options for data protection, disaster resiliency and metro and global mirroring. IBM's key advantage? Our disk, tape, and software products work together to exploit synergies—such as virtualization—across IBM systems. The benefit for you: higher performance and availability across heterogeneous servers and applications, at lower cost and with less complexity.

IBM's integrated approach to storage makes it easy for you to add individual products to your infrastructure, or gain maximum advantage through an end-to-end, scalable solution. Our industry and technical experts are available to create an Information Lifecycle Management (ILM) strategy designed specifically for your current and future needs

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Discover IBM's state-of-the-art disk storage technology in the DS8000 enterprise-class, DS4000 midrange-class, and DS3000 entry-level class of disk systems.


DS8000: Setting a new standard

The high-performance, high-capacity IBM System Storage™ DS8000™ series, led by the new DS8000 Turbo models, raises the bar when it comes to scalability, resiliency and total value. The DS8000 series can get you on track for storage consolidation, management and availability:

  • Advanced performance and scalability through IBM POWER5+™ processors, highly efficient cache management, and 4Gb Fibre Channel FICON® connectivity
  • Tiered storage, up to 512TB of physical capacity
  • Enhanced management and availability by using IBM Virtualization Engine™ technology to create logical partitions (LPARs)

IBM DS8000 vs EMC Symmetrix: a closer look

IBM DS8000 vs EMC Symmetrix DMX
FEATURES IBM DS8000 EMC Symmetrix DMX
Asynchronous remote copy design can reduce data loss YES (sends data quickly, reducing data loss) NO (delays sending data, leading to more data loss)
Enterprise Choice warranty for hardware and advanced functions YES NO
Published high performance benchmarks(SPC-1 and SPC-2)[1] YES NO
Better host attachement scalability 128 Fibre Channel
128 FICON
64 ESCON
64 Fibre Channel
48 FICON
64 ESCON
Higher cache space efficiency YES (4KB slots) NO (64KB slots)
Better IBM System i, p, z synergy YES (generally quicker to market with support for new models, OS releases, function) NO (generally delayed support at best)
One-stop shopping for server, disk, tape, software, services and financing YES NO

DS4000: Setting new heights for flexibility and affordability

IBM System Storage DS4000 family offers you a robust portfolio of storage devices, from entry level to high-performance-all flexible, modular and affordable.

  • DS4800 - Highest performance of DS4000 series for business-critical applications and efficient data replication and 2x the performance of EMC CX3-80
  • DS4700 - Exceptional performance value for moderate replication and remote replication requirements
  • DS4200 - Lower-cost, entry-level RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) storage based on SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) disks, for less demanding I/O (Input/Output) such as archiving and imaging

IBM DS4000 vs EMC CLARiiON: a closer look

IBM DS4000 vs EMC CLARiiON
FEATURES IBM DS4000 EMC CLARiiON
Dynamic mode change (Synch to Asynch) for remote mirroring (Global and Metro) YES NO
Multi-pathing software included in base price YES NO
Published high performance ISV and industry standard benchmarks YES NO
Dynamic conversion of entire array groups from any RAID level to any RAID level YES NO
Mix and match disk capacities and types (SATA or Fibre) within the same disk drawer YES NO
Single source for server, disk, tape, software, services, and financing YES NO
Switched disk drive architecture YES NO
Call Home Autonomic Service Calling YES NO
No additional fees for software maintenance YES NO

DS3000: Entry level SAS disk storage for an on-demand world

IBM System Storage DS4000 family offers you a robust portfolio of storage devices, from entry level to high-performance-all flexible, modular and affordable.

  • DS3200 - Lowest cost, SAS direct-attached storage for customers installing their first external disk system
  • DS3300 - Low cost iSCSI attached disk storage
  • DS3400 - Low cost Fibre Channel attached storage ideal for customers installing their first Fibre Channel SAN.

IBM has also provided investment protection for our customers with forward and backward compatibility over 6 years time where in the same period EMC has had 3 incompatible designs. This not only provides the comfort level of compatibility but can also lead to lower lease rates and better trade in values for IBM hardware compared to EMC.


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