System Storage DS3500 Express

Highlights

• 6 Gbps SAS systems deliver midrange performance and scalability at entry-level prices
• Data consolidation to ensure data availability and efficiency
• Energy saving implementations for cost savings
• Management expertise built into an intuitive and powerful storage management software
• Investment protection and cost-effective backup and recovery with remote mirror across FC and compatibility with DS5000 and DS4000
• Mixed host interfaces support enables DAS and SAN tiering reducing overall operation and acquisition costs
• Full Disk Encryption with local key management provides relentless data security

IBM has combined best-of-breed development with leading 6 Gbps host interface and drive technology in the IBM System Storage DS3500 Express. With its simple, efficient and flexible approach to storage, the DS3500 is a cost-effective, fully integrated complement to System x servers, BladeCenter and Power Systems. Offering substantial improvements at a price that will fit most budgets, the DS3500 delivers superior price to performance ratios, functionality, scalability and ease of use for the entry-level storage user.

DS3500 Express is designed to offer:

• Scalability to midrange performance and features starting at entry-level prices
• Efficiency to help reduce annual energy expenditures and environmental footprint
• Simplicity that does not sacrifice control with the perfect combination of robustness and ease of use

Product features

• Next-generation 6 Gbps SAS systems deliver midrange performance and scalability at entry-level prices
• Data consolidation to ensure data availability and efficiencies across the organization
• Energy saving implementations for cost savings today and tomorrow
• Management expertise built into an intuitive and powerful storage management software
• Investment protection and cost-effective backup and recovery with remote mirror across FC host ports and compatibility with DS5000 and DS4000
• Mixed host interfaces support enables DAS and SAN tiering reducing overall operation and acquisition costs
• Relentless data security with local key management of full drive encryption drives
• Drive and expansion enclosure intermix cost-effectively meets all application, rack and energy efficiency requirements
• DS Storage Manager software
  • Partitioning
  • FlashCopy
  • Volume Copy
  • Remote Mirroring via FC host ports

Hardware summary

• Dual active , hot-swappable controllers
• Three interface optionsSAS, iSCSI/SAS, FC/SAS
  • Four or eight 6 Gbps SAS ports
  • Eight 8 Gbps FC ports and four 6 Gbps SAS ports
  • Eight 1 Gbps iSCSI ports and four 6 Gbps SAS ports
• Two 6 Gbps SAS drive expansion ports
• Up to 96 driveshigh performance and nearline (NL) SAS, and SED SAS drives
• EXP3512 (2U 12 3.5-in drive) and EXP3524 (3U 24 2.5-in drives) enclosures
  • Enclosures can be intermixed behind a controller
• 1 GB cache per controller with 2 GB upgrade
  • Mirrored, battery-backed, destaged to flash
• Power/cooling module that house power supplies, redundant cooling fans
• All primary components are hot-swappable CRUs and can be easily accessed and removed or replaced