Yesterday I attended an IBM technical overview of their latest mid-range storage product the Storwize V7000 and I must admit I'm rather taken with it!

Imagine your favourite parts of the IBM Storage portfolio packaged into one:

Be aware that unlike like IBM System Storage DS4000 series range, the cache batteries within the IBM System Storage DS3000 series Subsystems (including DS3200, DS3300 and DS3400) are not covered under IBM warranty. This means that when they fail a replacement part must be purchased even if the unit is under standard or uplifted warranty.

IBM state in Retain Tip H194543 that "the battery is designed to have a life expectancy of two (2) years and to maintain the data in cache for up to three (3) days in the event of a power outage".

The replacement part can be requested from your IBM Sales Representative or an IBM Business Partner such as Centiq. The part required is:
DS3000 System Memory Cache Battery, Option 39R6519

Retain Tip H194543 also recommends that users upgrade the subsystem controller firmware to 07.35.41.00 or later to benefit from the Smart Battery Learn Cycle technology which monitors battery life and will override the "Battery Nearing Expiration" warning if it determines that the battery is still in good order.

Note that in order to calculate battery life, the "Smart Battery Learn Cycle" performs a discharge and charge every 13 weeks during which time write cache will be suspended and this could impact on the performance of the system. This Smart battery feature can be disabled if preferred.

*A small set of batteries may not support this Smart battery technology - see the Retain Tip for more information*

For more information contact Emily on 0115 951 9666 or visit the Centiq website, Nottinghams Premier IT Specialists company.

IBM have released a new ESM and hard drive firmware package for the ESMs of the IBM DS Storage Subsystem range.

The new firmware bundle version 1.63 is an update to the previous version 1.62 and can be downloaded from the following link: