Virtual Storage Platform Explained

Virtual Storage Platform (VSP) is the brand name for a Hitachi Data Systems (now Hitachi Vantara) line of computer data storage systems for data centers. This line consists of mid-range and high-end enterprise models with differing capabilities. Currently supported models include: G350, G370, E590, G700, E790, G900 and E1090 for mid-range systems; G1000, G1500 and 5000-series for high-end enterprise systems.

History

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

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

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

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 softwareproducts:^[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]

See also

• HPE XP

Notes and References

1. Web site: Hitachi Data Systems Unveils the World's First 3D Scaling Storage Platform for Unprecedented Cost Savings and Agility . Hitachi Data Systems l . 2010-10-28 . 2010-10-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101024092642/http://www.hds.com/corporate/press-analyst-center/press-releases/2010/gl100927b.html . dead .
2. Web site: Hitachi Data Systems Unveils 3D Scaling Storage Platform . Network Computing . 2010-10-28.
3. Web site: HDS unveils 3D scaling with revamped flagship: the Virtual Storage Platform . the 451 Group . 2010-10-28 . 2010-10-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101008193228/http://www.hds.com/assets/pdf/hitachi-analyst-report-hds-unveils-virtual-storage-platform-impact-report-451.pdf . dead .
4. Web site: Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform Datasheet . Hitachi Data Systems . February 2016 . October 2, 2016 . October 21, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161021121005/https://www.hds.com/assets/pdf/virtual-storage-platform-family-datasheet.pdf . dead .
5. Web site: Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform Overview . Hitachi Data Systems . September 2010 . October 9, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101009033000/http://www.hds.com/assets/pdf/hitachi-overview-virtual-storage-platform.pdf . October 2, 2016 .
6. Web site: Hitachi launches top-end storage array . ZDNet . 2010-11-01.
7. Web site: Virtual Storage Platform Product Page . Hitachi Data Systems l . 2010-10-28.
8. Web site: Hitachi VSP (Virtual Storage Platform) & Command Suite 7– Technology, Comparisons, Architecture . StorageNerve . 2010-11-03.
9. Web site: Hitachi Command Suite Overview . Hitachi Data Systems . 2010-10-28 . 2010-10-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101025002134/http://www.hds.com/assets/pdf/hitachi-overview-command-suite.pdf . dead .
10. Web site: The Evolution of the Data Center and the Role of Virtualized Infrastructure and Unified 3D Management . IDC . 2010-10-29 . 2010-10-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101011121853/http://www.hds.com/assets/pdf/hitachi-virtual-infrastructure-idc.pdf . dead .
11. Web site: Hitachi Command Suite Overview . Hitachi Data Systems . 2010-10-28 . 2010-10-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101025002134/http://www.hds.com/assets/pdf/hitachi-overview-command-suite.pdf . dead .
12. Web site: One Set of Management Tools for All Hitachi Storage Systems . Hitachi Data Systems . 2010-01-22 . 2011-07-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110722174905/http://www.hds.com/products/storage-software/basic-operating-system-software.html?_p=v . dead .
13. Web site: Hitachi Command Suite Overview . Hitachi Data Systems . 2010-10-28 . 2010-10-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101025002134/http://www.hds.com/assets/pdf/hitachi-overview-command-suite.pdf . dead .
14. Web site: Hitachi Data Systems and SMI-S . Hitachi Data Systems l . 2010-03-24 . 2010-01-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100110001204/http://www.hds.com/solutions/storage-strategies/storage-network-industry-association.html . dead .