System overview

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FlashSystem 5200 is an NVMe storage option for entry-level enterprises that need compact and powerful storage.

Part of the FlashSystem family, the FlashSystem 5200 unifies data management across the core, cloud and edge, and is designed in a revolutionary 1U form factor. This configuration results in high speeds, robust density, and numerous scale-up and scale-out options. .

Figure 1. Front view of the control enclosure
Front view of the control enclosure
Table 1. FlashSystem 5200 Models
Machine Type - Model Description Minimum Software Level
4662-6H2 FlashSystem 5200 controller with Expert Care 8.4.0
4662-UH6 FlashSystem 5200controller with Expert Care - Utility mode 8.4.0
4662-24G 2U24 SAS Expansion enclosure with Expert Care 8.4.0
4662-12G 2U12 SAS Expansion enclosure with Expert Care 8.4.0
4662-92G 5U92 SAS Expansion enclosure with Expert Care 8.4.0
Figure 2. Rear view of the control enclosure, showing the node canisters
Rear view of the control enclosure, showing the node canisters

IBM Storage Virtualize software

FlashSystem 5200 runs IBM® Storage Virtualize which provides the following functions for the host systems that attach to the system:
  • A single pool of storage
  • Logical unit virtualization
  • Management of logical volumes
The software also provides the following functions:
  • Replication:
    • Simplify data management by automating configuration tasks.
    • Ensure seamless continuity while maintaining high throughput and low latency to applications.
  • Data reduction:
  • Ransomware threat detection enhanced with FlashCore Module 4 computational storage assists.
  • High-performance Distributed RAID for redundancy and fast rebuild
  • Large scalable cache
  • Easy to use management and automation that is consistent across the Storage Virtualize portfolio, including RestAPI, Ansible Playbooks, CSI integration, VMWare integration, and a modern Graphical User Interface (GUI).

For more information on IBM Storage Virtualize software, see the relevant IBM Documentation.

Note that some software features are subject to limits on this platform.

Control Enclosure

FlashSystem 5200 comprises a 1 Rack-Unit (1U) Control enclosure, which contains:
  • 12 slots for NVMe Flash devices (front)
  • Two Node Canisters
  • Two Power Supplies.

The system can be expanded with the addition of SAS-based Expansion Enclosures.

NVMe Flash Devices

FlashSystem 5200 supports the use of IBM FlashCore Modules, with inbuilt hardware compression and computational storage assists. The system also supports the use of Industry-Standard Flash Drives.
Note: Only drives that are sold as system options are supported.

Highly Available Architecture

FlashSystem 5200 implements an Active-Active architecture, with the two Node Canisters forming a redundant I/O Group. Because data volumes are served by both node canisters, the volume remains available if one node canister fails or is taken offline.

Node canisters contain the systems CPUs, memory, backup batteries, and Network Attachment adapters.

Flexible Network Attachment

FlashSystem 5200 supports a range of Network Attachment adapter features.

The following adapter types are supported by the system:
Table 2. Adapter types
Adapter Type Protocols supported Minimum or maximum per node canister Minimum software level
Dual-port 32 Gbps Fibre Channel SCSI, FC-NVMe 0 - 2 8.4.0
Quad-port 16 Gbps Fibre Channel SCSI, FC-NVMe 0 - 2 8.4.0
Dual-port 25 Gbps Ethernet (RoCE) iSCSI, NVMe-OF 0 - 2

8.4.0

8.5.0
Dual-port 25 Gbps Ethernet (iWARP) iSCSI, replication 0 - 2 8.5.0
Quad-port 10 Gbps Ethernet iSCSI, replication

0 - 1

0 - 2

8.4.0

8.6.0
Quad-port 12 Gbps SAS Host attach SAS (Host attach) 0 - 1 8.4.0
Dual-port 12 Gbps SAS Expansion SAS (expansion) 0 - 1 8.4.0

Enterprise Warranty and Services

FlashSystem 5200 is available with IBM Storage Expert Care, with several levels of support to suit different deployment models. Refer to IBM Enterprise Support and Preferred Care options for more information.

System components

For more details on the different components of the system, see the following pages: