This IBM® Redbooks® publication describes the concepts, architecture, and implementation of the IBM System Storage® DS8700 storage subsystem.

This book has reference information that will help you plan for, install, and configure the DS8700 and also discusses the architecture and components.

The DS8700 is the most advanced model in the IBM System Storage DS8000® series. It includes IBM POWER6®-based controllers, with a dual 2-way or dual 4-way processor complex implementation. Its extended connectivity, with up to 128 Fibre Channel/FICON® ports for host connections, make it suitable for multiple server environments in both open systems and IBM System z® environments. If desired, the DS8700 can be integrated in an LDAP infrastructure.

The DS8700 supports thin provisioning. Depending on your specific needs, the DS8700 storage subsystem can be equipped with SATA drives, FC drives, and Solid® State Drives (SSDs). The DS8700 can now automatically optimize the use of SSD drives through its no charge Easy Tier feature. The DS8700 also supports Full Disk Encryption (FDE) feature.

Its switched Fibre Channel architecture, dual processor complex implementation, high availability design, and the advanced Point-in-Time Copy and Remote Mirror and Copy functions that incorporates make the DS8700 storage subsystem suitable for mission-critical business functions.

Part 1. Concepts and architecture

Chapter 1. Introduction to the IBM System Storage DS8700 series

Chapter 2. IBM System Storage DS8700 models

Chapter 3. Hardware components and architecture

Chapter 4. Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability on the IBM System Storage DS8700 series

Chapter 5. Virtualization concepts

Chapter 6. IBM System Storage DS8700 Copy Services overview

Chapter 7. Performance

Part 2. Planning and installation

Chapter 8. Physical planning and installation

Chapter 9. Hardware Management Console planning and setup

Chapter 10. IBM System Storage DS8700 features and license keys

Part 3. Storage configuration

Chapter 11. Configuration flow

Chapter 12. System Storage Productivity Center

Chapter 13. Configuration using the DS Storage Manager GUI

Chapter 14. Configuration with the DS Command-Line Interface

Part 4. Host considerations

Chapter 15. Open systems considerations

Chapter 16. IBM System z considerations

Chapter 17. IBM System i considerations

Part 5. Maintenance and upgrades

Chapter 18. Licensed machine code

Chapter 19. Monitoring with Simple Network Management Protocol

Chapter 20. Remote support

Chapter 21. Capacity upgrades and Capacity on Demand

Appendix A. Tools and service offerings