IBM to unveil storage system

system to be released since 2008, reports eWeek.

IBM XIV Storage System Gen.3, which uses a patented grid architecture to process high-transaction-type workloads, features several hardware improvements, a revamped user interface, multi-system monitoring, and improved replication, among others.

According to the CIO, IBM claims the new IBM XIV Storage System is up to four times faster than the previous Gen.2 model and features improved management software that makes it easier to use, allowing XIV to support more workloads for a broader set of enterprises.

With this release, IBM moves from Intel Nehalem processors to the latest Westmere chips. It also upgraded from a gigabit Ethernet backbone to an InfiniBand interconnect and moved from 4Gbit/sec Fibre Channel to 8Gbit/sec Fibre Channel (FC) front-end ports.

ComputerWorld reports that each XIV Gen.3 system has two InfiniBand switches with redundant inter-module connectivity for 600Gbit/sec total internal bandwidth. IBM also increased the number of iSCSI ports from six to 22.