IBM Power Storage and FlashSystem FAQ
Answers to common questions about IBM Power storage options, including internal DASD, external SAN attachment, and IBM FlashSystem with FlashCore Modules.
1. What storage options does an AS400/IBM i shop have?
AS400/IBM i environments typically use internal DASD (Direct Access Storage Device) drives housed in the server itself, and can also attach external SAN storage, including IBM FlashSystem arrays, once internal capacity or performance is exhausted or storage is being consolidated across platforms.
2. Is IBM FlashSystem storage the same as my AS400's internal DASD?
No. Internal DASD sits inside your AS400/Power server chassis. IBM FlashSystem is a separate, external storage array that connects over a storage area network (SAN) through a Fibre Channel host adapter. They are two different storage paths and are evaluated separately.
3. Does a FlashCore Module install inside my AS400 or Power server?
No. FlashCore Modules are installed inside external IBM FlashSystem arrays, not inside the AS400 or Power server chassis. Your IBM i partition reaches them over SAN through a Fibre Channel host adapter, the same way it would reach any other external SAN storage.
4. How do I know which FlashCore Module generation and part number I need?
Start with the FlashCore Module generation (FCM1 through FCM4) already installed or being quoted, and the usable capacity required (4.8 TB to 38.4 TB). From there, confirm the exact IBM part number and feature code against the specific FlashSystem model, since the same capacity within a generation can carry more than one valid part number depending on the array's configuration.
5. When does external SAN storage come up in an AS400/IBM i modernization project?
External SAN storage, including IBM FlashSystem, usually comes up during a Power hardware refresh when internal DASD capacity or performance is running out, or when an organization wants to consolidate IBM i storage onto shared infrastructure that also serves AIX, Linux, or Windows systems.