IBM ADS8 38.4TB NVMe FlashCore Module for IBM FlashSystem

IBM ADS8 38.4TB NVMe FlashCore Module 2 FCM2 02YC419 03GH472

The IBM ADS8 is the IBM FlashSystem 7200 feature code for IBM's 38.4TB NVMe FlashCore Module 2 (FCM2). The IBM ADS8 38.4TB NVMe FlashCore Module has 02YC419 and 03GH472 part numbers, and delivers 38.4TB usable and 87.96TB effective capacity. The IBM ADS8 38.4TB NVMe FlashCore Module feature is for the IBM FS7200 FlashSystems 2076-824 and 2076-U7C control enclosures and 4664-824 and 4664-U7C IBM FlashSystems. The same IBM 38.4TB FlashCore Module FCM2 product is supported on other IBM FlashSystem models with IBM AES8 for FlashSystem IBM FS5100 2078-4H4 and 2077-4H4, IBM AGS8 for FlashSystem IBM FS5200 4662-6H2, IBM ADS8 for FlashSystem IBM FS7200 4664-824 and 2076-824, and the IBM AHS8 for FlashSystem IBM FS9200 control enclosures 9848-AG8 and 9848-UG8 systems. Although these NVMe FlashCore Modules are identical, the feature codes identify the configurable option for a particular FlashSystem machine family.

IBM ADS8 38.4TB FCM2 Specifications

What Is the IBM ADS8 FlashCore Module?

The IBM ADS8 is not simply a conventional 38.4TB enterprise NVMe SSD. It belongs to IBM's second-generation FlashCore Module 2 architecture. IBM FlashCore Modules combine high-speed NAND flash, the NVMe protocol, IBM-developed flash management and hardware-accelerated data services within the storage device. FCM2 uses a PCIe Gen 3 U.2 interface and provides high throughput and IOPS with predictable low latency.

Major ADS8 capabilities include:

• 38.4TB usable FlashCore capacity per module.
• 87.96TB IBM published effective capacity based on IBM data-reduction assumptions.
• NVMe PCIe Gen 3 U.2 interface.
• Hardware-based inline data compression.
• Self-encrypting storage technology.
• T10-DIF data-integrity protection.
• IBM FlashCore advanced flash-management technology.
• Integration with IBM Storage Virtualize.
• Support for IBM Distributed RAID configurations.
• Front-accessible 2.5-inch FlashCore Module design.

IBM ADS8 Hardware-Based Compression

One of the primary advantages of an IBM FlashCore Module over a conventional enterprise NVMe SSD is the integration of hardware-based inline compression directly into the FlashCore architecture.

The FCM performs compression internally instead of requiring all compression processing to be performed by the FlashSystem node processors. This helps preserve controller resources for host I/O, replication, snapshots, virtualization and other IBM Storage Virtualize services.

IBM documents the 38.4TB FCM2 as providing 38.4TB usable capacity and 87.96TB effective capacity. Effective capacity is based on data reduction and is not guaranteed physical or RAID-usable capacity. Actual results depend on the compressibility of the stored workload.

IBM ADS8 Supported FlashSystem 7200 Models

The ADS8 feature code applies to IBM FlashSystem 7200. IBM documents both the original 2076 machine type and the later 4664 Expert Care machine type.

The FlashSystem 7200 control enclosure contains 24 front-accessible NVMe drive positions. ADS8 FlashCore Modules install in these internal NVMe positions.

2076-ADS8 and 4664-ADS8

IBM's machine-type transition to Expert Care resulted in two useful ordering references for this feature:

• 2076-ADS8 – ADS8 configured for the original 2076 FlashSystem 7200 family.
• 4664-ADS8 – ADS8 configured for the 4664 FlashSystem 7200 Expert Care family.

These identifiers should not be interpreted as different-capacity FlashCore Modules. Both identify the 38.4TB FCM2 option in their applicable FlashSystem 7200 ordering context.

IBM ADS8, AES8, AGS8 and AHS8 Feature Code Relationship

IBM uses machine-specific feature codes for the same capacity and generation of FlashCore Module. The 38.4TB second-generation FlashCore Module therefore appears under several feature-code designations across the FlashSystem portfolio.

Important: AES8, AGS8, ADS8 and AHS8 should be understood as machine-specific IBM feature designations associated with the 38.4TB FCM2 hardware family. They should not be treated as universally interchangeable IBM ordering feature codes.

For service and replacement purposes, the physical FRU, target machine type/model, FlashCore generation, firmware and IBM Storage Virtualize level should be verified.

IBM 02YC419 and 03GH472 Part Numbers

IBM documentation provides strong support for two part numbers associated with the 38.4TB second-generation FlashCore Module.

For this reason, 02YC419 should be treated as a primary IBM service FRU for the 38.4TB FCM2 hardware, while 03GH472 is another IBM-documented 38.4TB FCM2 part number.

Feature Code vs. FRU: Why the Difference Matters

The IBM feature code and service part number have different purposes.

ADS8 identifies the 38.4TB FCM2 as a configurable feature in the FlashSystem 7200 machine family.

AES8, AGS8 and AHS8 identify corresponding 38.4TB FCM2 configuration options for other applicable IBM FlashSystem machine families.

02YC419 and 03GH472, by contrast, identify physical FCM2 hardware documented by IBM.

This distinction is particularly important when sourcing used, replacement or service hardware. A module removed from a system configured under one feature code may carry a physical FRU also documented for another FlashSystem family.

38.4TB FCM2 Cross-Platform Compatibility Matrix

This table distinguishes between the machine-specific configurable feature and the underlying 38.4TB FCM2 service-hardware family. Always verify IBM compatibility for the exact machine type/model and installed software level before moving or replacing FlashCore Modules between systems.

IBM ADS8 FlashSystem 7200 Expansion Enclosures

The ADS8 itself does not install in an expansion enclosure. FlashSystem 7200 expansion enclosures use SAS-attached storage.

IBM currently documents the following FlashSystem 7200 expansion families:

These enclosures use supported SAS HDDs and SAS flash drives. ADS8, AES8, AGS8 and AHS8 are NVMe FlashCore Module features and do not install in these SAS expansion enclosures.

IBM ADS8 vs. FlashSystem 5200 AGS8

The IBM FlashSystem 5200 supports the same 38.4TB FCM2 capacity under feature code AGS8.

IBM ADS8 vs. FlashSystem 9200 AHS8

IBM documents AHS8 as the 38.4TB FCM feature for FlashSystem 9200. IBM's FlashSystem 9200 replaceable-unit documentation independently identifies 02YC419 as a 38.4TB FCM2.

This provides an important example of the relationship between an IBM feature code and a physical service part:

• ADS8 – FlashSystem 7200 configuration feature.
• AHS8 – FlashSystem 9200 configuration feature.
• 02YC419 – IBM-documented 38.4TB FCM2 service hardware.
• 03GH472 – additional IBM-documented 38.4TB FCM2 part number.

Other FCM2 Capacities

The 38.4TB ADS8 belongs to a four-capacity second-generation FlashCore family.

Complete FCM2 Feature-Code Matrix by Capacity

The machine-specific naming convention becomes clearer when the entire FCM2 family is compared across FlashSystem platforms.

The table illustrates why searching by both the feature code and physical part number is important when identifying IBM FlashSystem replacement hardware.

ADS8 Raw Capacity Examples

These figures represent nominal installed FlashCore capacity before Distributed RAID parity, rebuild capacity, metadata and other system overhead. They should not be interpreted as RAID-usable capacity.

IBM ADS8 RAID Requirements

IBM documents several important configuration requirements for FlashCore Modules in FlashSystem 7200:

• A FlashCore Module array requires a minimum of six FCMs.
• Distributed RAID 6 is recommended.
• Distributed RAID 5 is supported.
• FlashCore Modules within the same array must use the same capacity.

An existing 38.4TB ADS8 array should therefore be expanded using compatible 38.4TB FlashCore Modules rather than mixing different capacities within the same array.

ADS8 vs. Conventional NVMe SSD

ADS8 vs. Newer 38.4TB FlashCore Modules

The 38.4TB capacity continued into later generations of IBM FlashCore Module technology. The feature code changes according to both the FlashCore generation and the FlashSystem machine family.

FCM generation matters. A 38.4TB capacity match does not by itself establish replacement compatibility. An ADS8 FCM2 should not automatically be replaced with an FCM3 or FCM4 solely because the newer module also provides 38.4TB.

How to Identify an IBM ADS8 Replacement

Before purchasing or installing a replacement for an ADS8, verify:

• Machine type and model – 2076-824, 2076-U7C, 4664-824 or 4664-U7C for the FlashSystem 7200 ADS8 context.
• Feature code – ADS8.
• Physical FRU / part number – such as 02YC419 or another IBM-documented 38.4TB FCM2 service part.
• Capacity – 38.4TB.
• FlashCore generation – FCM2.
• Firmware family – FCM2 uses IBM's 2_x firmware family.
• IBM Storage Virtualize software level.
• Existing Distributed RAID configuration.
• Capacity and type of the other FlashCore Modules in the array.

IBM FCM2 Firmware Identification

IBM's current FlashCore Module firmware documentation identifies the following core FCM2 part-number families:

IBM identifies these modules as using firmware in the 2_x family. The installed part number and firmware level can be viewed from IBM Storage Virtualize under the internal storage information.

Typical IBM ADS8 Workloads

The combination of 38.4TB capacity, enterprise NVMe performance and hardware-assisted compression makes ADS8 appropriate for demanding enterprise environments including:

• IBM i and Db2 for i databases
• AIX enterprise applications
• Linux on IBM Power workloads
• Oracle Database
• Microsoft SQL Server
• SAP and ERP applications
• VMware virtualization
• Microsoft Hyper-V
• Large transactional databases
• High-density server virtualization
• Enterprise application consolidation
• Data-intensive analytics
• Storage environments that benefit from hardware-assisted compression

Related IBM FlashSystem Products and Parts

• IBM 02YC419 38.4TB NVMe FlashCore Module 2
• IBM FlashSystem 5200 4662-6H2
• IBM AGSD 38.4TB FlashCore Module 3
• IBM FlashSystem FlashCore Module Feature Codes and Parts
• IBM FlashSystem Systems, Drives, FlashCore Modules and Upgrades

IBM ADS8 Frequently Asked Questions

What is IBM ADS8?

ADS8 is the IBM feature code for the 38.4TB NVMe FlashCore Module 2 configured for IBM FlashSystem 7200.

What IBM part numbers are associated with ADS8?

IBM documents 02YC419 as a 38.4TB usable / 87.96TB effective NVMe FlashCore Module 2. IBM's current FlashCore firmware documentation also identifies 03GH472 as a 38.4TB FCM2 part number.

Does ADS8 support the 4664-824 FlashSystem 7200?

Yes. The FlashSystem 7200 family includes the original 2076-824 and 2076-U7C models as well as the Expert Care 4664-824 and 4664-U7C models. The 38.4TB FCM2 is represented by ADS8 in the FlashSystem 7200 configuration family.

What FlashSystem 7200 models are associated with ADS8?

The applicable FlashSystem 7200 control-enclosure family consists of 2076-824, 2076-U7C, 4664-824 and 4664-U7C.

What is 4664-ADS8?

4664-ADS8 identifies the ADS8 38.4TB FCM2 feature in the FlashSystem 7200 4664 Expert Care machine-type ordering context.

Is ADS8 the same physical drive as AHS8, AGS8 and AES8?

These feature codes identify the same capacity and generation of IBM FlashCore Module technology — 38.4TB FCM2 — in different FlashSystem machine-family configuration contexts. IBM service documentation identifies common 38.4TB FCM2 hardware such as 02YC419, while IBM firmware documentation also identifies 03GH472. The machine-specific feature code should therefore be distinguished from the physical service FRU.

What is AES8?

AES8 is the corresponding 38.4TB FCM2 feature designation associated with the IBM FlashSystem 5100 family.

What is AGS8?

AGS8 is the corresponding 38.4TB FCM2 feature for the IBM FlashSystem 5200, including the 4662-6H2 and 4662-UH6 control-enclosure family.

What is AHS8?

AHS8 is the corresponding 38.4TB FCM2 feature used in applicable higher-end IBM FlashSystem configurations, including FlashSystem 9200. IBM FlashSystem 9200 service documentation also identifies 02YC419 as a 38.4TB FCM2.

Can ADS8 be installed in a FlashSystem 7200 expansion enclosure?

No. ADS8 is an NVMe FlashCore Module installed in the FlashSystem 7200 control enclosure. The 2076 and 4664 expansion enclosures use SAS-attached storage.

What expansion enclosures are supported by FlashSystem 7200?

IBM currently documents 2076-12F, 2076-24F and 2076-92F SAS expansion enclosures for the original FlashSystem 7200 family and 4664-12F, 4664-24F and 4664-92F Expert Care expansion enclosures.

What other FCM2 capacities are available?

The FlashSystem 7200 FCM2 family includes ADS5 4.8TB / 02YC416, ADS6 9.6TB / 02YC417, ADS7 19.2TB / 02YC418 and ADS8 38.4TB / 02YC419.

What is the effective capacity of ADS8?

IBM documents 02YC419 as providing 38.4TB usable capacity and 87.96TB effective capacity. Effective capacity depends on data reduction and workload characteristics and should not be interpreted as guaranteed physical or RAID-usable capacity.

Does ADS8 provide hardware compression?

Yes. IBM FlashCore Module 2 incorporates hardware-based inline data compression.

Is ADS8 self-encrypting?

Yes. IBM documents FlashCore Modules as supporting self-encryption in addition to hardware-based compression and T10-DIF data-integrity protection.

What RAID configurations support ADS8?

IBM documents Distributed RAID 6 as recommended for FlashCore Module arrays on FlashSystem 7200, with Distributed RAID 5 also supported. A FlashCore Module array requires at least six drives, and FCMs in the same array must use the same capacity.

What is the difference between ADS8 and 02YC419?

ADS8 is an IBM configurable feature code associated with the FlashSystem 7200. 02YC419 is an IBM-documented service FRU for the physical 38.4TB FCM2 hardware.

Is ADS8 an FCM2 or FCM3?

ADS8 is FCM2. It should not be confused with later 38.4TB FCM3 features such as ADSD, AGSD and AHSC or FCM4 features such as ADSH, AGSH and AHSH.

How can I identify whether an installed 38.4TB module is FCM2?

IBM's FlashCore firmware documentation identifies FCM2 modules as using firmware in the 2_x family. IBM lists 02YC419 and 03GH472 among the 38.4TB FCM2 part numbers. The installed part number and firmware can be checked through IBM Storage Virtualize internal-storage information.

IBM ADS8 38.4TB FCM2 Summary

The IBM ADS8 38.4TB NVMe FlashCore Module 2 is the highest-capacity FCM2 option associated with IBM FlashSystem 7200. It combines enterprise NVMe performance with IBM FlashCore hardware-based inline compression, self-encryption, T10-DIF data-integrity protection and integration with IBM Storage Virtualize.

ADS8 applies to the FlashSystem 7200 family including 2076-824, 2076-U7C, 4664-824 and 4664-U7C. IBM service documentation identifies 02YC419 as a 38.4TB / 87.96TB-effective FCM2, while IBM FlashCore firmware documentation additionally identifies 03GH472 as a 38.4TB FCM2 part number.

The underlying 38.4TB FCM2 technology is represented by different machine-specific feature codes across IBM FlashSystem families, including AES8, AGS8, ADS8 and AHS8. These feature codes should be distinguished from the physical IBM FRU and service part numbers when identifying replacement hardware.

The complete FlashSystem 7200 FCM2 capacity family consists of ADS5 4.8TB / 02YC416, ADS6 9.6TB / 02YC417, ADS7 19.2TB / 02YC418 and ADS8 38.4TB / 02YC419.

ADS8 installs in the internal NVMe positions of the FlashSystem control enclosure and does not install in SAS expansion enclosures. FlashSystem 7200 expansion models include 2076-12F/24F/92F and Expert Care 4664-12F/24F/92F.

Before replacing or moving a 38.4TB FCM2, verify the target machine type/model, machine-specific feature code, physical FRU, FCM generation, firmware level, IBM Storage Virtualize software level and existing Distributed RAID configuration.

View IBM 02YC419 38.4TB NVMe FlashCore Module

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