IBM AGSD 38.4TB NVMe FlashCore Module 3 FCM3 03JK079

The IBM AGSD is a 38.4TB NVMe FlashCore Module 3 (FCM3) designed for the IBM FlashSystem 5200 control enclosure. IBM identifies AGSD as the 38.4TB FCM3 feature for the IBM FlashSystem 5200 4662-6H2 and related 4662-UH6 configuration. The IBM FlashSystem 5200 FCM3 may have 03JK079 03JK165 03GH929 part numbers and can have IBM ADSD AHSC feature code if purchased for a different IBM FlashSystem model. The IBM AGSD 38.4TB FlashCore Module 3.0 sold with the IBM FS5200. The IBM AGSD combines high-capacity enterprise NVMe flash storage with hardware-based inline compression, self-encryption, T10-DIF data-integrity protection and IBM FlashCore technology optimized specifically for IBM FlashSystems and Storage Virtualize environments. The IBM AGSD is the largest FCM3 capacity offered for the FlashSystem 5200. Other IBM FCM3 options for the same control enclosure include AGSA 4.8TB 03JK076, AGSB 9.6TB 03JK077 and AGSC 19.2TB 03JK078.

IBM AGSD 38.4TB FCM3 Specifications

What Is the IBM AGSD FlashCore Module?

The IBM AGSD is not a conventional enterprise NVMe SSD. It is an IBM FlashCore Module, combining enterprise NAND flash with IBM-developed hardware and firmware designed specifically for FlashSystem storage.

FlashCore Module 3 uses the NVMe protocol and high-speed NAND memory to deliver high throughput, high IOPS and consistent low-latency storage performance. IBM integrates additional storage functions directly into the FlashCore architecture rather than depending entirely on the FlashSystem controller processors.

Important AGSD capabilities include:

• 38.4TB of physical FlashCore capacity per module.
• Enterprise NVMe storage architecture.
• Hardware-based inline data compression.
• Self-encrypting storage technology.
• T10-DIF data-integrity protection.
• IBM-developed flash management and reliability features.
• Integration with IBM Storage Virtualize.
• Support for IBM Distributed RAID configurations subject to system and software requirements.
• Front-accessible, serviceable 2.5-inch FlashCore Module design.

IBM AGSD Hardware-Based Compression

One of the principal differences between an IBM FlashCore Module and a conventional enterprise NVMe SSD is the integration of hardware-based data compression within the FlashCore Module.

Compressing data within the storage module can increase effective storage capacity while reducing the compression processing workload placed on the FlashSystem controller processors. This allows controller resources to remain available for host I/O, replication, snapshots, virtualization and other IBM Storage Virtualize services.

The actual effective capacity of an AGSD configuration depends on the compressibility and characteristics of the data being stored. Physical capacity, usable RAID capacity and effective capacity therefore represent different measurements.

IBM AGSD Supported Systems

IBM's FlashSystem 5200 documentation identifies two FlashSystem 5200 control-enclosure models:

The FlashSystem 5200 is a compact 1U NVMe control enclosure containing 12 front-accessible NVMe flash-device slots, two node canisters and redundant power supplies.

AGSD FlashCore Modules are installed in these internal NVMe positions.

Is AGSD Supported in a FlashSystem Expansion Enclosure?

No. The AGSD is not a SAS expansion-enclosure drive.

The FlashSystem 5200 control enclosure contains the NVMe slots used for AGSD and other FlashCore Modules. FlashSystem 5200 capacity can also be increased through SAS-based expansion enclosures, but those expansion enclosures use supported SAS HDD and SAS flash drives rather than NVMe FlashCore Modules.

IBM FlashSystem 5200 supports the following SAS expansion enclosure models:

• 4662-12G – 2U12 SAS expansion enclosure
• 4662-24G – 2U24 SAS expansion enclosure
• 4662-92G – 5U92 high-density SAS expansion enclosure

This distinction is important when expanding a FlashSystem 5200:

• AGSD and other FlashCore Modules install in the 12 NVMe positions of the FlashSystem 5200 control enclosure.
• SAS HDD and SAS flash drives install in supported 4662 SAS expansion enclosures.

Other FCM3 Drive Sizes Supported by FlashSystem 5200

The FlashSystem 5200 supports four FlashCore Module 3 capacities. IBM's documentation identifies the corresponding AGS-series feature codes, while IBM service documentation identifies the 03JK076 through 03JK079 service-part family for the FlashSystem 5200 FCM3 modules.

AGSA, AGSB, AGSC and AGSD Capacity Comparison

These figures represent nominal physical FlashCore capacity before Distributed RAID protection, rebuild capacity, metadata and other storage-system overhead. Effective capacity can be higher when stored data benefits from FlashCore compression.

IBM AGSD vs. Other FlashSystem 5200 NVMe Storage Options

The FlashSystem 5200 control enclosure is not limited to FCM3. IBM supports several classes of internal NVMe media, depending on configuration and software level.

FlashCore Module 4 Options for FlashSystem 5200

IBM subsequently introduced FlashCore Module 4 as the next FlashCore generation. The FlashSystem 5200 FCM4 family retains the same principal 4.8TB, 9.6TB, 19.2TB and 38.4TB capacity points.

FCM4 adds PCIe Gen 4 connectivity at all capacity points and computational-storage assists that can be used by IBM Storage Virtualize for real-time ransomware threat detection. IBM requires qualifying all-FCM4 arrays and the applicable Storage Virtualize software level to use these FCM4-specific computational-storage functions.

IBM AGSD vs. AGSH

IBM AGSD vs. Industry-Standard NVMe SSD

The AGSD should not be confused with the industry-standard NVMe SSD options available for FlashSystem 5200. Both technologies use NVMe, but the FlashCore Module provides additional IBM-developed capabilities.

IBM AGSD and Distributed RAID

AGSD FlashCore Modules are used as managed storage devices within IBM Storage Virtualize rather than as independent server-attached NVMe drives. FlashSystem 5200 uses IBM Distributed RAID to provide storage protection and rebuild capabilities.

Distributed RAID spreads data, parity and rebuild capacity across the physical drives participating in an array. The appropriate RAID level and number of AGSD modules depend on capacity, availability, performance and installed Storage Virtualize software requirements.

All drives within an array must comply with IBM's supported drive-type and capacity requirements. Administrators should verify the current IBM configuration limits before creating, extending or modifying an array.

IBM AGSD Part Number 03JK079

IBM service documentation identifies 03JK079 as a 38.4TB FlashCore Module 3.0.

IBM's FlashCore firmware documentation further identifies the FCM3 service-part family used by FlashSystem 5200 as:

• 03JK076 – 4.8TB FCM3
• 03JK077 – 9.6TB FCM3
• 03JK078 – 19.2TB FCM3
• 03JK079 – 38.4TB FCM3

Why the IBM Feature Code and FRU Must Both Be Checked

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

AGSD identifies the configurable 38.4TB FCM3 feature for the FlashSystem 5200. 03JK079 identifies the corresponding IBM 38.4TB FCM3 service hardware documented for the FlashSystem 5200/9500 family.

The distinction becomes particularly important across different FlashSystem models. For example, IBM documents a different 38.4TB FCM3 FRU, 03JK165, for the FlashSystem 7300.

Therefore, a 38.4TB capacity match alone should never be used to determine the correct replacement module.

Equivalent 38.4TB FCM3 on Other IBM FlashSystem Models

The underlying 38.4TB FCM3 technology was also offered on other IBM FlashSystem platforms, but IBM uses machine-specific feature codes and can use platform-specific service FRUs.

Technical Note: The feature code is machine-specific. AGSD identifies the 38.4TB FCM3 when configured for FlashSystem 5200; ADSD identifies the corresponding capacity for FlashSystem 7300; AHSC identifies it for FlashSystem 9500. Always verify the target machine type and IBM service FRU before ordering replacement hardware.

Replacing an IBM AGSD

An AGSD replacement should not be selected solely by the fact that another module is a 38.4TB NVMe device. FlashCore generation, IBM service part number, machine type, firmware and array configuration all affect compatibility.

Before purchasing or installing a replacement, verify:

• Machine type and model – for example, 4662-6H2 or 4662-UH6.
• Feature code – AGSD.
• Installed service part / FRU – such as 03JK079.
• Capacity – 38.4TB.
• FlashCore generation – FCM3.
• FlashCore firmware level.
• IBM Storage Virtualize software level.
• Existing Distributed RAID configuration.
• Capacity and FlashCore generation of the other modules in the target array.

Identifying the Installed AGSD and Firmware

IBM FlashCore Module 3 uses firmware levels beginning with 3_. IBM's FlashCore release documentation identifies 03JK079 as one of the 38.4TB FCMs using the 3_x firmware family.

The FlashSystem management interface can be used to review information such as drive capacity, part number, firmware level, operational status and array membership.

Keeping FlashCore firmware at an IBM-supported level is particularly important. Firmware updates can contain reliability, error-handling and data-integrity corrections, so administrators should check IBM's current FlashCore firmware recommendations when servicing an existing FCM3 installation.

Typical IBM AGSD Workloads

The combination of 38.4TB capacity, enterprise NVMe performance and hardware-based compression makes AGSD suitable for dense business-critical storage environments including:

• IBM i and Db2 for i databases
• AIX enterprise applications
• Linux on IBM Power workloads
• VMware virtualization
• Microsoft Hyper-V
• Oracle Database
• Microsoft SQL Server
• SAP and ERP applications
• Enterprise application consolidation
• Large production databases
• High-capacity virtualized environments
• Workloads that benefit from hardware-assisted data compression

Related IBM FlashSystem Products

• IBM FlashSystem 5200 4662-6H2
• IBM FlashSystem 5200 4662-UH6
• IBM FlashSystem 5200 4662-24G SFF Expansion Enclosure
• IBM 9.6TB FCM3 / 03JK077
• IBM 19.2TB FCM3 / 03JK078
• IBM 38.4TB FCM3 / 03JK079
• IBM FlashSystem 7300
• IBM FlashSystem 9500
• IBM FlashSystem Systems, FlashCore Modules, Drives and Upgrades

IBM AGSD Frequently Asked Questions

What is IBM AGSD?

AGSD is the IBM feature code for the 38.4TB NVMe FlashCore Module 3 offered for the IBM FlashSystem 5200.

What IBM part number is associated with AGSD?

IBM identifies 03JK079 as the 38.4TB FlashCore Module 3 service part used with the FlashSystem 5200/9500 FCM3 family.

What systems support IBM AGSD?

The AGSD feature is associated with the IBM FlashSystem 5200 4662-6H2 and applicable 4662-UH6 configurations.

Can AGSD be installed in the 4662-24G expansion enclosure?

No. The 4662-24G is a SAS expansion enclosure. AGSD is an NVMe FlashCore Module installed in the FlashSystem 5200 control enclosure.

What other FCM3 sizes are supported by FlashSystem 5200?

The FlashSystem 5200 FCM3 family consists of AGSA 4.8TB / 03JK076, AGSB 9.6TB / 03JK077, AGSC 19.2TB / 03JK078 and AGSD 38.4TB / 03JK079.

Is AGSD the largest FCM3 for FlashSystem 5200?

Yes. At 38.4TB, AGSD is the largest capacity in the FlashSystem 5200 FCM3 family.

Does AGSD provide hardware compression?

Yes. IBM FlashCore Module 3 performs hardware-based inline compression within the FlashCore architecture.

Is AGSD self-encrypting?

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

What is the difference between AGSD and 03JK079?

AGSD is the IBM configurable feature code for the FlashSystem 5200 38.4TB FCM3 option. 03JK079 is the IBM service-part identification for the corresponding 38.4TB FCM3 hardware documented for the FlashSystem 5200/9500 family.

Is 03JK165 the same as 03JK079?

Both identify 38.4TB FlashCore Module 3 hardware, but IBM documents them for different FlashSystem service families. 03JK079 is associated with FlashSystem 5200/9500, while 03JK165 is the 38.4TB FCM3 FRU documented for FlashSystem 7300. The target FlashSystem model should therefore be verified before ordering a replacement.

What is the FCM4 equivalent capacity to AGSD?

The FlashSystem 5200 FCM4 family provides a 38.4TB option under feature code AGSH. FCM4 adds computational-storage capabilities not present in FCM3.

IBM AGSD 38.4TB FCM3 Summary

The IBM AGSD 38.4TB NVMe FlashCore Module 3 is the highest-capacity FCM3 option documented for the IBM FlashSystem 5200. It combines 38.4TB of enterprise NVMe flash capacity with IBM FlashCore hardware-based inline compression, self-encryption, T10-DIF data-integrity protection and integration with IBM Storage Virtualize.

AGSD is supported in the IBM FlashSystem 5200 4662-6H2 and related 4662-UH6 control enclosure. IBM identifies 03JK079 as the corresponding 38.4TB FCM3 service hardware for the FlashSystem 5200/9500 family.

The complete FlashSystem 5200 FCM3 capacity family consists of AGSA 4.8TB / 03JK076, AGSB 9.6TB / 03JK077, AGSC 19.2TB / 03JK078 and AGSD 38.4TB / 03JK079. FlashSystem 5200 also supports FCM4 and qualifying industry-standard NVMe storage, while its external 4662 expansion enclosures use SAS media rather than FlashCore Modules.

When replacing or expanding AGSD storage, verify the 4662 machine type/model, AGSD feature code, 03JK079 service part, FlashCore generation, firmware level, IBM Storage Virtualize level and existing Distributed RAID configuration before ordering.

View IBM FlashSystem systems, FlashCore Modules, drives and upgrades.