IBM FlashSystem 9500 FS9500 Models 4983-AH8 4666-AH8
IBM FlashSystem 9500 FS9500
The IBM FlashSystem 9500 FS9500 is an enterprise NVMe storage platform for demanding databases, virtualization and business-critical applications that includes models 4983-AH8 and 4666-AH8. Both of the IBM FS9500 4983-AH8 and 4666-AH8 models combine IBM FlashCore technology with IBM Storage Virtualize data services, with different software licensing and service arrangements.
Explore IBM FlashSystem 9500 systems, upgrades and parts or contact Midland Information Systems for a configuration review. View IBM FlashSystem 9500 4983-AH8 configurations and parts. For 4666-AH8 requirements, use the same product inquiry page and specify your complete machine type and model.
IBM FlashSystem 9500 Performance and Hardware Maximums
| Specification | One control enclosure | Two-enclosure cluster |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum published IOPS | Up to 6.3 million | Up to 12.6 million |
| Maximum published bandwidth | Up to 65 GB/s | Up to 130 GB/s |
| Published minimum latency | As low as 50 microseconds | Configuration and workload dependent |
| Control-enclosure rack space | 4U | 8U, excluding switches and expansion |
| Node canisters | 2 | 4 |
| Maximum system memory | 3 TB | 6 TB |
| Internal NVMe slots | 48 | 96 |
| Maximum nominal FCM capacity using 38.4 TB modules | 1,843.2 TB | 3,686.4 TB |
IBM FlashCore Modules and NVMe Drives for IBM FlashSystem 9500 FS9500 Models
| Capacity | FlashCore Module 3 feature and Part Numbers | FlashCore Module 4 feature and Part Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| 4.8 TB | AHS9 03JK076 03JK162 03GH935 03GH936 03JK687 | AHSE 03NK832 03JK992 03LG000 03LG009 |
| 9.6 TB | AHSA 03JK077 03JK163 03JL077 03JK693 03GH933 03JK077 03LG627 | AHSF 03NK831 03LG001 03LG002 03JN354 03LG014 |
| 19.2 TB | AHSB 03JK078 03GH931 03GH932 03JK160 03JK164 03JK699 | AHSG 03NK830 03LG010 03LG015 |
| 38.4 TB | AHSC 03JK079 03JK165 | AHSH 03JN350 03LG019 03LG015 03LG003 03LG016 |
Supported standard NVMe SSD capacities include 1.92, 3.84, 7.68, 15.36 and 30.72 TB. The platform also supports 1.6 TB Storage Class Memory drives. IBM FlashCore Modules provide hardware compression. Actual effective capacity depends on data compressibility. FCM4 support and functions require compatible software and array configurations.
Host Connectivity Maximums
| Interface | Feature | Maximum ports per enclosure | Maximum ports across two enclosures |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 Gb Fibre Channel | AHBB | 48 | 96 |
| 64 Gb Fibre Channel | AHBK | 24 | 48 |
| 100 Gb Ethernet RoCE | AHB8 | 12 | 24 |
| 10/25 Gb Ethernet RoCE | AHBH | 20 | 40 |
| 10/25 Gb Ethernet iWARP | AHBJ | 20 | 40 |
These are separate interface maximums, not an additive configuration. Adapters share available slots; SAS expansion attachment also affects adapter planning. Confirm protocol support, optics, cables and software requirements for the proposed configuration.
Expansion Enclosures and Drive Limits
IBM FlashSystem 9500 supports AFF 2U24 and A9F 5U92 all-flash SAS expansion enclosures. The corresponding machine types are 4666 and 4983. FlashCore Modules remain in the NVMe control enclosure rather than the SAS expansions.
| Expansion specification | Maximum |
|---|---|
| SAS attachment speed | 12 Gb/s |
| SAS chains per control enclosure | 2 |
| Enclosures per SAS chain | Three 2U enclosures or one 5U92 enclosure |
| Expansion enclosures per control enclosure | 6 |
| Expansion enclosures per two-enclosure system | 12 |
| Total drives per I/O group | 232 |
| Total drives per system, including SAS and NVMe | 464 |
| Internal NVMe drives per system | 96 |
| Storage Class Memory drives per I/O group | 12 |
Enclosure-count and drive-count maximums apply independently. Twelve expansion enclosures does not mean twelve fully populated 92-drive enclosures. SAS expansion requires the appropriate attachment adapters and cabling.
Snapshots and FlashCopy Maximums
| Snapshot or copy function | Maximum |
|---|---|
| Snapshots per system | 64,999, subject to volume count |
| Legacy FlashCopy mappings per system | 15,864 |
| FlashCopy targets per source | 256 |
| FlashCopy consistency groups per system | 500 |
| FlashCopy mappings per consistency group | 512 |
| Snapshot policies per system | 32 |
| Safeguarded policies per system | 32 |
The 64,999-snapshot ceiling assumes one basic volume. Additional volume copies reduce the available snapshot count; IBM’s example with 1,000 basic volumes allows 64,000 snapshots. Memory, capacity allowances, pool configuration and software release impose additional constraints.
Request a Configuration or Compatibility Review
Call Midland Information Systems at (888) 682-5335 to discuss a FlashSystem 9500 system, capacity upgrade or replacement part.
Provide the machine type and model, serial number, Storage Virtualize version, installed drive features, host connections and required usable capacity. Include your workload’s IOPS, bandwidth and response-time requirements so the proposed configuration can be evaluated against application needs.
View IBM FlashSystem 9500 systems and parts or compare the IBM FlashSystem 7300.
