IBM FlashSystem 5030 2072-3H4 Enterprise Storage System

IBM FlashSystem 5030 | Machine Type 2072 Model 3H4 | 24-Bay SFF SAS Storage, Fibre Channel, iSCSI and IBM Storage Virtualize

The IBM FlashSystem 5030 2072-3H4 is a 2U enterprise storage system designed for IBM Power Systems, IBM i, AIX, Linux, VMware, database, virtualization and general-purpose business workloads. The 2072-3H4 provides 24 front-accessible 2.5-inch SFF SAS drive bays, dual active node canisters, up to 64GB of system cache, integrated 10Gb Ethernet connectivity and optional Fibre Channel, Ethernet and SAS host interfaces. The IBM FS5030 FlashSystem 5030 does not use NVMe FlashCore Modules or NVMe SSDs, and 2072-3H4 internal storage and expansion architecture is based on 12Gb SAS HDD and SAS SSD technology. To achieve better performance, look at IBM FlashSystems which support NVMe FlashCore Modules or NVMe Flash Storage SSDs. The IBM FlashSystem 5030 runs IBM Spectrum Virtualize, subsequently renamed IBM Storage Virtualize, and provides enterprise storage functions including thin provisioning, snapshots, replication, Easy Tier, Data Reduction Pools, compression, deduplication, encryption and external storage virtualization.

IBM FlashSystem 5030 2072-3H4 Overview

IBM FlashSystem 5030 Performance and Scalability

The FlashSystem 5030 was the highest-performance model in its generation of the FlashSystem 5000 family. Each control enclosure contains two six-core node canisters and supports up to 64GB of total system cache.

The system can scale well beyond the 24 drives installed in the 3H4 control enclosure by attaching SAS expansion enclosures. IBM documented configurations supporting as many as 760 drives in a single system using high-density expansion enclosures and as many as 1,520 drives in a two-system clustered configuration.

IBM FlashSystem 5030 Cache Upgrade

The 2072-3H4 includes 32GB of cache as standard, consisting of 16GB in each node canister. IBM supports upgrading each node to 32GB, providing 64GB total cache.

IBM FlashSystem 5030 Host Connectivity

Each FlashSystem 5030 node canister provides integrated Ethernet connectivity and one optional host-interface-adapter slot. Both node canisters should use matching host-interface adapter configurations.

Onboard 10Gb Ethernet

FlashSystem 5030 node canisters include two onboard Ethernet interfaces supporting 10Gb and 1Gb operation. These ports can be used for management and supported iSCSI connectivity.

16Gb Fibre Channel Adapter

32Gb Fibre Channel Adapter

10Gb Ethernet Host Adapter

25Gb Ethernet RoCE Adapter

25Gb Ethernet iWARP Adapter

12Gb SAS Host Adapter

IBM FlashSystem 5030 Expansion Enclosures

The FlashSystem 5030 provides two onboard 12Gb SAS expansion ports, allowing two independent expansion chains. Supported FlashSystem 5000 expansion models include standard 2U and high-density 5U enclosures.

IBM also documents earlier compatible enclosure designations including 2072-F12, 2072-F24 and 2072-F92 depending on the system generation and software level.

SAS Expansion Cable Part Numbers

IBM FlashSystem 5030 SAS Flash Drives

The 2072-3H4 supports 2.5-inch SFF SAS HDDs and SAS flash drives. It does not support NVMe FlashCore Modules or NVMe SSDs.

IBM FlashSystem 5030 SFF SAS Hard Drives

Example IBM Drive Feature Codes

IBM uses machine feature codes separately from physical service FRU numbers. Feature availability can change by order date and software level. Examples used across the FlashSystem 5000 2072 family include:

5U92 High-Density Expansion Drive Parts

The 2072-92G high-density expansion family can support a wide range of SAS HDD and flash-drive capacities. IBM documents replacement parts including:

IBM FlashSystem 5030 Data Reduction

The FlashSystem 5030 supports IBM Data Reduction Pools with storage-efficiency technologies including:

• Thin provisioning
• Compression
• Deduplication

IBM documentation specifies that deduplication and compression require the 64GB maximum cache configuration.

IBM FlashSystem 5030 Encryption

FlashSystem 5030 supports encryption of data at rest stored within the system. Encryption can be incorporated with IBM Storage Virtualize security and key-management capabilities, subject to the installed software level and licensed configuration.

Easy Tier

Because the FlashSystem 5030 can support a mixture of SAS HDD and SAS flash storage, IBM Easy Tier can be used in qualifying configurations to move frequently accessed data between storage tiers automatically.

This allows organizations to combine high-performance flash storage with larger-capacity SAS media while allowing Storage Virtualize to optimize data placement according to workload activity.

External Storage Virtualization

IBM Storage Virtualize allows the FlashSystem 5030 to virtualize supported external storage systems. External capacity can be presented through a common management layer and can use selected Storage Virtualize data services.

This capability can be useful when consolidating older storage platforms or migrating data to newer IBM FlashSystem systems.

FlashSystem 5030 Clustering

IBM supports clustering the FlashSystem 5030 with certain related FlashSystem 5000 controllers at applicable software levels.

IBM's interoperability matrix identifies support for compatible two-control-enclosure configurations involving:

• FlashSystem 5030
• FlashSystem 5035
• Storwize V5030E in applicable configurations

Compatibility depends on the exact control-enclosure machine type and IBM Storage Virtualize software level.

IBM FlashSystem 5030 Lifecycle

IBM FlashSystem 5030 Typical Workloads

• IBM i
• AIX
• Linux on IBM Power Systems
• VMware
• Microsoft Hyper-V
• Oracle Database
• Microsoft SQL Server
• ERP applications
• General-purpose enterprise storage
• Backup repositories
• Hybrid flash and HDD workloads
• External storage virtualization

IBM FlashSystem 5030 Frequently Asked Questions

What is the IBM FlashSystem 5030 2072-3H4?

The 2072-3H4 is the 24-bay SFF version of the IBM FlashSystem 5030. It is a 2U dual-controller SAS storage system with 24 2.5-inch drive bays.

Does the FlashSystem 5030 2072-3H4 support NVMe?

No. The 2072-3H4 uses SAS-attached internal storage. It does not support NVMe FlashCore Modules or industry-standard NVMe SSDs.

Does the FlashSystem 5030 support FlashCore Modules?

No. IBM FlashCore Modules require later NVMe-based FlashSystem platforms. The 5030 uses conventional SAS HDD and SAS flash drives.

How much cache does the FlashSystem 5030 have?

The system has 32GB standard cache and supports a maximum of 64GB.

How many drives fit in a 2072-3H4?

The SFF control enclosure provides 24 internal 2.5-inch SAS drive bays.

What is the largest supported internal flash drive?

IBM service documentation lists a 30TB 2.5-inch SFF flash drive, part number 02PX475, among supported FlashSystem 5030 hardware.

Which expansion enclosures are available?

Relevant FlashSystem 5000 expansion models include the 2072-12G 2U12 LFF, 2072-24G 2U24 SFF and 2072-92G 5U92 high-density expansion enclosures.

Does the FlashSystem 5030 support Fibre Channel?

Yes. Supported hardware includes 16Gb FC and later supported 32Gb FC host-interface adapters.

Does the FlashSystem 5030 support 25Gb Ethernet?

Yes. IBM provides supported two-port 25Gb Ethernet adapters for both RoCE and iWARP configurations.

What is the maximum cache?

64GB total, consisting of 32GB per node canister.

What is the final major Storage Virtualize version for FlashSystem 5030?

IBM identifies Storage Virtualize 8.4 as the final major software release family for the 2072-3H2 and 2072-3H4 controllers.

When does IBM support end for the 2072-3H4?

IBM currently lists December 31, 2026 as the standard End of Support date.

IBM FlashSystem 5030 2072-3H4 Summary

The IBM FlashSystem 5030 2072-3H4 is a 2U enterprise storage platform with 24 2.5-inch SAS drive bays, dual six-core node canisters, up to 64GB cache, onboard 10Gb Ethernet and optional 16/32Gb Fibre Channel, 10/25Gb Ethernet and 12Gb SAS host connectivity.

The platform supports both flash and hard-disk media and can scale through 2072-12G, 2072-24G and 2072-92G SAS expansion enclosures. IBM Storage Virtualize provides thin provisioning, compression, deduplication, Easy Tier, replication, encryption and external-storage virtualization.

Unlike newer FlashSystem models, the 5030 does not support NVMe FlashCore Modules. Buyers and administrators should therefore use SAS-specific feature codes and FRUs when purchasing replacement or expansion storage.

Because IBM standard support for the 2072-3H4 ends December 31, 2026, existing owners should also consider maintenance availability and migration planning when making significant capacity or connectivity investments.