Brand: IBM FlashSystem

Model Number: FS7600-5075-A30

Tags: FS7600 , 5075-A30 , FCM5

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IBM FlashSystem 7600 FS7600 5075-A30 NVMe Storage System

IBM FS7600 FlashSystem 7600 | Machine Type 5075 Model A30 | FCM5 NVMe Storage, 64Gb Fibre Channel, 100Gb Ethernet and IBM Storage Virtualize

The IBM FlashSystem 7600 FS7600 NVMe Storage System Model 5075-A30 is a high-performance 2U enterprise NVMe storage system designed for business-critical databases, IBM Power Systems, IBM i, AIX, Linux, VMware, virtualization, analytics and hybrid-cloud workloads. The IBM FlashSystem 7600 combines dual active-active node canisters, 32 front-accessible EDSFF NVMe storage slots, IBM FlashCore Module 5 technology, high-speed Fibre Channel and Ethernet connectivity, advanced cyber-resiliency capabilities and IBM Storage Virtualize software. The IBM FS7600 represents a significant architectural change from earlier FlashSystem system generation models, as it uses EDSFF NVMe storage and FlashCore Module 5, provides four network-adapter slots per node canister, supports up to 64Gb Fibre Channel and 100Gb Ethernet connectivity, and can be configured with as much as 1.5TB of system memory. Download or view the IBM FS7600 FlashSystem datasheet here.

Use the email price feature for custom configured IBM FlashSystem 7600 FS7600 pricing or to inquire about 4657-924 upgrades and replacement parts. You may also use the IBM FlashSystem 7300 email price feature if you have general IBM FlashCore module compatibility questions. All IBM FlashCore Modules, FlashSystem systems, features and parts include warranty, support and are eligible for IBM maintenance.

IBM FlashSystem 7600 5075-A30 Performance and Maximum Specifications

The IBM FlashSystem 7600 5075-A30 is a high-performance 2U enterprise NVMe storage system designed for business-critical databases, IBM Power Systems, virtualization, hybrid cloud and other latency-sensitive workloads. The FlashSystem 7600 combines two active-active node canisters, 32 front-accessible EDSFF NVMe drive slots, IBM FlashCore Module 5 (FCM5) technology, up to 1.5 TB of system memory and high-speed Fibre Channel and Ethernet connectivity. IBM publishes maximum FlashSystem 7600 performance of up to 4.3 million 4K read-hit IOPS and up to 55 GB/s of bandwidth. A single 2U enclosure can provide up to approximately 7.2 PB of effective capacity based on IBM's stated data-reduction assumptions.

These specifications represent maximum platform capabilities rather than guaranteed application performance. Actual performance depends on workload characteristics, block size, read/write ratio, FlashCore Module configuration, RAID layout, system memory, host connectivity, queue depth, data reduction and SAN or Ethernet architecture.

Performance / Scale Characteristic	IBM FlashSystem 7600 Maximum or Supported Specification
Machine Type / Model	5075-A30
Maximum IOPS	Up to 4.3 million 4K read-hit IOPS
Maximum Bandwidth	Up to 55 GB/s
Maximum Effective Capacity – Single Enclosure	Up to approximately 7.2 PBe based on IBM data-reduction assumptions
Maximum Effective Capacity – FlashSystem Grid	Up to approximately 230 PBe
Control Enclosure	2U
NVMe Drive Slots	32 internal front-accessible EDSFF NVMe slots
FlashCore Generation	IBM FlashCore Module 5 (FCM5)
Largest FCM5 Capacity	52.8 TB supported on FlashSystem 7600
Maximum Raw FCM Capacity	1,689.6 TB using 32 × 52.8 TB FCM5 modules
Base System Memory	768 GB total – 384 GB per node canister
Maximum System Memory	1.5 TB total – 768 GB per node canister
Node Canisters	2 active-active node canisters forming a redundant I/O Group
Adapter Slots	4 adapter slots per node canister
Maximum I/O Ports	Up to 32 optional I/O ports
Maximum Fibre Channel Speed	64 Gb Fibre Channel / FC-NVMe
Maximum Ethernet Speed	100 Gb Ethernet
Ethernet Storage Protocols	iSCSI and NVMe/TCP; supported configurations also provide RDMA capabilities
Industry-Standard NVMe SSD Capacities	1.92 TB, 3.84 TB and 7.68 TB EDSFF NVMe SSDs
Minimum IBM Storage Virtualize Level	9.1.2

Performance Note: IBM's maximum IOPS, bandwidth and effective-capacity specifications represent qualifying system configurations and workload conditions. Real-world application performance varies according to block size, read/write ratio, cache effectiveness, RAID configuration, host queue depth, data reduction, host adapters, network or SAN architecture and IBM Storage Virtualize software level.

FlashSystem 7600 Architecture

The IBM FS7600 uses a dual-controller active-active architecture. Two node canisters form a redundant I/O Group, and data volumes are serviced by both node canisters during normal operation. If one node canister fails or is taken offline for supported service operations, the remaining node canister can continue providing access to the volumes. Each node canister contains the system processors, memory, battery backup and network attachment adapters. This architecture combines performance and availability without requiring a passive controller to remain unused during normal operation.

32 EDSFF NVMe Drive Architecture

One of the most significant architectural differences between the FlashSystem 7600 and earlier FlashSystem 7x00 systems is the internal NVMe storage design. The FlashSystem 7600 provides 32 front-accessible NVMe drive slots in a 2U enclosure. The drives use the Enterprise and Datacenter Standard Form Factor (EDSFF), providing greater drive density than the U.2 form factor used by earlier FlashSystem generations. The system supports:

IBM FlashCore Module 5 (FCM5)
Industry-standard EDSFF NVMe SSDs

This allows the FlashSystem 7600 to provide considerably greater internal flash density while maintaining a 2U control-enclosure footprint.

FlashCore Module 5 – FCM5

The FlashSystem 7600 uses IBM FlashCore Module 5 as its primary FlashCore technology. FCM5 combines enterprise NVMe flash storage with IBM-developed hardware-based data reduction, self-encryption, T10-DIF data-integrity protection and computational-storage capabilities.

FlashCore Module 5 is available for the FlashSystem 7600 in four principal capacity points:

FCM5 Designation	Physical Capacity	IBM Published Logical Capacity
Small	6.6 TB	33.6 TB
Medium	13.2 TB	67.2 TB
Large	26.4 TB	134.4 TB
XL	52.8 TB	268.8 TB

FCM5 Technology: FlashCore Module 5 uses the EDSFF E.3 form factor and supports hardware-based data reduction, self-encryption, T10-DIF protection and computational-storage assists for real-time ransomware threat detection.

FCM5 Performance Characteristics

The performance of an individual FCM5 varies according to capacity. Larger FCM5 capacity points provide not only additional storage capacity but also increased per-module bandwidth and IOPS.

FCM5 Capacity	Read Bandwidth	Write Bandwidth	16K Read IOPS	Endurance
6.6 TB	Up to approximately 2,200 MB/s	Up to approximately 770 MB/s	Approximately 125K	1 DWPD
13.2 TB	Up to approximately 2,500 MB/s	Up to approximately 770 MB/s	Approximately 150K	1 DWPD
26.4 TB	Up to approximately 3,500 MB/s	Up to approximately 1,500 MB/s	Approximately 200K	1 DWPD
52.8 TB	Up to approximately 3,500 MB/s	Up to approximately 1,500 MB/s	Approximately 200K	1 DWPD

FCM5 Performance Insight: Capacity selection can affect performance as well as storage density. The 26.4 TB and 52.8 TB FCM5 modules provide substantially greater published write bandwidth and higher 16K read IOPS than the smaller 6.6 TB and 13.2 TB modules.

Maximum Internal FlashCore Capacity

The FlashSystem 7600 contains 32 internal EDSFF NVMe slots. Using 32 of the largest supported 52.8 TB FCM5 modules provides a nominal installed FlashCore capacity of 32 × 52.8 TB = 1,689.6 TB ≈ 1.69 PB. This represents installed module capacity before Distributed RAID parity, rebuild area and other array overhead are considered. IBM states a logical capacity of approximately 268.8 TB for an individual 52.8 TB FCM5 based on its stated data-reduction assumptions. IBM's overall FlashSystem 7600 specification lists up to approximately 7.2 PB of effective capacity within a single 2U enclosure.

Effective Capacity Warning: Effective capacity should not be interpreted as guaranteed usable physical capacity. Actual compression and data-reduction ratios depend on the characteristics of the stored data. Encrypted, previously compressed or otherwise non-reducible data can achieve significantly lower data-reduction ratios.

FlashSystem 7600 Memory and Cache Performance

The FlashSystem 7600 provides substantially more base memory than many earlier midrange FlashSystem configurations. Each FS7600 node canister contains six 64 GB DIMMs in the base configuration, providing 384 GB per node × 2 nodes = 768 GB total system memory. The ALGG memory upgrade increases each node canister to twelve 64 GB DIMMs which is 768 GB per node × 2 nodes = 1,536 GB ≈ 1.5 TB total system memory.

Memory Configuration	Feature Code	DIMMs per Node	Memory per Node	Total System Memory
Base	Factory Configuration	6 × 64 GB	384 GB	768 GB
Maximum / Upgrade	ALGG	12 × 64 GB	768 GB	1.5 TB

IBM identifies the base memory configuration as appropriate for systems with fewer than approximately 12 drives, one network adapter and modest IOPS requirements. The 768 GB-per-node configuration is recommended for cache-heavy I/O workloads. This distinction is important when sizing a FlashSystem 7600. Storage performance depends on more than the FCM5 media. Available memory, number of drives, adapter configuration, RAID design, workload characteristics and data-reduction activity all contribute to the performance delivered to applications.

High-Speed Fibre Channel Connectivity

The FlashSystem 7600 supports both 32 Gb and 64 Gb Fibre Channel connectivity for high-performance SAN environments. Supported Fibre Channel adapter options include:

Quad-port 32 Gb Fibre Channel
Quad-port 64 Gb Fibre Channel

Supported protocols include traditional SCSI over Fibre Channel and FC-NVMe / NVMe over Fibre Channel. Each node canister contains four adapter slots, allowing the system to provide substantial aggregate host-side bandwidth when configured with multiple adapters.

25 Gb and 100 Gb Ethernet Connectivity

The FlashSystem 7600 also supports high-speed Ethernet connectivity for IP-based storage environments. Supported adapter options include:

Quad-port 25 Gb / 10 Gb Ethernet
Dual-port 100 Gb / 40 Gb Ethernet

Depending on adapter and configuration, supported storage and communication protocols include:

iSCSI
NVMe/TCP
RDMA communication
Storage replication
Inter-system communication

A maximum of 32 optional I/O ports can be configured for the FlashSystem 7600.

Host Connectivity and System Performance

Host connectivity is an important consideration when designing a FlashSystem 7600 capable of approaching its maximum performance. A storage system capable of millions of IOPS and tens of gigabytes per second of throughput can still be constrained by the host SAN or Ethernet architecture.

Performance planning should therefore consider:

Number and speed of host adapters
Number of active host paths
Fibre Channel switch bandwidth
Ethernet switch bandwidth
Host HBA or NIC capabilities
Multipathing configuration
Host queue depth
Application I/O characteristics
Number and capacity of installed FCM5 modules
Distributed RAID configuration

Industry-Standard EDSFF NVMe SSDs

The FlashSystem 7600 can also use industry-standard EDSFF NVMe SSDs instead of FlashCore Modules for supported configurations.

NVMe SSD Capacity	Form Factor	Data-at-Rest Encryption	T10-DIF
1.92 TB	EDSFF	Supported	Supported
3.84 TB	EDSFF	Supported	Supported
7.68 TB	EDSFF	Supported	Supported

FlashCore vs. Standard NVMe: Industry-standard NVMe SSDs provide enterprise NVMe storage, hardware-based data-at-rest encryption and T10-DIF protection, but they do not provide the internal hardware data reduction or computational-storage capabilities available with IBM FlashCore Modules.

FCM5 Computational Storage and Cyber Resilience

FlashCore Module 5 incorporates computational-storage capabilities that allow processing to occur directly within the FlashCore hardware. One important application is hardware-assisted ransomware threat detection. FCM5 can continuously analyze I/O characteristics and provide computational assistance to IBM Storage Virtualize for identifying anomalous storage activity associated with ransomware and other cyber threats. This allows the FlashCore hardware to contribute directly to cyber-resilience functions without relying exclusively on analysis performed at the storage-controller or application layer.

FlashSystem 7600 Performance Density

The combination of 32 EDSFF NVMe slots, up to approximately 1.69 PB of installed FCM capacity, up to 7.2 PBe effective capacity, 4.3 million IOPS and 55 GB/s of bandwidth within a 2U enclosure makes performance density one of the defining characteristics of the FlashSystem 7600. Compared with architectures requiring larger numbers of lower-capacity drives, high-capacity FCM5 configurations can provide substantial storage capacity while consuming relatively little rack space.

FlashSystem 7600 Performance at a Glance

Performance at a Glance: The IBM FlashSystem 7600 5075-A30 provides up to 4.3 million 4K read-hit IOPS, up to 55 GB/s bandwidth, as much as 1.5 TB of system memory, 32 EDSFF NVMe drive slots, up to approximately 7.2 PBe effective capacity in a single 2U enclosure, and host connectivity reaching 64 Gb Fibre Channel and 100 Gb Ethernet.

Important Performance Considerations

Maximum specifications provide a useful method for comparing storage platforms, but they should not be interpreted as the performance every application will receive. IBM FlashSystem 7600 performance can vary considerably according to configuration and workload.

Important factors include:

Block size: Small-block workloads generally produce higher IOPS while large-block sequential workloads emphasize bandwidth.
Read/write ratio: Read-intensive and write-intensive workloads produce different performance characteristics.
FCM5 capacity: Larger FCM5 capacities provide higher individual module performance in several metrics.
Number of FCMs: Additional drives can increase available parallelism and aggregate performance.
System memory: Cache-heavy and high-I/O workloads can benefit from the 1.5 TB memory configuration.
RAID configuration: Distributed RAID layout affects usable capacity, write behavior, rebuild performance and resilience.
Host connectivity: Insufficient FC or Ethernet bandwidth can prevent applications from utilizing available storage performance.
Host configuration: Multipathing, HBA configuration and queue depth can significantly affect realized performance.
Data reduction: Compression and other data services can produce different results according to workload characteristics.
IBM Storage Virtualize level: Software releases can introduce performance improvements, new functions and revised configuration limits.

Configuration Verification: The IBM FlashSystem 7600 5075-A30 requires IBM Storage Virtualize 9.1.2 or later. Supported hardware, adapters, FlashCore Modules, firmware and configuration limits should be verified against the software level installed on the system before performing an upgrade or capacity expansion.

Machine Type: The IBM FlashSystem 7600 is machine type and model 5075-A30. IBM Storage Virtualize 9.1.2 or later is required for this platform.

IBM FlashSystem 7600 5075-A30 Overview

IBM Product	IBM Storage FlashSystem 7600
Machine Type / Model	5075-A30
Form Factor	2U rack-mounted NVMe control enclosure
Node Canisters	2 active-active node canisters
Internal NVMe Slots	32 EDSFF NVMe drive slots
FlashCore Generation	IBM FlashCore Module 5 (FCM5)
Supported FCM5 Capacities	6.6TB, 13.2TB, 26.4TB and 52.8TB
Industry-Standard NVMe SSDs	1.92TB, 3.84TB and 7.68TB EDSFF NVMe SSDs
Base Memory	768GB total
Maximum Memory	1.5TB total
Fibre Channel	32Gb and 64Gb FC / FC-NVMe
Ethernet	25/10Gb and 100/40Gb Ethernet
IP Storage Protocols	iSCSI and NVMe/TCP
Storage Software	IBM Storage Virtualize
Minimum Software Level	IBM Storage Virtualize 9.1.2

IBM FlashSystem 7600 Performance Specifications and Maximums

The IBM FlashSystem 7600 is engineered to provide high IOPS, high bandwidth and low response times from a compact 2U enclosure. IBM publishes performance reaching approximately 4.3 million 4K read-hit IOPS and up to 55GB/s maximum bandwidth. Performance varies according to the number and capacity of installed FCM5 modules, RAID configuration, workload block size, read/write ratio, host connectivity, queue depth, cache utilization and IBM Storage Virtualize software level.

Performance / Scale Characteristic	IBM FlashSystem 7600 Specification
Maximum IOPS	Up to approximately 4.3 million 4K read-hit IOPS
Minimum Published Latency	Under approximately 50 microseconds under qualifying conditions
Maximum Bandwidth	Up to approximately 55GB/s
Control Enclosure	2U
NVMe Drive Slots	32 EDSFF slots
Maximum System Memory	1.5TB
Maximum Memory per Node	768GB
Maximum FCM5 Capacity	52.8TB per module
Maximum Nominal Internal FCM Capacity	1,689.6TB using 32 × 52.8TB FCM5 modules
Maximum Effective Capacity – Single Enclosure	Up to approximately 7.2PBe based on IBM data-reduction assumptions
Maximum Effective Capacity – FlashSystem Grid	Up to approximately 230PBe
Maximum Fibre Channel Speed	64Gb
Maximum Ethernet Speed	100Gb
Maximum Optional I/O Ports	Up to 32
Maximum Fibre Channel Hosts	2,048 at applicable Storage Virtualize levels
Maximum NVMe-oF Hosts	256
Maximum iSCSI Hosts	1,024

Performance Note: Published IOPS, latency, bandwidth and effective-capacity figures represent maximum or qualifying configurations. Actual application results depend on workload and system configuration.

FlashSystem 7600 Active-Active Architecture

The 5075-A30 contains two active-active node canisters that form a redundant IBM Storage Virtualize I/O Group. During normal operation, both node canisters participate in serving application storage. If one node canister fails or is taken offline during an applicable service operation, the remaining node canister can continue providing access to storage volumes. Each node canister contains:

System processors
System memory
Backup battery
Network attachment adapters
Management connectivity

IBM FlashSystem 7600 Feature Code Quick Reference

Category	Description	IBM Feature / Identifier	Corresponding Part / Model Number
System	IBM FlashSystem 7600 Control Enclosure	A30	5075-A30
Memory	768GB-per-node Memory Upgrade	ALGG	5075-ALGG ordering feature
FCM5	6.6TB FlashCore Module 5	FCM5 Small	1014072E
FCM5	13.2TB FlashCore Module 5	FCM5 Medium	1014072F
FCM5	26.4TB FlashCore Module 5	FCM5 Large	10140730
FCM5	52.8TB FlashCore Module 5	FCM5 XL	10140731
NVMe SSD	1.92TB EDSFF NVMe SSD	Industry-Standard NVMe	1014070D
NVMe SSD	3.84TB EDSFF NVMe SSD	Industry-Standard NVMe	1014070E
NVMe SSD	7.68TB EDSFF NVMe SSD	Industry-Standard NVMe	1014070F
Connectivity	Quad-Port 64Gb Fibre Channel Adapter	IBM ordering feature varies by sales configuration	Verify installed adapter FRU before replacement
Connectivity	Quad-Port 32Gb Fibre Channel Adapter	IBM ordering feature varies by sales configuration	Verify installed adapter FRU before replacement
Connectivity	Dual-Port 100/40Gb Ethernet Adapter	IBM ordering feature varies by sales configuration	Verify installed adapter FRU before replacement
Connectivity	Quad-Port 25/10Gb Ethernet Adapter	IBM ordering feature varies by sales configuration	Verify installed adapter FRU before replacement

Feature Code Note: IBM's current public FlashSystem 7600 Hardware Guide publishes the ALGG memory feature code and exact supported adapter types, but does not expose the sales-order feature code for every network adapter and drive option. The IBM drive model numbers listed above are published in IBM's supported-drive database. Do not substitute an unverified feature or FRU number when ordering replacement hardware.

IBM FlashSystem 7600 FlashCore Module 5 – FCM5

The FlashSystem 7600 uses IBM FlashCore Module 5, IBM's fifth-generation computational-storage FlashCore technology. FCM5 uses the Enterprise and Datacenter Standard Form Factor, or EDSFF, allowing IBM to provide 32 NVMe devices within the 2U control enclosure.

FCM5 combines NVMe storage with:

Hardware-based data reduction
Hardware-assisted compression
Self-encryption
T10-DIF data-integrity protection
Computational-storage capabilities
Real-time ransomware threat-detection assistance
Enterprise-class flash management

FCM5 Capacity and IBM Drive Part Number Reference

FCM5	Physical Capacity	IBM Published Logical Capacity	IBM Drive Model / Part Identifier
Small	6.6TB	33.6TB	1014072E
Medium	13.2TB	67.2TB	1014072F
Large	26.4TB	134.4TB	10140730
XL	52.8TB	268.8TB	10140731

Part Number vs. FRU: IBM drive identifiers such as 1014072E identify the supported drive model in IBM's Storage Virtualize drive database. The physical service FRU installed in a particular machine can differ by manufacturing revision. Verify the installed FRU before ordering a field replacement.

FCM5 Performance by Capacity

FCM5 Capacity	Approx. Read Bandwidth	Approx. Write Bandwidth	Approx. 16K Read IOPS	Endurance
6.6TB	Up to approximately 2,200MB/s	Up to approximately 770MB/s	Approximately 125K	1 DWPD
13.2TB	Up to approximately 2,500MB/s	Up to approximately 770MB/s	Approximately 150K	1 DWPD
26.4TB	Up to approximately 3,500MB/s	Up to approximately 1,500MB/s	Approximately 200K	1 DWPD
52.8TB	Up to approximately 3,500MB/s	Up to approximately 1,500MB/s	Approximately 200K	1 DWPD

FCM5 Performance Insight: Larger FCM5 modules provide more than additional capacity. The 26.4TB and 52.8TB modules also provide greater individual-module bandwidth and read IOPS than the smaller capacities.

Maximum Internal FCM5 Capacity

The FlashSystem 7600 has 32 internal NVMe slots. Populating all 32 slots with 52.8TB FCM5 modules provides:

32 × 52.8TB = 1,689.6TB
               ≈ 1.69PB nominal installed flash capacity

Actual usable array capacity is lower because Distributed RAID requires parity, rebuild space and other RAID overhead.

IBM publishes up to approximately 7.2PBe effective capacity for a single FlashSystem 7600 enclosure under qualifying data-reduction assumptions.

Effective Capacity: Effective capacity is not guaranteed physical capacity. Actual compression and data reduction vary substantially according to the stored workload. Already compressed, encrypted or otherwise non-reducible data can achieve a significantly lower reduction ratio.

Industry-Standard EDSFF NVMe Flash Drives

The FlashSystem 7600 can also use IBM-qualified industry-standard EDSFF NVMe SSDs. These devices provide enterprise NVMe storage and support hardware-based encryption and T10-DIF data-integrity protection.

Capacity	Drive Type	IBM Drive Model / Part Identifier	Hardware Data Reduction	Computational Storage
1.92TB	EDSFF NVMe SSD	1014070D	No	No
3.84TB	EDSFF NVMe SSD	1014070E	No	No
7.68TB	EDSFF NVMe SSD	1014070F	No	No

FCM5 vs. Standard NVMe: Industry-standard NVMe SSDs provide NVMe performance, encryption and T10-DIF protection, but they do not provide the internal data-reduction or computational-storage functionality included with FCM5.

IBM FlashSystem 7600 Memory and Cache Upgrade

The FlashSystem 7600 supports two principal memory configurations. Each node canister contains 384GB in the base configuration, providing 768GB total system memory.

IBM feature ALGG doubles node memory to 768GB per canister, providing approximately 1.5TB total system memory.

Configuration	IBM Feature Code	DIMMs per Node	Memory per Node	Total System Memory
Base	Factory Configuration	6 × 64GB	384GB	768GB
Memory / Cache Upgrade	ALGG	12 × 64GB	768GB	1.5TB

IBM recommends the larger memory configuration for cache-heavy I/O workloads. Memory configuration can be particularly important for workloads with high I/O concurrency, large numbers of volumes and intensive metadata activity.

IBM FlashSystem 7600 Fibre Channel Connectivity

The FlashSystem 7600 supports both 32Gb and 64Gb Fibre Channel host connectivity. Fibre Channel adapters can provide traditional SCSI-based SAN access or NVMe over Fibre Channel.

Quad-Port 64Gb Fibre Channel Adapter

Adapter	Quad-Port 64Gb Fibre Channel
Ports	4 per adapter
Supported Speeds	64Gb, 32Gb and 16Gb
Protocols	SCSI over Fibre Channel and FC-NVMe
Maximum per Node	3
Minimum Software	IBM Storage Virtualize 9.1.2
Transceiver	Short-wave SFP supplied as standard

The 64Gb Fibre Channel adapter can be used for:

Host storage connections
FC-NVMe host connections
Storage replication
Communication between compatible IBM storage systems

64Gb FC Optics: IBM specifies short-wave SFPs for the FlashSystem 7600 quad-port 64Gb FC adapter. IBM does not support long-wave SFPs in this adapter.

Quad-Port 32Gb Fibre Channel Adapter

Adapter	Quad-Port 32Gb Fibre Channel
Ports	4 per adapter
Protocols	SCSI over Fibre Channel and FC-NVMe
Maximum per Node	4
Minimum Software	IBM Storage Virtualize 9.1.2

IBM FlashSystem 7600 Ethernet Connectivity

The FlashSystem 7600 supports high-speed Ethernet connectivity for iSCSI, NVMe/TCP, replication and storage-system communication.

Adapter	Ports	Supported Speeds	Primary Storage Uses	Maximum per Node
Quad-Port Ethernet	4	25Gb / 10Gb	iSCSI, NVMe/TCP, replication over TCP	4
Dual-Port Ethernet	2	100Gb / 40Gb	iSCSI, NVMe/TCP, RDMA-assisted replication	4

Both node canisters in the same I/O Group should be configured symmetrically with matching network-adapter configurations.

Maximum I/O Connectivity

Each IBM FS7600 node canister contains four network-adapter slots. With two node canisters, the platform can provide substantial aggregate host-side connectivity. IBM states a maximum of approximately 32 optional I/O ports for a FlashSystem 7600 enclosure, depending on adapter selection.

Storage performance planning should consider:

Number of installed host adapters
Fibre Channel or Ethernet speed
Available SAN switch bandwidth
Host HBA or NIC capability
Multipathing configuration
Host queue depth
FCM5 drive count
Distributed RAID configuration

Expansion Enclosure Support

The 5075-A30 differs significantly from the FlashSystem 7300 in this area.

Important: IBM's current FlashSystem 7600 hardware documentation does not list a SAS expansion adapter among the supported 5075-A30 network or storage adapter types and does not identify the 4657-12G, 4657-24G or 4657-92G enclosures as directly attached expansion options for this controller.

Accordingly, the SAS expansion feature codes used with earlier FlashSystem 7300 configurations should not automatically be applied to the FlashSystem 7600. The FlashSystem 7600 instead emphasizes:

32 high-density internal EDSFF NVMe slots
FCM5 capacities up to 52.8TB per module
IBM FlashSystem Grid for multi-system scale
External-storage virtualization through IBM Storage Virtualize where supported

Always verify any proposed external enclosure or storage configuration through the IBM System Storage Interoperation Center and the current 5075-A30 sales configuration before ordering hardware.

IBM FlashSystem Grid

IBM Storage Virtualize 9.x introduces FlashSystem Grid capabilities for coordinating supported FlashSystem systems and enabling workload mobility, capacity scaling and operational flexibility across multiple arrays. IBM publishes an effective maximum capacity for a FlashSystem 7600 Grid of approximately 230PBe. Grid functionality is particularly relevant to the 7600 because scaling no longer needs to be viewed only as adding drives to a single controller enclosure. Multiple supported systems can participate in a broader Storage Virtualize architecture.

FCM5 Computational Storage and Ransomware Detection

FCM5 contains computational-storage capabilities that allow portions of storage analysis to occur directly within the flash module hardware. IBM uses this capability to assist Storage Virtualize with real-time detection of anomalous I/O patterns associated with ransomware and other destructive activity.

FCM5 cyber-resiliency capabilities complement other IBM Storage Virtualize technologies including:

Safeguarded Copy
Immutable snapshot capabilities
Policy-based replication
High Availability
Encryption
Storage Insights
Cyber recovery workflows

IBM Storage Virtualize Features

The FlashSystem 7600 runs IBM Storage Virtualize and provides enterprise storage services including:

Distributed RAID
Thin provisioning
Hardware-assisted FCM5 data reduction
Deduplication
Encryption
Snapshots
Replication
Policy-based High Availability
Safeguarded Copy
Immutable volume-group and safeguarded snapshots
External-storage virtualization
FlashSystem Grid
REST API automation
Ansible integration
VMware integration
Red Hat OpenShift / CSI integration
Cyber-resiliency and ransomware-detection functions

IBM FlashSystem 7600 Host and Scale Limits

Configuration Limit	FlashSystem 7600
Fibre Channel Hosts per System	2,048
Fibre Channel Host Ports per System	2,048
FC Ports per Host ID	32
NVMe-oF Hosts per System	256
NVMe Qualified Names per Host	2
NVMe/FC Hosts	256
NVMe/TCP Hosts	256
iSCSI Hosts	1,024
Basic Volumes per System	16,050
Volume Groups	1,024

IBM FlashSystem 7600 Upgrade and Replacement Planning

Before ordering capacity, memory or connectivity upgrades for an IBM FlashSystem 7600, verify:

Machine type and model 5075-A30
Machine serial number
Installed IBM Storage Virtualize software level
Current FCM5 or NVMe drive model
Physical FRU number of any component being replaced
Current drive firmware
Array type and RAID configuration
Available EDSFF drive slots
Available network-adapter slots
Adapter symmetry between the two node canisters
Required SFPs, optics and cables
Host SAN or Ethernet compatibility

Replacement Part Warning: Do not assume that two drives or adapters with similar specifications are interchangeable. IBM support depends on exact system qualification, firmware, Storage Virtualize level and machine configuration.

How to Identify IBM FlashSystem 7600 Drive Parts

Several identifiers can appear when researching IBM storage hardware:

Identifier Type	Example	Purpose
Machine Type / Model	5075-A30	Identifies the FlashSystem 7600 control enclosure
Feature Code	ALGG	Identifies an IBM configurable hardware feature
IBM Drive Model Identifier	1014072E	Identifies an IBM-supported drive type in the Storage Virtualize drive database
Physical FRU	Shown on installed component label	Identifies the service replacement hardware revision

When ordering replacement media, verify both the supported drive model and the physical service FRU wherever possible.

IBM FlashSystem 7600 Supported Workloads

The FlashSystem 7600 is suitable for a broad range of latency-sensitive and business-critical workloads including:

IBM i
AIX
Linux on IBM Power Systems
SAP
Oracle Database
Microsoft SQL Server
VMware
Red Hat OpenShift
Container platforms
Virtual desktop infrastructure
Analytics
High-performance databases
Private and hybrid cloud
Enterprise application storage

IBM FlashSystem 7600 Frequently Asked Questions

What is the machine type of the IBM FlashSystem 7600?

The IBM Storage FlashSystem 7600 uses machine type and model 5075-A30.

How many NVMe drives does a FlashSystem 7600 support?

The 2U control enclosure provides 32 front-accessible EDSFF NVMe slots.

Which FlashCore generation does the FlashSystem 7600 use?

The FlashSystem 7600 uses FlashCore Module 5 (FCM5).

What FCM5 capacities are supported?

The FlashSystem 7600 supports FCM5 capacities of 6.6TB, 13.2TB, 26.4TB and 52.8TB.

What is the IBM drive identifier for the 6.6TB FCM5?

IBM's Storage Virtualize supported-drive database identifies the 6.6TB FCM5 as 1014072E.

What is the IBM drive identifier for the 13.2TB FCM5?

The 13.2TB FCM5 is identified as 1014072F.

What is the IBM drive identifier for the 26.4TB FCM5?

The 26.4TB FCM5 is identified as 10140730.

What is the IBM drive identifier for the 52.8TB FCM5?

The 52.8TB FCM5 is identified as 10140731.

Does the FlashSystem 7600 support standard NVMe SSDs?

Yes. IBM supports EDSFF NVMe SSD capacities of 1.92TB, 3.84TB and 7.68TB.

What is the maximum memory in a FlashSystem 7600?

The maximum supported memory is approximately 1.5TB, or 768GB per node canister.

What is IBM feature ALGG?

ALGG is the FlashSystem 7600 memory upgrade that increases each node from six 64GB DIMMs to twelve 64GB DIMMs, providing 768GB per node and approximately 1.5TB total memory.

Does the FlashSystem 7600 support 64Gb Fibre Channel?

Yes. The system supports quad-port 64Gb Fibre Channel adapters with FC and FC-NVMe connectivity.

Does the FlashSystem 7600 support 100Gb Ethernet?

Yes. Dual-port 100/40Gb Ethernet adapters are supported for applicable iSCSI, NVMe/TCP and replication configurations.

Can a FlashSystem 7600 use the same FCM3 or FCM4 modules as a 7300?

No. The FlashSystem 7600 uses EDSFF FlashCore Module 5 technology. FCM3 and FCM4 are U.2-generation modules used by earlier supported FlashSystem platforms and are not interchangeable with FCM5.

Can I attach the 4657-12G, 24G or 92G expansion enclosures from a FlashSystem 7300?

IBM's current 5075-A30 hardware guide does not list a SAS expansion adapter or those enclosures as directly attached 7600 options. Do not assume FlashSystem 7300 SAS expansion hardware can be moved to a FlashSystem 7600.

What software level is required for FlashSystem 7600?

The minimum IBM Storage Virtualize software family is 9.1.2.x. IBM recommends maintaining the system at a current supported maintenance level.

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IBM FlashSystem 7600 FS7600 5075-A30 NVMe Storage System Upgrades Parts