Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform, also known as VSP was first introduced in September, 2010.
This storage platform builds on the design of Universal Storage Platform V, originally released in 2007.
At the heart of the system is the HiStar E-Network, a fifth-generation network crossbar switch matrix.
This storage platform is made up of different technologies than USP and USP V.
The connectivity to back-end disks is via 6Gbit/s SAS links instead of 4Gbit/s Fibre Channel loop.
The internal processors are now Intel multi-core processors, and in addition to 3.5-inch drives support has been added for 2.5 inch small-form factor HDDs. The VSP supports SSD, SAS and SATA drives.
The ability to scale in 3 dimensions (3D Scaling) which allows for infrastructure growth on three axes.
Scale up to meet increasing demands by dynamically adding processors, connectivity and capacity in a single unit. This enables tuning the configuration for optimal performance for both open systems and mainframe environments.
Scale out to meet demands by dynamically combining multiple units into a single logical system with shared resources. Support increased needs in virtualized server environments and ensure safe multitenancy and quality of service through partitioning of cache and ports.
Scale deep to extend the advanced functions of Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform to multivendor storage through virtualization. Offload less-critical data to external tiers in order to optimize the availability of the tier one resources.
Supports automated storage tiering, known as Dynamic Tiering, to automate the movement of data between tiers to optimize performance.
Front to back cooling airflow for more efficient cooling
Improved capacity per square foot and lower power consumption compared to the USP V.
Enables virtualization of external SAN storage from Hitachi and other vendors into one pool
Supports online local and distance replication and migration of data nondisruptively internally and between heterogeneous storage, without interrupting application I/O through use of products such as Tiered Storage Manager, ShadowImage, TrueCopy and Universal Replicator.
Single image global cache accessible across all virtual storage directors for maximum performance.
Automated wide-striping of data, which allows pool balancing and lets volume grow or shrink dynamically.
The system can scale between one and six 19-inch rack cabinets. It can hold a maximum of 2,048 SAS high-density 2.5-inch drives for 1.2 petabytes of capacity, or 1,280 3.5-inch SATA drives for a maximum capacity of 2.5 petabytes.
Supports thin provisioning and storage reclamation on internal and external virtualized storage
Provides encryption, WORM and data shredding services, data resilience and business continuity services and content management services.
Item
Size
Single Module
Dual Module
Maximum Capacity*
Internal 1
294 TB
589 TB
External
247 PB
247 PB
Maximum number of
volumes
64k
64k
Supported drives
See Table 1-2 Drive Specifications below.
Cache memory capacity
Min 64 GB
Max 512 GB
Min 128 GB
Max 1 TB
Cache flash memory capacity
Min 64 GB
Max 512 GB
RAID Level
RAID1, RAID 5, RAID 6
RAID Group
Configuration
RAIDI
2D+2D, 4D+4D
RAIDS
3D+ IP, 7D+ IP
RAID6
6D+2P
Internal Path
Architecture
Hierarchical Star Net
Maximum Bandwidth
Cache Path = 128 GB/s
Control Path = 64 GB/s
Back-end Path
SAS 6G
32 (2WL*6)
64 (2WL*32)
Number of ports per installation unit
FC 2/4/8 GB
80 (96 * 1)/ 16,8
176 ( 192 * 1)/ 16,8
FICON 2/4/8 GB
80/ 16
176/16
Device I/F
Controller chassis-
drive chassis Interface
SAS/Dual Port
Data transfer rate
Max. 6 GBps
Maximum number
of HDD per SAS I/F
256 (2.5-inch HDD)
160 (3.5-inch HDD)
Maximum number of
FEDs
4 if drives installed
6 if diskless
8 if drives installed
12 if diskless
Channel I/F
Mainframe
1/2/4 GBps Fibre Channel: 16MFS/16MFL
2/4/8 GBps Fibre Channel: 16MUS/ 16MUL
Open-systems
2/4/8 GBps Fibre Shortwave:
8UFC/ 16UFC
Management Processor
Cores
Quantity
16 cores
32 cores
Virtual Storage Director
configuration
Minimum/maximum
FEDs
6
6 2
BEDs
0 or 2 / 43
2 / 8
Cache
2 / 8
2 / 16
Switches /CSW
2 / 4
4 / 8
Notes:
1. When 300 GB is mounted
2. All FED configuration, no BEDs (diskless system)
3. Zero BEDs in a diskless configuration, two BEDs min if drives are installed
Remote maintenance Our exclusive remote maintenance solution performs real-time monitoring of your equipment and MICS alert when an incident occurs
Trained and certified technical staff MICS highly qualified and certified technical staff can provide support services for equipment maintenance and repair services for the Hitachi Universal Storage Platform USP V. Our contracts and maintenance services typically cost 50-70% less than what charge the original manufacturers.