Comparison Features

Architecture

IBM Storwize V7000

Native, integrated storage virtualization
Both a midrange disk array with enterprise-class features and an external virtualization
platform
Leverages proven innovations from other IBM storage platforms
Supports clustering up to eight controller nodes (four controller enclosures)
Unified model features dual active File Modules providing file access over NFS, CIFS,
FTP, HTTPS, and SCP protocols
FC, iSCSI, and FCoE host connectivity

Performance

Economics and Value

Dual active controllers with front-end cache and SAS back-end drive connections
FC, iSCSI, and FCoE host connections for SAN
Up to eight X-Blades provide file access over NFS, CIFS, pNFS, and MPFS protocols
Controllers and X-Blades support flexible plug-in UltraFlex modules for connectivity; UltraFlex modules include FC, iSCSI, and
FCoE options
Supports high-capacity LFF SAS, high-performance LFF SAS, and high-performance SFF SAS disk drives, in addition to LFF
and SFF SSDs

Supports high-capacity large-form-factor (LFF), high-capacity small-form-factor (SFF), and

high-performance SFF SAS disk drives, as well as SFF SSDs
Impressive SPC-1 and SPC-2 benchmark results
No voluntary participation in SPC benchmarks
Easy Tier optimizes performance by automating data movement among storage tiers in 16 EMC claims up to three times faster than the previous-generation CLARiiON CX4; however, the basis for this claim is
MB to 8 GB chunks; bundled with the base software
questionable
FAST VP for automated block and file tiering in 1 GB increments; FAST Cache for up to 2.1 TB SSD cache; both are costly
Clustered systems deliver up to four times the performance of the base model
options
FlashCopy, Easy Tier, thin provisioning, data migration, multipathing, and Active Cloud
Compression, thin provisioning, and data migration provided at no extra charge, but point-in-time copies, multipathing, and
Engine are provided at no additional charge
storage tiering are chargeable options
File Modules and file-serving software are priced competitively
Lower-end models (VNX5300/5500) are very cost-competitive
Standard warranty covers both three-year hardware and one-year software maintenance

Higher-end models (VNX5700/7500), in general, are more expensive per GB than the Storwize V7000

External storage virtualization capability extends lifecycle and allows for easy migration of
legacy systems, thus enabling a better return on investment (ROI)

Similar price per GB to the Storwize V7000 for mixed SSD and SAS configurations

Standard warranty covers three years for hardware but 90 days only for software
Up to 2,970 TB raw capacity
Underlying file technology based on Multi-Path File System (MPFS)
Local Protection Suite (includes Snap View, VNX Snapshot, SnapSure, and RecoverPoint /SE) full clone (block), file and
Easy-to-use, intuitive GUI
block snapshot copies, and continuous data protection (CDP) for any-point-in-time recovery (block)
Remote Protection Suite (includes MirrorView, Replicator, and RecoverPoint /SE) remote block and file replication and
Underlying file technology based on industry-leading General Parallel File System (GPFS)
continuous remote replication (CRR) with WAN deduplication and bandwidth reduction
FlashCopy for local point-in-time block volume copies
MirrorView is less scalable than Storwize V7000 Remote Mirroring
File snapshots for local point-in-time file system and file set copies
RecoverPoint/SE supports both block and file replication but file replication is limited
Security and Compliance Suite includes file-level retention, host-based encryption, and antivirus integration and provides
Thin provisioning with zero detection
additional legal compliance and data security options
Remote Mirroring for remote block volume replication
EMC's Cloud Tiering Appliance enables ILM functionality on VNX arrays but increases solution complexity
Asynchronous file replication for remote file system replication
Drive spin-down on nearline SAS and select 10K rpm SAS drives
Native in-line compression
Native postprocess compression
Integrates with IBM Systems Director and TPC for advanced manageability; TPC for Disk
Native postprocess file deduplication
Select and TPC Select available as cost-effective solutions
Integrates with Tivoli FlashCopy Manager and Tivoli Storage Manager FastBack for
Supports thin provisioning, but zero detection solution only works with the Veritas File System (VxFS)
advanced backup and disaster recovery solutions
Active Cloud Engine enables policy-based file migration between storage tiers; bundled
Virtual Storage Integrator Plug-in for VMware vCenter; plug-in for VAAI; plug-in for vSphere Storage APIs for Storage
with base software
Awareness (VASA); plug-ins for SRM
Plug-ins for VMware vCenter, Site Recovery Manager (SRM), and vStorage APIs for Array
VNX Management Pack for Microsoft SCOM
Integration (VAAI)
Virtualization of external SAN-attached heterogeneous storage systems
Up to 1.44 PB internal storage and a total of 32 PB internal and external storage

Features

EMC VNX Series (VNX5300/5500/5500-F/ 5700/7500)

Midrange unified SAN and NAS storage platform

Plug-in for Microsoft System Center Operations Manager (SCOM)