IBM DS8870 systems (machine types 2421, 2422, 2423, and 2424) are designed to offer better performance with new processors, microcode, drive options, and advanced functions to enhance data protection.

IBM POWER7+ Processor Technology

The DS8870 high-performance Model 961 features IBM POWER7+ server technology to help support higher performance. DS8870 can help deliver up to 15% performance improvement in maximum IOPS in transaction processing workload environments over the prior POWER processor for Model 961.

Flash Optimization

With the introduction of the 7.2 microcode, the system with the POWER7+ processor and all-flash drive configuration helps the DS8870 to deliver up to 20% improvement in maximum IOPS in random I/O workload environments.

Enhanced Business Class Configuration

The entry system, IBM DS8870 business class, is now scalable to 1,056 drives and up to 16-core processors.

Scalable Capacity

DS8870 offers new disk drives that help improve capacity and price-performance options for transaction processing workloads. New drives are:

• 1.2 TB 10,000 rpm SAS encryption drive
• 4 TB 7,200 rpm nearline SAS encryption drive

Security

In this release, IBM DS8870 supports the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) SP 800-131A, a US standard that provides guidance for protecting sensitive data by using cryptographic algorithms that have key strengths of 112 bits.

NIST SP 800-131A requires the use of cryptographic algorithms that have security strengths of 112 bits to provide data security and data integrity for secure data created in the cryptoperiod starting in 2014. This release provides enablement for NIST SP 800-131A on DS8870. Conformance with NIST SP 800-131A is dependent on use of appropriate prerequisite management software versions and appropriate configuration of the DS8870 and other network related entities. IBM remote service connections are not compliant with NIST 800-131A at this time.

Find out more here.