Freedom Storage 7700

Product Specification | Management Software Support

Nonstop, High-performance Storage for Multiple Platforms

Hitachi Data Systems introduced the HDS 7700 Scalable Array in 1995. This direct access storage device has established an unbeatable track record in the S/390®-compatible market by delivering nonstop operation, outstanding high performance, and a wide range of storage management features. The 7700 packs unprecedented levels of power, throughput, capacity, and scalability in the smallest of footprints, yielding the lowest overall cost of operation. With support for disaster recovery and data migration, performance management and tuning, high-availability software, and Year 2000-compliance solutions, the 7700 addresses business-critical storage requirements throughout your enterprise.

HDS extended the proven S/390-compatible strengths of the 7700 to the open systems environment in February 1997, making a strong commitment to continued multiplatform development. In June 1997, HDS delivered on that commitment with significant enhancements to meet the demand for nonstop high performance across multiple disparate platforms.

Highlights

Multiplatform support
HDS is dedicated to helping you manage the storage of data across multiple heterogeneous platforms. In February 1997, responding to the demand for mainframe levels of data stability and integrity for open systems environments, HDS unveiled a multiphase support plan for the 7700 in multiplatform mode (7700-MP), followed by several enhancements which further extended the mainframe's proven capabilities to the open systems environment.

Hitachi Multiplatform Resource Sharing (HMRS): HMRS allows the 7700-MP to be shared between UNIX®- or Windows NT-based servers and S/390-compatible mainframe platforms.

Hitachi Multiplatform Data Exchange (HMDE): HMDE enables the transfer of data between platforms using Extended Serial Adapter™ Licensed software (ExSA™) and SCSI channels.(ExSA is compatible with IBM's ESCON® protocol.)

Hitachi Multiplatform Backup/Restore (HMBR): HMBR enables the backup of 7700 UNIX data to attached S/390-compatible systems through standard MVS backup and recovery packages such as DFDSS or FDR.

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High-availability middleware
As open systems platforms take on more of the mission-critical workload traditionally performed by S/390 systems, they must address the need for host failover and alternate pathing. HDS open systems storage supports several industry-leading middleware solutions which satisfy this requirement.

Host Failover: Host failover allows a standby host to take over control of a primary host's storage and network (in the event of a failure in the primary host) and restart the primary host's applications. HDS ensures host-failover support for most open systems platforms through the following optional middleware:

  • VERITAS FirstWatch supports Sun Solaris on the HDS 5700, 5700E, 6700, and 7700, and SunOS on the HDS 5700E.
  • MC/ServiceGuard provides for alternate host failover on HP systems and supports up to eight hosts in a high-availability cluster of HP-UX processors. MC/ServiceGuard supports the HDS 5700, 5700E, 6700, and 7700 in multiplatform mode.
  • HACMP for IBM AIX™ systems (including the Bull Escala/Estrella series) supports up to eight AIX hosts in a high-availability cluster. HACMP supports the HDS 5700, 5700E, 6700, and 7700 in multiplatform mode.
I/O path failover: The SCSI bus between the server and RAID subsystem is a single point of failure which can result in a complete loss of data access. Alternate path support enables a LUN to be accessed through two different SCSI bus addresses. In the event of a failure on the primary path, the I/O is restarted through the alternate path. Some platforms—such as HP-UX 10.x and IBM AIX 4.x—include alternate path access to a common disk. For Sun Solaris 2.5 and Windows NT platforms, this capability is provided by Hitachi Path Failover.™

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Scalable performance and capacity
The 7700's completely integrated design results in performance and throughput that exceed those of competitive subsystems. This translates into increased batch throughput and reduced end-user response times, which in turn result in improved end-user productivity.

Intermix options: The 7700's RAID-5+ implementation delivers performance comparable to that of competitive subsystems while offering outstanding data protection and availability. Although most customers will find the RAID-5+ implementation appropriate for their needs, HDS offers a RAID-1+ option for those whose workloads feature unusually low cache-hit ratios.

Flexible configurations: The 7700 can be configured as a high-performance or high-capacity storage solution. You can increase the 7700's storage capacity from a minimum of 45GB to a maximum of 1.6TB. The nonvolatile cache can be upgraded from 256MB to 8GB, providing exceptional performance for the widest possible range of applications.

Intelligent caching algorithms: The 7700 utilizes the industry's most intelligent caching algorithms to improve system performance and maximize the effectiveness of cache. Record level caching is available, along with an Intelligent Learning Algorithm which monitors data access patterns and dynamically alters the staging criteria to ensure the highest possible hit ratios for randomly accessed data.

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Continuous availability
The 7700 represents a new generation of RAID product. It is designed not to be taken off-line for any activity—including component replacement, feature and capacity upgrades, or microcode updates.

Advanced service technologies: HDS' approach to service is an integral part of its commitment to delivering 100-percent data availability. The following advanced service capabilities help ensure continuous operation:

  • Concurrent maintenance. HDS performs all maintenance activity concurrently while continuing to provide you with access to data. Hardware components (including disk drives) are replaced, features are added or removed, and microcode is updated—all nondisruptively.
  • Remote maintenance. Many maintenance activities, such as diagnostics and microcode updates, can be performed quickly from the HDS remote support center, via proprietary hardware and/or software tools, without disrupting your operations.
  • Hi-Track® Storage. This unique HDS predictive maintenance service maximizes system availability. Hi-Track continuously monitors the subsystem and automatically transmits collected hardware status information to an HDS support center. The center analyzes the information and takes corrective action, where appropriate, in order to avoid problems that could impact subsystem throughput or availability.
  • SYNTHETIC CHANNEL.™ This installation tool emulates parallel or serial channel protocols and allows customer service representatives to perform a wide range of installation and support activities without using your system resources. Once you accept the equipment, the HDS subsystems are fully operational, ready for immediate storage of data.
These service technologies are backed by HDS' world-renowned customer service and support organization. As an HDS customer, you gain the fastest possible response from expert technical personnel around the clock, every day of the year.

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Disaster recovery/business continuance
The 7700 supports synchronous, semi-synchronous, and asynchronous remote copy to satisfy diverse disaster recovery needs. Hitachi Storage Management Features allow you to develop comprehensive disaster recovery solutions by dynamically maintaining a copy of data either locally or across long distances, using industry-standard channel extenders. You can also migrate an application from one data center to another without experiencing lengthy outages.

Hitachi Remote Copy:† This proprietary remote copy feature supports both synchronous and semi-synchronous copy modes, and offers additional features that further enhance performance. HRC's synchronous copy mode is functionally compatible with the industry-standard Peer-to-Peer Remote Copy (PPRC). Non-PPRC operating systems can run HRC from a PC attached to the 7700's internal LAN, using HDS Copy Migration Manager† software.†

Hitachi Extended Remote Copy:† This asynchronous remote copy feature is functionally compatible with the industry-standard Extended Remote Copy (XRC). HXRC is compatible with the DFSMS data mover which is common to the XRC environment. HXRC is available with full industry-standard support.

†Available under license and an HDS Services Agreement.

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RAB certification
The 7700 has been awarded a Disaster Tolerant Disk System Plus (DTDS+) rating by the RAID Advisory Board (RAB), a nonprofit organization that promotes the understanding and utilization of RAID and other storage technologies. The 7700 was examined in terms of 21 criteria for protection against loss of access to data caused by various internal or external failures. A disaster-tolerant disk system is one with two or more zones, each of which can provide access to all the system's data. A DTDS+ classification certifies that these two zones can be located at a distance of ten kilometers or more and that the data updates between the two zones are synchronized. The two zones contain identical data despite the physical separation.

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Hardware-performance monitor
HDS GRAPH-Track™ is the proprietary graphical user interface designed to help you gather information about the 7700's hardware performance. GRAPH-Track displays real-time or historical hardware performance data in a user-friendly Windows 95 format on a PC attached to the 7700's internal LAN. It also reports cache statistics (such as read and write hit ratios), as well as path and S/390 logical device activity, allowing you to maximize your investment in the 7700. With GRAPH-Track, you can dynamically change the amount of Duplexed Cache set aside for write data during operation, thus optimizing performance for the workload being run. Actions taken to tune the system can be scheduled automatically, thereby eliminating the need for manual entries.

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Data management and performance tuning
Responding to the challenge of managing vast amounts of data while ensuring optimum storage performance, HDS offers HS-DataTune, a unique combination of special features, functions, licensed software, and professional services. Part of Hitachi Storage Management Solutions, HS-DataTune allows you to manage and tune your 7700 environment for maximum system throughput while moving data nondisruptively from volume to volume.

HS-DataTune utilizes GRAPH-Track's reporting and control features, Hitachi Volume Relocation's nondisruptive data movement functions, HDS Copy Migration Manager † software, and integration services. Together, these capabilities give you effective control of your 7700 DASD environment.

†Available under license and an HDS Services Agreement.

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On-line data migration
The Hitachi On-line Data Migration (HODM) feature plays a critical role in effecting a safe and successful transfer of data. HODM can migrate terabytes of data in a matter of hours, while applications are on-line, not just between 7700 subsystems but between other industry-standard DASD subsystems and the 7700. HODM provides the utmost in availability, allowing users to access data continuously throughout the migration process. Its superior capabilities reduce migration times dramatically, saving you considerable expense.

HODM supports Model-1, -2, -3, -3R, -9, -E, -J, and -K LVIs, and migration from EMC, IBM, STK, and Amdahl products to the 7700. HDS also supports migration from smaller to larger LVIs, which allows you to transparently convert to a standard LVI. HDS is committed to further expanding migration support.

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Year 2000 compliance
HDS customers benefit from a comprehensive set of Year 2000-compliance solutions designed to help address the century date change problem. The HDS Run Time eXtensions (RTX) Environment™ includes the HDS RTX Time Machine and HDS RTX Time Warp testing features for HDS processors, and the HiSolve-2000SM offerings include professional services for assessment, planning, audit, test, and validation of Year 2000 projects.

As part of Hitachi Storage Management Solutions, HDS offers HS-DataPlex, a flexible and versatile Year 2000 testing package for the 7700 Scalable Array. HS-DataPlex software relies on the Hitachi Concurrent Processing Facility (HCPF)—a function of HRC—to enable nondisruptive generation of duplicate copies of critical DASD volumes either within or across 7700 subsystems. The duplicate copies are not restricted by subsystem size. You can use duplicate copies of critical application data in Year 2000 testing and development environments.

In addition to helping you address the Year 2000 challenge, HS-DataPlex brings valuable capabilities to any business situation that calls for duplicate copies of data or data volumes. Duplicate data volumes can be used in migrating critical data to other information processing platforms or in creating a continuous-operation environment.

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High-performance transaction processing
Responding to the industry's requirements for high-performance transaction processing, HDS introduced a new 7700-TPF model in June 1997. This model supports IBM's Transaction Processing Facility/Multi-Path Lock Facility (TPF/MPLF) in either native mode or under VM. 7700-TPF provides record-level locking, enabling high levels of concurrent data access across multiple channel paths. The HDS 7700-TPF supports both RAID-1+ and RAID-5+ with 9.2GB disks and 3390-3 or -3R LVI.

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The best overall cost of storage
The 7700's technology and design result in substantial reductions in floor-space, power, and cooling requirements, compared to disk subsystems operations, you realize considerable savings from the subsystem's scalable growth options. You can tailor configurations to meet your installation's actual needs, selecting the exact incremental capacity and performance as required. The 7700 joins a line of Hitachi storage products that have historically enjoyed the highest residual values in the industry. HDS is committed to providing new 7700 functions to existing 7700 customers, thereby delivering another level of investment protection.

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Hitachi Data Systems—For computing as critical as your business
It is not surprising that Computerworld's April 1997 Buyers Guide Survey ranks the HDS 7700 Scalable Array the highest in all five evaluation categories—overall satisfaction, hardware quality, service and support, cost of ownership, and comfort with vendor. The 7700 addresses the challenge of evolving workloads, multiple disparate platforms, and nonstop availability requirements. You can share data across multiple heterogeneous platforms without compromising continuous data availability. Scalable Architecture and configuration options help you capitalize on future technology developments, and comprehensive data management and performance tuning options allow you to optimize your return on investment. Once again, Hitachi Data Systems delivers the competitive storage advantage that helps you master your business-critical computing challenges.

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