IBM FlashSystem External Storage for Power 11
External SAN-attached IBM FlashSystem storage populated with NVMe FlashCore Modules (FCM1 through FCM4), the SAN alternative to Power 11's internal NVMe U.2 bays and NED24 expansion drawer.
IBM FlashSystem arrays are a separate, externally attached storage tier from Power 11's own internal NVMe U.2 bays and NED24 expansion drawer. Where internal NVMe and NED24 storage sit inside or directly cabled to the Power 11 chassis, FlashSystem storage connects over Fibre Channel SAN through a supported host adapter, and can be shared across a Power 11 partition and other platforms on the same fabric.
FlashSystem arrays are populated with IBM's FlashCore Module (FCM) NVMe drives, which perform inline compression and encryption in the drive controller itself. IBM has shipped four FlashCore Module generations to date. The same nominal capacity within a generation can carry more than one valid part number depending on frame and drawer configuration, so the part number and feature code should always be confirmed against the exact FlashSystem model before ordering.
FlashCore Module part numbers and feature codes by generation and capacity
IBM FlashCore Module part numbers and feature codes
| Generation | Capacity | Part Numbers | Feature Codes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCM1 | 4.8 TB | 01YM582, 01YM482, 01EK233, 03LG613, 01YK819 | AES1, ADS1, AHS1 |
| FCM1 | 9.6 TB | 01YM583, 01YM943, 01YM493, 01EK232, 01YK818 | AES2, ADS2, AHS2 |
| FCM1 | 19.2 TB | 01YM584, 01EK231, 01YM501, 01YK817 | AES3, AHS3, ADS3 |
| FCM2 | 4.8 TB | 02YC416, 02YC423, 03GU599, 02CL186, 03GH469, 03GH824, 03GU518, 03GU531 | AES5, ADS5, AGS5, AHS5 |
| FCM2 | 9.6 TB | 03GU600, 02YC417, 03GH470, 03GH766 | AES6, ADS6, AGS6, AHS6 |
| FCM2 | 19.2 TB | 02YC418, 02CL183, 02CL182, 03GH471, 03GH764 | AES7, ADS7, AGS7, AHS7 |
| FCM2 | 38.4 TB | 02YC419, 03GH472 | AES8, AGS8, ADS8, AHS8 |
| FCM3 | 4.8 TB | 03JK076, 03JK162, 03GH935, 03GH936, 03JK687 | ADSA, AGSA, AHS9 |
| FCM3 | 9.6 TB | 03JK077, 03JK163, 03JL077, 03JK693, 03GH933, 03LG627 | ADSB, AGSB, AHSA |
| FCM3 | 19.2 TB | 03JK078, 03GH931, 03GH932, 03JK160, 03JK164, 03JK699 | ADSC, AGSC, AHSB |
| FCM3 | 38.4 TB | 03JK079, 03JK165 | ADSD, AGSD, AHSC |
| FCM4 | 4.8 TB | 03NK832, 03JK992 | ADSE, AGSE, AHSE |
| FCM4 | 9.6 TB | 03NK831, 03LG001, 03LG002, 03JN354 | ADSF, AGSF, AHSF |
| FCM4 | 19.2 TB | 03NK830, 03LG010 | ADSG, AHSG, AGSG |
| FCM4 | 38.4 TB | 03NK829, 03LG019 | ADSH, AGSH, AHSH |
A Power 11 partition reaching FlashSystem storage needs a supported Fibre Channel host adapter (see PCIe Gen4/Gen5 adapters for Power 11) and a FlashSystem array configured for IBM i or AIX attachment specifically, since generic host compatibility is not always sufficient.
Related
NVMe U.2 Internal Storage for Power 11
Direct NVMe U.2 storage bays built into every Power11 chassis, scaling from 12.8 TB raw on the S1112 up to 244.8 TB raw on the S1124 and L1124.
NED24 NVMe Expansion Drawer
An external NVMe expansion drawer that extends direct-attached flash storage capacity beyond a Power 11 chassis's internal drive bays.
PCIe Adapters for Power 11
Networking, SAN, and tape connectivity adapters across direct-chassis PCIe Gen4 slots, the I/O layer common to every current Power 11 model.
Power 11 DCM Processor Modules
The Dual-Chip Module (DCM) processor option used across S1122, S1124, L1122, L1124, E1150, and E1180 for maximum core count and throughput.
Frequently Asked
Does an IBM FlashCore Module go in Power 11's NED24 expansion drawer?
No. The NED24 drawer takes standard direct-attached NVMe drives, not FlashCore Modules. FlashCore Modules are housed inside external IBM FlashSystem or Storage Virtualize based arrays and reach a Power 11 partition over Fibre Channel SAN through a supported host adapter, not through the NED24 drawer or internal NVMe U.2 bays.
Which IBM FlashCore Module generation should I use with Power 11?
Power 11 does not dictate the FlashCore Module generation directly, since the module lives in the attached FlashSystem array, not the Power 11 chassis. The generation (FCM1 through FCM4) and capacity (4.8 TB to 38.4 TB) are set by the FlashSystem model and existing pool configuration. Match the exact part number and feature code to that FlashSystem model, then confirm the Power 11 side has a supported Fibre Channel adapter for the attachment.