IBM System Storage EXP5060 Storage Expansion Enclosure Planning Guide

The IBM® System Storage® EXP5060 Storage Expansion Enclosure (Machine Type 1818, Model G1A) provides high-capacity Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) disk storage for the DS5100 and DS5300 storage subsystems. The storage expansion enclosure delivers fast, high-volume data transfer, retrieval, and storage functions for multiple drives to multiple hosts. The storage expansion enclosure provides continuous, reliable service, using hot-swap technology for easy replacement without shutting down the system and supports redundant, dual-loop configurations.

This IBM Redpaper™ publication illustrates and describes the various external cabling options and Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) modules that connect the DS5100 or DS5300 storage subsystem to the EXP5060 storage expansion enclosure.

This paper gives you a brief introduction to the EXP5060 and serves as a supplemental planning guide to attach the EXP5060 to DS5100 or DS5300. This paper describes the best workloads, layouts, and practices for the EXP5060. This paper shows the results of a variety of EXP5060 performance testing.

This paper is intended for anyone who wants to understand the advantages and performance benefits of the EXP5060.