674 Implementing the IBM Storwize V7000 with IBM Spectrum Virtualize V8.2.1
13.1  Reliability, availability, and serviceability
Reliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS) are important concepts in the design of the 
IBM Spectrum Virtualize system. Hardware features, software features, design 
considerations, and operational guidelines all contribute to make the IBM Storwize V7000 
system reliable. 
Fault tolerance and high levels of availability are achieved by using the following methods:
/SM590000The Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) capabilities of the underlying disks
/SM590000IBM Storwize V7000 nodes clustering using a Compass architecture
/SM590000Auto-restart of hung nodes
/SM590000Integrated Battery Backup Units (BBU) to provide memory protection if a site power failure 
occurs
/SM590000Host system failover capabilities using N-Port ID Virtualization (NPIV)
High levels of serviceability are available through the following methods:
/SM590000Cluster error logging
/SM590000Asynchronous error notification
/SM590000Automatic Dump capabilities to capture software detected issues
/SM590000Concurrent diagnostic procedures
/SM590000Directed Maintenance Procedures (DMP) with guided online replacement process
/SM590000Concurrent log analysis and memory dump data recovery tools
/SM590000Concurrent maintenance of IBM Storwize V7000 components
/SM590000Concurrent upgrade of IBM Storwize V7000 Spectrum Virtualize Software and firmware
/SM590000Concurrent addition or deletion of node canisters in the clustered system
/SM590000Automatic software version leveling when replacing a node
/SM590000Detailed status and error conditions that are displayed by LED indicators
/SM590000Error and event notification through Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), 
syslog, and email
/SM590000Optional Remote Support Assistant
The heart of IBM Storwize V7000 system is a pair of node canisters. These two canisters 
share the read and write data workload from the attached hosts and to the disk arrays. This 
section examines the RAS features of IBM Storwize V7000 system, monitoring, and 
troubleshooting.
Throughout this chapter, the term IBM Storwize V7000 refers to both models of the product: 
IBM Storwize V7000 Gen2 and Gen2+.