IBM’s fourth-generation FlashCore Module (FCM4) pushes the boundaries of enterprise flash storage by combining hardware innovation, data reduction, and embedded cybersecurity—all while minimising performance impact.
All IBM FlashSystem solutions from the Flash System 5300 and above all feature the NVMe FlashCore Module 4.
FCM4 incorporates advanced AI and machine learning technology to identify ransomware-like activity in less than a minute, without impacting the host CPU. This feature is integrated directly into the storage device, monitoring each I/O operation and maintaining minimal latency.
As outlined in IBM's Redpaper, FCM4 combines per-I/O statistical summaries and transmits them through the storage system to an inference engine. In the event of any suspicious activity, alerts are promptly delivered to IBM Storage Insights Pro, facilitating swift action.
By utilising PCIe Gen4 and 176-layer charge-trap NAND, FCM4 boasts both speed and density. The doubling of bandwidth from Gen4 allows for increased performance across the entire capacity range (4.8 TB to 38.4 TB), not just in the higher tiers. This advanced technology also provides faster write speeds and improved durability.
The module features hardware-accelerated inline compression and encryption, eliminating any performance impact. This allows for up to 3:1 data reduction, resulting in a potential maximum capacity of around 115 TB, depending on the compressibility of the workload.
Experience unbeatable durability and reliability with FCM4's enterprise-grade capabilities. Benefit from IBM's established features, including Variable Stripe RAID, advanced wear-levelling, dynamic health monitoring with adaptive read-levels, and error correction. These elements are internally managed to prolong lifespan and ensure consistently low-latency performance.
A notable advancement in security: FCM4 offers protection through quantum-safe cryptography, by combining AES-256 encryption with cutting-edge algorithms such as CRYSTALS-Kyber (for key exchange) and CRYSTALS-Dilithium (for firmware authenticity). This ensures the safeguarding of data integrity against potential quantum attacks in the future.
FCM4 works cohesively within IBM FlashSystem:
The importance of FCM4 for you lies in its ability to meet the demands of high-speed performance and secure storage needs. It serves as a strong base, with features such as self-protection, self-optimisation, and resilience against modern threats. This makes it highly valuable in industries like financial services, healthcare, government, and other regulated environments where the assurance of quantum-safe defences and AI-driven threat detection adds an extra layer of trust.
