In the 1950s, IBM was a pioneer developer of magnetic disk data storage technology, which led to the development of IBM storage devices such as hard drives and floppy disk media. Today the rapid development of IBM and other data storage technology along with the data demands of the marketplace has required developers to lower system operation costs and simplify system infrastructure while increasing storage system data capacities.

Feature advantages of IBM data storage device systems include:

1. IBM storage disk systems provide scalable storage functionality to enterprise servers along with years of hardware warranties.
2. The IBM storage tape systems division takes aim at small businesses and other entry-level users. It also offers tape library and storage products as well as innovative de-duplication tape technology.
3. IBM storage area networks aim at enterprises and other higher-end users with large capacity data management and storage needs. These were developed in partnership with Cisco Systems.
4. IBM network attached storage products include their data storage management software like SnapManager and their N series storage hardware products, some in a development partnership with the Oracle Storage Compatibility Program (OSCP).
5. IBM storage optical systems are aimed at enterprises and other higher-end users with long-term data retention storage archiving needs.
6. IBM storage virtualization includes their custom centralized storage management software and hardware along with storage network design services.
7. IBM storage software includes SVC Entry Edition system storage software for small business users, Tivoli Storage Manager for mid-sized businesses and enterprises, and IBM System Storage Productivity Center (SSPC) software aimed at enterprise-sized storage system administrators.
8. IBM media storage includes tape cartridges sized for small, medium, and enterprise businesses.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get an overview of IBM media storage products and services

Learn about types of IBM data storage products such as IBM disk and tape data storage systems along with their IBM Storage Area Network (SAN) systems. These include the Cisco MDS family of data storage systems.

I recommend: Get an overview of the advantages of IBM storage devices and services. For an overview of the types of IBM storage products offered, visit the IBM System Storage website. For a more in-depth overview of IBM storage systems and product feature comparisons, download the IBM System Storage Product Guide (PDF). Get an overview of IBM storage solutions offered by IBM data storage infrastructure design experts.

Get an overview of IBM disk storage system appliances and application products

Explore the features of specific types of IBM storage disk system appliances and applications.

I recommend: The Magnetic Disk Heritage Center (PDF) offers an easy-to-understand explanation and history of magnetic disk storage technology, of which IBM was one of the pioneer developers. The IBM Journal of Research and Development (PDF) offers its own IBM data storage information on disk technology. See a full product list of IBM storage disk system appliances and applications. If your business needs require long term data archiving functions, explore the features of IBM storage disk systems that specialize in archiving. For small and mid-sized business needs, IBM offers economical entry-level data storage disk systems using RAID 6 and 450 GB SAS disk storage drives. Explore features and view case studies videos of IBM storage disk data systems aimed specifically at mid-sized businesses. For enterprises, explore features of higher-powered IBM storage disk systems including IBM storage for System z and scalable IBM System Storage systems.

Get an overview of IBM data storage tape system appliances and applications

Explore the features of specific types of IBM storage tape system appliances and applications.

I recommend: IBM.com offers a quick development history and easy-to-understand overview of IBM storage tape systems. See a full product list of IBM storage tape system appliances and applications. For small business and other entry level users, explore the features of IBM tape autoloader and tape library systems. Explore the features of IBM tape data storage and tape library systems aimed specifically at mid-sized businesses. For enterprises, explore features of higher-powered IBM storage tape systems including IBM storage tape library and server systems along with tape virtualization and de-duplication services. (Note that IBM.com offers an understandable explanation of de-duplication tape technology and IBM tape virtualization.)

Get an overview of IBM Storage Area Network (SAN) appliances and applications

Explore the features of IBM storage networking products including data network switches, directors and routers.

I recommend: See a full product list of IBM Storage Area Network appliances and applications. Explore the features of IBM Storage SAN networking switches for small businesses, including Cisco MDS Express products. Explore the features of IBM SAN systems aimed specifically at mid-sized businesses, including IBM storage systems with Fibre Channel connectivity. For enterprises, explore features of higher-capacity IBM SAN director products including IBM TotalStorage infrastructure director systems and Cisco MDS products for IBM System Storage. Also for enterprises, explore the features of IBM storage multi-protocol routers used for connecting remote storage area network systems.

Get an overview of IBM storage network attached appliances and applications

Explore the features of IBM storage network attached data storage products. These include IBM System Storage N Series appliances aimed at mid-sized businesses and data storage management software products such as SnapManager for virtual infrastructure.

I recommend: See a list of IBM Storage N Series network attached storage (NAS) products. Get an overview of features of IBM N Series appliances. See a full list of IBM N Series software products including data management and storage management and data integration software.

Get an overview of IBM storage optical systems and applications

Explore the features of IBM storage optical system products for long-term data retention needs including server system-specific external optical drives, optical libraries and optical cartridges.

I recommend: IBM.com offers an overview of IBM storage optical system products. For small to mid-sized businesses, explore the features of IBM System Storage Device Enclosure Express optical data storage system. For enterprises, explore the features of IBM Optical Library. IBM storage also offers removable and rewritable optical cartridges.

Get an overview of IBM storage media products

Explore the features of IBM storage media products including tape and optical cartridge products aimed specifically at small and mid-sized businesses and enterprises.

I recommend: Read an overview of IBM storage media products and see a list of IBM storage media products. Explore the features of entry-level IBM storage tape media products. Explore the features of IBM storage media products aimed at mid-sized businesses, including their high-capacity Ultrium line of tape cartridges and optical cartridges. Explore the features of IBM storage enterprise-oriented media products including TotalStorage Enterprise Tape Cartridges and Enhanced Capacity Cartridge System Tape system.

Buy IBM storage products, systems and services

Find third party vendors of IBM storage appliances and systems, or learn how to buy directly from IBM.

I recommend: For small and medium-sized businesses, before buying IBM storage appliances and systems, contact IBM storage product advisors. Read an informative overview for users wanting to buy IBM storage appliances and systems directly from IBM. For those seeking authorized IBM data storage suppliers of products, particularly IBM storage media, visit ISSIdata.com or BrassValley.com, IBM data storage suppliers of new and discontinued IBM storage products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  IBM storage and IBM TotalStorage are IBM's two major storage product families.
• •  Many of IBM Storage Area Network (SAN) products were developed as part of Cisco Systems' MDS line of SAN products.