Product Description
IBM EC6X PCIe3 x8 3.2 TB NVMe Flash Adapter for IBM i
The IBM EC6X PCIe3 x8 3.2 TB NVMe Flash Adapter for IBM i is a high-capacity, enterprise-class NVMe solid-state storage adapter optimized specifically for IBM i workloads on Power Systems servers. This PCIe Gen3 x8 adapter integrates 3.2 TB of usable flash storage directly on the card, delivering low latency, high IOPS, and strong endurance in a single-slot form factor, making it ideal for boot drives, load source, database acceleration, high-concurrency ERP, virtualization, and performance-critical IBM i applications requiring fast internal flash without external drawers.
Product Description
The IBM EC6X (feature code EC6X, CCIN typically 5D59 or related, part number often 01LU700 / 01LU701 or similar variants) is a PCIe Gen3 x8 NVMe flash adapter card designed for IBM Power Systems running IBM i (iSeries/AS/400). It provides 3.2 TB of enterprise-grade NAND flash storage directly on the adapter, using PCIe Gen3 x8 interface for high-bandwidth, low-latency access (no external cabling or drawers required). The adapter supports native IBM i attachment as a direct-load-source-capable device, OS mirroring, RAID protection (via software RAID or VIOS if needed), and advanced features including power-loss protection capacitors, end-to-end data protection (T10 DIF/DIX), and high endurance for mixed-read/write operations. It is fully qualified for mission-critical IBM i deployments on Power9 (primary target) and select Power10 systems with backward-compatible Gen3 slots, offering substantial capacity and performance advantages for flash-optimized IBM i environments while simplifying deployment compared to external NVMe drawers.
Features
- 3.2 TB enterprise-class usable capacity on a single PCIe card.
- PCIe Gen3 x8 host interface for high-bandwidth, low-latency performance.
- Native 4K sector format optimized for IBM i performance and compatibility.
- High endurance (typically 1–3 DWPD over 5 years, mixed workload).
- Power-loss protection circuitry to safeguard data during power events.
- Single-slot, full-height form factor for easy installation in PCIe slots.
- Supports IBM i native load source, mirroring, and software RAID configurations.
- Advanced error correction, wear-leveling, and T10 DIF/DIX end-to-end protection.
- LED status indicators for activity, fault, and health.
Technical Specifications
- Feature Code: EC6X
- Part Number: Typically 01LU700 / 01LU701 (or related variants)
- CCIN: Typically 5D59 (or similar high-capacity NVMe adapter CCIN)
- Capacity: 3.2 TB (usable; raw slightly higher)
- Interface: PCIe Gen3 x8 (single slot)
- Form Factor: PCIe full-height, half-length card
- NAND Type: Enterprise-grade TLC/eMLC
- Endurance: ~1–3 DWPD (Drive Writes Per Day over 5 years, mixed workload)
- Performance: Up to ~400,000–700,000 IOPS read, ~120,000–250,000 IOPS write (4K random, configuration dependent)
- Latency: Sub-150 μs typical read/write
- Sector Format: 4096-byte (4Kn) native
- MTBF: 2.5 million hours (typical enterprise NVMe)
- Power Consumption: ~15–28 W active
- Compatibility: Power9 (primary), select Power10 models with PCIe Gen3 slots
Compatibility
The IBM EC6X PCIe3 x8 3.2 TB NVMe Flash Adapter is compatible with:
- Power Systems Models:
- Power9: S914 (9009-41A/41G), S922 (9009-22A/22G), S924 (9009-42A), E950/E980, and related models with PCIe Gen3 slots
- Power10: Select scale-out models with backward-compatible PCIe Gen3 slots (reduced bandwidth vs. Gen4)
- Operating Systems: IBM i 7.4 TR1+ (native NVMe support), AIX 7.2+ / 7.3+, Linux (RHEL/SUSE/Ubuntu), VIOS
- Attachment: PCIe Gen3 x8 slot on host server (direct-attached NVMe)
- RAID/Support: Native IBM i load source/mirroring; software RAID via VIOS if needed
- Limitations: Requires PCIe Gen3 slot and compatible firmware; not backward compatible with Gen2 slots; performance limited compared to PCIe Gen4 adapters (EC7K/EC7M); not for external NVMe drawer use (use EJ2A for drawer connectivity)
Verify exact slot requirements, firmware levels, and IBM i TR/patch levels via IBM Sales Manual or resources for your specific Power Systems model.
Warranty
This product comes with a 60-day warranty covering parts and functionality.
