IBM ES5C Enterprise 1.6 TB SSD PCIe4 NVMe U.2 module for AIX/Linux

The IBM ES5C Enterprise 1.6 TB SSD PCIe4 NVMe U.2 module for AIX/Linux (CCIN 5B52, part number 02YC739) is a high-performance, enterprise-class NVMe solid-state drive optimized for AIX and Linux workloads on IBM Power Systems servers. This 1.6 TB U.2 (2.5-inch) PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe SSD delivers ultra-low latency, massive IOPS, and high endurance in a hot-plug U.2 form factor, making it ideal for boot drives, database acceleration, virtualization, high-concurrency ERP, analytics, and mixed-use enterprise applications requiring large-capacity, fast internal flash storage.

Product Description

The IBM ES5C (feature code ES5C, CCIN 5B52, part number 02YC739) is an enterprise 1.6 TB NVMe U.2 SSD module designed for direct attachment in Power Systems servers supporting PCIe Gen4 U.2 bays (primarily Power10 and select Power9 G-models with U.2 backplanes). It provides 1.6 TB of enterprise-grade NAND flash storage with PCIe Gen4 x4 interface for high-bandwidth, sub-100 μs latency access. The drive supports native AIX and Linux attachment (no VIOS required in many configurations), software RAID/mirroring via AIX LVM or Linux mdadm, 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 AIX and Linux deployments on Power10 (e.g., S1022/S1024) and Power9 models with U.2 support, offering dramatically higher IOPS and throughput than SAS SSDs while maintaining enterprise reliability and firmware alignment.

Features

1.6 TB enterprise-class usable capacity in U.2 (2.5-inch) form factor.
PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe interface for high-bandwidth, ultra-low-latency performance.
High endurance (typically 1–3 DWPD over 5 years, mixed workload).
Power-loss protection circuitry to safeguard data during power events.
Hot-plug U.2 carrier for zero-downtime maintenance in supported bays.
Native AIX/Linux support with sector format compatibility (512e/4Kn).
Advanced error correction, wear-leveling, and T10 DIF/DIX end-to-end protection.
LED status indicators for activity, fault, and health.
Full IBM qualification for Power10/Power9 U.2 backplanes.

Technical Specifications

Feature Code: ES5C
CCIN: 5B52
Part Number: 02YC739
Capacity: 1.6 TB (usable; raw slightly higher)
Interface: PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe
Form Factor: U.2 (2.5-inch, 15 mm z-height, hot-plug)
NAND Type: Enterprise-grade TLC/eMLC
Endurance: ~1–3 DWPD (Drive Writes Per Day over 5 years, mixed workload)
Performance: Up to ~800,000–1.2M IOPS read, ~250,000–500,000 IOPS write (4K random, configuration dependent)
Latency: Sub-100 μs typical read/write
Sector Format: 512e / 4096-byte (4Kn) native
MTBF: 2.5 million hours (typical enterprise NVMe)
Power Consumption: ~18–28 W active
Compatibility: Power10 (primary, U.2 bays), select Power9 G-models with U.2 backplanes

Compatibility

The IBM ES5C 1.6 TB PCIe4 NVMe U.2 SSD is compatible with:

Power Systems Models:
- Power11 models 9824-22A (S1122) and 9824-42A (S1124)
- Power10: S1022/S1022s/S1024 (scale-out), E1080 (enterprise), and other Power10 models with U.2 NVMe backplanes (G-model configs)
- Power9: Select G-model servers with U.2 NVMe support (e.g., S922/S924/E950/E980 G-variants)
Operating Systems: AIX 7.2 TL5+ / 7.3+, Linux (RHEL/SUSE/Ubuntu), VIOS; IBM i limited support (not primary target for this U.2 module)
Attachment: Direct-attached in PCIe Gen4 U.2 bays/backplanes (no adapter required; native NVMe)
RAID/Support: Native AIX/Linux software RAID/mirroring; VIOS pass-through if needed
Limitations: Requires U.2 NVMe backplane support (not all Power10/Power9 models have U.2 bays); performance limited in Gen3 slots; not for external NVMe drawer use (use EJ2A for drawer connectivity)

Verify exact backplane requirements, firmware levels, and OS patch levels via IBM Sales Manual or resources for your specific Power Systems model.

IBM ES5C Enterprise 1.6 TB SSD PCIe4 NVMe U.2 module for AIX/Linux

Product Description