IBM ES8W 1.55TB SFF-3 SSD 4k eMLC4 for IBM i

The IBM ES8W 1.55TB SFF-3 SSD 4k eMLC4 for IBM i is a high-capacity, enterprise-class solid-state drive optimized specifically for IBM i workloads on Power Systems servers. This 2.5-inch SFF-3 SSD delivers 1.55 TB usable capacity, 12 Gb/s SAS connectivity, 4K (4096-byte) sector format, and eMLC4 NAND technology, providing excellent endurance and performance for database, ERP, virtualization, high-concurrency, and mixed-use IBM i applications requiring large capacity with strong IOPS and low latency.

Product Description

The IBM ES8W (feature code ES8W, CCIN typically 5B15 or related, part number often 01LU702 / 01LU703 or similar variants) is a 2.5-inch Small Form Factor (SFF-3) SAS solid-state drive engineered for IBM Power Systems running IBM i (iSeries/AS/400). It offers 1.55 TB of enterprise-grade flash storage with a 12 Gb/s SAS interface (dual-port) and native 4K sector format, ensuring optimal alignment and performance in IBM i environments. The drive uses a standard hot-plug SFF-3 carrier compatible with internal Power Systems bays. It supports RAID 0/1/5/6/10 via the host server's integrated controller or VIOS, with advanced features including power-loss protection capacitors, end-to-end data protection (T10 DIF/DIX), and high endurance via eMLC4 NAND for sustained mixed-read/write operations. This SSD is fully qualified for mission-critical IBM i deployments on Power8 and Power9 delivering substantial capacity, IOPS, and latency advantages over HDDs while remaining backward compatible with 6 Gb/s SAS infrastructure.

Features

1.55 TB enterprise-class capacity in 2.5-inch SFF-3 form factor.
12 Gb/s SAS interface (backward compatible with 6 Gb/s SAS).
4K (4096-byte) native sector format optimized for IBM i native performance.
High endurance with eMLC4 NAND (typically 1–3 DWPD over 5 years, workload dependent).
Power-loss protection circuitry to safeguard data during power events.
Hot-plug SFF-3 carrier for zero-downtime installation and replacement.
Full RAID support (0/1/5/6/10) via attached Power Systems controller or VIOS.
Advanced error correction, wear-leveling, and T10 DIF/DIX end-to-end data protection.
LED status indicators on carrier for activity and fault conditions.

Technical Specifications

Feature Code: ES8W
Part Number: Typically 01LU702 / 01LU703 (or related variants)
CCIN: 5B15
Capacity: 1.55 TB (usable; raw slightly higher)
Interface: 12 Gb/s SAS (dual-port)
Form Factor: 2.5-inch SFF-3 (hot-plug carrier)
NAND Type: Enterprise-grade eMLC4
Endurance: ~1–3 DWPD (Drive Writes Per Day over 5 years, mixed workload)
Performance: Up to ~200,000 IOPS read, ~70,000–100,000 IOPS write (4K random, configuration dependent)
Latency: Sub-200 μs typical read/write
Sector Format: 4096-byte (4Kn) native
MTBF: 2.5 million hours (typical enterprise SSD)
Power Consumption: ~7–12 W active
Compatibility: Power8, Power9 with SAS backplanes

Compatibility

The IBM ES8W 1.55TB SFF-3 SSD 4k eMLC4 is compatible with:

Power Systems Models:
- Power8: S814 (8286-41A), S822/S824 (8284-22A), E870/E880 (9119-MME/MHE), and others
- Power9: S914 (9009-41A/41G), S922 (9009-22A/22G), S924 (9009-42A), E950/E980, and related models
Operating Systems: IBM i 7.1+ (native SAS support, 7.4+ recommended for 4K/SSD optimizations), VIOS, AIX 7.1+ (cross-compatible), Linux (RHEL/SUSE/Ubuntu)
Attachment: Integrated SAS controllers/backplanes (#EJ0x, #EJ1x series)
RAID Support: Managed by host server (integrated RAID or VIOS)
Limitations: Not compatible with NVMe backplanes; requires 12 Gb/s SAS infrastructure for full performance (6 Gb/s fallback supported)

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

IBM ES8W 1.55TB SFF-3 SSD 4k eMLC4 for IBM i

Product Description