Product Description
IBM ACHL 1 Gb iSCSI 4 Port Host Interface Card
IBM ACHL 1 Gb iSCSI 4 Port Host Interface Card (feature code ACHL), an optional I/O adapter card providing four 1 Gb Ethernet ports. This host interface card adds additional 1 Gb iSCSI connectivity to the control enclosure, enabling Ethernet-based block storage access over IP networks in supported systems.
It is specifically designed for the IBM Storwize V3700 control enclosure (2072 series), complementing standard 6 Gb SAS and 1 Gb iSCSI ports (or optional upgrades like 8 Gb FC or 10 Gb iSCSI/FCoE). The card uses RJ-45 connectors for copper Ethernet cabling, supporting 1 Gb/s speeds for cost-effective iSCSI host attachment in midrange SAN or IP storage environments.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Ports | 4 x 1 Gb Ethernet ports (RJ-45) |
| Interface | 1 Gb iSCSI (Ethernet-based) |
| Speed | 1 Gb/s (no auto-negotiation to higher speeds mentioned) |
| Feature Code / Part Number | ACHL (often associated with IBM part 00MJ097 or 00Y2418 equivalents) |
| Form Factor | PCIe-based I/O adapter card (installs in node canister slots) |
| Transceivers Included | None (uses RJ-45 copper ports; no SFPs required) |
| Installation | Plug-in to Storwize V3700 node canister; typically requires matching pair (one per canister) for balanced dual-controller setup |
Configuration Options
The base offering is the single adapter card (#ACHL). Common associated IBM options for Storwize V3700 environments include:
- Cables: Standard Cat5e/Cat6 Ethernet cables (up to 100 m for 1 Gb/s)
- Other Host Cards: Mix with other optional interfaces (e.g., 8 Gb FC ACHK, 10 Gb iSCSI/FCoE ACHM, 6 Gb SAS ACHJ) if slots allow
- No additional licenses typically required for basic iSCSI connectivity
These support flexible, Ethernet-based host connectivity setups aligned with existing network infrastructure.
Compatibilities
The IBM ACHL 1 Gb iSCSI 4 Port Host Interface Card is compatible with:
- Control Enclosures: IBM Storwize V3700 (2072 series control enclosure only; adds extra 1 Gb iSCSI ports).
- Systems: Storwize V3700 family; inherits full system features like virtualization, thin provisioning, Easy Tier, FlashCopy snapshots, remote mirroring, and RAID 0/1/5/6/10.
- Host Connectivity: Supports 1 Gb Ethernet NICs/HBAs on servers; interoperable with standard Ethernet switches (1 Gb ports) for iSCSI initiators.
- Operating Systems / Servers: Broad support via Storwize V3700 connectivity; compatible with major OS including Microsoft Windows Server, Red Hat/SUSE Linux, VMware vSphere/ESXi, IBM AIX, Oracle Solaris, HP-UX (with iSCSI initiators).
- Restrictions: Specific to Storwize V3700 control enclosure (not for V7000, V5000, or later FlashSystem models); limited adapter slots per node canister (typically one per canister, requiring pair for redundancy); requires appropriate firmware level for full support.
This provides cost-effective iSCSI host connectivity for legacy Storwize V3700 setups.
The unit comes with a 60-day warranty for added assurance.
