IBM SAN Volume Controller

SVC implements an indirection, or "virtualization", layer in a Fibre Channel storage area network (SAN).

Finally, spreading an SVC installation across two or more sites (stretched clustering) enables basic disaster protection paired with continuous availability.

Nodes are rack-mounted appliances derived from IBM System x servers, protected by redundant power supplies and integrated batteries.

Intracluster communication includes maintaining read/write cache integrity, sharing status information, and forwarding reads and writes to any port.

In addition, all other cluster nodes accept and forward read and write requests which are internally handled by the appropriate I/O group.

SVC is based on COMmodity PArts Storage System (Compass) architecture, developed at the IBM Almaden Research Center.

The different SAN Volume Controller models were available for purchase shortly after the mentioned announcement day.

[note 1] Release 7.x provides multiple enhancements including support for additional CPUs, cache and adapters.

The Actifio Protection and Availability Storage (PAS) appliance includes elements of SVC code to achieve wide interoperability.