B26 Hardware Guide
B26 Hardware Guide
MK-23VSP1B007-05
Introduction
The Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform One Block 20 (VSP One Block 20) storage systems are high-
performance, large-capacity data storage systems utilizing all-flash NVMe solid-state drives. The
NVMe flash architecture delivers consistent low-microsecond latency, which reduces the transaction
costs of latency-critical applications and delivers predictable performance to optimize storage
resources.
The VSP One Block 20 storage systems consist of a controller chassis, one or more NVMe drive
boxes, and internal components such as fans and PCIe switches.
Key features
High performance
High reliability
The VSP One Block 20 storage systems are available in three different models:
VSP One B24: Scalable capacity up to 4.3 PB (internal) and 64 PiB (external).
VSP One B26: Scalable capacity up to 4.3 PB (internal), 128 PiB (external).
VSP One B28: Scalable capacity up to 4.3 PB (internal), 255 PiB (external).
The VSP One Block 20 storage systems provide heterogeneous connectivity, supporting concurrent
attachment to a variety of hosts, including VMware, Linux, UNIX, and Windows.
Sustainability
At Hitachi Vantara we empower organizations to meet their environmental goals through data-driven
solutions that improve efficiencies, lower costs, and reduce climate impact.
The VSP One Block 20 storage systems utilize Hitachi's patented Dynamic Carbon Reduction
(DCR) technology that reduces power consumption by switching controller CPUs into low-
power mode during periods of low activity.
The VSP One Block 20 storage systems are ENERGY STAR® certified and Carbon Footprint of
Products (CFP) approved.
Hitachi's Modern Storage Assurance allows you to extend service lifecycles and minimize
electronic waste. With Modern Storage Assurance, you can continue using your original and
next-generation VSP One infrastructure for as long as you choose, greatly reducing the amount
of electronic waste related to your VSP One installation.
The Storage Virtualization Operating System (SVOS) software also helps reduce CO2
emissions with enhanced data reduction technology, which allows you to store more data on
the purchased capacity. In some cases, a 65% reduction in electricity consumption can reduce
CO2 emissions by up to 65% as well.
Hitachi Vantara diagnostics and sustainability advisory services help you drive effective
sustainability practices across your organization.
The Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform One Block 20 storage systems offer superior performance,
resiliency, and agility, featuring response times as low as 41μs, all backed up with the industry’s first
and most comprehensive 100% data availability guarantee. The following table lists the key operational
and performance specifications for the VSP One Block 20 storage systems.
Item Specifications
Maximum
TLC: 72 (2.5-inch NVMe SSD)
QLC: 24
Cache memory capacity 256 GiB 512 GiB to 768 512 GiB to 1,024
GiB GiB
Item Specifications
Maximum number 4 8 8
of front-end
modules
Hardware terminology
The VSP One Block 20 hardware terms include the factory terms and their abbreviations, which are
used in hardware specifications and maintenance documents, and the nomenclature appearing in end-
user documentation and nontechnical materials such as marketing collateral. The following table lists
and describes the basic hardware terms for the VSP One Block 20 storage systems.
Controller chassis DKC Controller chassis Chassis containing the controller and
ancillary components that control the
storage system.
Controller board CTL Controller board Board in the controller chassis that
contains the controller, cache
Controller
memory, and cache flash memory.
Power supply unit PS unit Power supply Power supply component that
provides power to the controllers and
drive boxes.
Hardware overview
The Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform One Block 20 storage systems consist of a controller chassis and
one or more NVMe drive boxes mounted in a 19-inch rack. The power supply is single-phase AC 200V.
Number Item
1 Drive box
2 Controller chassis
Architecture
The following figure shows the hardware architecture of the Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform One Block
20 storage systems.
The VSP One Block 20 storage systems feature a duplexed configuration for each controller, front-end
module, back-end module, power supply unit, backup module, battery, and CFM and a redundant
configuration for the power supply units and cooling fans. These redundancy and backup features
eliminate all active single points of failure, no matter how unlikely, to provide ultra-high reliability and
data availability. In addition, the firmware upgrades and adding or replacing components can be
performed nondisruptively while the storage system is in operation. Controller boards can be replaced
nondisruptively as long as host clients have a path to both controllers. (During maintenance and
replacement of a controller board, the front-end modules and the back-end modules attached to the
controller board are blocked.)
Controller chassis
The controller boards contain the cache memory (CM) and cache flash memory (CFM) for the
storage system.
The following figures show the front and back of the controller chassis.
1 LED (POWER, READY, WARNING, Status LEDs for the controller chassis.
ALARM)
2 POWER ON/OFF (main switch) Switch that controls power to the storage
system.
Controller board
1 Cache flash NA
memory
3 NA
Uninterruptible
power supply port
4 LAN-RST switch Resets ESM. Use only when instructed by Hitachi Vantara
support.
5 LAN port
LAN1: Maintenance LAN port (left)
1 ALARM LED (for CFM ) Red: Cache flash memory can be removed.
6 SPEED LED
Green On: Link speed is 1 Gbps
Off: Link speed is 10 Mbps/100 Mbps
7 ESM status
Green On: ESM is on standby.
Green blinking: ESM is active.
Amber: The ESM has started the boot
loader.
Fast blink: The ESM is in phase 2 of
the boot loader.
Slow blink: The ESM OS is booting.
Off: ESM is shutdown.
Front-end modules
The front-end modules (FEMs), also called channel boards (CHBs), control the transfer of data
between the host and cache memory. The storage system supports FC, FC Ethernet, and iSCSI front-
end modules for attachment to host servers. The front-end module LEDs indicate the operating status
of the module.
Number of PCBs 1 1
Copper - -
Ethernet (FC-TCP)
Number of PCBs 1
Long wave -
Copper TBD(DAC)
iSCSI
Number of PCBs 1 1 1
The LEDs on the front-end modules indicate the operating status of the module.
CHB-1A 1A 3A 5A 7A
CHB-1B 1B 3B 5B 7B
CHB-1C 1C 3C 5C 7C
CHB-2A 2A 4A 6A 8A
CHB-2B 2B 4B 6B 8B
CHB-2C 2C 4C 6C 8C
The following table lists the 10-Gbps and 25-Gbps iSCSI (optical) port assignments.
CHB-1A 1A 3A
CHB-1B 1B 3B
CHB-1C 1C 3C
CHB-2A 2A 4A
CHB-2B 2B 4B
CHB-2C 2C 4C
The following table lists the 10-Gbps iSCSI (copper) port assignments.
CHB-1A 1A 3A
CHB-1B 1B 3B
CHB-1C 1C 3C
CHB-2A 2A 4A
CHB-2B 2B 4B
CHB-2C 2C 4C
CHB-1A 1A 3A
CHB-1B 1B 3B
Back-end modules
The back-end modules, also called disk boards (DKBs), control the transfer of data between the drives
and cache memory. The back-end module LEDs indicate the operating status of the module.
Item Specification
Number of PCBs 1
Performance 16 Gbps
The NVMe drive box (or DB) contains the following components:
The following table lists the physical specifications of the NVMe drive box.
The following figures show the front and back of the NVMe drive box
Number Item
1 Enclosure
2 AC power supply
4 ALM (REPLACE) Red: Indicates when the power supply can be replaced.
Rack support
The storage system can be installed in the Hitachi Universal V3 Rack, Universal V2B Rack, or
Universal V2 Rack as well as non-Hitachi 19-inch racks that meet the storage system's specifications.
Non-Hitachi racks must be 4-post, EIA 310-D compliant with adequate airflow and weight capacity. The
PDUs must be mounted properly to avoid any issues for servicing the storage system. The PDU
receptacles must face toward the back (not toward each other). The area behind the storage system
and between the vertical 19-inch mounting posts must be free of PDUs and cable loops.
Specifications
The VSP One Block 20 storage systems are designed to operate in a controlled environment such as a
data center. The following tables provide the environmental, electrical, and physical requirements and
specifications for the VSP One Block 20 storage systems.
Physical specifications
The following table lists the physical specifications for the VSP One Block 20 components, including
weight, maximum heat output, maximum power consumption, and air flow.
Part number Weight Max heat output Max power Air flow (m3/
(kg) (W) consumption min)
(VA)
Part number Weight Max heat output Max power Air flow (m3/
(kg) (W) consumption (VA) min)
DW-F900-EQRR1 0.3 -- -- --
DW-F2000-CBSFB 1.0 -- -- --
DW-F2000-DBFB 0.6 -- -- --
DW-F2000-NMC1F 0.15 -- -- --
DW-F2000-NMC5A 0.6 -- -- --
DW-F2000-PMSHD 0.2 -- -- --
DW-F2000-MPC10 0.2 -- -- --
DW-F2000-MPC20 0.3 -- -- --
DW-F2000-MPC30 0.4 -- -- --
DW-F2000-MPC50 0.5 -- -- --
DKC-F810I-1PL162 0.02 -- -- --
DKC-F810I-1PS162 0.02 -- -- --
DKC-F810I-1PL322 0.02 -- -- --
DKC-F810I-1PS322 0.02 -- -- --
DKC-F810I-1PS642 0.02 -- -- --
DW-F800-1PS102 0.02 -- -- --
Part number Weight Max heat output Max power Air flow (m3/
(kg) (W) consumption (VA) min)
DW-F900-1PS252 0.02 -- -- --
DW-F2000-1PS1002 0.04 -- -- --
The VSP One Block 20 storage systems run on single-phase AC 200V power. The AC power input
power for the storage systems is duplexed across the PDUs, enabling the equipment installed in the
rack to remain powered on if power is removed from one of the two power distribution panels.
The following table lists the input power specifications for the VSP One Block 20 storage systems.
200 V to 240 V
Drive box
50 Hz/60 Hz
Drive box
2nd (0-p): 20 A
2nd (0-p): 25 A
Drive box
Notes:
1. When planning the air-conditioning equipment and power-supply system, use the multiplied
value of [Input Power] × [Input Current].
2. The maximum current of AC input is not a redundant configuration.
3. The maximum current of AC input is a redundant configuration.
The following table lists the input voltage and input frequency requirements for the VSP One Block 20
storage systems.
Note: Use a PDU with a circuit breaker. When using a PDU without a circuit breaker, the current
specification of the PDU must be the same as the circuit breaker rating of the PDB.
Frequency Input voltage (AC) Conditions Tolerance (%)
2 Wire + Ground
2 Wire + Ground
Environmental specifications
The following tables provide the environmental specifications, including operating and non-operating
values, for the VSP One Block 20 storage systems.
Temperature
State Specification
Humidity
State Specification
Operating 8% to 80%
Non-operating 8% to 90%
Notes:
1. Vibration that is constantly applied to the storage system due to construction works and so
on.
2. Guaranteed value for each chassis of the storage system. If vibration or impact exceeding the
specified value occurs, the acceleration value to which the storage system is subjected must
be reduced to the specified value or lower using equipment for earthquake resistance or
seismic isolation so that the storage system can operate continuously. For general 19-inch
racks, the lateral vibration amplitude tends to be larger at the upper installation location.
Therefore, install the chassis in order from the bottom of the rack without making a vacant
space, If the rack frame and storage system are moved while the storage system is operating,
operation is not guaranteed.
State Specification
Environment/atmosphere
Non-operating -
State Specification
DBN2E: 70 dB or lower
DBN2E: 55 dB or lower
Note:
The storage system should be installed in a computer room or data center. If the storage
system is installed in a general office, take measures against noise as required.
When you replace an old Hitachi storage system with a new one in a general office, note the
following to take measures against noise: The cooling fans in the newer storage systems are
smaller so the fan speed (RPM) is higher to maintain the cooling performance. Therefore, the
high-frequency noise content is high.
Fire suppression systems and acoustic noise: When activated, some inert-gas fire-suppression
systems generate high levels of acoustic noise. High levels of acoustic noise can cause vibrations to
the media in the storage system, resulting in I/O errors, performance degradation in the media, and to
some extent damage to the drives. Media noise-level tolerance varies among different models,
designs, capacities, and manufacturers.
Note: The storage systems and media are not tested for compatibility with fire-suppression systems or
pneumatic sirens. In addition, Hitachi does not recommend or claim compatibility with any fire-
suppression systems or pneumatic sirens. The customer is responsible for following applicable
regulations.
To prevent I/O errors and damage to the storage system due to high levels of acoustic noise:
Install noise-reducing baffles to mitigate the noise to the media in the storage system.
Consult the fire-suppression-system manufacturer about noise-reduction nozzles to protect the
media in the storage system.
Locate the storage system as far away as possible from noise sources.
If it can be done safely and without risk of personal injury, shut down the storage system before
the noise occurs to prevent data loss due to damage to the media in the storage system.
The VSP One Block 20 storage systems can be powered on and off using the power control panel
located on the controller chassis.
Use the following procedure to power on the storage system. The main switch on the controller chassis
is used to power on the storage system.
Note: No management server, either local or remote, is required for the storage array to complete its
boot-up process and be ready for use.
Use the following procedure to power off the storage system. The main switch on the controller chassis
is used to power off the storage system.
Ensure that all software-specific shutdown procedures have been completed. Refer to the
applicable user manuals for details.
Ensure that all I/O activity to the storage system has stopped. You can vary paths offline and
shut down the attached hosts.
1. Press the main switch on the controller chassis for approximately three seconds until the
POWER LED on the front of the chassis changes from solid green to a blinking status.
2. Release the main switch and the POWER LED returns to solid green after blinking for
If the storage system does not receive power for more than 6 months, the battery can become
discharged and possibly damaged. To avoid this situation, charge the battery for more than 3
hours at least once every 6 months.
In the event of a power failure, the VSP One Block 20 storage systems use power from the batteries to
back up the user data in cache memory and the storage system configuration data onto the non-
volatile cache flash memory (CFM). The data transferred to the CFM during a power outage can be
retained for up to three months.
The batteries and CFM are installed in a duplexed configuration, one on each controller board,
enabling the storage system to continue to operate if a single point of failure occurs in the batteries or
CFM. The VSP One Block 20 storage systems use nickel metal hydride batteries to provide high power
and endurance. The power output of these batteries is not affected by the level of charge in the battery.
Note: The battery backup processing that transfers data to CFM drains the batteries. Depending on the
remaining charge in the battery, the next power-on cycle might take more time.
The following figure shows the battery backup operations for the VSP One Block 20 storage systems.
Note: The following information is provided to assist in installation planning. For further information
about site preparation for storage system installation, contact customer support.
Site planning
The responsibilities for site preparation and planning are shared by the customer and the Hitachi
Vantara account team. The required installation planning tasks must be completed before the storage
system is delivered to ensure successful and efficient installation of the VSP One Block 20 storage
system.
Review the following requirements when planning for installation of the storage system:
Delivery area. The delivery area must provide enough space and floor strength to support the
packaged storage system. Doorways and hallways must provide enough clearance to move the
equipment from the delivery area to the destination.
Data center. The data center must have sufficient space to accommodate the storage system
and provide minimum clearance around the storage system for service access and proper
weight distribution on the floor. It must also include correctly positioned floor cutouts for the
power and data cables.
Condensation. If the storage system arrives in hot or cold weather or if you notice any
condensation, do not unpack the storage system until it has been allowed to reach room
temperature and any condensation has cleared (one to two hours). Maintain the required
humidity level and airflow rates.
ESD. Take the necessary precautions to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD). Verify that all
equipment and flooring are grounded. Store spare electric parts in antistatic bags until you are
ready to install them. When handling the storage system, wear protective devices like wrist
straps or antistatic gloves.
Environment. Proper environmental conditions for the storage system must be maintained.
Storage systems require controlled environmental conditions that are often best facilitated
through raised flooring and under-floor air conditioning. It is the responsibility of the customer to
monitor this environment and ensure continued conformance with the environmental
specifications.
Power. The computer room must have adequate power facilities for the storage system. The
customer is responsible for procuring, installing, and maintaining adequate power to the
equipment.
The following installation planning tasks can take several weeks to complete:
Complete the following activities before your VSP One Block 20 storage system is delivered:
Plan the equipment configuration, such as storage system component layout in the rack and
drive allocation.
Plan for specific network topologies, cabling configurations, network switches, and cabling of
connected host computers.
Ensure all cables for specific controller and drive box configurations are properly ordered.
Verify all electrical service wiring is installed at the predetermined location.
Review the power, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning requirements before ordering any
additional support equipment.
Make a final layout of the installation and review the layout with the Hitachi Vantara
representative.
Verify all additional equipment, such as switches and host servers, is installed and operational.
Use the following checklist to verify that all required site preparation and planning activities have been
completed before the storage system is delivered.
Requirement Yes No
Requirement Yes No
Does the floor plan meet the service clearance and cutout
requirements?
Will the equipment fit through all doors and corridors and in elevators?
Does the site enforce access controls (for example, will Hitachi
representatives need an escort)?
The location in the data center where the VSP One Block 20 storage system will be installed must
meet the following requirements:
The location must provide sufficient clearance around the storage system for service access. In
addition, there must be enough space so you can view the storage system LEDs on the front
and rear panels.
Do not utilize the service clearance space for the storage of any article.
The data center floor must have correctly positioned floor cutouts for the storage system's
power and data cables. The floor cutout area and dimensions correspond to 19-inch rack
specifications.
Make sure to install a grid panel of over 450 x 450 mm on the front side of the device.
The following figure shows the service clearance requirements and recommended floor cutout
positions for the VSP One Block 20 storage system.
The data center floor must meet the floor loading requirements of the VSP One Block 20 storage
system. The floor space at the installation site must support the combined weight of the storage system
and all associated components and equipment.
Requirement: The floor must have a load rating between 300 and 700 kg/m2. The maximum floor
loading at any point is 700 kg.
Depending on the load rating of the floor, additional space might be required to distribute the
equipment weight properly.
The anti-tilt bracket for the Hitachi Universal V3 Rack must be anchored to a rigid floor capable of
holding a minimum of 79 kg (154 lbs). For more information about the Universal V3 Rack, see the
Universal V3 Rack Reference Guide.
To install the anti-tilt bracket, use the following tools and components.
T25 screwdriver
Customer-supplied M10 or 3/8-inch screw capable of holding a minumum 79 kg (154 lbs)
1. Adjust the four retractable feet so the rack is level with the floor.
2. Attach two anti-tilt brackets to the feet on the back of the rack.
3. Using a minimum size of an M10 or 3/8-inch screw, fasten the bracket to the floor.
The client PC is LAN-attached to the VSP One Block storage system and communicates with the
Embedded Storage Manager (ESM) modules on the controllers of the storage system. The ESMs host
the embedded management tools for the storage system: VSP One Block Administrator, maintenance
utility, and embedded Command Control Interface (CCI).
Before logging in to the storage system for the first time, make sure the client PC meets the following
hardware and software requirements.
Item Requirements
Minimum: 8 GB or more
Recommended: 16 GB or more
Minimum: 4 GB or more
Recommended: 8 GB or more
Monitor
True Color 32-bit or better
Resolution: 1280 x 1024 or better
LAN Ethernet1000Base-T
Item Requirements
Use software (including the OS) that is currently supported by the vendor. We do not guarantee
operations performed using software that is no longer supported by the vendor.
OS Architecture Browser
Windows 11 64 bit
Microsoft Edge1,5
Google Chrome3
Notes:
1. If you use Microsoft Edge, disable the pop-up blocker. In accordance with the Microsoft
support policy, we only support the latest version of Microsoft Edge that works on each OS.
Set the preferred language to either English (United States) or Japanese (Japan).
2. Do not perform unnecessary mouse actions on the Windows 10 Command Prompt screen. It
has been reported that the process executed from the command prompt stopped in the
middle and the prompt was not returned.
3. If you use Google Chrome, disable the pop-up blocker. Also, enable Web storage (DOM
storage). Use the latest version.
Set the preferred language to either English (United States) or Japanese (Japan).
Set the preferred language to either English (United States) or Japanese (Japan).
OS Architecture Browser
6. The following DKCMAIN firmware versions are required:
A3-04-01 or later
From A3-03-02 to A3-03-20
Component list
The following tables list and describe the components of the VSP One Block 20 storage systems. For
more information, please contact your Hitachi Vantara representative or customer support.
Component list
DW2000-CBS 2U chassis 1
DW-F2000-4F64
Front-end module (64/32-Gbps 4port-FC) 2-6
DW-F2000-2HE25
Front-end module (also know as a channel 2-6
board) (25-Gbps SFP optic-iSCSI)
DW-F2000-2E100
Front-end module (also know as a channel 2-6
board) (100Gbps QSFP)
DKC-F810I-1PL32
SFP for 32 Gbps Longwave 0-24
DKC-F810I-1PS64
SFP for 64 Gbps Longwave 0-24
DW-F2000-DBN2E 2U chassis 1
ENC 2
DW-F2000-30RSWM
30 TB, QLC 16 Gbps, flash module drive (VSP One 0-24
B24 only)