HP Discover: New 3PAR StoreServ models

HP has brushed up the StoreServ 7000 series and updated the StoreServ 7200 and 7400 models. HP also added a new model to the 7000 series: The StoreServ 7440c.

New 3PAR StoreServ models:

Model 3PAR StoreServ 7200c 3PAR StoreServ 7400c 3PAR StoreServ 7440c
Nodes 2 2 or 4 2 or 4
CPUs 2x 6-Core 1,8 GHz 2x or 4x 6-Core 1,8 GHz 2x or 4x 8-Core 2,3 GHz
Gen4 ASICs 2 2 or 4 2 or 4
On-Node Cache 40 GB 48 - 96 GB  96 - 192 GB
Max Drives 8 - 240 (max 120 SSDs) 8 – 576 (max 240 SSDs) 8 - 960 (max 240 SSDs)
Max Enclosures 0 - 9 0 - 22 0 - 38

Old 3PAR StoreServ models

Model 3PAR StoreServ 7200 3PAR StoreServ 7400
Nodes 2 2 or 4
CPUs 2x 4-Core 1,8 GHz 2x or 4x 6-Core 1,8 GHz
Gen4 ASICs 2 2 or 4
On-Node Cache 24 GB 32 - 64 GB
Max Drives 8 - 240 (max 120 SSDs) 8 – 480 (max 240 SSDs)
Max Enclosures 0 - 9 0 - 22

Especially the 7440c is a monster: It scales up to 38 enclosures and 960 drives (just to compare: A 3PAR StoreServ 10400 scales also up to 960 drives!). Check the QuickSpecs for more details.

As you can see, the new models got new CPUs, more on-node Cache and tehy support mode disks. In addition to this, the they got support for a new dual port 16 Gb FC HBA, a dual port 10 GbE and a quad port 1 GbE NIC. You may ask yourself: Why 10 GbE and 1 GbE NICs (not iSCSI/ FCoE)? The answer is: HP 3PAR File Persona Software Suite for HP 3PAR StoreServ. This software license adds support for SMB, NFS, NMDP and Object Storage to the nodes of the 7200c, 7400c and 7440c. I assume that this license will not be available for the “older” 7200 and 7400. But this is only a guess. With this license you will be able to use 3PAR StoreServ natively with block and file storage protocols. I think this is a great chance to win more deals against EMC and NetApp.

Enrico Signoretti has written a very good article about the new announcements: HP 3PAR, 360° storage. He has the same view like me about the new HP 3PAR File Persona. Philip Sellers has written about another new announcement: Flat Backup direct from 3PAR to StoreOnce. Also check Craig Kilborns blog post about the new HP 3PAR StoreServ SSMC. Last, but not least: The 3pardude about the new 3PAR announcements.