Single Architecture

The IBM XIV System's single-architecture approach radically changes the rules of the game of enterprise-class data storage.

Until now, the industry commonly practiced multi-tiered storage architecture, providing different levels of storage to different applications. This multi-tiered paradigm evolved over time in response to sky-rocketing high-end storage costs, both capital and administrative. But multi-tiering adds complexity to a storage operation -- and that complexity only increases when there is a need to migrate data between the different tiers.

IBM XIV offers an alternative to multi-tiering by introducing the industry's first single-architecture system – a system that provides better service than existing storage solutions, and at considerably reduced TCO.

The revolutionary scheme of "one system for all needs" has many advantages, among them:

• All applications get top-level performance, reliability, availability and features, giving users an overall better level of service
• A single storage architecture is enough, reducing data center complexity
• There is never a need to migrate applications between storage tiers due to a change in their requirements or importance