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Key Features of IBM Spectrum Scale (GPFS) Version 4.1.1

IBM Spectrum Scale is software defined storage for cloud, big data and analytics, and NAS solutions. With the release of 4.1.1, many are wondering what the key features are of this newest version. We’ve outlined the most important security, performance and usability features as well as native encryption and secure erase features below.

Security

  • Native encryption and secure erase

Performance

  • GPFS flash local read only cache
  • Network performance monitoring
  • AFM parallel data transfer

Usability

  • NFS data migration
  • AFM optimization
  • Backup/restore enhancements
  • FPO improvements

New Product Structure

  • GPFS Express Edition: A lower priced version without ILM, AFM, and cNFS
  • GPFS Standard Edition: All the features GPFS has had previously
  • GPFS Advanced Edition: All “Standard” features plus Encryption
  • Socket Based Licensing: Simpler, no more PVUs

Native Encryption and Secure Erase

  • Native: encryption is built into the “Advanced” GPFS product
  • Protects data from security breaches, unauthorized access, and being lost, stolen or improperly discarded
  • Cryptographic erase for fast, simple and secure file deletion
  • Complies with NIST SP 800-131A and is FIPS 140-2 certified
  • Supports HIPAA, Sarbanes-Oxley, EU and national data privacy law compliance

Encryption of Data at Rest

  • Files are encrypted before they are stored on disk
  • Keys are never written to disk
  • No data leakage in case disks are stolen or improperly decommissioned

Secure Deletion

  • Ability to destroy arbitrarily large subsets of a filesystem
  • No “digital shredding,” no overwriting: secure deletion is a cryptographic operation

Contact our file system experts to learn more about the key features of IBM Spectrum Scale.