Support Plan for VSP One Block 20 Series (Pegasus 2U)

Features:

• CPU: Sapphire Rapids
• Latest technology – PCIe Gen4, Sapphire Rapids, 100Gb TCP, 64Gb FC
• Always-on ADR with hardware acceleration1
• Granular upgrades (single drive)
• Performance improvement between 2x to 3x vs. previous platform
• 3x more NVMe scalability
  • NVMe Gen4 Drive Trays and Gen4 SSD Media scaling up to 72 Drives
• 33% more IO ports
• Dynamic Drive Protection (DDP) equivalent to RAID6 levels of data protection
• Thin Image Advanced Data and Ransomware Protection
• Front-end 64G Fiber Channel & 100G NVMe TCP with 33% more IO slots
• Virtual Storage Scale Out expansion capabilities
• QLC Media Support Ready

VSP One Block 20 QLC Offering

VSP Block 26 QLC is a new All Flash Array (AFA) model offering.  The VSP One Block 26 QLC model only supports QLC media. It does not support intermixing with TLC Media and will be price positioned to compete with similar QLC competitive offerings.

Quad Level Cell (QLC) is the latest in non-volatile flash memory capacity that increases the number of bits that can be stored in a single cell to 4 bits. Currently most of the SSD media sold today are based on Triple Level Cell (TLC) non-volatile flash technology which means QLC media will increase the storage capacity 33% better than TLC Media. While there are clear benefits of the technology, there’s also weaknesses to consider compared to current TLC offerings. Some of the critical weakness of QLC to keep in mind is write performance which is significantly slower than current TLC devices and the endurance of the QLC devices are a fraction of TLC devices today.

QLC feature on VSP One Block 20 platforms is available as a media option identical to the current NVMe (TLC) SSD drives supported today. QLC media is based on the 2.5” (U.2) form factor and supports dual port NVMe connectivity. The Block 20 QLC offering supports 30TB QLC drives with plans to support 60TB support 6-12 months after the initial GA (December 2nd, 2024). 

• The VSP One Block 26 QLC offering is a single configuration of VSP One Block 26 QLC with 24x 30TB QLC drives with the only ability to customize front-end and support options. This offering will not support upgrade options nor intermix of QLC and TLC media.
• Phase 2 (2H 'CY24 GA) will support a 60TB QLC media options and add QLC options to our existing enterprise portfolio. 

Initial SVOS release that supports VSP One Block 26 QLC

SVOS 10.3.1 planned for release on 11/29

VSP One Block Series Models

Full Storage Portfolio

VSP One Asset Reports

1. Pre-GA Assets
2. Post-GA Assets
3. Self Install Assets

VSP One Block 20 Prep Program

Prep is Hitachi Vantara’s Pre-Release Evaluation Program (PREP) for VSP One Block 20. Available to Partners and some hand picked customers.  

Timeline:

• Equipment shipments will begin the week of April 29^nd and will continue through May.
• Installation should be scheduled promptly after receiving equipment.
• Feedback Checkpoint #1 should occur the same day as installation (hardware or Ops Center if used). Hitachi PAM, or account manager/SC are responsible for sharing the forms below with the participants.
• Testing in May & June.
• Feedback Checkpoint #2 should occur during testing. Hitachi PAM, or account manager/SC are responsible for sharing the forms below with the participants.
• Purchase or return equipment end of June or early July.
• Feedback Checkpoint #3 should occur after testing is complete. Hitachi PAM, or account manager/SC will be responsible for sharing forms when they become available.  

 Reminders:

• PREP systems must only be used in TESTING environments. No production data may be used with PREP systems.
• Testing should be completed by the end of June or early July.  
• PREP systems will not be supported by GSC. You, or anyone else, cannot open a support ticket. The S/N will not be recognized. Therefore, support requests should be handled first locally by CS&S if available, then email to the PREP PM:  John.Kostek@hitachivantara.com. John will coordinate COE, GPSE, & PM response, and if needed escalate to Japan on Wednesday evenings.  

Ops Center Download:

If your participant will use Ops Center to test VSP One Block 20, you will need to download a new version of Ops Center.

To see and download the requested software, login to the Technical Information Service Center: http://tisc.hds.com/techpubs/orderProcess/profile.cfm

• Select "The Download Center (TDC)" and press the “Go To” button
• Accept the Export Compliance disclaimer.
• Select "Software Downloads"
• Select “Hitachi Ops Center” from the And/Or Program Product Name: drop down list and press the “Search” Button
• The item above will be displayed at the bottom of the returned list

 Hitachi Automated Labs Online (HALO) – For familiarizing yourself with new embedded GUI.

• Log in to https://labs.hitachivantara.com.

• Look for and start the “VSP One Block 20 Administrator” lab.
• If you have challenges logging in or accessing the correct lab contact John.yarborough@hitachivantara.com and request access for PREP testing.

Feedback Questionnaires: (Attention PAMs, account managers, SCs, and others, please be sure to share these links with participants)

• Feedback time point #1:
  • Hardware installation
  • Embedded GUI first login and setup
  • Ops Center Installation
  • Ops Center first login and setup
• Feedback time point #2:
  • Details of testing
• Feedback time point #3:
  • Share testing results
  • Additional questionnaires to be shared later

Draft Documentation:  Zip file of Pre-GA documentation

or available for download from HCP Anywhere linK

https://hcpanywhere.hitachivantara.com/u/lgNfzc6DXt-EA1_A/59cf79a9-3cd9-4dc9-849f-ff2cd71351cf?l

Pre-GA docs include:

• Installation guide
• Admin User guide
• Admin REST API
• System admin guide
• REST API Reference guide
• Embedded GUI Capacity Savings instructions

Modern Storage Assurance (MSA) for VSP One Block 20

The concept for the VSP One 20 upgrade is similar to VSP 5500 to 5600:

1. The upgrade is a controller replacement activity (higher level summary)
   1. Shut down one controller
   2. Remove DIMM and IO cards
   3. Move DIMM/IO to new controller
   4. Slide into controller
   5. Work on second controller
   6. Replace power supplies (one at a time)
2. No cable change except for power supplies

Engineering's estimate for upgrade time is 4 hours.  GCS&S upgrade fee is $600 to account for CE travel time.  

**The Contacts section is only visible to Support Center**

Contacts

List of Tools Needed by Field Support Engineers

Tools Required for Maintenance

Click here to learn more about general maintenance tools and tools for region or division. 

**This article is only visible to Employees**

General Maintenance Tools List

The table below lists the tools needed to maintain products. 

General Maintenance Tools List

Tool	IP# or P/N	Remarks
Phillips Screwdriver
Wristband
Antistatic sheet
Standard Tool Set
LAN cable		At least UTP category 3. Straight or cross-over ok.
Floppy disk drive (USB)		USB-FDX2 equivalent to PC-UF2231
Floppy Disk		MF2-HD ,  commercially available
USB DVD/CDRW Drive with cable	EZ-WTR-DVD-C24.P	Used for install and maintenance activities.
Grease	GV-RV2A550005-R	Use when replacing a CPU
SMP Lever	GV-EZ2SMR2X1-R	Order qty=1 if you will be joining 2 blades for SMP. Order qty=2 if you will be joining 4 blades for SMP.
CPU Insertion / Removal Tool	CPU-REMP-CR-CB-SINO-NITRO.X	For older generation servers , HCP S nodes, etc.  CPU REMP Tool Kit for CB500-2500/CR210-220/sino/nito G54233 G21819 G21827 G21818 G21826

Tools for Region or Division 

There may be other special tools that are anticipated to be required for support. These are generally not expected to be stocked at local branch offices but will be available as regional or divisional tools.  These are listed below: 

Tools for Region or Division

Tool	Hitachi Part #	Remarks
Mechanical Lift (Genie Lift or equivalent)	IP-2000-1.x	Required for installation for a heavy device that may require 2 people to carry.
Fiber wraparound connector	5430106-1	For diagnostics for serial channel interface
DIMM puller	5480389-A	For removing memory module (SM/CM)
Power Supply check cable	3257488-A	For check of DC voltage
Screw driver with insulated blade	5480302-1	For removing screw
Fibre wraparound connector	5509443-1	For diagnostics for short wavelength Fibre channel interface
Fibre wraparound connector	5509443-2	For diagnostics for long wavelength Fibre channel interface

Remote Ops (HRO) Remote Service Tool

 

HRO Support for VSP One Block 20 Series was released on July 2, 2024 with HRO Monitor Agent 9.6. 

 

For more information regarding Remote Ops (Hi-Track) click here.

Hitachi Remote Ops monitor agent is Hitachi Vantara’s proprietary remote monitoring and diagnostic service.

The System Updates feature gives customers a safe, remote and automated way to fast-track their microcode updates. No on-site access is required. With the System Updates feature, we can quickly mitigate known code defects and enhance customer systems with new functions to best protect their operations against unexpected issues and downtime. Customers can schedule a System Update with Global Customer Care.

 

The Support Analytics for Storage feature helps customers fine-tune their environments to improve their system health and performance. This centralized way to collect data remotely gives customers automated health reporting and performance analysis reports for the insight they need to plan for change activities and to optimize their Hitachi storage solutions.

Hitachi Remote Ops is not licensed or sold either as a part of the equipment or separately. Hitachi Remote Ops services include Hitachi Vantara's proprietary Hitachi Remote Ops hardware, software and/or microcode. Hitachi Remote Ops materials are the sole and exclusive property of Hitachi Vantara.

Customer responsibilities for the provision of Hitachi Remote Ops services include:

• Provision of telecommunications lines(s) and access to Hitachi Vantara or an Authorized Service Provider as required for the implementation and maintenance of Hitachi Remote Ops services,
• Access to allow Hitachi Vantara or an Authorized Service Provider to de-install and remove any Hitachi Remote Ops material upon termination or expiration of the agreement.

Hitachi will not accept modifications to the terms and conditions under which service is provided which negate, modify or circumvent the terms under which Hitachi provides Hitachi Remote Ops services.

Hitachi Remote Ops services are provided only on equipment that is specifically identified as eligible by Hitachi Vantara.

**This section is only visible to Employees**

The Hitachi Vantara intranet URL for the Hitachi Remote Ops homepage is:

• Hitachi Remote Ops homepage

Lifecycle Dates

End of Life (EOL) and End-of-Service-Life (EOSL) Policies

Hitachi Vantara Product Life-cycle Matrix

HOMT - https://homt.hitachivantara.com

Note: if above link does not work, open in incognito browser

Spare Parts

• Logistics Spares SharePoint site 
• How to order Spare Parts

QCT - qct.hds.com/#/home

Mechanical Replacement Procedures & Special Investigation

Procedures are defined at the following locations:

• Mechanical Replacement Procedures (AMER Only)
• Special Investigation Procedures

RMAs

Global Support Center Training

Click here for information regarding Level 1 and 2 Global Support Center Training.

**This article is only visible to Employees**

L1 Global Support Center Training

Primary Audience: The primary audience is the GSC and CSS.

Purpose: The purpose of this training is typically to provide introductory training material.  Product Support meet with GSC and CSS as needed to identify what their training requirements are. The focus is typically:

• Overview, Maintenance & Troubleshooting training + L1 Support Topics

Organized By: This training is typically coordinated by Product Support team

Provided By: This training is typically conducted by the product vendor’s engineering group. 

General Audiences:

The following audiences are invited to attend this training:

• Global Support Center (GSC) (phone support)
• Customer Service & Support (CSS) (onsite support)
• Partner service personnel (onsite support)
• Global Delivery - previous known as: Global Services Solutions (GSS) (professional services)
• Global Product & Solutions Enablement (GPSE)
• Technical Publications (documentation teams)
• Hitachi Vantara Learning Center (Hitachi Vantara’s department tasked with creating formal training courses for customers, sales and support)
• Product Support (PS) (GTM and Post Sales Support management of PM/engineering/vendors)
•  
• L2 Global Support Center Training

Primary Audience: The primary audience is the GSC Level 2 personnel.

Purpose: The purpose of this training is to provide in-depth support training for GSC.  Product Support meet with GSC to identify what their training requirements are.

Organized By: This training is typically coordinated by Product Support

Provided By: This training is typically conducted by the product vendor’s engineering group. 

General Audiences:

The following audiences are invited to attend this training:

• Global Support Center (GSC) (remote support)
• Product Support (PS)
• Global Delivery

Field Engineer Training Requirements

Training objectives have been delivered to Global Learning to prepare training offerings for maintenance, install and configuration classes. These requirements were developed to ensure field engineers from Hitachi and Hitachi’ Qualified Partners are well prepared to support the product(s).

Training for Hitachi solutions that may include the product(s) may include solution specific references.

Global Learning and Its Course Offerings

Learn more about Global Learning and its course offerings. 

**This article is only visible to Employees**

Global Learning is now called the Learning Center.  Course offerings are available here.  or as a reference at any time after the training.

Feedback Form 

To access the feedback form, click here.

E-mail: product.support@hitachivantara.com

Please send us your comments on this support plan: additions, deletions, clarifications, errors and omissions.  Make sure to include the document title and revision, and refer to specific section(s) and paragraph(s) whenever possible.

Thank you!  Please note, all comments become the property of Hitachi Vantara Corporation.

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