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IBM Enterprise Storage Server

The IBM Enterprise Storage Server (ESS) or the Shark is an enterprise storage array from IBM.

Last revised
Jun 14, 2026
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IBM Enterprise Storage Server
Also known asIBM Shark
IBM ESS
DeveloperIBM
TypeStorage server
Released1999 (1999)
Discontinued2004
CPURISC-based
PredecessorIBM Versatile Storage Server
SuccessorIBM DS8000

The IBM Enterprise Storage Server (ESS) or the Shark is an enterprise storage array from IBM.

History

Originally, in 1998 IBM released the IBM 2105 Versatile Storage Server (VSS).1 It did not meet commercial success and the successor came in 19992 in the form of the ESS, based on the same Seascape architecture. The Seascape architecture was an IBM storage architecture that included off-the-shelf components, including RS/6000 processors and the Serial Storage Architecture (SSA). The ESS was also widely known by its IBM internal codename Shark.

The 2001 lineup have a redesigned case; this version won IF design award.3

It has been superseded by the IBM DS8000 series of storage servers.

Models

  • 2105-E10 IBM Enterprise Storage Server Model E104 - (1999) 64 disks
  • 2105-E20 IBM Enterprise Storage Server Model E204 - (1999) 128 disks
  • 2105-F10 IBM Enterprise Storage Server Model F105 - (2000) 64 disks
  • 2105-F20 IBM Enterprise Storage Server Model F205 - (2000) 128 disks
  • 2105-750 IBM TotalStorage Enterprise Storage Server Model 7506 - (2001)
  • 2105-800 IBM TotalStorage Enterprise Storage Server Model 8006 - (2001)

Enclosures

  • ESS expansion enclosure (The E10 model does not support an expansion enclosure) - 256 disks.
External links
See also

See also

References

References

  1. "IBM VERSATILE STORAGE SERVER OFFERS CONCURRENT MIXED PLATFORM STORAGE SOLUTIONS". www-01.ibm.com. 1998-06-02. Retrieved 2021-05-14.
  2. "IBM unveils disk storage system - Jul. 26, 1999". money.cnn.com. Archived from the original on May 24, 2002. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
  3. "IBM TotalStorage". iF WORLD DESIGN GUIDE. Archived from the original on 2021-05-13. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
  4. "THE IBM ENTERPRISE STORAGE SERVER MULTI-PLATFORM STORAGE SOLUTION PROVIDES SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE". www-01.ibm.com. 1999-07-27. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
  5. "IBM ENTERPRISE STORAGE SERVER MULTIPLATFORM STORAGE SOLUTION PROVIDES SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE". www-01.ibm.com. 2000-03-28. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
  6. "IBM TotalStorage Enterprise Storage Server NowIncludes a 72.8 GB Drive Option for ImprovedScalability and Price/Performance" (PDF). www-01.ibm.com.