Currently PowerVC with FlashSystem/Storage Virtualize support is not aligned with FlashSystem/Storage Virtualize feature releases. PowerVC should align with FlashSystem/Storage Virtualize releases in the same way that it aligns with Power releases ie: support of new features/functions when, or near to their release.
The following FlashSystem/Storage Virtualize features are yet to be supported by PowerVC (May 2026):
Feature |
Release Date (GA/eGA) |
Version |
Volume groups |
December 2016 |
7.8.0 |
Policy Based Replication |
September 2022 |
8.5.2 |
Policy Based High Availability |
September 2023 |
8.6.1 |
Policy Based/Volume Group Snapshots (aka FlashCopy 2.0) |
August 2022 |
8.5.1 |
Immutable Snapshots |
August 2022 |
8.5.1 |
Storage Partitions |
June 2024 |
8.7.0 |
Three Site Replication |
April 2017 |
7.8.1 |
The following FlashSystem/Storage Virtualize features that PowerVC utilises have been deprecated and subsequently had their support removed from new levels:
Feature |
Deprecated Date |
Deprecated Version |
Removed Date |
Removed Version |
Global & Metro Mirror |
June 2024 |
8.7.0 |
July 2025 |
9.1.0 |
Hyperswap |
June 2024 |
8.7.0 |
July 2025 |
9.1.0 |
FlashCopy |
June 2024 |
8.7.0 |
July 2025 |
9.1.0 |
Support for FlashSystem/Storage Virtualize 8.6.2 with NPIV enabled was released with PowerVC 2.3.1, while this FlashSystem level was released in March 2024. PowerVC 2.3.1 was released in July 2025 a delay of over 1 year to provide support for this feature.
Three site replication is supported by PowerVC for Pure Storage but is not supported for FlashSystems. This is an example of where an IBM product is providing better support for non-IBM technology than for IBM technology. FlashSystem/Storage Virtualize has supported three site replication since 2017 – 9 years and not supported by PowerVC.
The newest FlashSystems (5600, 7600 & 9600), GA’d in March 2026 require a minimum code level of 9.1. This present issues for PowerVC users due to the lack of up-to-date FlashSystem support in PowerVC (Support announced for 2.3.3, planned availability June 12th 2026).
It as been announced that PowerVC 2.3.3 will introduce support for PBHA & Volume Group Snapshot. This release is scheduled for June 2026, this is almost 3 years after the introduction of PBHA to FlashSystem/Storage Virtualize. It is 4 years after the introduction of Volume Group Snapshots & just short of 10 years since the introduction of volume groups to Storage Virtualize. There is no mention of support for Immutable Snapshots.
Why is it useful?
PowerVC lacking timely support for new FlashSystem/Storage Virtualize features is delaying/blocking the upgrade of FlashSystems/SVC to the latest code levels. FlashSystems/SVC must remain down-level due to a lack of PowerVC support.
When new FlashSystems are implemented that no longer provide the features which PowerVC utilises for its functionality, additional manual work is required eg: replicated Storage Volumes on a PBR only FlashSystem need to be manually configured outside of PowerVC.
Who would benefit from it?
All customers who use FlashSystem/Storage Virtualize with PowerVC.
How should it work?
PowerVC versions that provide support for new FlashSystem/Storage Virtualize features should be released within a timely manner after the release of the new FlashSystem/Storage Virtualize functionality.
PowerVC clients shouldn’t need to wait years for PowerVC to support new FlashSystem/Storage Virtualize functionality.
PowerVC support for FlashSystem/Storage Virtualize features should be aligned with the features in each 6 monthly LTS release.
Links:
PowerVC lifecycle - https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/powervc-lifecycle-information
TechXchange discussions on PBHA - https://community.ibm.com/community/user/discussion/support-for-svc-pbha
https://community.ibm.com/community/user/discussion/powervc-232-pbha
PBHA Replacing GM etc - https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7166967
PowerVC 2.3.3 announcement - https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/announcements/powervc-introduces-support-storage-policy-based-high-availability-storage-virtualize-91
