FlashCore Module (FCM)

A FlashCore Module (FCM) is a purpose-built NVMe drive IBM designs for its FlashSystem and Storage Virtualize based storage arrays. Unlike a commodity NVMe SSD, a FlashCore Module performs compression and encryption inside its own drive controller rather than relying on the storage system's general-purpose processors, which is why IBM positions FlashCore Modules as a density and performance advantage over standard NVMe media. IBM has released four FlashCore Module generations to date (FCM1 through FCM4), each cataloged across a capacity range from 4.8 TB to 38.4 TB usable, with its own IBM part numbers and feature codes per generation and capacity. For AS400/IBM i organizations planning a Power upgrade or modernization project, FlashCore Modules typically enter the conversation when internal DASD capacity or performance can no longer keep pace with the business, and external SAN-attached storage becomes part of the refresh plan.