All IBM N series systems utilize a single operating system across the entire portfolio to help minimize the IT storage skills required. A combination of multiple advanced function software features provide one of the industry's most versatile storage platform solutions ranging from comprehensive system management, storage management, onboard and outboard copy services, virtualization technologies and disaster recovery and backup solutions. The N series products provide a wide range of network attachment capabilities to a broad range of host and client systems using a multitude of network access protocols including file system protocols (CIFS, NFS, HTTP, FTP) and block I/O protocols including iSCSI and FCP.

In addition, the N series portfolio of products offers ease-of-use tools that help customers manage application environments like VMware, Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft SharePoint, and Microsoft SQL, Oracle and SAP. Patented RAID-DP helps ensure the highest availability and recovery capabilities while using inexpensive SATA disk drive technology. The IBM System Storage N series portfolio products are designed to meet the needs of the fast-growing demand for storing company assets in small, medium and enterprise environments. Designed for continuous availability and multifaceted deployments, the N series portfolio is simply one of the most versatile storage platforms in the industry today.