Integrated network support, Light path diagnostics

vIntegrated network support

The server comes with an integrated Broadcom 5704C dual Gigabit Ethernet controller, which supports connection to a 10-Mbps, 100-Mbps, or 1000-Mbps network. For more information, see “Configuring the Gigabit Ethernet controller” on page 66.

vLarge data-storage capacity and hot-swap capability

The server supports up to six 25.4-mm (1-inch) slim-high, 2.5-inch hot-swap hard disk drives that are connected to the SAS backplane. With the hot-swap feature, you can add, remove, or replace hard disk drives without turning off the server.

vLight path diagnostics

Light path diagnostics provides LEDs to help you diagnose problems. For more information, see the section about light path diagnostics in the Installation Guide.

vPowerExecutive™

PowerExecutive is an IBM Director extension that measures and reports server power consumption as it occurs. This enables you to monitor power consumption in correlation to specific software application programs and hardware configurations. You can obtain the measurement values through the systems-management interface, and can view them using IBM Director. For more information, including the required levels of IBM Director and PowerExecutive, see the IBM Director documentation on the IBM Director CD, or go to http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/xseries/systems_management/ibm_director /extensions.

vRedundant connection

The addition of an optional network interface card (NIC) provides a failover capability to a redundant Ethernet connection. If a problem occurs with the primary Ethernet connection, all Ethernet traffic that is associated with the primary connection is automatically switched to the redundant NIC. If the applicable device drivers are installed, this switching occurs without data loss and without user intervention.

vRedundant cooling and power capabilities

The redundant cooling of the fans in the server enable continued operation if one of the fans fails. The server supports up to two hot-swap power supplies, which provide redundant power for many server configurations.

vScalable partitions

The server is scalable and can be connected to multiple servers so that you can share resources between servers.

vServeRAID™ support

The server supports ServeRAID adapters to create redundant array of independent disks (RAID) configurations.

vSymmetric multiprocessing (SMP)

The server supports up to four Intel Xeon microprocessors. If the server comes with only one microprocessor, you can install additional microprocessors to enhance performance and provide SMP capability.

vSystems-management capabilities

The server supports the IBM Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine. When this adapter is used with the systems-management software that comes with the server, you can manage the functions of the server locally and remotely. The Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine also provides system monitoring, event recording, and dial-out alert capability.

6IBM System x3950 Type 8878 and System x3950 E Type 8879: User’s Guide