Leadership enterprise server with significantly lower cost of ownership in a highly available and expandable,
and doesn’t cool as well as at lower elevations. In most servers, the fans run fast all the time to allow for use at high elevations, wasting power. The altimeter allows the IBM fans to run at lower speeds at lower altitudes.
Why not simply run the fans at 100% capacity all the time? For several good reasons: to reduce the ambient noise, reduce the
In addition, the server uses hexagonal ventilation holes in the chassis. Hexagonal holes can be grouped more densely than round holes, providing greater airflow through the system cover.
This cooling scheme is important because newer, more powerful processors generate a significant amount of heat, and heat must be controlled for the system to function properly.
There are temperature sensors on the planar placed to sense DIMM exhaust temperature, SAS HDD exhaust temperature, and CPU2 exhaust temperature (through the altitude sensor).
Light Path Diagnostics
Light path diagnostics enables a technician to quickly identify and locate a failed or failing system component, such as a specific fan or memory DIMM. This enables quick replacement of the component, which helps increase server uptime and lower operating costs.
The front of the server has an LED indicator light to show possible component failures. If the front LED indicates an error condition, by pressing a button on the front of the server an LED panel will pop out and drop down for easy viewing without the need to open the server cover or remove the server from the rack. The light path diagnostics panel tells the servicer which component requires attention. In addition, many components have their own identifying LEDs. For example, each of the eight memory modules has an LED next to the socket, as do both processors, all adapter slots, all fans, all power supplies, the voltage regulator module and the service processor, allowing the servicer to easily identify exactly which component needs servicing. By following the “light path,” the component can be replaced quickly, and without guesswork. (Note: In the event of a failed DIMM, the system will restart and mark the DIMM as bad while offline, thus allowing the system to continue running, with reduced memory capacity, until serviced.)
Hot-Swap/Redundant Components
System availability is maximized through the extensive use of
•Redundant memory protection (with memory mirroring enabled)
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Other Features
•Four USB 2.0 ports — Provides flexibility to add
•Embedded hypervisor via a USB connector on the motherboard) activated with an optional 2GB USB key; for supporting VMware ESXi for virtualization (available 2Q/09)
•Virtual Media Key — This optional
•Dual video ports — A Matrox G200eV SVGA video controller provides up to 1024x768 resolution, with a color depth of 32 bits at 85Hz refresh rate. To simplify local systems management, one video port is provided on the front of the unit and one on the back.
•Toolless slides — Allows quick rack installation and quicker upgrade and servicing of the server.
•Toolless chassis — The cover can be opened without tools, and many components can be removed and replaced without tools, including the
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