Sun Fire X4600 Overview

Sun Microsystems X4600 M2 manual Sun Fire X4600 Overview

Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Figure Intro-1: Sun Fire X4000 Server Family

Customers seeking a business edge can look to Sun to provide smart options for building a simple, secure, and standardized IT infrastructure. The Sun Fire x64 family of servers enables standardization of the datacenter by providing the unity of vertical scaling with the economies of horizontal scaling, while running any major OS and 32-bit/64-bit application. Sun continues its efforts to provide customers with solutions to help them realize the benefits of a horizontal infrastructure (lower incremental CPU costand OS flexibility) while reducing hidden costs and complexities.

The Sun Fire X4600 is the third member of the Sun Fire X4000 server family. Like its two predecesors, the Sun Fire X4100 and X4200 servers, the Sun Fire X4600 is designed to improve the economics of x64 systems while setting new standards for performance, reliability, and energy efficiency. The Sun Fire X4600 is a high- performance, single- or dual-core platform scalable up to 8 sockets in a 4RU package. The 8 sockets will scale to 16 processor cores and up to ¼ terabyte of memory. It features redundant, hot-swappable fan modules and redundant, hot-pluggable AC power supplies to enable increased availibility and simplified serviceability. It supports an I/O feature set that includes four 10/100/1000 BaseT Gigabit Ethernet ports, a four-channel SAS RAID 0/1 disk controller with integrated mirroring, video, USB ports (two front, two rear), and a dedicated serial and 10/100BaseT Ethernet remote management port. For further expansion, the Sun Fire X4600 provides two low-profile PCI-X slots and six low-profile PCI-E slots for high-performance application I/O. Up to eight single- and dual-core AMD Opteron CPUs provide a flexible, high-performance growth path and investment protection (32-bit applications are protected while still enabling seamless migration to 64-bit applications).

6 of 63

X4600 M2, X4600 specifications

Sun Microsystems was a pioneering technology company that developed innovative hardware and software solutions, most notably in the server industry. Among their notable offerings were the Sun Fire X4600 and X4600 M2 servers. These high-performance systems were designed to meet the growing demands for scalability, flexibility, and reliability in enterprise-level computing environments.

The Sun Fire X4600 was introduced as one of the first four-socket, x86 servers specifically optimized for demanding workloads. Powered by AMD Opteron processors, the X4600 was capable of supporting up to 64GB of memory, which was a significant advantage for memory-intensive applications. Its architecture enabled efficient parallel processing, making it an ideal choice for tasks such as database management and virtualization.

One of the defining characteristics of the X4600 was its modular design. The server featured a combination of innovative technologies that allowed it to be easily expanded and upgraded. This made it well-suited for businesses seeking a long-term investment in their IT infrastructure, as it provided room for growth without necessitating a complete system overhaul.

The X4600 M2, an evolution of the original X4600 model, offered further enhancements in performance and flexibility. It supported the next generation of AMD Opteron processors, providing increased processing power and efficiency. Additionally, the M2 model enhanced memory capacity, allowing for a maximum of 128GB of RAM, catering to the more urgent needs of resource-intensive applications.

One of the key technologies incorporated in the X4600 and X4600 M2 was the Sun Fire’s Advanced Lights Out Management (ALOM), which allowed for remote management capabilities. This feature enabled IT administrators to monitor system health and performance without being physically present, reducing downtime and improving overall system management.

Both servers also offered extensive storage options, combining numerous high-capacity drive bays to ensure ample disk space for data-heavy applications. Their effective cooling solutions made them suitable for even the most demanding environments, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.

In conclusion, Sun Microsystems' X4600 and X4600 M2 servers represented significant advancements in server technology. With their powerful architectures, flexible configurations, and innovative management features, they met the evolving demands of modern enterprise environments, solidifying their position as trusted solutions for robust computing needs.