Chapter 1. The System x3950 and System x3950 E server
The IBM® System x3950 Type 8878 server is a 3-U1-high, high-performance server.
It is ideally suited for networking environments that require superior microprocessor
performance, efficient asset management, flexibility, and large amounts of reliable
data storage.
The System x3950 E server comes without a microprocessor or memory, but you
can install the components to make the System x3950 E server functionally
identical to the System x3950 server. You can interconnect System x3950 and
System x3950 E servers to create multi-node configurations using two, four, or eight
nodes, for up to 32-way operation. A System x3950 server must serve as the
primary node in the multi-node configuration.
Performance, ease of use, reliability, and expansion capabilities were key
considerations in the design of the server. These design features make it possible
for you to customize the system hardware to meet your needs today and provide
flexible expansion capabilities for the future.
The server comes with a limited warranty. For information about the terms of the
warranty and getting service and assistance, see the Warranty and Support

Information document.

The server contains IBM Enterprise X-Architecture™ technologies, which help
increase performance and reliability. For more information, see “What your server
offers” on page 5 and “Reliability, availability, and serviceability” on page 7.

You can obtain up-to-date information about the server and other IBM server

products at http://www.ibm.com/systems/x/.
Related documentation
This User’s Guide contains general information about the server, including how to
install supported options and how to configure the server. The following
documentation also comes with the server:

v Installation Guide

This printed document contains instructions for setting up the server and basic
instructions for installing some options.

v Warranty and Support Information

This document is in Portable Document Format (PDF) on the IBM System x™

Documentation CD. It contains information about the terms of the warranty and

about service and assistance.

v Safety Information

This document is in PDF on the IBM System x Documentation CD. It contains
translated caution and danger statements. Each caution and danger statement
that appears in the documentation has a number that you can use to locate the
corresponding statement in your language in the Safety Information document.

v Rack Installation Instructions

This printed document contains instructions for installing the server in a rack.
1.Racks are measured in vertical increments of 4.45 cm (1.75 inches) each. Each increment is called a ″U.″ A 1-U-high device is
1.75 inches tall.
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2006 1