v Integrated 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.
v Large 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.
v Light 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.
v PowerExecutive™
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.
v Redundant 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.
v Redundant 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.
v Scalable partitions
The server is scalable and can be connected to multiple servers so that you can
share resources between servers.
v ServeRAID™ support
The server supports ServeRAID adapters to create redundant array of
independent disks (RAID) configurations.
v Symmetric 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.
v Systems-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.
6 IBM System x3950 Type 8878 and System x3950 E Type 8879: User’s Guide