IBM 8682 manual Reliability, availability, and serviceability

provides full-duplex (FDX) capability, which enables simultaneous transmission and reception of data on the Ethernet local area network (LAN).

vRedundant network-interface card (NIC)

The addition of an optional, redundant 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 associated with this primary connection is automatically switched to the redundant NIC. This switching occurs without data loss and without user intervention.

vIBM ServerGuide™ CDs

The ServerGuide CDs included with xSeries servers provide programs to help you set up the server and install the network operating system (NOS). The ServerGuide program detects the hardware options installed, and provides the

correct configuration program and device drivers. In addition, the ServerGuide CDs include a variety of application programs such as IBM Update Connector™ to help keep the server basic input/output system (BIOS) and microcode updated.

Note: The latest level of BIOS for the server is also available through the World Wide Web. Refer to “Recovering BIOS” on page 20 for the appropriate World Wide Web addresses and bulletin-board telephone numbers.

The server is designed to be cost-effective, powerful, and flexible. It uses peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus architecture to provide compatibility with a wide range of existing hardware devices and software applications.

As always, the IBM server meets stringent worldwide certifications for power, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and safety. See “Related service information” on page 127 for additional information.

Reliability, availability, and serviceability

Three of the most important features in server design are reliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS). These factors help to ensure the integrity of the data stored on the server; that the server is available when you want to use it; and that should a failure occur, you can easily diagnose and repair the failure with minimal inconvenience.

The following is an abbreviated list of the RAS features that the server supports.

vCooling fans with speed-sensing capability (hot-swap)

vError correcting code (ECC) FSBs

vECC L2 cache

vECC memory

vFast power-on self-test (POST)

v45°C (113°F) normal operating temperature for hard disk drives

vParity checking on the small computer system interface (SCSI) bus and PCI buses

vPower Managed - Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) level

vSystem management monitoring via Intra-Integrated Circuit (I2C) bus

vAmbient temperature monitoring

vAutomatic error retry/recovery

vAutomatic restart after a power failure

vBuilt-in temperature/fan/voltages monitoring

vChipkill memory protection

vFault-resistant startup

vHot-swap drive bays

6IBM xSeries 350 Type 8682: Hardware Maintenance Manual