• Local update of BMC firmware
• Firmware firewall
• Support for IPMI v2.0 compliant management software (e.g., xCAT)
• Other mandatory and optional IPMI BMC functions
Other systems management features offered for the combination of blade server and
chassis include:
• Predictive Failure Analysis for system processors, memory and HDDs, as well as chassis
switch modules, blower/fan modules and power modules
• Web-based out-of-band control
• Windows “blue screen” capture
• Remote virtual media
• High-speed remote redirection of PCI video, keyboard and mouse
• SSL (Secure Socket Layer) and LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) support
Predictive Failure Analysis (PFA) enables the MM/AMM and the server’s Baseboard
Management Controller (BMC) to detect impending failure of supported components
(processors; memory; expansion cards; switch, blower/fan and power supplies; and hard
disk drives) before actual failure, and alert the administrator through IBM Director. This gives
you the ability to replace the failing component before it fails, resulting in increased uptime.
Power Modules
The various BladeCenter chassis require only two to four high-efficiency power supply
modules to provide redundant power for every device in the chassis. This means fewer parts
to fail and less power consumed than if each blade server had its own power supplies. The
power modules are hot-swap/redundant, so you don’t have to shut down the BladeCenter
chassis to replace a power supply.
Blower/Fan Modules
Instead of having hundreds of tiny fans per rack—using power, subject to failure, and
creating ambient noise—BladeCenter requires only two (BladeCenter/BladeCenter H) or
four (BladeCenter S, BladeCenter T or BladeCenter HT) hot-swap/redundant fan
(BladeCenter S or HT) or blower (other chassis) modules to cool all the blades and other
devices in the chassis. In normal operation, fan modules share the cooling in the
BladeCenter system. If one fan module fails, the others handle the entire load. You can
replace a fan module without shutting down the BladeCenter system. These modules draw
only 60W between them (100W in the BladeCenter HT chassis). By contrast, some
competing blade designs require dozens of non-hot-swappable fans per chassis, consuming
hundreds of watts of power and generating lots of noise. Fewer points of failure and less
power consumed can mean greater uptime and lower costs.
Key Options
IBM options for BladeCenter chassis let you take your data
center to a higher level
You can rely on BladeCenter options to supply a comprehensive solution for your business
needs. Options help create an optimized system to meet your data protection, storage and
availability needs. Every IBM option is designed and tested for peak performance and
flexibility, helping to maximize your return on investment. The combination of BladeCenter
chassis, blade servers and options lets you keep your fingers on the pulse of your e-
business.
Communication Modules — The various BladeCenter chassis support integrated
communication and I/O switches and/or bridges for Gigabit Ethernet, Myricom, Fibre
Channel, InfiniBand, iSCSI, and others. Expansion adapters for individual blade servers are
available to interface with these modules.
Rear Door Heat eXchanger — The unit attaches to the back of an IBM S2 42U Enterprise
Rack. It is capable of removing up to 50,000 BTUs (14KVa) from the data center using water
lines under the raised floor. The door swings open for servicing.
Redundant features — Optional power supply modules, blower/fan modules, management
modules, switches and bridges provide redundancy for the various BladeCenter chassis.
External Storage — Clients deploying blades are building enterprise infrastructures and/or
virtual infrastructures that require end-to-end reliability. Moving to external, shared RAID
storage can help increase your data and application availability and make management
easier. IBM delivers a wide range of easy-to-install, external storage products to meet your
demanding business needs:
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