IBM HX5 specifications

Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade

integrated suite of 8 tools. They are organized by function: deployment, updates, configuration and diagnostics. Tools are now simpler to access and use with a single webpage for access, a common look and feel and a common command line interface for the scripting tools. The ToolsCenter Bootable Media Creator offers significantly more functionality than past tools with the ability to add more tools to the bootable image and to automatically download the bootable environment if needed. Bootable Media Creator allows you to create bootable CDs, DVD, and USB keys for updates customized to your systems.

In order to put control of processor power-saving features at the fingertips of administrators, IBM developed IBM Systems Director Active Energy Manager. Active Energy Manager is designed to take advantage of new processor features, such as balancing the performance of the system according to available power input. It provides the ability to plan and predict power consumption based on your BladeCenter hardware configuration. It also helps you reduce the infrastructure required for redundancy, by using fewer servers on smaller power feeds and potentially lowering your overall data center support costs. It does this by inventorying all components at the blade level, then adding up the power draw for each blade and tracking that usage. In failure mode, Active Energy Manager (through the BladeCenter Management Module) might request that certain blades in each domain throttle down to reduce power consumption.

Automatic Server Restart (ASR) helps reduce downtime by restarting the server automatically in the event of a system lockup. ASR technology is a combination of hardware circuitry tied into the server’s system reset function and a device driver. As long as the server continues running, the ASR watchdog timer will keep being reset, but if the operating system crashes or the hardware freezes somehow the ASR software will be unable to reset the hardware timer. If the timer is not reset within five minutes, it automatically triggers the ASR hardware, which immediately restarts the server (and logs an ASR event with IBM Systems Director). These features are designed so that no more than five minutes can pass before the server is restarted.

Text and Graphics Console Redirect support allows the administrator to remotely view HX5 text and graphics messages over serial or LAN.

Wake on LAN permits the server to be remotely powered on if it has been shut off. Once powered up, the server can be controlled across the network, using the Preboot Execution Environment (PXE).

Like Wake on LAN, PXE is system firmware. It allows software such as the IBM Remote Deployment Manager to take control of a system before the BIOS, operating system or applications are loaded (using Wake on LAN/PXE) and lets an administrator perform many low- level tasks remotely that would otherwise require a visit to each system. These tasks may include such things as formatting a hard disk drive, updating system firmware, or deploying a Windows or Linux operating system.

Predictive Failure Analysis (PFA) enables the AMM and the IMM to detect impending failure of supported components (processors; memory; expansion cards; switch, blower and power supplies; and hard disk drives) before actual failure, and alert the administrator through IBM Systems Director. This gives you the ability to replace the failing component before it fails, resulting in increased uptime.

Embedded Dynamic System Analysis (DSA) feature collects and analyzes system information to aid in diagnosing problems. The diagnostic programs collect the following information:

•System configuration

•Network interfaces and settings

•Installed hardware

•Service processor status and configuration

•Vital product data, firmware, and BIOS configuration

•Hard disk drive health

•RAID controller configuration

•Event logs for ServeRAID controllers and service processors

The diagnostic programs create a merged log that includes events from all collected logs. The information is collected into a file that you can send to IBM service and support. Additionally, you can view the information locally through a generated text report file, or you can copy the log to removable media and view the log from a Web browser.

IBM Systems Director software for advanced workgroup management is included with the server. IBM Systems Director comes with a portfolio of tools, including Active Energy Manager, Service and Support Manager, and other tools. System Availability (a no-charge download) and Capacity Manager (sold separately) are available as add-ons for additional server management and increased availability. IBM Systems Director provides a single uniform graphical interface for all of these systems management functions.

IBM Systems Director enables you to customize thresholds and monitor system components (for things like temperature, voltage regulation, etc.) to help maximize uptime.

Please see the Legal Information section for important notices and information.

12.