4 Nortel Networks L2/3 Ethernet Switch Module for IBM Eserver BladeCenter
2.1 The IBM Eserver BladeCenter product family
The IBM Eserver BladeCenter family of products features a modular design that integrates
multiple computing resources into a cost-effective, high-density enclosure for a platform that:
򐂰Reduces installation, deployment, and redeployment time
򐂰Reduces administrative costs with our helpful management tools
򐂰Achieves the highest levels of availability and reliability
򐂰Provides XpandonDemand scale-out capability
򐂰Reduces space and cooling requirements compared to 1U solutions
To understand more about how the Nortel Networks Layer 2/3 GbE Switch Module is
designed to operate in the BladeCenter chassis, we suggest that you read the sections that
follow which discuss the BladeCenter architecture. If you seek to know more about the
IBM Eserver BladeCenter and its components, visit:
http://www.ibm.com/products/us/
Figure 2-1 on page 5 shows the IBM Eserver BladeCenter chassis, HS40, HS20, JS20, and
LS20:
򐂰IBM Eserver BladeCenter chassis
The BladeCenter is a high-density blade solution that provides maximum performance,
availability, and manageability for application serving, storage flexibility, and long-life
investment protection.
򐂰HS40
HS40 is a 4-way blade server for high-performance enterprise applications requiring
four-processor SMP capability. The BladeCenter chassis supports up to seven 4-way
servers and is ideal for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and database applications.
򐂰HS20
The IBM efficient 2-way blade server design offers high density without sacrificing server
performance. Ideal for Domino®, Web server, Microsoft® Exchange, file and print,
application server, and so on.
򐂰JS20
JS20 is a 2-way blade server for applications requiring 64-bit computing. Ideal for
compute-intensive applications and transactional Web serving.
򐂰LS20
LS20 is a 2-way blade server running AMD Opteron processors. The LS20 delivers
density without sacrificing processor performance or availability. For applications that are
limited by memory performance, the LS20 might bring sizeable performance gains.