IBM SC32-P020-00 manual Introducing the xSeries 255 Type 8685 server

vRedundant cooling and power capabilities

The redundant cooling and hot-swap capabilities of the fans in your server enable continued operation if one of the fans fails. You can also replace a failing fan without turning off the server.

The server comes with two 370-watt power supplies. You can install additional 370-watt power supplies to ensure redundancy and hot-swap capability for typical and full configurations.

vLarge system memory

The memory bus in your server supports up to 12 GB of system memory. The memory controller provides error correcting code (ECC) support for up to 12 industry-standard, 2.5 V, 184-pin, 72-bit, 100 MHz, double-data-rate (DDR), PC1600, registered synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM)

dual inline memory modules (DIMMs). The memory controller also provides Chipkill™ Memory protection. Chipkill Memory protection is a technology that protects the system from a single chip failure on a DIMM.

Your server supports the Hot Spare Memory feature. For details on how to enable this feature, see the Core Chipset Control menu choice under the Advanced Setup menu description in “Choices available from the Configuration/Setup Utility main menu” on page 14.

vIBM integrated system management processor (ISMP)

The integrated system management processor provides environmental monitoring

for your server. When environmental conditions exceed thresholds or when system components fail, the ISMP lights the Light Path Diagnostics™ LEDs to

indicate the location of the problem. Critical errors are also included in the error log. In addition, the ISMP provides Predictive Failure Analysis® (PFA) alerts on the microprocessors, memory, voltage regulator modules (VRMs), fans, power supplies, and hard disk drives in the server.

If you have an optional Remote Supervisor Adapter installed on your Advanced System Management (ASM) interconnect network, you can view the system health; update the ISMP code; turn on, turn off, and restart the server; view the error log; view the vital product data (VPD); and send alerts over the ASM interconnect network. To order an optional Remote Supervisor Adapter, contact your IBM reseller or IBM marketing representative.

vIntegrated network environment support

Your server comes with an Ethernet controller on the system board. This Ethernet controller has an interface for connecting to 10-Mbps, 100-Mbps, or 1000-Mbps networks. The server automatically selects among 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, and 1000BASE-T. The controller provides full-duplex (FDX) capability, which enables simultaneous transmission and reception of data on the Ethernet local area network (LAN).

vRedundant network adapter

The addition of an optional redundant network adapter 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 network adapter. If the appropriate device drivers are installed, this switching occurs without data loss and without user intervention.

vIBM ServerGuide CD

The ServerGuide CD that is included with your server provides programs to help you set up your server and install the network operating system (NOS). The ServerGuide program detects the installed hardware options and provides the correct configuration programs and device drivers.

Chapter 1. Introducing the xSeries 255 Type 8685 server 5