An affordable single-socket, quad-core server with high performance and data protection for small, medium, and large businesses

Product Guide

January 2010

IBM System x3200 M3

Product Overview

CONTENTS

 

Product Overview

1

Selling Features

2

Key Features

3

Key Options

8

x3200 M3 Images

10

x3200 M3 Specifications

11

The Bottom Line

14

Server Comparison Chart 15

For More Information

16

Legal Information

16

Value-priced performance, capacity and availability

Suggested uses: Small and medium businesses, distributed large enterprises, retail, banking, and insurance companies seeking scalability, top performance, and enterprise-class availability features at an entry-level price.

The single-socketIBM® System x3200 M3, incorporating IBM X-Architecturefeatures, is an affordable, single-socket tower server that offers mo

yre performance, configuration flexibility and availability features than many other servers in its class. From network infrastructure to distributed applications to front-end workloads, the x3200 M3 is designed to meet a wide range of business needs and help you adapt to changing business requirements.

It supports, at the high end, the latest quad-coreIntel® Xeon® 3400 Series processors, designed with speedy 1333MHz memory access (FSB) and 8MB of L3 cache, to help provide the computing power you need to match your business needs and growth. If cost is your primary concern, the x3200 M3 offers a model using the affordable dual-core Celeron processor with 2MB of L3 cache. In between, there are models that use the dual-core Pentium processor with 3MB of L3 cache, as well as a dual-core Core i3 processor with 4MB of L3 cache. All models are designed with an integrated memory controller for greatly improved memory performance (up to 1333MHz access, depending on the processor), 64-bit extensions (EM64T), and multithreading, to provide the computing power you need to match your business needs and growth. In addition, the x3200 M3 uses industry-standard 1066/1333MHz DDR3 ECC (Error Checking and Correcting) memory—for high performance and reliability.

All models offer impressive scalability, including up to 32GB1 of memory and up to four 3.5-inch hot- swap enterprise-classSerial ATA II (SATA II) hard disk drives with a total capacity of up to 4TB2, or up to four 3.5-inchsimple-swapenterprise-classSATA II hard disk drives with a total capacity of up to 4TB, or eight 2.5-inchhot-swap SAS drives with an internal storage capacity of up to 4TB.

For additional performance and high availability, the x3200 M3 offers integrated hardware RAID-0/1support standard in the hot-swapSAS/SATA models (optional for simple-swapSATA models), and optional RAID-10/5/6. To meet your backup requirements, the x3200 M3 supports a choice of half-high tape drives, an optical drive, or an IBM RDX Removable Hard Disk Storage System. The server ships as a tower unit; an optional rack conversion kit turns the x3200 M3 hot-swap models into a 5U rack- mounted server to save precious data center floor space.

Standard in the x3200 M3 is the Integrated Management Module (IMM) that enables the user to manage and control the server easily—both locally and remotely. The IMM offers a high level of manageability that is designed to keep costs down and the system up—even when network usage increases. These advanced features help maximize network availability by increasing uptime, as do hot- swap and simple-swap SATA HDDs; hot-swap/redundant SAS HDDs, redundant ultra-efficient power supplies; integrated RAID; redundant power3; IPMI 2.0 support, including highly secure remote power control and Serial over LAN; as well as text-console redirect over LAN.

Another improvement with the new generation of X-Architecture is the replacement of legacy BIOS with a new generation United Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). UEFI provides a more intuitive user interface and understandable event logs and better management.

With the inclusion of unique IBM service and support features such as the IMM, IBM Systems Director, IBM Systems Director Active Energy Manager, IBM ServerGuideand support for the optional Virtual Media Key for remote presence capability, the x3200 M3 is designed for superior uptime.

For a balance of high-performance processing, high availability and vast internal storage at a budget price, the x3200 M3 is the ideal system.

1Using RDIMMS.

2GB equals 1,000,000,000 bytes and TB equals 1,000,000,000,000 bytes when referring to hard disk drive capacity. Accessible

capacity may be less.

3A second high-efficiency redundant 430W power supply is available for the x3200 M3. (Model dependant or via CTO.)

1

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

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IBM X3200 M3 specifications Product Overview, Contents

X3200 M3 specifications

The IBM X3200 M3 is an enterprise-level server designed for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a reliable and powerful solution for their computing needs. This server boasts a blend of robust features, advanced technologies, and exceptional characteristics that make it a preferred choice for various applications, including file and print services, data storage, and web hosting.

At the heart of the IBM X3200 M3 is the Intel Xeon processor, which offers exceptional performance due to its multi-core architecture. This allows the server to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, making it suitable for demanding workloads. The X3200 M3 supports up to two processors, enhancing its scalability and making it possible for businesses to grow without needing to invest in a completely new server.

One of the standout features of the X3200 M3 is its memory capacity. It can support up to 32GB of DDR3 RAM, providing enough bandwidth to ensure smooth operation under heavy loads. The server also employs a dual-channel memory architecture, which improves data transfer rates and overall performance.

In terms of storage, the IBM X3200 M3 offers various configurations, supporting up to eight 3.5-inch hard drives. This flexibility allows businesses to choose between RAID configurations, enhancing data redundancy and performance. The server includes Hot-Swap capabilities, ensuring that drives can be replaced without downtime, which is crucial for mission-critical applications.

The built-in virtualization technology optimizes the server's performance by allowing multiple operating systems to run concurrently on a single physical machine. This feature is particularly beneficial for businesses looking to minimize hardware costs while maximizing resource utilization.

Additionally, the IBM X3200 M3 comes equipped with comprehensive management tools, such as IBM Systems Director and IBM Predictive Failure Analysis. These tools provide IT administrators with insights into the server's health and performance, allowing for proactive management and troubleshooting.

Lastly, the X3200 M3 is designed with energy efficiency in mind, helping to reduce operational costs while still delivering reliable performance. This makes it an environmentally-friendly option for businesses aiming to reduce their carbon footprint.

In conclusion, the IBM X3200 M3 is a versatile and robust server solution that combines advanced processing power, increased memory capacity, flexible storage options, and effective management tools, making it an ideal choice for businesses looking for dependable computing performance.