IBM X3500 Internal Backup, Dual Gigabit Ethernet Controllers, Ultra-Efficient Cooling

Astable, long-life, dual-socket, dual- and quad-core SMP server, offering high-performance, massive capacity and outstanding availability

Internal Backup

The x3500 supports several internal tape backup options. Supported technologies include:

•DDS-5(half-high)

•DDS-6(half-high)

•LTO-2 Ultrium (half-high)

•LTO-3 Ultrium (full-high)

•VXA-3(half-high)

Dual Gigabit Ethernet Controllers

The x3500 includes two integrated Gigabit Ethernet controllers (one Broadcom BCM5721 and one BCM5721J) for up to 10X higher maximum throughput than a 10/100 Ethernet controller.

It also supports highly secure remote power management using IPMI 2.0, plus Wake on LAN® and PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) flash interface. Optional PCI adapters offering failover and load balancing between adapters are available for added throughput and increased system availability.

Ultra-Efficient Cooling

Strategically located fans, combined with efficient airflow paths, provide highly effective system cooling for the x3500, known as Calibrated Vectored Cooling. The base server with one power supply includes three hot-swapfans. Adding the optional power supply for redundant power adds three more hot-swap fans, for redundant cooling. In addition, each power supply also contains a fan.

The system contains three cooling zones. Zone 1 (incorporating one fan in a nonredundant configuration or two with redundancy) cools the memory slots and the three 5.25-inch drive bays. Zone 2 (one or two fans) cools the processors, and Zone 3 (one or two fans) cools the adapter slots and the HDD bays.

The fans automatically adjust speeds in response to changing thermal requirements, from a minimum of 1,000 RPMs to a maximum of 4,800, depending on the zone, redundancy, and internal temperatures. When the temperature inside the server increases, the fans speed up to maintain the proper ambient temperature. When the temperature returns to a normal operating level, the fans return to their default speed. Why not simply run the fans at 100% capacity all the time? For several good reasons: to reduce the ambient noise, reduce the wear-and-tear on the fans and reduce the server power draw. The reduction in ambient noise and power draw may be relatively minor for a single server, but put dozens or hundreds in a data center and it can make a big difference!

In addition, the server uses hexagonal ventilation holes in the chassis. Hexagonal holes can be grouped more densely than round holes, providing greater airflow through the system cover.

This cooling scheme is important because newer, more powerful processors generate a significant amount of heat, and heat must be controlled for the system to function properly.

Light Path Diagnostics

Light path diagnostics enables a technician to quickly identify and locate a failed or failing system component, such as a specific fan or memory DIMM. This enables quick replacement of the component, which helps increase server uptime and lower operating costs.

The front of the server has an LED indicator light to show possible component failures. If the front LED indicates an error condition, an LED panel is mounted on the side of the server for easy viewing without the need to open the server cover (or remove the server from the rack). The light path diagnostics panel tells the servicer which component requires attention. In addition, many components have their own identifying LEDs. For example, each of the twelve memory modules has an LED next to the socket, as do both processors, all adapter slots, all fans, all power supplies, the voltage regulator module and the service processor, allowing the servicer to easily identify exactly which component needs servicing. By following the “light path,” the component can be replaced quickly, and without guesswork. (Note: In the event of a failed DIMM, the system will restart and mark the DIMM as bad while offline, thus allowing the system to continue running, with reduced memory capacity, until serviced.)

Other Features

•Five USB 2.0 ports — Provides flexibility to add high-speed external devices. The USB 2.0 specification supports up to 480Mbps transfer rates. (Note: Not all USB 2.0 devices are capable of achieving this rate.) Two ports are provided on the front of the server, two are on the back, and one is internal to support a USB-interface tape drive.

•Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine support — This optional full-function systems management adapter adds local and remote management functions without consuming an adapter slot.

•Dual video ports — An ATI Radeon ES1000 SVGA video controller provides up to 1024x768 resolution, with a color depth of 32 bits at 85Hz refresh rate. To simplify local systems management,

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