A cost-optimized storage-rich alternative to traditional enterprise 2U dual-socket servers

VMware ESXi includes all the performance, scalability and compatibility features of ESX, including full VMFS support across FC SAN, iSCSI SAN, and NAS, and 4-way VSMP. Because it runs from flash memory, it’s extremely fast and ideal for diskless configurations. It also offers enhanced security, because it runs without an operating system-based console and is updated/patched much like firmware. Licensing works the same as for “standard” ESX.

Disk Controllers

The x3620 M3 simple-swapmodels include firmware RAID-0/1 (in other words, without hardware assist) standard, and support an optional ServeRAID-BR10il v2, ServerRAID-M1015, ServeRAID-M5014,or ServeRAID-M5015SAS/SATA controller, to enhance system performance, availability and data protection. Hot-swapmodels include either a ServeRAID- M1015, ServeRAID-M5014, or ServeRAID-M5015controller standard (model-specific). They can be upgraded to other ServeRAID controllers. The supported ServeRAID controllers include:

The 3Gbps7 (x4 PCIe) ServeRAID-BR10il v2 controller offers hardware RAID-0/1/1Esupport (no cache) for up to 4 HDDs.

The 6Gbps (x8 PCIe) ServeRAID-M1015 SAS/SATA controller supports RAID-0/1/10 (no cache) for up to 16 drives (limited by available bays to 8). The IBM ServeRAID M1000 Series Advance Feature Key adds RAID-5 with SED support.

The 6Gbps (x8 PCIe) ServeRAID-M5014 SAS/SATA controller offers enhanced performance with 256MB of cache memory (with optional battery backup), and supports RAID-0/1/10/5/50for up to 16 drives (limited by available bays to 8).

The 6Gbps (x8 PCIe) ServeRAID-M5015 SAS/SATA controller offers enhanced performance with 512MB of cache memory and battery backup included, and supports RAID-0/1/10/5/50for up to 16 drives (limited by available bays to 8).

The IBM ServeRAID M5000 Series Advance Feature Key adds RAID-6/60 with SED support to the ServeRAID-M5014 and M5015. The IBM ServeRAID M5000 Series Battery Key adds battery backup support to the M5014.

Drive Bays

The x3620 M3 supports up to 9 or 5 drive bays in all (model-specific). Models include either 8 hot-swapor 4 simple-swap3.5-inchdrive bays, plus one 5.25-inchbay for either an optional optical drive, a tape drive, or an RDX Removable Disk Backup System. The hot-swap bays support either SATA or SAS HDDs. The simple-swap bays support only SATA drives.

Hot-swapdrives may be inserted or removed through the front of the server without powering off the system. Simple-swapdrives can be inserted or removed through the front of the server as well; however, the system power must first be turned off.

For additional storage, a direct-attach, NAS or SAN external expansion option can be added, using an optional controller.

No diskette drive is supplied with any model; an external USB floppy drive may be used, if needed.

Flexible Internal Storage

The x3620 M3 offers flexibility with either 4 or 8 2.5” HDD bays (model-dependent), supporting high-performance drives that provide high density/high reliability and allow you to scale up as your business grows. (Hot-swap models require a RAID controller.)

3.5-inch Hot-Swap SAS

•15,000 RPMs — 300, 450, or 600GB (4.8TB maximum capacity, with 8 bays)

3.5-inch Hot-Swap SATA

•7,200 RPMs — 250 or 500GB, 1 or 2TB (16.0TB maximum capacity, with 8 bays)

3.5-inch Simple-Swap SATA

•7,200 RPMs — 250 or 500GB, 1 or 2TB (8.0TB maximum capacity, with 4 bays)

The hot-swap drives use the Converged Tray for interchangeability with other IBM System x® systems. If you need more storage space, terabyte capacities are possible with external IBM System Storage direct-attach, NAS and SAN offerings.

7Data transfer rates depend on many factors and are often less than the maximum possible.

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

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IBM X3620 M3 specifications Disk Controllers, Drive Bays, Flexible Internal Storage
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X3620 M3 specifications

The IBM X3620 M3 is a robust 2U rack server that debuted as part of IBM's System X portfolio. It is designed to meet the demands of various workloads, from virtualization to database hosting and business applications. With its emphasis on reliability, performance, and expandability, the X3620 M3 has garnered attention from small to medium-sized businesses as well as enterprise users.

One of the standout features of the X3620 M3 is its dual-socket architecture, which supports Intel Xeon 5600 series processors. This configuration allows for impressive performance capabilities, with the ability to install up to two six-core processors, giving enterprises the horsepower needed for demanding applications. Additionally, the server's memory support can extend up to 192 GB with DDR3 RAM, enabling high-speed data processing and multitasking efficiencies. This capacity allows the X3620 M3 to handle multiple virtual machines simultaneously without sacrificing performance.

In terms of storage, the IBM X3620 M3 offers flexible options. The server is equipped with up to eight hot-swap 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch drive bays, supporting Serial ATA (SATA) or SAS drives. This not only enhances the system's capability for storage expansion but also provides redundancy and increased data protection through RAID configurations. The integrated SAS RAID controller bolsters data integrity, ensuring that critical enterprise information remains safe.

The X3620 M3 also prioritizes versatility and efficiency. Its energy-efficient design incorporates features such as AdvancedPM, which helps optimize power consumption based on workload demands. This can lead to significant cost savings for data centers focused on energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction.

Furthermore, the server supports various network connectivity options, including Integrated Gigabit Ethernet ports and the ability to add additional networking cards. This ensures that the server can be tailored to meet specific networking needs, enhancing overall application performance.

In summary, the IBM X3620 M3 is an adaptable and high-performing rack server that addresses a wide range of business computing requirements. Its combination of powerful processing capabilities, extensive memory support, flexible storage options, and energy-efficient design makes it a favorable choice for businesses looking to maximize their IT investments. With its emphasis on reliability and performance, the X3620 M3 remains a competitive option in the ever-evolving server landscape.
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