Combining high-performance architecture with high-performance Xeon processors

 

BladeCenter systems: power input (watts), PDU sizing (amps), heat output (BTUs), airflow

 

requirements through chassis (CFM), VA rating, leakage current (mA), and peak inrush current

 

(amps).

 

IBM ServerGuide (installed from CD) simplifies the process of installing and configuring System

 

x and xSeries servers. ServerGuide goes beyond mere hardware configuration by assisting with

 

the automated installation of the Microsoft® Windows® Server 2000 and 2003 operating

 

systems, device drivers and other system components, with minimal user intervention. (Drivers

 

are also included for support of Novell NetWare, Red Hat Linux and SUSE LINUX.) This focus

 

on deployment helps you reduce both your total cost of ownership and the complexity that

 

administrators and technical personnel face.

 

IBM Electronic Service Agentis an innovative “call home” feature that allows System x and

 

BladeCenter servers to automatically report hardware problems to IBM support, which can even

 

dispatch onsite service5 if necessary to those customers entitled to onsite support under the

 

terms of their warranty or an IBM Maintenance Agreement. Electronic Service Agent resides on

 

a server and provides electronic support and problem management capabilities through a highly

 

secure electronic dialogue between your systems and IBM. It monitors networked servers for

 

hardware errors and it can perform hardware and software inventories and report inventory

 

changes to IBM. All information sent to IBM is stored in a highly secure database and used for

 

improved problem determination.

 

Additional services include hardware warranty upgrades and factory-installed Product

 

Customization Services (PCS), such as asset tagging, hardware integration, software imaging

 

and operating systems personalization.

 

IBM offers extensive technical support by phone and via the Web. Support options include

 

links to forums/newsgroups, problem submission, online shopping support, service offerings,

 

device drivers for all IBM product lines, software downloads and even upcoming technical

 

seminar worldwide schedules and registration. Also available are remote installation,

 

configuration and usage support for System x and xSeries hardware and software, as well as

 

onsite custom services to provide the level of expertise you require.

 

 

Key Options

IBM options for System x servers help you take your servers to a

 

higher level

 

You can rely on System x options to supply a complete solution for your business needs.

 

Options help you create an optimized server system to meet your data protection, storage and

 

availability needs. Every IBM option is designed and tested for peak performance and flexibility,

 

helping to maximize your return on investment. The combination of System x servers and

 

options lets you keep your fingers on the pulse of your e-business.

 

Processors — The Intel Xeon processor provides high clock rates, a choice of dual-, quad-, or

 

six cores, 64-bit extensions, a large cache and advanced features for availability and

 

manageability. Large cache size, combined with a fast 1066MHz front-side bus, reduces

 

memory latency and facilitates the movement of data through the processor and I/O devices.

 

(Note: System performance depends not only on the number of processors in the server but

 

also on the power and functionality of each processor.) Adding a second, third, or fourth

 

processor may be a cost-effective way to achieve significant performance improvements.

 

Memory — Memory is a significant factor in systems application performance. Adding more

 

memory to a System x server is one of the most effective ways to increase application

 

performance. For best performance in a server with dual-core processors, there should be twice

 

as much memory available as for a server using single-core processors. A server with six-core

 

processors should have three times as much memory as a server using dual-core processors.

 

The eX4 servers take memory upgrades in pairs and provide two-way interleaving.

 

Hard Disk Drives — IBM hard disk drives help you improve the transaction and cost

 

performance of your System x servers. The choice of hard disk drives can be a critical aspect of

 

maximizing the I/O throughput of the system. 2.5-inch SAS hard disk drives are available for the

 

eX4 servers with capacities up to 146.8GB apiece at 10,000 RPMs, or up to 73.4GB apiece at

 

15,000 RPM.

 

Remote Supervisor Adapter II — The x3850 M2 and x3950 M2 include a plethora of systems

 

management features built-in. The Remote Supervisor Adapter II not only offers powerful new

 

features, it does so without taking up a valuable PCIe adapter slot, instead using a dedicated

 

PCI-X slot on the motherboard.

 

ServeRAID Controllers — System x servers using ServeRAID technology allow companies to

 

build a reliable foundation for business-critical computing. IBM ServeRAID technology allows an

 

array consisting of multiple physical hard disk drives to be treated as one logical drive.

5For onsite labor, IBM will attempt to diagnose and resolve the problem remotely before sending a technician.

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

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IBM X3950 M2, X3850 M2 manual Key Options, Higher level, 15,000 RPM