Summary of the content on the page No. 1
Combining high-performance architecture with high-performance Xeon processors
Product Guide
September 2008
IBM System x3850 M2 / x3950 M2
Outstanding performance, superior mainframe-like
Architecture
Overview
reliability, and fault-tolerant memory characteristics
® ™
IBM has been designing and implementing chipsets under the X-Architecture name since
2001. eX4 technology represents the fourth generation of products based on the same design
principle IBM began with
Summary of the content on the page No. 2
Combining high-performance architecture with high-performance Xeon processors business needs and growth. In addition, the x3850 M2 and x3950 M2 use industry-standard ™ DDR II memory with Chipkill ECC (Error Checking and Correcting) protection—for high performance and reliability and lower energy consumption than fully buffered memory. For even ™ higher levels of availability, the eX4 servers also offer Memory ProteXion , memory scrubbing, and selectable memory mirroring. A dual-port in
Summary of the content on the page No. 3
Combining high-performance architecture with high-performance Xeon processors IBM System x3950 M2-specific • ScaleXpander Option Kit standard • Offers physical partitioning at four-socket granularity allowing you to run multiple operating systems on the same integrated hardware • Support for up to two ServeRAID-MR10k options if a multi-chassis configuration is used Key Features High-Performance Xeon Processors The x3850 M2 and x3950 M2 ship with two high-performance Intel Xeon proce
Summary of the content on the page No. 4
Combining high-performance architecture with high-performance Xeon processors twice as many FSBs as before and each is 60% faster than before. Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology (EM64T) 64-bit extensions allow the Xeon processor to use large memory addressing when running with a 64-bit operating system. This in turn lets individual software processes directly access more than 4GB of RAM, which was the limit of 32- bit addressing. This can result in much higher performance for certain ki
Summary of the content on the page No. 5
Combining high-performance architecture with high-performance Xeon processors High-Speed Scalability Ports When more than one chassis is used, they are simply cabled together via one or more scalability cables. Up to three cables connected to low-latency, 10.24Gbps full-duplex ports (5.12Gbps in each direction), supported by up to 1GB of L4 cache, provide exceptional interchassis throughput (30.72Gbps aggregate). Because of this design, an x3950 M2 server has the incredible flex
Summary of the content on the page No. 6
Combining high-performance architecture with high-performance Xeon processors 2.5-inch SAS • 10,000 RPMs — 73.4 or 146.8GB (587.2GB maximum per chassis; 2.349TB in a 4-chassis configuration) • 15,000 RPMs — 73.4GB (293.6GB per chassis; 1.174TB per 4 chassis) 2-5-inch drives not only require less space than 3.5-inch drives, they weigh less, consume half the power, produce less noise, seek faster, and offer increased reliability. The hot-swap SAS drives use the Converged Tray for interc
Summary of the content on the page No. 7
Combining high-performance architecture with high-performance Xeon processors 3 times the maximum throughput of a 133MHz PCI-X adapter . (A x1 adapter offers throughput similar to a 66MHz PCI-X slot.) Because the SAS, ServeRAID-MR10k, dual Gigabit Ethernet, and systems management controllers are integrated onto the system board, the seven adapter slots are all available, which offers you a wide degree of latitude in expansion options. (Even though the HP DL580G5 has eleven total slots,
Summary of the content on the page No. 8
Combining high-performance architecture with high-performance Xeon processors front LED indicates an error condition, by pressing a button on the front of the server an LED panel will pop out and drop down 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 memory modules
Summary of the content on the page No. 9
Combining high-performance architecture with high-performance Xeon processors Directly Via Daisy-Chain • Max.16 servers per port All CAT5, 5e, 6 Via Secondary cabling Switch Advanced Systems Management Capabilities The x3850 M2 and x3950 M2 have a high level of systems management capabilities that are well-suited to remote locations as well as to stand-alone environments. Features include the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC), IBM Systems Director Active Energy Manager f
Summary of the content on the page No. 10
Combining high-performance architecture with high-performance Xeon processors • SSL (Secure Socket Layer) and LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) support Automatic Server Restart (ASR) helps reduce downtime by restarting the server automatically in the event of a system lockup. ASR technology is a combination of hardware circuitry tied into the server’s system reset function and a device driver. As long as the server continues running, the ASR watchdog timer will keep being res
Summary of the content on the page No. 11
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
Summary of the content on the page No. 12
Combining high-performance architecture with high-performance Xeon processors ServeRAID technology also allows data to be stored redundantly, across multiple hard disk drives— enhancing both the integrity and the availability of the data. SAS and SATA ServeRAID controllers offer enhanced performance due to onboard processors and cache. Because IBM ServeRAID controllers can help significantly improve data transfer rates, this technology is extremely effective when implementing demanding,
Summary of the content on the page No. 13
Combining high-performance architecture with high-performance Xeon processors Rear View Remote Serial SAS Hexagonal Supervisor Port Port Ventilation Holes Adapter II PCIe Hot-swap Scalability USB Gb Ethernet Video Redundant Slots PCIe slots Ports Ports Ports Port H/S Power Supply Bays Interior View 7 Adapter Slots 2 Memory Cards 2 Processors 4 HDD Bays / 2 Processors 2 Memory Cards Remote Supervisor Adapter II ServeRAID 6 Hot-Swap Adapter 2 Hot-Swap Fans Slot
Summary of the content on the page No. 14
Combining high-performance architecture with high-performance Xeon processors x3850 M2 / x3950 M2 Specifications x3850 M2 x3950 M2 7141-1RX/1RY, 2RX/2RY, 3HX/3HY, 7144-1SX/1SY, 3SX/3SY, 4SX/4SY—3 3RX/3RY, 4RX/4RY—3 yr. warranty; yr. warranty; Machine type 7233-2RX/2RY, 5RX/5RY, 6RX/6RY, 7233-2SX/2SY, 5SX/5xSY, 6SX/6SY, 7RX/7RY—3 yr. warranty; 7SX/7SY—3 yr. warranty; 7234-6RX/6RY—4 yr. warranty 7234-6SX/6SY—4 yr. warranty Form factor (standard/maximum) 4U / 16U Six-core Xeon Quad
Summary of the content on the page No. 15
Combining high-performance architecture with high-performance Xeon processors x3850 M2 / x3950 M2 Specifications # of drive bays total / available 5 / 4 # of HDD drive bays total / available 4 / 4 2.5-inch # of 5.25" bays total / available 1 / 0 (CD-RW/DVD installed) 2.5-inch SAS Maximum HDD capacity 587.2B (4 x 146.8GB) hot-swap SAS 2.5-inch SAS Internal HDD capacities supported 73.4, 146.8GB — 10K RPMs; 73.4GB — 15K RPMs # of HDDs standard None # of optical drives standard 1 CD
Summary of the content on the page No. 16
Combining high-performance architecture with high-performance Xeon processors x3850 M2 / x3950 M2 Specifications # of keyboard ports None (USB-attached) # of SAS ports 1 (rear) # of USB 2.0 ports 5 external (2 front, 2 rear) ports, plus 1 internal USB connector for flash drive Integrated systems management Remote Supervisor Adapter II controller Processors, memory, power supplies, fans, HDDs, adapters, voltage regulator Light path diagnostics support modules (VRMs), and system temp
Summary of the content on the page No. 17
Combining high-performance architecture with high-performance Xeon processors • Large L2 cache — 9MB, 8MB, 6MB or 4MB of internal processor cache (model-specific) • Large L3 cache — 16MB, 12MB, or 8MB of external processor cache (model-specific) • Huge L4 cache — 256GB per chassis (up to 1GB in a 4-chassis configuration) of IBM-unique XceL4v Dynamic Server cache • 64-bit extensions (EM64T) • Fast front-side buses — 4 x 1066MHz (one per processor) • Fast memory — PC2-5300 DDR II ECC me
Summary of the content on the page No. 18
Combining high-performance architecture with high-performance Xeon processors • Hot-swap/redundant cooling • Light path diagnostics (front LED panel, drop-down light path panel) • Toolless chassis and toolless slide design; integrated Cable Management Arm simplify installation and removal of the server from the rack 18 Please see the Legal Information section for important notices and information.
Summary of the content on the page No. 19
Combining high-performance architecture with high-performance Xeon processors For More Information IBM System x Servers http://www.ibm.com/systems/x Electronic Service Agent http://www.ibm.com/support/electronic IBM System x and BladeCenter Power Configurator http://www.ibm.com/systems/bladecenter/powerconfig Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/xseries/library/configtools.html Confi
