IBM X3950 M2 - Manual (Page 11)

Combining high-performance architecture with high-performance Xeon processors
Please see the Legal Information section for important notices and information.
11
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 Agent
™ is 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 service
5 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.
5 For onsite labor, IBM will attempt to diagnose and resolve the problem remotely before sending a technician.