IBM X3500 - Manual (Page 6)

A stable, long-life, dual-socket, dual- and quad-core SMP
server, offering high-performance, massive capacity and
outstanding availability
Please see the Legal Information section for important notices and information.
6
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-swap fans. 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,