IBM 250000 - Manual (Page 9)

Leadership enterprise server with significantly lower cost of ownership in a highly available and
expandable, rack-dense, 1U dual-socket server
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and doesn’t cool as well as at lower elevations. In most servers, the fans run fast all the time to
allow for use at high elevations, wasting power. The altimeter allows the IBM fans to run at lower
speeds at lower altitudes.
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.
There are temperature sensors on the planar placed to sense DIMM exhaust temperature , SAS
HDD exhaust temperature, and CPU2 exhaust temperature (through the altitude sensor).
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, 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 eight 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.)
Hot-Swap/Redundant Components
System availability is maximized through the extensive use of hot-swap and redundant
components, including:
• Redundant memory protection (with memory mirroring enabled)
• Hot-swap, redundant hard disk drives (with RAID-1/10 protection standard and three other
RAID levels optional)
• Hot-swap, redundant power supplies
• Hot-swap, redundant cooling fans
Other Features
• Four 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 and four on
the back. USB ports can be used for pre-boot to an external drive, also for KB/mouse
• Embedded hypervisor via a USB connector on the motherboard) activated with an optional
2GB USB key; for supporting VMware ESXi for virtualization (available 2Q/09)
• Virtual Media Key — This optional full-function systems management adapter adds local and
remote management functions without consuming a valuable adapter slot.
• Dual video ports — A Matrox G200eV SVGA video controller provides up to 1024x768
resolution, with a color depth of 32 bits at 85Hz refresh rate. To simplify local systems
management, one video port is provided on the front of the unit and one on the back.
• Toolless slides — Allows quick rack installation and quicker upgrade and servicing of the
server.
• Toolless chassis — The cover can be opened without tools, and many components can be
removed and replaced without tools, including the CD-RW/DVD combo drive, hot-swap
HDDs, plus PCI, PCI-X and PCIe adapters, as well as the integrated ServeRAID BR10i and
Virtual Media Key. This can save a servicer significant time.