Leadership enterprise server with significantly lower cost of ownership in a highly available and
expandable, rack-dense, 2U dual-socket server
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10
•
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 drives,
and PCIe adapters, as well as the integrated ServeRAID card, embedded hypervisor key, and
Virtual Media Key. This can save a servicer significant time.
Rack Cable Management and KVM Console Switching
IBM Advanced Cabling Technology (
ACT
) is an optional feature that offers many advantages
over standard KVM cabling across the entire System x and xSeries product line. So now you can
interconnect all of your servers with one smart cabling architecture. ACT cabling eliminates the
need for one-to-one direct connections between each server and a KVM switch by using a daisy-
chain approach.
The snarl of cabling behind most racks is at best inconvenient to work around and at worst an
expensive logistical nightmare, requiring the rewiring of servers, PDUs, KVM switches, and other
equipment whenever a rack server is added or removed. Even worse, the veil of cables blocks
rack airflow and can actually contribute to equipment failure due to overheating. ACT cabling is
the solution for reducing behind-the-rack cabling by as much as
87%
.
The illustration below shows a sample ACT configuration:
Conventional cabling has bulky KVM cables exiting each server, which then connect to a KVM
switch. The cables exiting a series of KVM switches must then be aggregated via additional KVM
switches and PDUs, which only increases the number—and cost—of cables, KVM switches and
PDUs. Instead, the daisy-chain approach of ACT cabling uses readily available, inexpensive
CAT5 and 6 cabling to considerably
reduce
the number of cables, KVM switches, and PDUs
needed, rather than increasing them. If a server is removed or added, no complicated rewiring is
needed. One cable connects the first server in the rack to the next, and so on. Up to
16
servers
form a chain; up to
8
chains can connect to one Local Console Manager (LCM);
16
LCMs can
connect to one Global Console Manager (GCM). In this manner, up to
2,048
servers
can be
centrally managed. Equally importantly, with ACT—unlike some other offerings—everything is
done externally via cabling;
no
special adapters are required.
Extensive System Support Features
The IBM services and technical support portfolio provides world-class, consistent, high-quality
service and support. The x3650 M2 server offers a number of tools and services designed to
make ownership a positive experience. From the start, IBM programs make it easier for you to
plan for, configure and purchase System x or xSeries servers, get them running and keep them
running long-term. These features include IBM Express Portfolio, IBM ServerProven
®
, IBM
Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool, IBM System x and BladeCenter Power Configurator,
IBM ServerGuide,
IBM Systems Director Service and Support Manager, Product Customization
Services and extensive technical support offerings.
The IBM
ServerProven
program provides the confidence that specific options and operating
systems have been tested on the server and are officially supported to work together. It is
updated frequently to ensure that the latest compatibility information is always at your fingertips.
The IBM
Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool
(SSCT) is a downloadable tool that
simplifies the often complex chore of configuring a full rack of servers (including blade servers)
and confirming that you have all the cables, power distribution units, KVM (keyboard, video and
mouse) switch boxes and other components you need, as well as the proper airflow clearances,
Directly
Via Secondary
Switch
Via Daisy-Chain
•
Max.16 servers per port
All CAT5, 5e, 6
cabling
