IBM System x3690 X5
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Availability and serviceability
The x3690 X5 provides many features to simplify serviceability and increase system uptime:
Support for machine check architecture (MCA) recovery, a feature of the Intel Xeon processor E7
family, which enables the handling of system errors that otherwise require the operating system to be
halted. SAP HANA is one of the first application which leverages the MCA recovery to handle system
errors in order to prevent the application from being terminated in case of a system error.
Extensive memory protection with IBM Chipkill, and, with DIMMs containing x4 DRAM modules,
Redundant Bit Steering (RBS) (also known as Double Device Data Correction or DDDC) is also
supported . The combination of IBM Chipkill and RBS provides very robust memory protection that
sustains to two sequential memory DRAM chip failures without affecting overall system performance.
Redundant CPU-to-I/O hub interconnect links provide ability to self-recover from CPU failure. If
primary CPU fails then eX5 systems can use the second CPU to boot the OS as they still have
access to the integrated I/O devices because of redundant links between CPUs and I/O hubs.
Memory mirroring and memory rank sparing for redundancy in the event of a non-correctable memory
failure.
Hot-swap drives, supporting RAID redundancy for data protection and greater system uptime.
Four redundant hot-swap power supplies and five redundant hot-swap fans to provide availability for
business-critical applications.
The power source independent light path diagnostics panel and individual light path LEDs quickly
lead the technician to failed (or failing) components, which simplifies servicing, speeds up problem
resolution, and helps improve system availability.
Predictive Failure Analysis (PFA) detects when system components (processors, VRMs, memory,
HDDs, fans, and power supplies) operate outside of standard thresholds and generates proactive
alerts in advance of a possible failure, therefore increasing uptime.
Solid-state drives (SSDs) offer significantly better reliability than traditional mechanical HDDs for
greater uptime.
Built-in Integrated Management Module Version II (IMM2) continuously monitors system parameters,
triggers alerts, and performs recovering actions in case of failures to minimize downtime.
Built-in diagnostics, using Dynamic Systems Analysis (DSA) Preboot, speed up troubleshooting tasks
to reduce service time.
Three-year customer-replaceable unit and on-site limited warranty, 9x5 next business day. Optional
service upgrades are available.
Manageability and security
Powerful systems management features simplify local and remote management of the x3690 X5:
The server includes an Integrated Management Module (IMM) to monitor server availability and
perform remote management.
Integrated industry-standard Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) enables improved setup,
configuration, and updates, and simplifies error handling.
Integrated Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 support enables advanced cryptographic functionality,
such as digital signatures and remote attestation.
IBM Systems Director is included for proactive systems management. It offers comprehensive
systems management tools that help to increase uptime, reduce costs, and improve productivity
through advanced server management capabilities.
