20 IBM NeXtScale System Planning and Implementation GuideTable 2-2 IBM Flex System and NeXtScale System Differentiations2.5 NeXtScale System versus rack-mounted serversAlthough the NeXtScale System compute nodes are included in a chassis, thischassis is only there to provide shared power and cooling.As a consequence, the approach to design, buy, or upgrade a solution that isbased on IBM NeXtScale System or regular 1U/2U rack-mounted servers issimilar. In both cases, the full solution relies on separate networking componentsand can integrate seamlessly in an existing infrastructure.The choice between IBM NeXtScale System and rack-mountable servers is firstdriven by application requirements because each form factor brings variousadvantages and limitations for particular workloads.IBM Flex System differentiation IBM NeXtScale System differentiationIntegrated design offers flexibility (FlexSystem) and factory-integration (PureFlexSystem).Flexibility of customization and integrationof hardware.10U chassis holding 14 nodes with sharedpower and cooling that is designed formultiple generations of technology.6U chassis holding 12 servers with sharedpower and cooling designed for multiplegenerations of technology.Heterogeneous node support: x86 andPOWER.x86 node support.Full hardware redundancy; no single pointof failure.Designed for software redundancy;clustered approach.Integrated switching, storage, andmanagement in the chassis. All networkconnection are made via midplane.Support for 1 Gb/10 Gb Ethernet, FCoE,8 Gb/16 Gb FC, and QDR/FDRInfiniBand. Custom form factor switchesand adapters.No Integrated switching in the chassis.Cables are routed to top of rack. Multiplebrands of rack-based switches aresupported: 1 GB/10 GB/40 Gb Ethernet,InfiniBand QDR/FDR, and 8 GB/16 GBFibre Channel all installed external to thechassis. Standard PCI adapters and ToRswitches.Integrated shared storage optional withthe Flex System V7000 Storage Node.Integrated direct attached storage optionalwith the native expansion tray (planned).Unified management via the Flex SystemManager for all physical and virtualresources in chassis.No unified management tools;management of node/ storage/switchinghandled via independent open standard,vendor-independent toolkits.
