IBM System x3690 X5 1 ®IBM System x3690 X5IBM System x at-a-glance guideIBM® System x3690 X5 is a powerful two-socket 2U rack-mount server using the latest Intel Xeonprocessors. The x3690 X5 servers can be combined with the IBM MAX5 memory expansion unit for up to1 TB of memory. Add to that the 16 2.5-inch disk drive bays and you have a high performance workhorsein a rack-dense package. The x3690 X5 server belongs to the family of a new generation of EnterpriseX-Architecture® servers. The server delivers innovation with enhanced reliability and availability featuresto enable optimal performance for databases, enterprise applications, and virtualized environments.The IBM System x3690 X5 is shown in Figure 1.Figure 1. The IBM System x3690 X5Did you know?The x3690 X5 offers a two step approach to expanding the system with memory. You can first start with16 DIMMs installed just on the system board, then as needs require, install the memory mezzanine andan additional 16 DIMMs. The for applications that can use the most amount of RAM, use the 1U MAX5memory expansion unit which adds an additional 32 DIMM sockets. The MAX5 scalability and memoryexpansion feature is a unique IBM enhancement, not offered by other x86 server architectures. The totalnumber of DIMM sockets available to the system is then 64 DIMMs -- in only 3U of rack space -- and with16 GB DIMMs, that is 1 TB of RAM.The x3690 X5 servers also contain up to 16 HDD bays that support 2.5-inch hot-swap internal SAS/SATAdrives totaling up to 8TB, or up to 24 solid-state drive bays, supporting 1.8-inch hot-swap SSDs, using upto three IBM eXFlash storage options.Each individual SSD is capable of sustaining approximately 4,300IOPS, which is more than 10X what an enterprise 15,000 RPM 2.5-inch 146.8GB SAS HDD can achieve(420 IOPS).

standard models

processor options

memory options

internal disk storage options

optical drives

external disk storage expansion

network adapters

storage host bus adapters

power supplies

integrated virtualization

rack options

regulatory compliance

IBM System x3690 X5 At-a-glance Manual

front cover

Chapter 1. Introduction

eX5 systems

model summary

x3850 X5 models with MAX5

Workload-optimized x3690 X5 models

BladeCenter HX5 models

Positioning

IBM System x3850 X5 and x3950 X5

IBM System x3690 X5

Energy efficiency

Services offerings

Part 1. Product overview

Chapter 2. IBM eX5 technology

eX5 chip set

intel virtualization technology

turbo boost technology

Processor performance in a green world

memory speed

Memory DIMM placement

Memory ranking

hemisphere mode

Reliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS) features

I/O hubs

MAX5

Scalability

Partitioning

UEFI system settings

System power operating modes

System power settings

Performance-related individual system settings

IBM eXFlash

IBM eXFlash price-performance

Integrated virtualization

Windows 2008 R2 Hyper-V

SSD drives and battery backup cache on RAID controllers

Chapter 3. IBM System x3850 X5 and x3950 X5

Product features

IBM System x3950 X5 product features

Comparing the x3850 X5 to the x3850 M2

Target workloads

Models

System architecture

Memory scalability with MAX5

Processor options

DIMM population sequence

Maximizing memory performance

Memory mirroring

Memory sparing

internal disks

SAS and SSD 2.5-inch disk support

IBM eXFlash and 1.8-inch SSD support

SAS and SSD controllers

Dedicated controller slot

External storage connectivity

Optical drives

PCIe slots

I/O cards

Optional adapters

Standard onboard features

Integrated Management Module (IMM)

Integrated Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

Power supplies and fans of the x3850 X5 and MAX5

MAX5 power supplies and fans

Rack considerations

Chapter 4. IBM System x3690 X5

system components

IBM MAX5 memory expansion unit

Memory DIMM options

MAX5 memory

Memory balance

Mixing DIMMs and the performance effect

Effect on performance of using mirroring or sparing

IBM eXFlash and SSD disk support

SAS and SSD controller summary

Battery backup placement

ServeRAID Expansion Adapter

System x3690 X5

and 7192 server

The IBM Documentation CD

Using the Documentation Browser

Notices and statements in this document

Server features and specifications

What your server offers

Reliability, availability, and serviceability

IBM Systems Director

Server controls, LEDs, and power

Operator information panel

Light path diagnostics panel

Rear view

Server power features

Turning off the server

IBM MAX5 for System x memory expansion module

MAX5 features and specifications

What the MAX5 offers

MAX5 indicators, LEDs, and power

Turning the MAX5 on and off

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices

Installing hardware devices in the server

System-board internal connectors

System-board external connectors

System-board switches and jumpers

System-board LEDs

System-board optional device connectors

PCI riser card with three slots

PCI riser card with two slots

Installation guidelines

System reliability guidelines

Handling static-sensitive devices

Removing the memory tray

Removing the DIMM air baffle

Removing the microprocessor air baffle

Removing the fan cage assembly

Installing a memory module

Installing drives

drives

IDs for hot-swap drives

Supported SAS/SATA drive backplane configurations

Installing an optional CD/DVD drive

Installing a PCI riser-card assembly

Installing an adapter

Installing an IBM ServeRAID M1015 SAS/SATA Controller

Installing an optional IBM ServeRAID M5015 SAS/SATA Controller

Installing an optional IBM ServeRAID B5015 SSD Controller

Installing an optional IBM 4x4 Drive Backplane ServeRAID Expansion adapter

Installing a second microprocessor and heat sink

Thermal grease

Installing a hot-swap power supply

Installing the optional power interposer card assembly

Installing a USB embedded hypervisor flash device

Installing a RAID adapter battery remotely in the server

Installing the optional simple-swap SATA drive and backplate assembly

Installing the 8x1.8-inch hot-swap drive backplane assembly

Installing the 8x2.5-inch hot-swap drive backplane

Installing the 4x2.5-inch hot-swap drive backplane

Completing the installation

Replacing the microprocessor air baffle

Replacing the fan cage assembly

Replacing the server top cover

Connecting the cables

Updating the server configuration

Removing the MAX5 bezel

Removing the MAX5 system-board tray

Installing a MAX5 memory module

Installing a MAX5 hot-swap power supply

Completing the MAX5 installation

Replacing the MAX5 bezel

Updating the MAX5 configuration

Chapter 3. Configuring the server

Using the Setup utility

Setup utility menu choices

Passwords

Administrator password

The UpdateXpress System Pack Installer

ServerGuide features

Installing your operating system without using ServerGuide

Using the embedded hypervisor

Using the remote presence and blue-screen capture features

Logging on to the Web interface

Configuring RAID arrays

Updating IBM Systems Director

Appendix. Getting help and technical assistance

Using the documentation

Hardware service and support

Notices

Trademarks

Particulate contamination

Documentation format

Industry Canada Class A emission compliance statement

Germany Class A statement

Japan VCCI Class A statement

People's Republic of China Class A electronic emission statement

Index

product positioning

technical information

terms and conditions

key features