IBM System x3755 M3 7164 Installation And User Manual

Also see for System x3755 M3 7164: Product guide Product guide At-a-glance guide

Contents

What your server offersThe server uses the following features and technologies:v Symmetric multiprocessing (SMP)The server supports up to four multi-core AMD Opteron ™ microprocessors. If theserver comes with only one microprocessor, you can install additionalmicroprocessors to enhance performance and provide SMP capability.Note: As of date of this document, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 ServicePack 1 does not support XEN virtualization on a server using AMD Opteron 6200series microprocessors.v UEFI-compliant server firmwareIBM System x ® Server Firmware (server firmware) offers several features,including Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) 2.1 compliance; enhancedreliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS) capabilities; and basic input/outputsystem (BIOS) compatibility support. UEFI replaces the BIOS and defines astandard interface between the operating system, platform firmware, and externaldevices. UEFI-compliant System x servers are capable of booting UEFI-compliantoperating systems, BIOS-based operating systems, and BIOS-based adapters aswell as UEFI-compliant adapters.Note: The server does not support DOS.v Integrated baseboard management controllerThe integrated baseboard management controller (iBMC) combines serviceprocessor functions, video controller, and remote presence and blue-screencapture features in a single chip. The iBMC provides advanced service processorcontrol, monitoring, and alerting function. If an environmental condition exceeds athreshold or if a system component fails, the iBMC lights LEDs to help youdiagnose the problem, records the error in the iBMC event log, and alerts you tothe problem. Optionally, the iBMC also provides a virtual presence capability forremote server management capabilities. The iBMC provides remote servermanagement through industry-standard interfaces:– Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) version 2.0– Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) version 3– Web browser (For more information, see “Using the integrated baseboardmanagement controller” on page 83.)v IBM Systems DirectorIBM Systems Director is a platform-management foundation that streamlines theway you manage physical and virtual systems in a heterogeneous environment.By using industry standards, IBM Systems Director supports multiple operatingsystems and virtualization technologies for IBM and non-IBM x86 platforms. Formore information, see the “IBM Systems Director” on page 11.v IBM Electronic Service AgentIBM Electronic Service Agent is a software tool that monitors the server forhardware error events and automatically submits electronic service requests toIBM service and support. Also, it can collect and transmit system configurationinformation on a scheduled basis so that the information is available to you andyour support representative. It uses minimal system resources, is available freeof charge, and can be downloaded from the web. For more information and todownload Electronic Service Agent, go to http://www.ibm.com/support/electronic/.v Large system-memory capacityChapter 1. The System x3755 M3 server 7