294 IBM eX5 Implementation GuideOperating system updates, fixes, and patchesThe performance and reliability of an x3850 X5 tightly relate to the OS running on it. IBMsupports an assortment of modern and widely used OSs capable of utilizing the system’spotential. Each vendor supports their OS by releasing updates, fixes, and patches thatprovide enhanced functionality and fixes to known problems. Several of these updates, fixes,and patches only apply to certain configurations, while other updates, fixes, and patchesapply to all configurations. The OS vendors support website has extensive information aboutthese updates, fixes, and patches.System update resourcesTable 6-12 provides useful web address links to IBM tools, as well as vendor OS supportlinks.Table 6-12 Internet links to supports and downloads6.10.6 SAN storage reference and considerationsThe System x3850 X5 with its MAX5 memory expansion capability is the high-end serversolution in the IBM System x product line. Target workloads for this design includevirtualization and database application. In both designations, it is typical for the user to attachstorage area network (SAN) storage to the server for data storage.SAN storage attachmentA storage area network (SAN) is a network whose primary purpose is the transfer of databetween computer systems and storage elements. The following list describes the typicallyused SAN protocols, each with their own characteristics: Fibre Channel (FC)The Fibre Channel Protocol (FCP) is the interface protocol of SCSI on Fibre Channel. FCPis a transport protocol, which predominantly transports SCSI commands over FibreChannel networks. Fibre Channel (FC) is the prevalent technology standard in the StorageArea Network (SAN) data center environment. Typical requirements for this configurationrequire an FC HBA and FC SAN infrastructure. Despite its name, Fibre Channel signalingcan run on both twisted-pair copper wire and fiber optic cables.Tip: IBM UpdateXpress is a tool that allows the IBM System x firmware and drivers to beupdated via the OS. More information about this tool is available at the following website:http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=SERV-XPRESSVendor Product AddressIBM Systems Support http://ibm.com/systems/support/IBM ServerGuide http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=SERV-GUIDEIBM UpdateXpress http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=SERV-XPRESSIBM Bootable Media Creator http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=TOOL-BOMCMicrosoft Windows Server http://support.microsoft.com/ph/14134Red Hat RHEL https://www.redhat.com/support/Novell SLES http://www.novell.com/support/VMware vSphere http://downloads.vmware.com/d/
