IBM X3200 M3 Product Manual

Also see for System x3200 M3: Brochure & specs Installation and user guide Product guide Service guide Product guide

Contents

An affordable single-socket, quad-core server with high performanceand data protection for small, medium, and large businessesPlease see the Legal Information section for important notices and information. 7time.Rack Cable Management and KVM Console SwitchingIBM Advanced Cabling Technology (ACT) is an optional feature that offers many advantages overstandard KVM cabling across the entire System x and xSeries product line. So now you caninterconnect all of your servers with one smart cabling architecture. ACT cabling eliminates the need forone-to-one direct connections between each server and a KVM switch by using a daisy-chain approach.The snarl of cabling behind most racks is at best inconvenient to work around and at worst an expensivelogistical nightmare, requiring the rewiring of servers, PDUs, KVM switches, and other equipmentwhenever a rack server is added or removed. Even worse, the veil of cables blocks rack airflow and canactually contribute to equipment failure due to overheating. ACT cabling is the solution for reducingbehind-the-rack cabling by as much as 87%. The illustration below shows a sample ACT configuration:Conventional cabling has bulky KVM cables exiting each server, which then connect to a KVM switch.The cables exiting a series of KVM switches must then be aggregated via additional KVM switches andPDUs, which only increases the number—and cost—of cables, KVM switches and PDUs. Instead, thedaisy-chain approach of ACT cabling uses readily available, inexpensive CAT5 and 6 cabling toconsiderably reduce the number of cables, KVM switches, and PDUs needed, rather than increasingthem. If a server is removed or added, no complicated rewiring is needed. One cable connects the firstserver in the rack to the next, and so on. Up to 16 servers form a chain; up to 8 chains can connect toone Local Console Manager (LCM); 16 LCMs can connect to one Global Console Manager (GCM). Inthis manner, up to 2,048 servers can be centrally managed. Equally importantly, with ACT—unlikesome other offerings—everything is done externally via cabling; no special adapters are required.Extensive System Support FeaturesThe IBM services and technical support portfolio provides world-class, consistent, high-quality serviceand support. The x3200 M3 server offers a number of tools and services designed to make ownership apositive experience. From the start, IBM programs make it easier for customers to plan for, configureand purchase System x or xSeries servers, get them running and keep them running long-term. Thesefeatures include IBM ServerProven®, the IBM Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool, IBM System xand BladeCenter Power Configurator, IBM ServerGuide, IBM Systems Director Service and SupportManager, Product Customization Services and extensive technical support offerings.The IBM ServerProven program provides the confidence that specific options and operating systemshave been tested on the server and are officially supported to work together. It is updated frequently toensure that the latest compatibility information is always at your customers’ fingertips.The IBM Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool (SSCT) is a downloadable tool that simplifies theoften complex chore of configuring a full rack of servers (including blade servers) and confirming thatyou have all the cables, power distribution units, KVM (keyboard, video and mouse) switch boxes andother components you need, as well as the proper airflow clearances, electrical circuits and otherenvironmental conditions.IBM System x and BladeCenter Power Configurator helps IT managers plan for data center powerneeds, by providing the following information for specific configurations of System x and BladeCentersystems: power input (watts), PDU sizing (amps), heat output (BTUs), airflow requirements throughchassis (CFM), VA rating, leakage current (mA), and peak inrush current (amps).IBM ServerGuide (installed from CD) simplifies the process of installing and configuring System x andxSeries servers. ServerGuide goes beyond mere hardware configuration by assisting with theDirectlyVia SecondarySwitchVia Daisy-Chain• Max.16 servers per portAll CAT5, 5e, 6cabling