Chapter 1. Introduction - IBM x3850 X6 Planning And Implementation Manual

Introduction
Chapter 1.
The IBM X6 family of scalable rack servers consists of two servers:
IBM System x3850 x6, a four-socket 4U rack-mount server
IBM System x3950 X6, an eight-socket 8U rack-mount server
These servers are the sixth generation of servers built upon the IBM Enterprise
X-Architecture. Enterprise X-Architecture is the culmination of bringing generations of IBM
technology and innovation derived from our experience in high-end enterprise servers.
The IBM X6 servers deliver innovation with enhanced scalability, reliability, availability, and
serviceability features to enable optimal break-through performance ideal for mission-critical
scalable databases, business analytics, virtualization, enterprise applications, and cloud
applications.
The IBM X6 generation servers pack numerous fault-tolerant and high-availability features
into a high-density, rack-optimized, chassis-like package where all serviceable components
are front and rear accessible, significantly reducing the space needed to support massive
network computing operations and simplify servicing.
These servers can be expanded on demand, offering flexible modular scalability in
processing, I/O, and memory dimensions so that you can provision what you need now and
expand the system to meet future requirements. X6 is fast, agile, and resilient.
This chapter contains the following topics:
1.1, "Target workloads" on page 2
1.2, "Key features" on page 5
1.3, "Positioning" on page 6
1.4, "Storage versus in-memory data" on page 7
1.5, "Flash storage" on page 8
1.6, "Energy efficiency" on page 9
1.7, "Services offerings" on page 10
1.8, "What this book contains" on page 10
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2014. All rights reserved.
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