Overview - IBM x3690 X5 Manual

Overview

The x3690 X5 server is a new generation of the Enterprise X-Architecture®,
delivering innovation with enhanced reliability and availability features to enable
optimal performance for databases, enterprise applications, and virtualized
environments.
These models of the x3690 X5 servers are powered with 6-core Intel® Xeon EX
processors and are combined with the IBM MAX5 memory expansion for up to 1
terabyte of memory in a powerful two-socket system. In addition, MAX5 is available
as an option for all x3690 X5 systems.
Potential benefits include:
• Increased memory performance
• Greater system uptime with advanced memory RAS features
• Larger virtual machines and/or more virtual machines per system and increased
CPU utilization with two sockets and 64 DIMMs with MAX5
• Advanced networking capabilities with two Broadcom 5709 1 Gb Ethernet
adapters standard in all models, Emulex 10 Gb dual-port Ethernet optional
• Low-power cost-effective memory with Advanced Buffer eXecution chip
• Integrated Management Module (IMM) for enhanced systems management
capabilities
• Power management savings
• 6-core and 8-core processing performance
•
Memory ProteXion with Chipkill
Lane Failover, SMI packet retry, and SMI Clock failover
• Up to 64 DIMM slots per system with IBM MAX5 delivering up to 1 TB of high-
speed PC3-10600 1067 MHz double data rate 3 (DDR3) memory
• Serial Attach SCSI (SAS) plus RAID 0, 1, 10 to maximize throughput and ease of
installation; RAID 5 optional with software
• Up to sixteen 2.5-inch SAS HDDs, or twenty-four 1.8-inch SSDs, or a
combination of both; up to 8 TB maximum internal storage; system comes
standard with one HDD backplane that can hold four drives, a second and third
backplane is optional for additional 12 drives
• High-performance integrated dual 1 Gb Ethernet built-in, high-speed networking
with support for latest technologies
• Emulex 10 Gb Dual-port Ethernet Adapter optional
• Integrated Management Module
• 2U rack-optimized, tool-free chassis that strikes the balance between rack
density and ease of maintenance and a 1U MAX5 rack-optimized, tool-free
chassis
• Rear access power supplies for easy access
Fifth-generation X5 technology features
• New leadership, MAX5 memory expansion and scaling technology, above and
beyond industry standard
• New eXFlash high-IOPS solid-state storage technology for larger, faster
databases
• Advanced fifth-generation Chipkill ECC memory controller to help correct single-
bit, 2-bit, 3-bit, and 4-bit memory errors
• Memory ProteXion and memory mirroring support
• High-performance PCIE Gen 2 I/O slots (5 GHz)
• Hot-swap drive bays and redundant fans to replace select components without
powering down the server
IBM Europe, Middle East, and Africa Hardware
Announcement ZG10-0267
, memory mirroring, memory sparing, Intel SMI
TM
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation 2