Key Features - IBM x3850 X6 Planning And Implementation Manual

1.2 Key features

The IBM X6 system is fast, agile, and resilient and makes meeting the business needs of your
enterprise easier:
Fast application performance means immediate access to actionable information.
IBM X6 delivers fast application performance, thanks to an innovative scalable design and
new storage technology that is designed to optimize overall solution performance.
This business-critical, enterprise-class server leverages unique X6 technology to deliver
this level of performance and value to clients:
– IBM eXFlash DIMM: An innovative flash-based memory-channel storage device that
leverages the memory bus to deliver faster database performance while reducing
storage infrastructure costs.
– IBM FlashCache Storage Accelerator: An advanced intelligent caching software for
IBM System x X6 servers that enables Flash and hard disk drive storage to
transparently work together to maximize performance and minimize cost.
Agile system design helps reduce acquisition costs by up to 40% compared to previous
generations of X-Architecture.
IBM X6 delivers a unique and adaptive modular design that allows you to grow on demand
with the new bookshelf design. Scale from 2-way to 4-way to 8-way and grow your
memory and I/O to meet your needs and at the same time, realize infrastructure cost
reductions by up to 40% without compromises in capacity or performance.
With X6 technology, you can realize benefits such as these:
– Supporting multiple generations of Intel processor technology allows for easily
swapping out Compute Books as new ones become available.
– Adding I/O capability, such as extra network adapters or storage devices, while the
server is still running, allows for upgrades without minimal application downtime.
– The majority of components used in an four-socket x3850 X6 can be reused when
upgrading to an eight-socket x3950 X6.
A resilient platform maximizes application uptime and promote easy integration in virtual
environments.
This new server is designed not only to continue operating in case of a component failure
but also to help you reduce planned and even unplanned downtime.
The reliability, availability, and serviceability features of the new IBM X6 servers include
these capabilities:
– Predict failures before they happen:
Predictive Failure Analysis (PFA) allows the server to monitor the status of critical
subsystems and to notify the system administrator when components appear to be
degrading. Thanks to this information, in most cases, replacement of failing parts can
be performed as part of planned maintenance activity. This reduces the need for
unscheduled outages and so your system continues to run.
– Find failed components fast:
Light path diagnostics allows systems engineers and administrators to easily and
quickly diagnose hardware problems. The LCD display on the front of the server gives
you more information about the problem at hand than LEDs, so failures can now be
evaluated in seconds and costly downtime can be reduced or avoided altogether.
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Chapter 1. Introduction