IBM System X3650 Product Manual page 8

A highly available and expandable, rack-dense, 2U dual-socket SMP server, for application
serving in Web environments
Please see the Legal Information section for important notices and information.
systems management, one video port is provided on the front of the unit and one on the
back.
• Toolless slides — Allows quick rack installation and quicker upgrade and servicing of the
server.
• Toolless chassis — The cover can be opened without tools, and many components can be
removed and replaced without tools, including the CD-RW/DVD combo drive, hot-swap
HDDs, plus PCI, PCI-X and PCI-E adapters, as well as the integrated ServeRAID-8k and
Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine. This can save a servicer significant time.
Rack Cable Management and KVM Console Switching
IBM Advanced Cabling Technology (ACT) is an optional feature that offers many advantages
over standard KVM cabling across the entire System x and xSeries product line. So now you
can interconnect all of your servers with one smart cabling architecture. ACT cabling eliminates
the need for one-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
expensive logistical nightmare, requiring the rewiring of servers, PDUs, KVM switches, and
other equipment whenever a rack server is added or removed. Even worse, the veil of cables
blocks rack airflow and can actually contribute to equipment failure due to overheating. ACT
cabling is the solution for reducing behind-the-rack cabling by as much as 87%.
The illustration below shows a sample ACT configuration:
Directly
All CAT5, 5e, 6
cabling
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 and PDUs, which only increases the number—and cost—of cables, KVM
switches and PDUs. Instead, the daisy-chain approach of ACT cabling uses readily available,
inexpensive CAT5 and 6 cabling to considerably reduce the number of cables, KVM switches,
and PDUs needed, rather than increasing them. If a server is removed or added, no complicated
rewiring is needed. One cable connects the first server in the rack to the next, and so on. Up to
16 servers form a chain; up to 8 chains can connect to one Local Console Manager (LCM); 16
LCMs can connect to one Global Console Manager (GCM). In this manner, up to 2,048 servers
can be centrally managed. Equally importantly, with ACT—unlike some other offerings—
everything is done externally via cabling; no special adapters are required.
Extensive System Support Features
The IBM services and technical support portfolio provides world-class, consistent, high-quality
service and support. The x3650 server offers a number of tools and services designed to make
ownership a positive experience. From the start, IBM programs make it easier for you to plan
for, configure and purchase System x or xSeries servers, get them running and keep them
running long-term. These features include IBM Express Portfolio, IBM ServerProven
Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool, IBM System x and BladeCenter Power Configurator,
IBM ServerGuide, IBM Electronic Service Agent
extensive technical support offerings.
The IBM ServerProven program provides the confidence that specific options and operating
systems have been tested on the server and are officially supported to work together. It is
Via Daisy-Chain
•
Max.16 servers per port
™
, Product Customization Services and
Via Secondary
Switch
®
, the IBM
8