Internal Optical Device Media Positioning And Use; Iseries Server Code Distribution; Lpar Support And Cd-Rom, Dvd-Ram, And Dvd-Rom - IBM eserver i5 Handbook

Draft Document for Review October 18, 2004

Internal optical device media positioning and use

For IBM Eserver i5 and iSeries DVD-RAM media is the only media supported
for writing. For reading CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM and DVD-RAM are
supported. DVD-RAM media comes in different capacities. It comes in 2.6GB,
4.7Gb, 5.2GB and 9.4GB capacities. Each of these types of media are available
in cartridges. Bare media is available in 4.7GB and 9.4GB capacities.
Using DVD-RAM for system backup is supported but not recommended for
business environments where performance is required. The recommended
solution for such environments is to use tape backup.
Using bare double side media (9.4GB) is not recommended as it is easily marked
with finger prints, etc., which can cause read and write problems. Double sided
media requires the media to be flipped in the drive.
DVD-ROM is available in 4.7GB (single-side, single layer), 8.5GB (single-side,
double layer), 9.4GB (double-side, single layer), 17GB (double-side, double
layer) media types. DVD-ROM media can only be used for reading.

iSeries server code distribution

IBM Eserver i5 and iSeries server code is distributed on CD-ROM media. One
CD-ROM, DVD-RAM, or DVD-ROM drive is required on all 520, 550, 570, 595,
800, 810, 825, 870, and 890 servers, and must be ordered as a separate feature
on the system unit. The CD-ROM and DVD-ROM can also be used for alternate
IPL but not as a save/restore device for the system. The DVD-RAM can be an
alternate IPL and save/restore device but is not recommended as a save/restore
device for performance reasons.

LPAR support and CD-ROM, DVD-RAM, and DVD-ROM

Logical partition (LPAR) requirements may cause a need for external devices. In
this case, the 7210-025 External DVD-RAM, 7210-030 External DVD-RAM or
7212-102 IBM TotalStorage Device Enclosure may be used. For a full description
of these devices, see "IBM 7210 Model 025 External DVD-RAM Drive" on
page 423,"IBM 7210 Model 030 External DVD-RAM Drive" on page 424, or "IBM
7212 Model 102 TotalStorage Storage Device Enclosure" on page 417
For information about LPAR and the CD-ROM, DVD-RAM, and DVD-ROM
feature requirements, see:
http://www.ibm.com/eserver/iseries/lpar/
Internal disk, tape, CD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM storage
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