Key Options - IBM x3100 M4 Product Manual

A highly-affordable, ultradense, uniprocessor server for edge-of-network and Web-based
computing in space-constrained environments

Key Options

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Automatic Server Restart (ASR) helps reduce downtime by restarting the server
automatically in the event of a system lockup. ASR technology is a combination of hardware
circuitry tied into the server's system reset function and a device driver. As long as the server
continues running, the ASR watchdog timer will keep being reset, but if the operating system
crashes or the hardware freezes somehow the ASR software will be unable to reset the
hardware timer. If the timer is not reset within five minutes, it automatically triggers the ASR
hardware, which immediately restarts the server (and logs an ASR event). These features are
designed so that no more than five minutes can pass before the server is restarted.
Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is an evolutionary leap over legacy BIOS. UEFI
provides a more intuitive user interface and understandable event logs and better
management. This high level of manageability is designed to keep costs down and the system
up—even when network usage increases. Capabilities include:
• Human readable event logs — no more beep codes
• Complete out-of-band coverage by the Advance Settings Utility to simplify remote setup
• A complete setup solution, allowing adapter configuration functions to be moved into UEFI
• Consistent firmware management across an entire product line
Wake on LAN permits the server to be remotely powered on if it has been shut off. Once
powered up, the server can be controlled across the network, using the Preboot Execution
Environment (PXE).
Like Wake on LAN, PXE is system firmware. It enables software such as the optional IBM
Remote Deployment Manager to take control of a system before the BIOS, operating system
or applications are loaded (using Wake on LAN/PXE) and lets an administrator perform many
low-level tasks remotely that would otherwise require a visit to each system. These tasks may
include such things as formatting a hard disk drive, updating system firmware, or deploying a
Windows or Linux operating system.
Predictive Failure Analysis (PFA) is designed to allow the system to detect impending failure
of supported components (processors, memory, HDDs, power supplies and fans) before actual
failure, and alert the administrator through IBM Systems Director. This gives you the ability to
replace the failing component before it fails, resulting in increased uptime.
IBM Systems Director software for advanced workgroup management is included with the
x3250 M4. IBM Systems Director comes with a portfolio of tools, including IBM Systems
Director Service and Support Manager, and others. Others are available as add-ons for
additional server management and increased availability. IBM Systems Director provides a
single uniform graphical interface for all of these systems management functions. IBM Systems
Director enables you to customize thresholds and monitor system components (for things like
temperature, voltage regulation, etc.) to help maximize uptime.
IBM options for System x servers let you take your servers to a
higher level
You rely on System x options to supply a complete solution for your business needs. Options
help you create an optimized server system to meet your data protection, storage and
availability needs. Every IBM option is designed and tested for peak performance and flexibility,
helping to maximize your return on investment. The combination of System x servers and
options lets you keep your fingers on the pulse of your business.
Memory — Memory is a significant factor in systems application performance. Adding more
memory to a System x server is one of the most effective ways to increase application
performance. For best performance in a server with a dual-core processor, there should be
twice as much memory available as for a single-core processor. A quad-core processor should
have twice as much memory as a dual-core processor.
Hard Disk Drives — IBM hard disk drives help customers improve the transaction and cost
performance of their System x servers. The choice of hard disk drives can be a critical aspect
of maximizing the I/O throughput of the system. Enterprise-class SATA hard disk drives (3.5-
inch) are available for the x3250 M4 with capacities of up to 3TB at 7,200 RPMs. In addition,
2.5-inch SAS drives with capacities of 500GB at 7,200 RPMs, up to 600GB at 10,000 RPMs,
and 146.8GB at 15,000 RPMs are supported in some models.
IBM ServeRAID Controllers — System x servers using ServeRAID technology allow
companies to build a reliable foundation for business-critical computing. IBM ServeRAID
technology allows an array consisting of multiple physical hard disk drives to be treated as one
logical drive. ServeRAID technology also allows data to be stored redundantly, across multiple
hard disk drives— enhancing both the integrity and the availability of the data. SAS and SATA
ServeRAID controllers offer enhanced performance due to onboard processors and cache.
Because IBM ServeRAID controllers can help significantly improve data transfer rates, this
technology is extremely effective when implementing demanding, transaction-oriented
applications. By employing the advanced fault tolerance of IBM ServeRAID technology,
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