IBM Nortel Networks L2/3 Manual page 21

that is connected to the lower section of the midplane. All other components plug into one
section only (upper or lower). However, there is another matching component that can plug
into the other midplane section for redundancy.
^
IBM BladeCenter™ - Midplane
Switch
Module
Management
Module 1
CPU
Blade
1
Management
Module 2
Switch
Module
Figure 2-2 Midplane view
It should be noted that the upper and lower midplane sections in an IBM Eserver
BladeCenter are independent of each other (see Figure 2-3). Having a dual midplane ensures
that there is no single point of failure and the blades remain operational.
Figure 2-3 Internal picture of the upper and lower midplane of the BladeCenter chassis
Power
Switch
Module
Blower
Module
Midplane Upper Section
CPU
Blade
2
Midplane Lower Section
Switch Power
Blower
Module
Module
Chapter 2. IBM Eserver BladeCenter overview
Front
Power
Panel/Media
Module
Tray
CPU
Blade
14
Power
Module
7