IBM System x3400 M3 Product Manual page 10

The engine of growth for your emerging businesses.
• High-speed remote redirection of PCI video, keyboard and mouse
IBM ToolsCenter consolidates 42 needed tools for managing servers individually into an integrated
suite of 8 tools. They are organized by function: deployment, updates, configuration and diagnostics.
Tools are now simpler to access and use with a single webpage for access, a common look and feel
and a common command line interface for the scripting tools. The ToolsCenter Bootable Media
Creator offers significantly more functionality than past tools with the ability to add more tools to the
bootable image and to automatically download the bootable environment if needed. Bootable Media
Creator allows you to create bootable CDs, DVD, and USB keys for updates customized to your
systems.
IBM developed IBM Systems Director Active Energy Manager to put control of system power-
saving features at the fingertips of administrators. Active Energy Manager is designed to take
advantage of new features, such as monitoring power usage and balancing the performance of the
system according to available power input. It provides the ability to plan and predict power
consumption based on your hardware configuration. It also helps enable you to reduce the
infrastructure required for redundancy, by using fewer servers on smaller power feeds and potentially
lowering your overall data center support costs. It does this by inventorying all components, then
adding up the total power draw and tracking the usage. It also includes power management and
capping features to help administrators manage or reduce power usage. (Power capping is not
available on the x3400 M3.)
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 with IBM Systems Director). These features are designed so that no more than
five minutes can pass before the server is restarted.
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.
Text Console Redirection support allows the administrator to remotely view x3400 M3 text
messages over serial or LAN. An optional IMM Virtual Media Key adds graphical console redirection.
Predictive Failure Analysis (PFA) is designed to allow the system to detect impending failure of
supported components (processor, memory, HDDs, fans, VRM, and power supplies) 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 x3400
M3. IBM Systems Director comes with a portfolio of tools, including Systems Director Active Energy
Manager, System and Support Manager, and other tools. System Availability (a no-charge download)
and Capacity Manager (sold separately) 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.
Extensive System Support Features
The IBM services and technical support portfolio provides world-class, consistent, high-quality
service and support. The x3400 M3 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 servers, get them running and keep them running long-term.
®
These features include IBM Express Portfolio, IBM ServerProven , the IBM Standalone Solutions
Configuration Tool, IBM System x and BladeCenter Power Configurator, IBM ServerGuide, IBM
Systems Director Service and Support Manager, Product Customization Services and extensive
technical support offerings.
This System x server is part of the IBM Express Portfolio, designed, developed and priced to meet
the specific needs of midsized businesses. The IBM Express Portfolio of solutions is easy to acquire,
install and manage. And they leverage IBM technology to provide tangible solutions to help you solve
business problems in an on demand world.
10
Please see the Legal Information section for important notices and information.