Product guide

Outstanding value in a high-performance single-socket tower server
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electrical slot. This means that although the slot runs at x8 Gen 2 speeds (8GBps), it can accept a x16
Gen 1 or Gen 2 adapter in the slot. It is also capable of supporting x1/x4/x8 Gen 1 or Gen 2 adapters at
full speed. Slot 2 is a x8/x8 (8GBps) slot. Slot 3 is a x4 (4GBps) slot and Slot 4 is a x1 (1GBps) slot.
All slots are full-length/full-height. In addition,
Internal Backup
The x3100 M4 supports internal half-high backup options. Supported technologies include:
• DDS-6 (internal USB)
• RDX Removable Disk Cartridge (internal or external USB)
• IBM Half-High 400/800GB LTO-3 (SAS)
• IBM Half-High LTO-4 (SAS)
External tape backup support is available using the optional IBM 3Gbps SAS HBA v2 controller.
Gigabit Ethernet Controller
The x3100 M4 includes two integrated single-port Broadcom BCM82574 Gigabit Ethernet controller for
up to 10X higher maximum throughput than a 10/100 Ethernet controller.
It also supports Wake on LAN
®
and PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) flash interface. Optional PCI
adapters offering failover and load balancing between adapters are available for added throughput and
increased system availability.
Light Path Diagnostics
Light path diagnostics enables a technician to quickly identify and locate a failed or failing system
component. This enables quick replacement of the component, which helps increase server uptime and
lower operating costs.
The light path diagnostics LED on the front of the server alerts the administrator without the need to
open the server cover (or remove the server from a rack). The LED tells the servicer that an internal
component requires attention. In addition, many components have their own identifying LEDs. For
example, each of the four memory modules has an LED next to the socket, as do all adapter slots, the
fan, and the service processor, allowing the servicer to easily identify exactly which component needs
servicing. By following the “light path,” the component can be replaced quickly, and without guesswork.
(Note: In the event of a failed DIMM, the system will restart and mark the DIMM as bad while offline,
thus allowing the system to continue running, with reduced memory capacity, until serviced.)
Efficient Cooling
A strategically located fan, combined with efficient airflow paths, provide highly effective system cooling
for the x3100 M4, known as Calibrated Vectored Cooling. The server includes one non-hot-swap fan.
In addition, the power supply contains a fan.
The fan automatically adjusts speeds in response to changing thermal requirements, from minimum
RPMs to maximum RPMs, depending on the internal temperature. When the temperature inside the
server increases, the fan speeds up to maintain the proper ambient temperature. When the temperature
returns to a normal operating level, the fan returns to its default speed. Why not simply run the fan at
100% capacity all the time? For several good reasons: to reduce the ambient noise, reduce the wear-
and-tear on the fan and reduce the server power draw. The reduction in ambient noise and power draw
may be relatively minor for a single server, but put several in an office and it can make a significant
difference.
In addition, the server uses hexagonal ventilation holes in the chassis. Hexagonal holes can be
grouped more densely than round holes, providing greater airflow through the system cover.
This cooling scheme is important because newer, more powerful processors generate a significant
amount of heat, and heat must be controlled for the system to function properly.
Other Features
• Eight USB 2.0 ports — Provides flexibility to add high-speed external devices. The USB 2.0
specification supports up to 480Mbps transfer rates. (Note: Not all USB 2.0 devices are capable of
achieving this rate.) Two ports are provided on the front of the server and four on the back. In
addition, two internal ports are available to support a USB tape drive, RDX Removable Disk
Cartridge drive, or USB flash drive containing a hypervisor.
• Toolless chassis — The cover can be opened without tools and many components can be added,
removed, and replaced without tools, including DIMMs, the processor, an optional ServeRAID
controller, the optical drive and PCIe adapters. This can save significant servicing time.