Product guide

Outstanding value in a high-performance single-socket tower server
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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.
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
Text Console Redirection support allows the administrator to remotely view x3100 M4 text messages
over serial or LAN.
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 x3100 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.
Key Options
IBM options for System x servers help
you
take
your
se
rvers to a
higher level
You can rely on System x options to supply a complete solution for your business needs. Options help
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 e-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 quad-core processor, there should be twice as much memory available
as for a dual-core processor. The x3100 M4 provides two-way interleaving.
Hard Disk Drives — IBM hard disk drives help you improve the transaction and cost performance of
your System x servers. The choice of hard disk drives can be a critical aspect of maximizing the I/O
throughput of the system. SATA II hard disk drives are available for the x3100 M4 with capacities up to
3TB (3.5-inch) apiece at 7,200 RPMs.
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