I BM ® IBM System x3950 X6 IBM Redbooks Product Guide The IBM® System x3950 X6 server is an eight-socket 8U rack-mounted server that represents the sixth generation of the IBM Enterprise X-Architecture®. It delivers fast application performance, is based on an agile system design, and is a resilient platform that is needed for mission-critical databases, enterprise applications, and virtualized environments.
Key features The increasing demand for cloud-computing and analytics workloads by enterprises to meet social, mobile, and Big Data requirements drives innovation to find new ways to build informational systems. Clients are looking for cost-optimized fit-for-purpose IT solutions that manage large amounts of data, easily scale performance, and provide enterprise class reliability. Built on decades of innovation, IBM introduces its sixth generation of Enterprise X-Architecture technology, IBM X6 servers.
With Intel Integrated I/O Technology, the PCI Express 3.0 controller is integrated into the Intel Xeon processor E7-4800/8800 v2 product families. This integration helps reduce I/O latency and increase overall system performance. Support for up to four graphics processing units (GPUs) and co-processors to maximize computing power.
Intel Trusted Execution Technology provides enhanced security through hardware-based resistance to malicious software attacks, allowing an application to run in its own isolated space, which is protected from all other software running on a system. Redundant Intel Platform Controller Hub (PCH) connections to the processors allow the platform to maintain access to networking, storage, and server management during a processor failure. IBM eXFlash DIMMs support RAID 1 mirroring for data protection.
Locations of key components and connectors The following figure shows the front of the x3950 X6 server. Figure 2.
The following figure shows the rear of the x3950 X6 server. Figure 3.
Standard specifications The following table lists the standard specifications. Table 1. Standard specifications (Part 1) Components Specification Form factor 8U rack Processor Up to eight Intel Xeon E7-8800 v2 processors, each in a Compute Book. Each processor has either 15 cores (up to 2.8 GHz), 12 cores (up to 2.6 GHz), 10 cores (up to 2.2 GHz), eight cores (up to 2.0 GHz), or six cores (up to 3.4 GHz). There are three QPI links up to 8.0 GTps each. Up to 1600 MHz memory speed. Up to 37.
Table 1. Standard specifications (Part 2) Components Specification Cooling IBM Calibrated Vectored Cooling™. Up to 20 redundant hot-swap fan packs and 10 fan zones with N+1 fan redundancy. Each fan pack includes two counter-rotated dual-motor fans. Power supply Up to eight redundant hot-swap 900 W AC or 1400 W AC power supplies (all 80 PLUS Platinum certified). -48 V 750 W DC power supplies are available through CTO. Hot-swap parts Drives, power supplies, fans, and optional I/O Books.
Standard models The following table lists the standard models. Table 2. Standard models Model† Intel Xeon Processor** (in a Compute Book) Memory (1600 MHz) eXFlash DIMMs RAID 3837-BAx 4x Xeon E7-8850 v2 12C 2.3GHz 24MB 105W 8x 8GB Optional 3837-CAx 4x Xeon E7-8870 v2 15C 2.3GHz 30MB 130W 8x 8GB 3837-CCx 4x Xeon E7-8890 v2 15C 2.8GHz 37.5MB 155W 8x 8GB Drive bays Drives Ethernet‡ (ML2 slot) I/O slots§ Power supplies 1x M5210 4x 2.
Processor options The x3950 X6 supports up to eight Intel Xeon E7-8800 v2 processors. Processors are installed in Compute Books, one processor in each Compute Book. The following figure shows the components of the Compute Book: One processor A total of 24 DIMM slots, 12 on each side of the book Two hot-swap dual-motor fans that are mounted on the front of the book The x3950 X6 supports four, six, or eight Compute Books. Other combinations are not supported.
The following table shows the processor options. Each option includes the processor installed in a Compute Book. Note: Compute Books with E7-4800 v2 processors are supported only in a four-socket x3850 X6 server and cannot be used in an x3950 X6 server. The table also shows which server models have each processor standard. If there is no corresponding where-used model for a particular processor, this processor is only available through CTO. Table 3.
Memory options IBM DDR3 memory is compatibility tested and tuned for optimal IBM System x® performance and throughput. IBM memory specifications are integrated into the light path diagnostics for immediate system performance feedback and optimum system uptime. From a service and support standpoint, IBM memory automatically assumes the IBM system warranty, and IBM provides service and support worldwide. The x3950 X6 supports DDR3 memory operating at speeds up to 1600 MHz.
The server also supports IBM eXFlash DIMMs, which are also installed in the DIMM slots. The "IBM eXFlash memory-channel storage" section describes these eXFlash DIMMs and the configuration rules. The following table shows the characteristics of the supported DIMMs. Tables cells that are highlighted with a gray background indicate that the server supports higher memory frequencies or larger memory capacity (or both) than the Intel processor specification defines.
If memory mirroring is used, DIMMs must be installed in pairs for Performance mode (minimum of one pair per each processor) and quads for RAS mode. DIMMs in the pair/quad must be identical in type and size. If memory rank sparing is used, then a minimum of two single-rank or dual-rank DIMMs must be installed per populated channel (the DIMMs do not need being identical). In rank sparing mode, one rank of a DIMM in each populated channel is reserved as spare memory.
The following rules apply when building a server configuration with eXFlash DIMMs: The 200 GB and 400 GB eXFlash DIMMs cannot be mixed. RAID 1 mirroring is provided by the eXFlash DIMM device driver. Performance memory mode must be selected. RAS (lockstep) memory mode is not supported.
Backplanes All standard models ship with four 2.5-inch SAS/SATA hot-swap hard disk drive bays. The following table shows the internal storage expansion options that are available. Table 7. Internal storage expansion options Part number Feature code Description Maximum supported x3950 X6 44X4104 A4A6 IBM 4x 2.5" HS 12Gb SAS HDD Backplane 4 44X4106 A4A7 IBM 8x 1.
The following table shows the backplanes that are required per Storage Book and the number of adapters that are required. Table 8. Drive combinations per Storage Book Drive combination Backplanes required Controllers needed 4x 2.5-inch hot-swap drive bays 1x IBM 4x 2.5" HS 12Gb SAS HDD Backplane, 44X4104 1 8x 2.5-inch hot-swap drive bays 2x IBM 4x 2.5" HS 12Gb SAS HDD Backplane, 44X4104 1 or 2 4x 2.5-inch hot-swap drive bays + 8x 1.8-inch hot-swap SSD bays 1x IBM 4x 2.
The ServeRAID M5210 SAS/SATA Controller has the following specifications: Eight internal 12 Gbps SAS/SATA ports Two x4 HD mini-SAS internal connectors (SFF-8643) Supports connections to SAS/SATA drives and SAS Expanders Supports RAID 0, 1, and 10 Supports RAID 5 and 50 with optional M5200 Series RAID 5 upgrades Supports RAID 6 and 60 with the optional M5200 Series RAID 6 Upgrade Supports 1 GB non-backed cache or 1 GB or 2 GB flash-backed cache Up to 12 Gbps throughput per port PCIe 3.
Internal drive options The following table lists hard disk drive options for internal storage. Table 10. Disk drive options for internal disk storage (Part 1) Part number Feature code Description Maximum supported x3950 X6 1.8" SATA HS SSDs 41Y8366 A4FS S3700 200GB SATA 1.8" MLC Enterprise SSD 32 41Y8371 A4FT S3700 400GB SATA 1.8" MLC Enterprise SSD 32 2.5" SAS HS SSDs 00AJ207 A4UA IBM 200GB SAS 2.5" MLC G3HS Enterprise SSD 16 00AJ212 A4UB IBM 400GB SAS 2.
Table 10. Disk drive options for internal disk storage (Part 2) Part number Feature code Description Maximum supported x3950 X6 2.5" SAS HS SEDs 00AJ116 A4U2 IBM 146GB 15K 6Gbps SAS 2.5" G3HS SED 16 00AJ106 A4TY IBM 300GB 10K 6Gbps SAS 2.5" G3HS SED 16 00AJ101 A4TZ IBM 600GB 10K 6Gbps SAS 2.5" G3HS SED 16 00AJ076 A4U0 IBM 900GB 10K 6Gbps SAS 2.5" G3HS SED 16 00AJ151 A4U1 IBM 1.2TB 10K 6Gbps SAS 2.
I/O expansion options The server supports up to 22 PCIe slots plus two dedicated Mezzanine LOM slots (24 total) as follows: In each of the two Storage Books (standard in all models): Two PCIe 3.0 x8 slots for supported internal RAID controllers and SAS HBAs In each of the two Primary I/O Books (standard in all models): o o o Two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (x16-wired), half length, full height, up to 75 W of power One PCIe 3.
In order for an I/O Book to be hot-swappable, all adapters that are installed in the book must support hot-swap and the operating system must also support hot-swap. These operating systems support hot-swap: Windows Server 2008 R2 Windows Server 2012 Windows Server 2012 R2 The adapters listed in the following table support hot-swap. Table 11.
The following figure shows the two optional I/O Books: the Half-length I/O Book and the Full-length I/O Book. Figure 9. Half-length I/O Book and the Full-length I/O Book The following figure shows the Half-length I/O Book. Figure 10. Half-length I/O Book Each slot in the Half-length I/O Book and the Full-length I/O Book supplies up to 75 W of power. The Full-length I/O Book also includes two auxiliary power connectors.
The combined power consumption of all the adapters that are installed in the Full-length I/O Book cannot exceed 300 W. Note: The 2x3 connector is intended to be used only when one adapter is installed in the first x16 slot (the up-most slot in the following figure), either requiring 225 W or 300 W of power. The location of the 2x3 connector prevents an adapter from being installed in the other x16 slot. Figure 11.
Network adapters The server supports ML2 adapters that are installed in the two ML2 slots, one in each Primary I/O Book. These ML2 slots support adapters with either two 10 Gb ports or four Gigabit ports and supports direct connectivity to the IMM2 service processor for out-of-band systems management. As listed in Table 2, all standard models of the x3950 X6 include an Intel I350-T4 ML2 Quad Port GbE Adapter (I350-AM4 based).
The server also supports various other Ethernet and InfiniBand network adapters, as listed in the following table. The maximum quantity listed is for configurations with all processors and I/O books installed. Table 14.
Storage host bus adapters The following table lists storage HBAs supported by the server. The maximum quantity listed is for configurations with all processors and I/O books installed. The maximum quantity listed is for configurations with all processors and I/O books installed. Table 15.
PCIe SSD adapters The server supports the High IOPS SSD adapters that are listed in the following table. The maximum quantity listed is for configurations with all processors and I/O books installed. Table 16. SSD adapters Part number Feature code Description Maximum supported x3950 X6 46C9078 A3J3 IBM 365GB High IOPS MLC Mono Adapter 18 46C9081 A3J4 IBM 785GB High IOPS MLC Mono Adapter 18 90Y4377 A3DY IBM 1.2TB High IOPS MLC Mono Adapter 18 90Y4397 A3DZ IBM 2.
Power supplies The x3950 X6 supports up to eight redundant power supplies. Standard models come with four power supplies (model dependent). The following table lists the power supplies. Table 18.
Systems management The server contains IBM Integrated Management Module II (IMM2), which provides advanced service-processor control, monitoring, and an alerting function. If an environmental condition exceeds a threshold or if a system component fails, the IMM2 lights LEDs to help you diagnose the problem, records the error in the event log, and alerts you to the problem. The IMM2 also provides a virtual presence capability for remote server management capabilities.
Physical and electrical specifications Dimensions and weight: Height: 351 mm (13.7 in.) Width: 482 mm (19.0 in.) Depth: 804 mm (31.6 in.); 903 mm (35.5 in.) with Full-length I/O Book installed Weight: o o o Minimum configuration: 84.5 kg (186.3 lb) Typical configuration: 88.2 kg (194.5 lb) Maximum configuration: 110.0 kg (242.6 lb) Supported environment: Air temperature: o o o Humidity: o o Server on: 5 °C to 40 °C (41 °F to 104 °F); altitude: 0 - 3,050 m (10,000 ft).
Warranty options The IBM System x3950 X6 has a three-year onsite warranty with 9x5/next business day terms. IBM offers the warranty service upgrades through IBM ServicePac offerings. IBM ServicePac is a series of prepackaged warranty maintenance upgrades and post-warranty maintenance agreements with a well-defined scope of services, including service hours, response time, term of service, and service agreement terms and conditions.
Regulatory compliance The server conforms to the following regulations: FCC - Verified to comply with Part 15 of the FCC Rules, Class A Canada ICES-003, issue 4, Class A UL/IEC 60950-1 CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1 NOM-019 Argentina IEC60950-1 Japan VCCI, Class A Australia/New Zealand AS/NZS CISPR 22, Class A IEC 60950-1(CB Certificate and CB Test Report) China CCC (GB4943), GB9254 Class A, GB17625.
External disk storage expansion The server supports attachment to external storage expansion enclosures, such as the EXP2500 series, by using the ServeRAID M5120 SAS/SATA Controller. The server can also be attached to supported external storage systems, such as the IBM System Storage® DS3500 series, by using a supported HBA (see the earlier "Storage HBA" section). The following table shows the RAID controllers and options for external disk storage expansion. Table 21.
The ServeRAID M5120 SAS/SATA Controller supports connectivity to the IBM System Storage external expansion enclosures that are listed in the following table. Up to nine expansion enclosures can be daisy-chained per one M5120 external port. For better performance, distribute expansion enclosures evenly across both M5120 ports. Table 22.
The following table lists the hard disk drives that are supported by EXP2524 external expansion enclosures. Table 25. Drive options for EXP2524 external expansion enclosures Part number Description Maximum quantity supported per one enclosure 2.5" NL SAS HS HDDs 49Y1898 500GB 7,200 rpm 6Gb SAS NL 2.5" HDD 24 81Y9952 1TB 7,200 rpm 6Gb SAS NL 2.5" HDD 24 2.5" SAS HS HDDs 49Y1896 146GB 15,000 rpm 6Gb SAS 2.5" HDD 24 81Y9944 300GB 15,000 rpm 6Gb SAS 2.
External backup units The server supports the external backup attachment options that are listed in the following table. Table 27.
Table 27. External backup options (Part 2) Part number Description External backup units* 36251TY IBM RDX External USB 3.0 Dock with 1TB Cartridge 362532Y IBM RDX External USB 3.0 Dock with 320GB Cartridge 362550Y IBM RDX External USB 3.
Top-of-rack Ethernet switches The server supports the top-of-rack Ethernet switches from IBM System Networking that are listed in the following table. Table 28.
Uninterruptible power supply units The server supports attachments to the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units that are listed in the following table. Table 29.
Power distribution units The server supports attachments to the power distribution units (PDUs) that are listed in the following table. Table 30.
Table 30.
Rack cabinets The server supports the rack cabinets that are listed in the following table. Table 31.
Rack options The server supports the rack console switches and monitor kits that are listed in the following table. Table 32. Rack options Part number Feature code Description Monitor kits and keyboard trays 17238BX A3EK IBM 1U 18.5" Standard Console 17238EX A3EL IBM 1U 18.
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Related publications and links For more information, see these resources: IBM System x3850 X6 and x3950 X6 product page http://www.ibm.com/systems/x/hardware/rack/x3850X6/index.html ServerProven hardware compatibility page for the x3850 X6 and x3950 X6 http://www.ibm.com/systems/info/x86servers/serverproven/compat/us/xseries/3837.html IBM Redbooks Product Guides for IBM System x servers and options http://www.redbooks.ibm.
Notices This information was developed for products and services offered in the U.S.A. IBM may not offer the products, services, or features discussed in this document in other countries. Consult your local IBM representative for information on the products and services currently available in your area. Any reference to an IBM product, program, or service is not intended to state or imply that only that IBM product, program, or service may be used.
This document was created or updated on February 23, 2014. Send us your comments in one of the following ways: Use the online Contact us review form found at: ibm.com/redbooks Send your comments in an e-mail to: redbook@us.ibm.com Mail your comments to: IBM Corporation, International Technical Support Organization Dept. HYTD Mail Station P099 2455 South Road Poughkeepsie, NY 12601-5400 U.S.A. This document is available online at http://www.ibm.com/redbooks/abstracts/tips1132.html .
