Datasheet

IBM Flex System Manager 9
The management network is used to complete management-related functions for the various endpoints
that are managed by the IBM Flex System Manager management software, such as other Enterprise
Chassis and compute nodes. During initialization, the management software discovers any Enterprise
Chassis on the management network. The management node console can be connected to the
management network or to the data network.
The IBM Flex System Manager management node Eth1 interface (two 10 Gb Ethernet ports) must be
connected to the chassis switch modules that are installed in I/O bay 1 or bay 2. This setup is referred to
as the data network. You can configure a switch module in bay 1 or bay 2 to map Eth1 to one of its
external Ethernet ports, as you would configure the other nodes in the chassis that are connected to the
external network. The data network is used by applications and operating systems and can support data
transfer rates up to 10 Gbps if a chassis switch module that is capable of 10 Gbps is installed.
One of the key functions that the data network supports is discovery of operating systems on the various
network endpoints. Discovery of operating systems by the IBM Flex System Manager is required to
support software updates on an endpoint such as a compute node. The IBM Flex System Manager
Checking and Updating Compute Nodes wizard assists you in discovering operating systems as part of
the initial setup.
Supported agents, hardware, operating systems, and tasks
IBM Flex System Manager provides four tiers of agents for managed systems. For each managed
system, you need to choose the tier that provides the amount and level of capabilities that you need for
that managed system. Depending on the type of managed system and the management tasks you need
to perform, you can choose the level of agent capabilities that best fits your needs. IBM Flex System
Manager has four agent tiers:
Agentless in-band

Managed systems without any IBM Flex System Manager software installed. IBM Flex System
Manager communicates with the managed system through the operating system.
Agentless out-of-band

Managed systems without any IBM Flex System Manager software installed. IBM Flex System
Manager communicates with the managed system through something other than the operating
system, such as a service processor or a hardware management console.
Platform Agent

Managed systems with Platform Agent installed. IBM Flex System Manager communicates with the
managed system through the Platform Agent.
Common Agent

Managed systems with Common Agent installed. IBM Flex System Manager communicates with the
managed system through the Common Agent.