I BM ® IBM Flex System x240 Compute Node IBM Redbooks Product Guide The IBM Flex System™ x240 Compute Node is a high-performance server that offers outstanding performance for virtualization with new levels of CPU performance and memory capacity, and flexible configuration options. The x240 Compute Node is an efficient server designed to run a broad range of workloads, armed with advanced management capabilities allowing you to manage your physical and virtual IT resources from a single-pane of glass.
Key features The IBM Flex System x240 Compute Node is a high-availability, scalable compute node optimized to support the next-generation microprocessor technology and is ideally suited for medium and large businesses. This section describes the key features of the server.
Availability and serviceability The x240 provides many features to simplify serviceability and increase system uptime: Chipkill, memory mirroring and memory rank sparing for redundancy in the event of a non-correctable memory failure. Tool-less cover removal provides easy access to upgrades and serviceable parts, such as CPU, memory, and adapter cards. Hot-swap drives supporting integrated RAID 1 redundancy for data protection and greater system uptime.
Energy efficiency The x240 offers the following energy-efficiency features to save energy, reduce operational costs, increase energy availability, and contribute to the green environment: Component-sharing design of the IBM Flex System chassis provides ultimate power and cooling savings. The Intel Xeon processor E5-2600 product family offers significantly better performance over the previous generation while fitting into the same thermal design power (TDP) limits.
Figure 3 shows the locations of key components inside the server. Figure 3. Inside view of the IBM Flex System x240 Compute Node Standard specifications The following table lists the standard specifications. Table 1. Standard specifications (part 1) Components Specification Form factor Half-wide compute node. Chassis support IBM Flex System Enterprise Chassis. Processor Up to two Intel Xeon Processor E5-2600 product family CPUs with eight-core (up to 2.9 GHz) or six-core (up to 2.
Table 1. Standard specifications (part 2) Components Specification Disk drive bays Two 2.5" hot-swap SAS/SATA drive bays supporting SAS, SATA, and SSD drives. Optional support for up to eight 1.8” SSDs. Up to 12 additional 2.5-inch drive bays with the optional Storage Expansion Node. Maximum internal storage With two 2.5” hot-swap drives: Up to 2 TB with 1 TB 2.5" NL SAS HDDs, or up to 1.8 TB with 900 GB 2.5" SAS HDDs, or up to 2 TB with 1 TB 2.5" SATA HDDs, or up to 512 GB with 256 GB 2.5" SATA SSDs.
Standard models Table 2 lists standard models. Table 2. Standard models Model___ Processor (2 maximum)* Memory (max 786 GB) Disk adapter Disk bays (used/max)† Disks 10 GbE Embedded Virtual Fabric‡ I/O slots (used/max) 8737-A1x 1x Xeon E5-2630L 6C 2.0GHz 15MB 1333MHz 60W 2x 4 GB SAS/SATA RAID 2.5” hot-swap (0 / 2) Open No 0/2 8737-D2x 1x Xeon E5-2609 4C 2.40GHz 10MB 1066MHz 80W 2x 4 GB SAS/SATA RAID 2.5” hot-swap (0 / 2) Open Standard 1 / 2‡ 8737-F2x 1x Xeon E5-2620 6C 2.
Processor options The x240 supports the processor options listed in the following table. The server supports one or two processors. The table also shows which server models have each processor standard. If no corresponding where used model for a particular processor is listed, then this processor is available only through Configure to Order (CTO). Table 3. Processor options Part number Feature code** Intel Xeon processor description Models where used 81Y5180 A1CQ / A1D1 Intel Xeon E5-2603 4C 1.
The following rules apply when selecting the memory configuration: Mixing 1.5 V and 1.35 V DIMMs in the same server is supported. In such a case all DIMMs operate at 1.5 V. The maximum number of ranks supported per channel is eight. The maximum quantity of DIMMs that can be installed in the server depends on the number of CPUs, DIMM rank, and operating voltage, as shown in the "Max. qty supported" row in the following table.
The following memory protection technologies are supported: ECC Chipkill (for x4-based memory DIMMs -- look for "x4" in the DIMM description) Memory mirroring Memory sparing If memory mirroring is used, then DIMMs must be installed in pairs (minimum of one pair per CPU), and both DIMMs in a pair must be identical in type and size.
Internal disk storage options The x240 server has two 2.5" hot-swap drive bays accessible from the front of the blade server (Figure 2). These bays are connected to the integrated 4-port LSI SAS2004 6 Gbps SAS/SATA RAID-on-Chip (ROC) controller.
Support for 1.8" solid state drives The x240 supports up to eight 1.8-inch solid-state drives combined with a ServeRAID M5115 SAS/SATA controller (90Y4390). The M5115 attaches to the I/O adapter 1 connector and can be attached even if the Compute Node Fabric Connector is installed (used to route the Embedded 10Gb Virtual Fabric Adapter to bays 1 and 2, as discussed in "I/O expansion options"). The ServeRAID M5115 cannot be installed if an adapter is installed in I/O adapter slot 1.
The following table shows the kits required for each combination of drives. For example, if you plan to install eight 1.8-inch SSDs, then you will need the M5115 controller, the Flash kit, and the SSD Expansion kit. Table 7. ServeRAID M5115 hardware kits Components required Desired drive support Maximum number of 2.5" drives Maximum number of 1.8" SSDs ServeRAID M5115 90Y4390 Enablement Kit 90Y4342 2 0 => Add this ...
The following figure shows how the ServeRAID M5115 and Flash and SSD Expansion Kits are installed in the server to support eight 1.8-inch solid-state drives (row 4 of the preceding table). Figure 5. ServeRAID M5115 with Flash and SSD Expansion Kits installed The eight SSDs are installed in the following locations: Four in the front of the system in place of the two 2.
Support for logical unit number (LUN) sizes up to 64 TB Configurable stripe size up to 1 MB Compliant with Disk Data Format (DDF) configuration on disk (COD) S.M.A.R.T. support MegaRAID Storage Manager management software Optional add-ons to the ServeRAID M5115 controller are RAID 6 support, SSD performance accelerator, and SSD caching enabler. The feature upgrades are as listed in the following table. These are all Feature on Demand (FoD) license upgrades. Table 8.
The 1.8-inch solid state drives supported with the ServeRAID M5115 controller are listed in the following table. Table 9. Supported 1.8-inch solid state drives Part number Feature code Description Maximum supported 43W7746 5420 IBM 200GB SATA 1.8" MLC SSD 8 43W7726 5428 IBM 50GB SATA 1.8" MLC SSD 8 IBM Flex System Storage Expansion Node The x240 supports the attachment of the IBM Flex System Storage Expansion Node.
The Storage Expansion Node has the following features: Connects directly to supported compute nodes via a PCIe 3.0 interface to the compute node's expansion connector (See Figure 3) Support for 12 hot-swap 2.5-inch drive, accessible via a sliding tray Support for 6 Gbps SAS and SATA drives, both HDDs and SSDs Based on an LSI SAS2208 6 Gbps RAID on Chip (ROC) controller Supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, and 50 as standard. JBOD also supported.
Embedded 10Gb Virtual Fabric Adapter Some models of the x240 include an Embedded 10Gb Virtual Fabric Adapter (VFA, also known as LAN on Motherboard or LOM) built into the system board. Table 2 lists what models of the x240 include the Embedded 10Gb Virtual Fabric Adapter. Each x240 model that includes the embedded 10Gb VFA also has the Compute Node Fabric Connector installed in I/O connector 1 (and physically screwed onto the system board) to provide connectivity to the Enterprise Chassis midplane.
I/O expansion options The x240 has two I/O expansion connectors for attaching I/O adapter cards. There is a third expansion connector designed to connect an expansion node such as the PCIe Expansion Node. The I/O expansion connectors are a very high-density 216-pin PCIe connector. Installing I/O adapter cards allows the server to connect with switch modules in the IBM Flex System Enterprise Chassis. Each slot has a PCI Express 3.0 x16 host interface and both slots support the same form-factor adapters.
The following figure shows the location of the switch bays in the IBM Flex System Enterprise Chassis. Figure 8. Location of the switch bays in the IBM Flex System Enterprise Chassis The following figure shows how two-port adapters are connected to switches installed in the chassis. Figure 9.
The x240 supports the attachment of the IBM Flex System PCIe Expansion Node. The IBM Flex System PCIe Expansion Node provides the ability to attach additional PCI Express cards such as High IOPS SSD adatpers, fabric mezzanine cards, and next-generation graphics processing units (GPU) to supported IBM Flex System compute nodes. This capability is ideal for many applications that require high performance I/O, special telecommunications network interfaces, or hardware acceleration using a PCI Express card.
For more information, see the IBM Redbooks Product Guide on the IBM Flex System PCIe Expansion Node, http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/tips0906.html?Open Network adapters As described in "Embedded 10Gb Virtual Fabric Adapter," certain models (those with a model number of the form x2x) have a 10Gb Ethernet controller on the system board, and its ports are routed to the midplane and switches installed in the chassis via a Compute Note Fabric Connector that takes the place of an adapter in I/O slot 1.
Storage host bus adapters The following table lists storage HBAs supported by the x240 server. Table 15.
GPU adapters The compute node supports the GPU adapters listed in the following table. Note: These adapters are installed in an attached PCIe Expansion Node. Table 17. GPU adapters Part number Feature code Description Maximum supported 94Y5960 A1R4 NVIDIA Tesla M2090 1* * When this double-wide adapter is installed in the PCIe Expansion Node, it occupies both full-height slots. The low-profile slots and Flex System I/O expansion slots can still be used.
Figure 11. Location of x240 light path diagnostics panel To illuminate the light path diagnostics LEDs, power off the compute node, slide it out of the chassis, and press the power button. The power button doubles as the light path diagnostics remind button when the server is removed from the chassis. The meanings of the LEDs in the light path diagnostics panel are listed in the following table. Table 19. Light path diagnostic panel LEDs LED Meaning LP The light path diagnostics panel is operational.
Remote management The server contains an IBM Integrated Management Module II (IMM2), which interfaces with the advanced management module in the chassis. The combination of these provides advanced service-processor control, monitoring, and an alerting function. If an environmental condition exceeds a threshold or if a system component fails, LEDs on the system board are lit to help you diagnose the problem, the error is recorded in the event log, and you are alerted to the problem.
Physical specifications Dimensions and weight (approximate): Height: 56 mm (2.2 in) Depth: 492 mm (19.4 in) Width: 217 mm (8.6 in) Maximum weight: 7.1 kg (15.6 lb) Shipping dimensions and weight (approximate): Height: 197 mm (7.8 in) Depth: 603 mm (23.7 in) Width: 430 mm (16.9 in) Weight: 8 kg (17.6 lb) Supported environment The IBM Flex System x240 compute node complies with ASHRAE Class A3 specifications.
Warranty options The IBM Flex System x240 Compute Node has a three-year on-site warranty with 9x5 next-business-day terms. IBM offers the warranty service upgrades through IBM ServicePac, discussed in this section. The 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 standards: ASHRAE Class A3 FCC - Verified to comply with Part 15 of the FCC Rules Class A Canada ICES-004, issue 3 Class A UL/IEC 60950-1 CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1 NOM-019 Argentina IEC 60950-1 Japan VCCI, Class A IEC 60950-1 (CB Certificate and CB Test Report) China CCC (GB4943); (GB9254, Class A); (GB17625.
IBM Global Financing IBM Global Financing can help you obtain the IT solution you need while preserving funding for other strategic investments and optimizing cash flow. Our Fair Market Value (FMV) lease helps ensure that you have the latest IBM technology and with our mid-lease upgrade capability, you can increase the capacity of the system with little to no change in monthly payments. At the end of the lease, take advantage of our flexible end-of-lease options to fit your changing business needs.
Related publications and links For more information, see the following resources: IBM US Product Announcement http://ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?infotype=dd&subtype=ca&&htmlfid=897/ENUS112-052 IBM Flex System x240 Compute Node product page http://ibm.com/systems/flex/compute-nodes/x86/bto/ IBM Flex System Information Center http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/flexsys/information/index.jsp IBM Flex System x240 Compute Node Installation and Service Guide http://publib.boulder.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 January 18, 2013. 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/tips0860.html .
