Product guide

Leadership enterprise server with significantly lower cost of ownership in a highly available and
expandable, rack-dense, 1U dual-socket server
Please see the Legal Information section for important notices and information.
10
2GB USB key; for supporting VMware ESXi for virtualization
• Virtual Media Key — This optional full-function systems management adapter adds local and
remote management functions without consuming a valuable adapter slot.
• Dual video ports — A Matrox G200eV SVGA video controller provides up to 1024x768
resolution, with a color depth of 32 bits at 85Hz refresh rate. To simplify local systems
management, one video port is provided on the front of the unit and one on the back.
• Toolless slides — Allows quick rack installation and quicker upgrade and servicing of the
server.
• Toolless chassis — The cover can be opened without tools, and many components can be
removed and replaced without tools, including the optical drive, hot-swap HDDs, plus PCI,
PCI-X and PCIe adapters, as well as the integrated ServeRAID card, embedded hypervisor
key, and Virtual Media Key. This can save a servicer significant time.
Rack Cable Management and KVM Console Switching
IBM Advanced Cabling Technology (ACT) is an optional feature that offers many advantages
over standard KVM cabling across the entire System x product line. So now you can interconnect
all of your servers with one smart cabling architecture. ACT cabling eliminates the need for one-
to-one direct connections between each server and a KVM switch by using a daisy-chain
approach.
The snarl of cabling behind most racks is at best inconvenient to work around and at worst an
expensive logistical nightmare, requiring the rewiring of servers, PDUs, KVM switches, and other
equipment whenever a rack server is added or removed. Even worse, the veil of cables blocks
rack airflow and can actually contribute to equipment failure due to overheating. ACT cabling is
the solution for reducing behind-the-rack cabling by as much as 87%.
The illustration below shows a sample ACT configuration:
Conventional cabling has bulky KVM cables exiting each server, which then connect to a KVM
switch. The cables exiting a series of KVM switches must then be aggregated via additional KVM
switches and PDUs, which only increases the number—and cost—of cables, KVM switches and
PDUs. Instead, the daisy-chain approach of ACT cabling uses readily available, inexpensive
CAT5 and 6 cabling to considerably reduce the number of cables, KVM switches, and PDUs
needed, rather than increasing them. If a server is removed or added, no complicated rewiring is
needed. One cable connects the first server in the rack to the next, and so on. Up to 16 servers
form a chain; up to 8 chains can connect to one Local Console Manager (LCM); 16 LCMs can
connect to one Global Console Manager (GCM). In this manner, up to 2,048 servers can be
centrally managed. Equally importantly, with ACT—unlike some other offerings—everything is
done externally via cabling; no special adapters are required.
Extensive System Support Features
The IBM services and technical support portfolio provides world-class, consistent, high-quality
service and support. The x3550 M2 server offers a number of tools and services designed to
make ownership a positive experience. From the start, IBM programs make it easier for you to
plan for, configure and purchase System x servers, get them running and keep them running
long
-
term. These featur
es include IBM Express Portfolio, IBM ServerProven
®
, IBM
Standalone
Directly
Via Secondary
Switch
Via Daisy-Chain
• Max.16 servers per port
All CAT5, 5e, 6
cabling