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.
11
Solutions Configuration Tool, IBM System x and BladeCenter Power Configurator, IBM
ServerGuide, IBM Systems Director Service and Support Manager, Product Customization
Services and extensive technical support offerings.
The IBM ServerProven program provides the confidence that specific options and operating
systems have been tested on the server and are officially supported to work together. It is
updated frequently to ensure that the latest compatibility information is always at your fingertips.
The IBM Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool (SSCT) is a downloadable tool that
simplifies the often complex chore of configuring a full rack of servers (including blade servers)
and confirming that you have all the cables, power distribution units, KVM (keyboard, video and
mouse) switch boxes and other components you need, as well as the proper airflow clearances,
electrical circuits and other environmental conditions.
IBM System x and BladeCenter Power Configurator helps IT managers plan for data center
power needs, by providing the following information for specific configurations of System x and
BladeCenter systems: power input (watts), PDU sizing (amps), heat output (BTUs), airflow
requirements through chassis (CFM), VA rating, leakage current (mA), and peak inrush current
(amps).
IBM ServerGuide (installed from CD) simplifies the process of installing and configuring System
x servers. ServerGuide goes beyond mere hardware configuration by assisting with the
automated installation of the Microsoft
®
Windows
®
Server 2000 and 2003 operating systems,
device drivers and other system components, with minimal user intervention. (Drivers are also
included for support of Novell NetWare, Red Hat Linux and SUSE LINUX.) This focus on
deployment helps you reduce both you total cost of ownership and the complexity that
administrators and technical personnel face.
IBM Systems Director Service and Support Manager (previously called IBM Electronic Service
Agent
™
) is an innovative “call home” feature that allows System x and BladeCenter servers to
automatically report hardware problems to IBM support, which can even dispatch onsite service
8
if necessary to those customers entitled to onsite support under the terms of their warranty or an
IBM Maintenance Agreement. Service and Support Manager resides on a server and provides
electronic support and problem management capabilities through a highly secure electronic
dialogue between your systems and IBM. It monitors networked servers for hardware errors and
it can perform hardware and software inventories and report inventory changes to IBM. All
information sent to IBM is stored in a highly secure database and used for improved problem
determination.
Additional services include hardware warranty upgrades and factory-installed Product
Customization Services (PCS), such as asset tagging, hardware integration, software imaging
and operating systems personalization.
IBM offers extensive technical support by phone and via the Web. Support options include links
to forums/newsgroups, problem submission, online shopping support, service offerings, device
drivers for all IBM product lines, software downloads and even upcoming technical seminar
worldwide schedules and registration. Also available are remote installation, configuration and
usage support for System x hardware and software, as well as onsite custom services to provide
the level of expertise you require.
Advanced Systems Management Capabilities
The x3550 M2 has a high level of systems management capabilities that are well-suited to
remote locations as well as to stand-alone environments. Features include UEFI, IMM, IBM Tool
Center, IBM Systems Director Active Energy Manager for x86, Automatic Server Restart, Wake
on LAN
®
support, PXE support, text console redirect, Predictive Failure Analysis, and IBM
Systems Director.
The IMM provides industry-standard Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) 2.0-
compliant systems management. It provides a number of important system functions, including:
• Monitoring of system and battery voltage, system temperature, fans, power supplies,
processor and DIMM status
• Fan speed control
• Product ID and Family ID detection
• Highly secure remote power on/off
• System reset control
• NMI/SMI detection and generation
• System diagnostic LED control (power, HDD, activity, alerts, heartbeat)
• IPMI over LAN
8
For onsite labor, IBM will attempt to diagnose and resolve the problem remotely before sending a technician.