I BM ® IBM Flex System x240 Compute Node (E5-2600) 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.
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 Models 8737-x1x and 8737-x2x (x-config) 8737-15X and 7863-10X (e-config) Form factor Standard-width compute node. Chassis support IBM Flex System Enterprise Chassis.
Table 1. Standard specifications (part 2) Components Specification Memory protection ECC, Chipkill (for x4-based memory DIMMs), memory mirroring, and memory rank sparing. 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 2.
Standard models Note: This Product Guide describes the models of the x240 Compute Node with Intel Xeon E5-2600 processors. For models with the Intel Xeon E5-2600 v2 processors, see http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/tips1090.html?Open Table 2. Standard models Model Intel Xeon Processor (2 maximum)* Memory (max 786 GB) Disk adapter Disk bays† Disks 10 GbE Embedded Virtual Fabric‡ I/O slots (used/max) 8737-A1x 1x E5-2630L 6C 2.0GHz 15MB 1333MHz 60W 2x 4 GB LSI SAS2004 2x 2.
Windows Storage Server 2012 is available via the IBM Reseller Option Kit (ROK) program using part number 00Y6302. Model HBx does not include drives giving you maximum flexibility when it comes to selecting drives, either SAS or SATA disk drives or high-performance solid-state drives. Chassis support The x240 is supported in the IBM Flex System Enterprise Chassis.
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 4. Processor options Part number Feature code** Intel Xeon processor description Models where used 81Y5180 A1CQ / A1D1 Intel Xeon E5-2603 4C 1.
Memory options IBM DDR3 memory is compatibility tested and tuned for optimal 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 following table lists memory options available for the x240 server.
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.
Table 6. Maximum memory speeds (Part 2 - Single and Dual rank RDIMMs) RDIMMs Specification Rank Single rank Dual rank Part numbers 49Y1405 (2GB) 49Y1406 (4GB) 49Y1559 (4GB) 49Y1407 (4GB) 49Y1397 (8GB) 49Y1563 (16GB) 90Y3178 (4GB) 90Y3109 (8GB) 00D4968 (16GB) Rated speed 1333 MHz 1600 MHz 1333 MHz 1600 MHz Rated voltage 1.35 V 1.5 V 1.35 V 1.5 V Operating voltage 1.35 V 1.5 V 1.5 V 1.35 V 1.5 V 1.
Internal storage The x240 server has two 2.5-inch hot-swap drive bays accessible from the front of the blade server (Figure 2). These bays connect to the integrated LSI SAS2004 6 Gbps SAS/SATA RAID-on-Chip (ROC) controller.
The hardware kits have the following features: ServeRAID M5100 Series Enablement Kit for IBM Flex System x240 (90Y4342) enables support for up to two 2.5” HDDs or SSDs in the hot-swap bays in the front of the server. It includes a CacheVault unit, which enables MegaRAID CacheVault flash cache protection. This enablement kit replaces the standard two-bay backplane (which is attached via the planar to an onboard controller) with a new backplane that attaches to an included flex cable to the M5115 controller.
The following figure shows how the ServeRAID M5115 and the Enablement Kit are installed in the server to support two 2.5-inch drives with MegaRAID CacheVault flash cache protection (row 1 of the preceding table). Figure 4. The ServeRAID M5115 and the Enablement Kit installed 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.
The eight SSDs are installed in the following locations: Four in the front of the system in place of the two 2.5-inch drive bays Two in a tray above one the memory banks for CPU 1 Two in a tray above one the memory banks for CPU 2 The ServeRAID M5115 controller has the following specifications: Eight internal 6 Gbps SAS/SATA ports PCI Express 3.
These features are described as follows: RAID 6 Upgrade (90Y4410) Adds support for RAID 6 and RAID 60. This is a Feature on Demand license. Performance Upgrade (90Y4412) The Performance Upgrade for IBM Flex System (implemented using the LSI MegaRAID FastPath software) provides high-performance I/O acceleration for SSD-based virtual drives by exploiting an extremely low-latency I/O path to increase the maximum I/O per second (IOPS) capability of the controller.
Table 10. 2.5-inch drive options for internal disk storage (Part 2) Part number Feature code Description Maximum supported 10K and 15K Self-encyrpting drives (SED) 00AD085 A48T IBM 1.2TB 10K 6Gbps SAS 2.5'' G2HS SED 2 81Y9662 A3EG IBM 900GB 10K 6Gbps SAS 2.5" SFF G2HS SED 2 90Y8908 A3EF IBM 600GB 10K 6Gbps SAS 2.5" SFF G2HS SED 2 90Y8913 A2XF IBM 300GB 10K 6Gbps SAS 2.5" SFF G2HS SED 2 90Y8944 A2ZK IBM 146GB 15K 6Gbps SAS 2.5" SFF G2HS SED 2 81Y9690 A1P3 IBM 1TB 7.
Table 10. 2.5-inch drive options for internal disk storage (Part 3) Part number Feature code Description Maximum supported Solid-state drives - Enterprise Value 00AJ000 A4KM S3500 120GB SATA 2.5" MLC HS Enterprise Value SSD 2 00AJ005 A4KN S3500 240GB SATA 2.5" MLC HS Enterprise Value SSD 2 00AJ010 A4KP S3500 480GB SATA 2.5" MLC HS Enterprise Value SSD 2 00AJ015 A4KQ S3500 800GB SATA 2.5" MLC HS Enterprise Value SSD 2 49Y5839 A3AS IBM 64GB SATA 2.
IBM Flex System Storage Expansion Node The x240 supports the attachment of the IBM Flex System Storage Expansion Node. The IBM Flex System Storage Expansion Node provides the ability to attach additional 12 hot-swap 2.5-inch HDDs or SSDs locally to the attached compute node. The Storage Expansion Node provides storage capacity for Network Attach Storage (NAS) workloads, providing flexible storage to match capacity, performance and reliability needs.
Internal tape drives The server does not support an internal tape drive. However, it can be attached to external tape drives using Fibre Channel connectivity. Optical drives The server does not support an internal optical drive option. However, you can connect an external USB optical drive, such as the IBM and Lenovo part number 73P4515 or 73P4516, or use the remote media feature of the IMMv2 and the Chassis Management Module. Note: The USB port on the compute nodes supply up to 0.5 A at 5 V.
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.
IBM Flex System PCIe Expansion Node 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.
Note: The use of the PCIe Expansion Node requires that the x240 Compute Node have both processors installed. For more information, see the IBM Redbooks Product Guide on the IBM Flex System PCIe Expansion Node, http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/tips0906.
Storage host bus adapters The following table lists storage HBAs supported by the x240 server, both internally in the compute node and in the PCIe Expansion Node. Table 17.
http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/tips0937.html IBM High IOPS SSD PCIe Adapters http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/tips0729.html GPU and Crypto adapters The compute node supports the GPU and Crypto adapters listed in the following table. Note: These adapters are installed in an attached PCIe Expansion Node. Table 19.
Installing two preloaded keys will prevent ESXi from booting as described in http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1035107. Having two keys installed provides a backup boot device. both devices are listed in the boot menu, which allows you to boot from either device or to set one as a backup in case the first one gets corrupted. Note: The x240 USB Enablement Kit and USB memory keys are not supported if the SSD Expansion Kit (90Y4391) is already installed, because these kits occupy the same location in the server.
Light path diagnostics For quick problem determination when located physically at the server, the x240 offers a three-step guided path: 1. The Fault LED on the front panel 2. The light path diagnostics panel, shown in the following figure. 3. LEDs next to key components on the system board The x240 light path diagnostics panel is visible when you remove the server from the chassis. The panel is located on the top right-hand side of the compute node, as shown in the following figure. Figure 11.
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 Announcement Letter http://ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?infotype=dd&subtype=ca&&htmlfid=897/ENUS112-052 IBM US Announcement Letter for x240 model 8737-15X in e-config http://ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?infotype=dd&subtype=ca&&htmlfid=897/ENUS113-110 IBM Flex System x240 Compute Node product page http://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 March 17, 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/tips0860.html .
