Product guide

Superior performance/U in a 4-socket, 2U server with up to 64 processor cores
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6
Disk
and Tape
Controllers
All models include an integrated IBM ServeRAID-M1015 or ServeRAID-M5015 SAS/SATA
Controller (model-specific) in a dedicated PCIe slot. Supported controllers include:
• The 6Gbps (x8 PCIe) ServeRAID-M1015 SAS/SATA controller — RAID-0/1/10 (no cache)
for up to 32 drives (limited to available bays). The IBM ServeRAID M1000 Series Advance
Feature Key adds RAID-5 support.
• The 6Gbps (x8 PCIe) ServeRAID-M5014 SAS/SATA controller — enhanced performance
with 256MB of cache memory, and supports optional RAID-0/1/10/5/50 for up to 32 drives
(limited to available bays).
• The 6Gbps (x8 PCIe) ServeRAID-M5015 SAS/SATA controller — enhanced performance
with 512MB of cache memory and battery backup, and supports RAID-0/1/10/5/50 for up to
32 drives (limited to available bays).
• The ServeRAID M5000 Series Advance Feature Key adds RAID-6/60 with self-encrypting
drives (SED) support to the M5014 and M5015. The ServeRAID M5000 Series Battery Key
adds battery backup support to the M5014.
• 6Gbps SAS HBA controller for SAS tape drive support
Removable Storage
All models support internal or external removable storage. Supported drives include:
• DDS Gen 5 (internal SATA)—for simple-swap systems only
• DDS Gen 5 or 6 ( no internal USB)
• RDX Removable Disk Cartridge (external USB )
• RDX Removable Disk Cartridge (internal SATA via CTO only)
Dual Gigabit Ethernet Controllers
The x3755 M3 includes two dual-port integrated Broadcom BCM5709C Gigabit Ethernet
controllers with TOE, and RDMA support, as well as load-balancing and failover capabilities,
with up to 10X higher maximum throughput than a 10/100 Ethernet controller.
It also supports highly secure remote power management using IPMI 2.0, plus Wake on LAN
®
and PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) flash interface. Optional PCI adapters offering failover
and load balancing between adapters are available for added throughput and increased system
availability.
Ultra
-
Efficient Cooling
Strategically located fans, combined with efficient airflow paths, provide highly effective system
cooling for the x3755 M3. The server includes five hot-swap fans standard. These offer failover
capability. (The option of nonredundant fans is available via CTO.) In addition, each power supply
contains a fan.
The system contains two cooling zones. Zone 1 (incorporating four fans) cools the processors
and their associated memory. Zone 2 (one fan) cools the adapter slots.
The fans automatically adjust speeds in response to changing thermal requirements, from the
minimum speed to a maximum of 16,000 RPMs, depending on the zone and internal
temperatures. When the temperature inside the server increases, the fans speed up to maintain
the proper ambient temperature. When the temperature returns to a normal operating level, the
fans return to their default speed. Why not simply run the fans at 100% capacity all the time? For
several good reasons: to reduce the ambient noise, reduce the wear-and-tear on the fans and
reduce the server power draw. The reduction in ambient noise and power draw may be relatively
minor for a single server, but put dozens or hundreds in a data center and it can make a big
difference.
In addition, the server uses hexagonal ventilation holes in the chassis. Hexagonal holes can be
grouped more densely than round holes, providing greater airflow through the system cover.
This cooling scheme is important because newer, more powerful processors generate a
significant amount of heat, and heat must be controlled for the system to function properly.
Hot
-
Swap/Redundant Components
System availability is maximized through the extensive use of hot-swap and redundant
components, including:
• Redundant memory protection (with Chipkill and/or online memory sparing enabled)
• Hot-swap, redundant hard disk drives (with RAID-1/10 or 1/10/5/50 protection standard and
RAID-5 or 6/60 optional)