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IBM Flex System x440 Compute Node 1

I B M ®

IBM Flex System x440 Compute Node

IBM Redbooks Product Guide

A building block for the IBM® PureFlex™ System family, the IBM Flex System™ x440 Compute Node is a

four-socket Intel Xeon processor-based server optimized for high-end virtualization, mainstream database

deployments, and memory-intensive high performance environments. It is price-performance optimized

with a wide range of processors, memory, and I/O options to help you match system capabilities and cost

to workloads without compromise. With a dense design, the Flex System x440 Compute Node can help

reduce floor space used, and lower data center power and cooling costs.

Suggested usage: Database, virtualization, and enterprise applications.

Figure 1 shows the IBM Flex System x440 Compute Node.

Figure 1. The IBM Flex System x440 Compute Node

Did you know?

IBM Flex System is a new category of computing that integrates multiple server architectures, networking,

storage, and system management capability into a single system that is easy to deploy and manage. IBM

Flex System has full, built-in virtualization support of servers, storage, and networking to speed

provisioning and increased resiliency. In addition, it supports open industry standards, such as operating

systems, networking and storage fabrics, virtualization, and system management protocols, to easily fit

within existing and future data center environments. IBM Flex System is scalable and extendable with

multi-generation upgrades to protect and maximize IT investments.

Summary of content (33 pages)

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I BM ® IBM Flex System x440 Compute Node IBM Redbooks Product Guide A building block for the IBM® PureFlex™ System family, the IBM Flex System™ x440 Compute Node is a four-socket Intel Xeon processor-based server optimized for high-end virtualization, mainstream database deployments, and memory-intensive high performance environments. It is price-performance optimized with a wide range of processors, memory, and I/O options to help you match system capabilities and cost to workloads without compromise.
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Key features This section describes the key features of the compute node. Scalability and performance The x440 offers numerous features to boost performance, improve scalability, and reduce costs:  The Intel Xeon processor E5-4600 product family improves productivity by offering superior system performance with 8-core processors and up to 2.9 GHz core speeds, up to 20 MB of L3 cache, and up to two 8 GTps QPI interconnect links.
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 A light path diagnostics panel and individual light path LEDs to quickly lead the technician to failed (or failing) components. This panel simplifies servicing, speeds up problem resolution, and helps improve system availability.  Predictive Failure Analysis (PFA), which detects when system components (such as processors, memory, and hard disk drives) operate outside of standard thresholds and generates proactive alerts in advance of possible failure, therefore increasing uptime.
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 Low-voltage Intel Xeon processors draw less energy to satisfy demands of power and thermally constrained data centers and telecommunication environments.  Low-voltage 1.35 V DDR3 memory RDIMMs consume 15% less energy than 1.5 V DDR3 RDIMMs.  SSDs consume as much as 80% less power than traditional spinning 2.5-inch HDDs.  The x440 uses hexagonal ventilation holes, a part of IBM Calibrated Vectored Cooling™ technology.
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Figure 3 shows the locations of key components inside the server. Figure 3.
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Standard specifications The following table lists the standard specifications. Table 1. Standard specifications (part 1) Components Specification Form factor Double-wide compute node. Chassis support IBM Flex System Enterprise Chassis. Processor Up to four Intel Xeon processor E5-4600 product family processors, each with eight cores (up to 2.7 GHz), six cores (up to 2.9 GHz), or four cores (up to 2.0 GHz). Two QPI links, up to 8.0 GTps each. Up to 1600 MHz memory speed.
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Table 1. Standard specifications (part 2) Components Specification Security features Power-on password and administrator's password, Trusted Platform Module 1.2. Video Matrox G200eR2 video core with 16 MB video memory integrated into the IMM2. Maximum resolution is 1600x1200 at 75 Hz with 16 M colors. Limited warranty Three-year customer-replaceable unit and on-site limited warranty with 9x5/NBD.
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Standard models The following table lists the standard models. Table 2. Standard models Model___ Intel Xeon processor (4 maximum)** Memory Disk adapter Disk bays (used/max)† Disks 10 GbE Embedded Virtual Fabric‡ I/O slots (used/max) 7917-A2x Xeon E5-4603 4C 2.0 GHz 10 MB 1066 MHz 95W 1x 8 GB 1066 MHz* SAS/SATA RAID 2.5” hot-swap (0 / 2) Open No 0/4 7917-A4x Xeon E5-4603 4C 2.0 GHz 10 MB 1066 MHz 95W 1x 8 GB 1066 MHz* SAS/SATA RAID 2.
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Processor options The x440 supports the processor options listed in the following table. The server supports one or two or four processors (three processors is not supported). For a given processor model (for example, the Xeon E5-4603), there are two part numbers: the first one is for the rear two processors (CPUs 1 and 2) and include taller heat sinks; the second part number is for the front two processors (CPUs 3 and 4) and include shorter heat sinks.
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Memory options IBM DDR3 memory is compatibility tested and tuned for optimal performance and throughput. IBM memory specifications are integrated into the light path diagnostic tests 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 x440 supports DDR3 memory.
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The following table shows the maximum memory speeds that are achievable based on the installed DIMMs and the number of DIMMs per channel. The table also shows the maximum memory capacity at any speed supported by the DIMM and the maximum memory capacity at the rated DIMM speed. In the table:   The entries highlighted in red text indicate that the x440 supports higher memory frequencies than the Intel processor specification.
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The following table lists the memory options that are available for the x440 Compute Node. Table 5. Memory options Part number Feature code Description Maximum supported Where used 8648 4GB (1x4GB, 2Rx8, 1.35V) PC3L-10600 CL9 ECC DDR3 1333MHz LP UDIMM 32 (8 per processor) - UDIMMs 49Y1404 RDIMMs - 1333 MHz 49Y1406 8941 4GB (1x4GB, 1Rx4, 1.35V) PC3L-10600 CL9 ECC DDR3 1333MHz LP RDIMM 48 (12 per processor) - 49Y1407 8942 4GB (1x4GB, 2Rx8, 1.
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The 2.5-inch drive bays support SAS or SATA HDDs or SATA SSDs. The following table lists the supported 2.5-inch drive options. Table 6. 2.5-inch drive options for internal disk storage Part number Feature code Description Maximum supported 10K SAS hard disk drives 81Y9650 A282 IBM 900GB 10K 6Gbps SAS 2.5" SFF HS HDD 2 90Y8872 A2XD IBM 600GB 10K 6Gbps SAS 2.5" SFF G2HS HDD 2 90Y8877 A2XC IBM 300GB 10K 6Gbps SAS 2.
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Support for 1.8-inch SSDs In addition, the x440 supports up to eight 1.8-inch SSDs 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 described in "I/O expansion options"). The ServeRAID M5115 cannot be installed if an adapter is installed in I/O adapter slot 1.
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The ServeRAID M5115 hardware kits are as follows: ServeRAID M5100 Series Enablement Kit for IBM Flex System x440 (46C9030) enables support for up to two 2.5-inch 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.
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Figure 4 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 previous table). Figure 4. The ServeRAID M5115 and the Enablement Kit installed Figure 5 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 previous table). Figure 5.
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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 Four on trays above the memory banks   The ServeRAID M5115 controller has the following specifications:  Eight internal 6 Gbps SAS/SATA ports  PCI Express 3.
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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 using a low-latency I/O path to increase the maximum I/O per second (IOPS) capability of the controller.
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Embedded 10Gb Virtual Fabric Some models of the x440 include two Embedded 10Gb Virtual Fabric controllers (VFA, also known as LAN on Motherboard (LOM)) built into the system board. Table 2 lists what models of the x440 include the Embedded 10Gb Virtual Fabric controllers.
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I/O expansion options The x440 has four I/O expansion connectors for attaching I/O adapter cards, as shown in Figure 6. There is a fifth expansion connector (under I/O adapter 4) designed for future expansion options. The I/O expansion connector is 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.
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All I/O adapters are the same shape and can be used in any available slot. A compatible switch or pass-through module must be installed in the corresponding I/O bays in the chassis, as indicated in the following table. Installing two switches means that all ports of the adapter are enabled, which improves performance and network availability. Table 12.
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Figure 7 shows the location of the switch bays in the IBM Flex System Enterprise Chassis. Figure 7. Location of the switch bays in the IBM Flex System Enterprise Chassis Figure 8 shows how 2-port adapters are connected to switches installed in the chassis. Figure 8.
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Network adapters As described in "Embedded 10Gb Virtual Fabric," certain models (those with a model number of the form x4x) have two 10 Gb Ethernet controllers on the system board, and its ports are routed to the midplane and switches installed in the chassis through two Compute Note Fabric Connectors that takes the place of adapters in I/O slots 1 and 3.
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Power supplies Server power is derived from the power supplies installed in the chassis. There are no server options regarding power supplies. Integrated virtualization The x440 supports the ESXi hypervisor on a USB memory key via two internal USB ports (see Figure 3). The supported USB memory keys are listed in the following table. There are two types of USB keys, preloaded keys or blank keys. Blank keys allow you to download an IBM customized version of ESXi and load it onto the key.
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Light path diagnostics panel For quick problem determination when located physically at the server, the x440 offers a 3-step guided path: 1. The Fault LED on the front panel 2. The light path diagnostics panel 3. LEDs next to key components on the system board The x440 light path diagnostics panel is visible when you remove the server from the chassis. The panel is located at the upper right side of the compute node, as shown in Figure 9. Figure 9.
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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 two components 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.
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Physical specifications Dimensions and weight (approximate):     Width: 437 mm (17.2 in.) Height 51 mm (2.0 in.) Depth 493 mm (19.4 in.) Maximum weight: 12.25 kg (27 lbs) 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 x440 compute node complies with ASHRAE Class A3 specifications.
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Warranty options The IBM Flex System x440 Compute Node has a 3-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.
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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.
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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.
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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/ENUS112-099  IBM Flex System x440 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 x440 Compute Node Installation and Service Guide: http://publib.boulder.
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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.
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This document was created or updated on May 24, 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/tips0886.html .