IBM x3200 Product Guide - Page 8

An affordable single-socket, dual-core server with high performance and data protection for small and medium businesses Key Options The x3200 M2 also supports an optional IBM Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine for additional systems management capabilities, including: • Graphical console redirection over LAN • Web-based out-of-band control • Windows "blue screen" capture • Remote virtual floppy and CD-ROM • High-speed remote redirection of PCI video, keyboard and mouse • SSL (Secure Socket Layer) and LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) support Automatic Server Restart (ASR) helps reduce downtime by restarting the server automatically in the event of a system lockup. ASR technology is a combination of hardware circuitry tied into the server's system reset function and a device driver. As long as the server continues running, the ASR watchdog timer will keep being reset, but if the operating system crashes or the hardware freezes somehow the ASR software will be unable to reset the hardware timer. If the timer is not reset within five minutes, it automatically triggers the ASR hardware, which immediately restarts the server (and logs an ASR event with IBM Director). These features are designed so that no more than five minutes can pass before the server is restarted. Wake on LAN permits the server to be remotely powered on if it has been shut off. Once powered up, the server can be controlled across the network, using the Preboot Execution Environment (PXE). Like Wake on LAN, PXE is system firmware. It allows software such as the optional IBM Remote Deployment Manager to take control of a system before the BIOS, operating system or applications are loaded (using Wake on LAN/PXE) and lets an administrator perform many low-level tasks remotely that would otherwise require a visit to each system. These tasks may include such things as formatting a hard disk drive, updating system firmware, or deploying a Windows or Linux operating system. Predictive Failure Analysis (PFA) is designed to allow the x3200 M2 to detect impending failure of supported components (processors, memory, voltage regulator modules, fans, and hard disk drives) before actual failure, and alert the administrator through IBM Director. This gives you the ability to replace the failing component before it fails, resulting in increased uptime. Text Console Redirection support allows the administrator to remotely view text messages via LAN. IBM Director software for advanced workgroup management is included with the x3200 M2. IBM Director comes with a portfolio of tools, including Management Processor Assistant, Rack Manager, RAID Manager, Update Assistant and Software Distribution. System Availability (a no-charge download) and Capacity Manager (sold separately) are available as add-ons for additional server management and increased availability. IBM Director provides a single uniform graphical interface for all of these systems management functions. IBM Director enables you to customize thresholds and monitor system components (for things like temperature, voltage regulation, etc.) to help maximize uptime. IBM developed IBM Systems Director Active Energy Manager for x86 to put control of system powersaving features at the fingertips of administrators. Active Energy Manager is a combination of hardware and software designed to take advantage of new features, such as monitoring power usage and balancing the performance of the system according to available power input. It provides the ability to plan and predict power consumption based on your hardware configuration. It also helps enable you to reduce the infrastructure required for redundancy, by using fewer servers on smaller power feeds and potentially lowering your overall data center support costs. It does this by inventorying all components, then adding up the total power draw and tracking the usage. IBM options for System x servers let you take your servers to a higher level You an rely on System x options to supply a complete solution for your business needs. Options help you create an optimized server system to meet your data protection, storage and availability needs. Every IBM option is designed and tested for peak performance and flexibility, helping to maximize your return on investment. The combination of System x servers and options lets you keep your fingers on the pulse of your e-business. Memory - Memory is a significant factor in systems application performance. Adding more memory to a System x server is one of the most effective ways to increase application performance. For best performance in a server with a dual-core processor, there should be twice as much memory available as for a single-core processor. When memory is installed in pairs, the x3200 M2 provides two-way interleaving for added performance. Hard Disk Drives - IBM hard disk drives help customers improve the transaction and cost performance of their System x servers. The choice of hard disk drives can be a critical aspect of maximizing the I/O throughput of the system. SAS hard disk drives (3.5-inch) are available for the x3200 M2 with capacities up to 300GB at 10,000 RPMs and up to 146.8GB at 15,000 RPMs. Enterprise-class SATA hard disk drives are available with capacities up to 750GB (3.5-inch) at 7,200 RPMs. In addition, 8 Please see the Legal Information section for important notices and information.