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Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum

memory and compute capacity in a blade

Please see the Legal Information section for important notices and information.

Product Guide

April 2011

IBM BladeCenter HX5

Product Overview

CONTENTS

Product Overview 1

Selling Features 2

Key Features 6

Key Options 15

HX5 Images 17

HX5 Specifications 20

The Bottom Line 21

Server Comparison 22

For More Information 23

Legal Information 23

Scalable 2-to-4-socket blade server optimized for virtualization/

consolidation, database, and ERP

Suggested uses: Front-end and mid-tier applications requiring high performance (CPU, memory

or I/O), enterprise-class availability, and extreme flexibility and power efficiency.

IBM

has been designing and implementing chipsets under the X-Architecture

name since 2001.

eX5 technology represents the fifth generation of products based on the same design principle

IBM began with in 1997: to offer Intel

Xeon

processor-based systems that are expandable,

offer “big iron” reliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS) features, with extremely competitive

price/performance.

The eX5 technology is primarily designed around three major workloads: database servers,

server consolidation using virtualization services, and Enterprise Resource Planning (application

and database) servers.

If you’re using industry-standard servers to run business critical applications, the systems that run

these applications need the type of technology designed into IBM’s eX5 technology systems. The

eX5 chipset represents a $100M+ investment in designing a flagship offering that can harness

the power of 4-socket-and-up 64-bit x86 (x64) Xeon processors. The eX5 family includes a

scalable performance blade server with the ability to scale from a single-wide blade (30mm) to

a double-wide blade (60mm).

Maybe you’d like to start out with a 2-socket blade and possibly add sockets later, if your needs

change. Or perhaps you need more than a 2-socket blade, but don’t want to get locked into a

monolithic 4-socket blade—again, in case your requirements change. With IBM, you can start at

2 sockets and grow to 4 if needed. And if you require a variety of 2- and 4-socket servers in your

data center, you only have to qualify one server for all these workloads. This can save much time

and effort and speed deployment. You can also save money on software licensing by virtualizing

a 4-processor server into many VMs, rather than using multiple 2-processor servers. Huge

amounts of memory also enable more or larger VMs, and larger databases (especially databases

stored entirely in memory).

Reducing an entire server into a little over .5U of rack space (i.e., up to 14 servers in 9U) does

not mean trading away features and capabilities for smaller size. The IBM BladeCenter

HX5

blade server offers features comparable to many 1U rack-optimized full-featured servers, and

then some: The HX5 supports up to two of the latest high-performance 10-core, 8-core, 6-core,

or 4-core Intel Xeon E7 family or 7500/6500 series processors. The Xeon processors are

designed with up to 30MB of shared cache and leading-edge memory performance (up to

1066MHz) to help provide the computing power you require to match your business needs and

growth. The new Xeon E7-4800 and E7-2800 series processors offer up to 40% greater

performance than the previous-generation Intel 7500/6500 series processors.

Because business requirements change and a 2-socket server that meets those needs today

may not meet them in the future, the HX5 was designed to be upgradeable to meet the diverse

needs of multiple workloads. For compute-intensive workloads, it can be configured as a 2-

wide blade server with up to 4 processors / 40 cores, 32 DIMMs (512GB), 4 PCIe cards, 16 I/O

ports, and 4 solid-state drives (SSDs). Conversely, for memory-intensive workloads, the

HX5 can be configured as a 2-wide server consisting of 1 blade server and 1 MAX5 memory

expansion blade, with up to 40 DIMMs (640GB) total. IBM FlexNode partitioning allows a

physical 4-socket configuration to be remotely reconfigured by software into two logical 2-socket

servers, as needs change or for daily peak and off-peak workloads.

The HX5 supports VMware vSphere Hypervisor (formerly ESXi) preloaded on a standard USB

flash drive. It operates in a diskless configuration, offers a smaller memory footprint, extremely

high performance, and stronger security, making getting a system up and running in a virtualized

environment faster and easier than ever before. You can save money on software licensing by

using the huge memory capacity to virtualize the server into many VMs, rather than using

multiple servers. Huge amounts of memory also enable larger VMs and larger databases.

IBM’s eX5 technology-based systems are the ideal solution for scale-up database-serving

Summary of content (23 pages)

PAGE 1
Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade ® Product Guide April 2011 IBM BladeCenter HX5 Scalable 2-to-4-socket blade server optimized for virtualization/ consolidation, database, and ERP Product Overview Suggested uses: Front-end and mid-tier applications requiring high performance (CPU, memory or I/O), enterprise-class availability, and extreme flexibility and power efficiency.
PAGE 2
Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade ® ® ® ® ® applications on Microsoft Windows with Microsoft SQL Server or IBM DB2 , as well as Linux with Oracle or DB2. Database hosting demands ultimate server reliability features, and once installed, they tend to grow and grow, requiring ever greater levels of availability. eX5 servers provide exactly that degree to availability.
PAGE 3
Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade (depending on the system configuration), for high performance and wide memory bandwidth. • The 7873 machine type supports low-voltage 1.35V DIMMs. • By scaling to 2 blade servers, the HX5 can support up to 512GB of memory—enough for even the most demanding virtualization, database, or ERP needs.
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Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade 3 ever released, going back to 2002 . Every switch module released by IBM is equally compatible. (Ask HP and Dell how far back their compatibility goes.) • A blade server has access to as many as 10 communication switches/bridges in a BladeCenter H or 8 in a BladeCenter HT chassis. (Up to 4 switches in a BladeCenter E, S, or T chassis.
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Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade characteristics. At the lower speeds they draw less power and suffer less wear. Equally important in a crowded data center, temperature-controlled blowers produce less ambient noise in the data center than if they were constantly running at full speed. • Text and graphics console redirection support allows the administrator to remotely view HX5 text and graphic messages over serial or LAN connections.
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Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade – Monitor, control and virtualize your power with IBM Systems Director Active Energy Manager – Reduce data center hot spots with the IBM Rear Door Heat eXchanger – Optimize and future-proof your data center with IBM Data Center Energy Efficiency services • Our eco-friendly servers and services can help you be environmentally responsible.
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Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade integrated memory controllers, 24MB of shared L3 cache, and Intel Turbo Boost and HyperThreading technology; supported in BladeCenter H, HT, and S chassis • 130W 8-core Xeon processor model X6550* at 2.0GHz, with 64-bit extensions, low power draw per core (16.25W), 6.
PAGE 8
Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade memory already offered up to 37% lower energy use than fully buffered memory. Now, a generation later, DDR3 memory is even more efficient, using 10-15% less energy than DDR2 memory. The HX5 (7873 machine type) supports up to 256GB of memory in 16 DIMM slots. (Machine type 7872 supports up to 128GB.
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Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade For peak performance: • Populate processors with equal amounts of memory to enable a balanced NUMA system • Populate both memory controllers within a processor with equal memory capacity • Populate an even number of ranks per channel Power guidelines: • Fewer larger DIMMs (for example 8 x 4GB DIMMs vs.
PAGE 10
Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade Storage Controllers HX5 models support an optional LSI 1064E SAS/SATA controller (required for SSD support). This controller supports up to two internal solid-state drives and offers hardware RAID-0/1/1E support. Drive Bays HX5 servers contain two bays that support 1.8-inch fixed internal solid-state drives (SSDs) totaling up to 400GB. (A two-node server with 4 processors supports up to four SSDs.
PAGE 11
Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade • IBM 320GB High IOPS MS Class SSD PCIe Adapter (x4 Gen 1—100K IOPS, 750MBps) • IBM 320GB High IOPS SD Class SSD PCIe Adapter (x8 Gen 2—200K IOPS, 1.5GBps) • IBM 640GB High IOPS MLC Duo Adapter (x8 Gen 2—200K IOPS, 1.
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Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade High-Performance Adapter Slots The HX5 blade server includes two PCIe adapter slots. They support CFF (compact form factor) cards: one standard-speed CIOv and one high-speed CFFh card. Note: The SSD expansion card is installed in the upper I/O slot. When SSDs are installed, both I/O slots are still available for use.
PAGE 13
Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade Embedded Dynamic System Analysis, and IBM Systems Director. The chassis-based AMM, in combination with the HX5 blade server’s IMM, provides industrystandard Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) 2.0-compliant systems management.
PAGE 14
Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade Text and Graphics Console Redirect support allows the administrator to remotely view HX5 text and graphics messages over serial or LAN. 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.
PAGE 15
Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade Novell NetWare, Red Hat Linux and SUSE LINUX.) This focus on deployment helps to reduce both your total cost of ownership and the complexity that administrators and technical personnel face.
PAGE 16
Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade highly available boot drive, for storing disk images, or for other uses that stress read performance. Additional direct-attach storage is available via the BladeCenter S chassis. High IOPS SSD PCIe Adapters — For storage media offering up to 500 times the I/O operations per second (IOPS) and up to 7.
PAGE 17
Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade HX5 Images Front View 4-socket HX5 Status / cKVM Panel Light Path Diagnostics Panel Hexagonal Ventilation Holes Low-Profile HotSwap Handles Interior View 1.8-inch SSD Internal USB (Embedded Hypervisor) Redundant Midplane Connections Processor / Heat Sink 16 DDR3 DIMM Sockets Processor / Heat Sink Dual 1GbE LOM (10GbE Option) 1.
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Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade BladeCenter HX5 Specifications 7872-4xx, 6xx, 8xx, Exx 7873-Axx, Bxx, Cxx, Dxx, Fxx, Gxx Machine type Form factor (standard / maximum) 30mm / 120mm (2 30mm HX5 blades or 1 30mm HX5 blade + 1 30mm MAX5 memory expansion blade) Processor type Ten-core Xeon (E7-28xx/E7-48xx, E7-88xx) 2.0GHz E7-2850 (CTO), 2.0GHz E74850 (CTO), 2.13GHz E7-8867L (D2x), 2.26MHz, E72860 (A2x, E2x), 2.
PAGE 19
Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade BladeCenter HX5 Specifications Standard / maximum memory 10 per blade 160GB / 320GB (16 x 4GB HX5 +24 x 4GB MAX5)— 7872-67x/68x 112GB / 320GB (16 x 4GB HX5 +12 x 4GB MAX5)--7872-E8x 64GB / 128GB (16 x 4GB HX5)—7872-E6x 32GB / 128GB (8 x 4GB HX5)—7872- 66x 16GB / 128GB (4 x 4GB HX5)—7872-63x/6Dx, 83x/84x 8GB / 128GB (2 x 4GB HX5)—7872-42x, 61x/64x/65x, 82x/86x 320GB / 640GB (16 x 8GB HX5 + 24 x
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Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade BladeCenter HX5 Specifications Maximum internal SSD capacity 400GB (2 x 200GB) fixed—1 blade 800GB (4 x 200GB) fixed—2 blades None # of SSDs standard Additional Internal SSD storage via PCIe adapter 160GB High IOPS SS Class SSD PCIe Adapter 320GB High IOPS SS Class SSD PCIe Adapter 320GB High IOPS SD Class SSD PCIe Adapter 320GB High IOPS MS Class SSD PCIe Adapter 640GB High IOPS MLC Duo Adapter
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Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade BladeCenter HX5 Specifications Integrated Management Module Systems management controller Power good, blade location, over temperature, information, general fault Diagnostic LEDs (front panel) Predictive Failure Analysis support Processor, memory, SSDs, PCIe expansion cards UEFI 2.
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Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade 11 • Additional optional adapter slots : Up to 3 total, using 1 BladeCenter PCI Express I/O Expansion Unit 3 blade Up to 10 total, using 4 BladeCenter PCI Express Gen 2 Expansion Blades (BPE4) blades Manageability and Availability • IBM Systems Director systems management software, including: IBM Systems Director Active Energy Manager IBM Service and Support Manager • Integrated Management
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Optimized for virtualization and database applications with maximum memory and compute capacity in a blade For More Information IBM BladeCenter Servers and Options IBM Systems Director Service and Support Manager IBM System x and BladeCenter Power Configurator IBM Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool IBM Configuration and Options Guide IBM ServerProven Program Technical Support Other Technical Support Resources Legal Information © IBM Corporation 2011 IBM Systems and Technology Group Dept.