Specifications

Chapter 1. IBM PureSystems 9
1.4 IBM Flex System overview
The expert integrated system of IBM PureSystems is based on a new hardware
and software platform called IBM Flex System.
1.4.1 IBM Flex System Manager
The IBM Flex System Manager (FSM) is a high performance scalable systems
management appliance with a preloaded software stack. As an appliance, the
hardware is closed (on a dedicated compute node platform) and designed to
provide a specific purpose: configure, monitor, and manage IBM Flex System
resources in multiple IBM Flex System Enterprise Chassis (Enterprise Chassis),
optimizing time-to-value.
The FSM provides a world-class user experience with a truly “single pane of
glass” approach for all chassis components. Featuring an instant
resource-oriented view of the Enterprise Chassis and its components, the FSM
provides vital information for real-time monitoring.
An increased focus on optimizing time-to-value is evident in such features as:
򐂰 Setup wizards, including initial setup wizards, which provide intuitive and
quick setup of the FSM.
򐂰 A Chassis Map, which provides multiple view overlays to track health,
firmware inventory, and environmental metrics.
򐂰 Configuration management for a repeatable setup of compute, network, and
storage devices.
򐂰 Remote presence application for remote access to compute nodes with
single sign-on.
򐂰 Quick search provides results as you type.
Beyond the physical world of inventory, configuration, and monitoring, IBM Flex
System Manager enables virtualization and workload optimization for a new
class of computing:
򐂰 Resource utilization: Within the network fabric, FSM detects congestions,
notification policies, and relocation of physical and virtual machines, including
storage and network configurations.
򐂰 Resource pooling: FSM pools network switching, with placement advisors
that consider VM compatibility, processor, availability, and energy.
򐂰 Intelligent automation: FSM has automated and dynamic VM placement
based on utilization, energy, hardware predictive failure alerts, or
host failures.