IBM System x3550 M3 Type 4254, System x3550 M3 Type 7944 Installation And User Manual

IBMSystemx3550M3Types4254and7944

Installation and User’s Guide



IBMSystemx3550M3Types4254and7944

Installation and User’s Guide



Note: Before using this information and the product it supports, read the information in Appendix B, “Notices,” on page 129, the IBM
Safety Information and Environmental Notices and User Guide documents on the IBM Documentation CD, and the Warranty
Information document.

The most recent version of this document is available at http://www.ibm.com/supportportal/.

Tenth Edition (July 2012)

© Copyright IBM Corporation 2012.

US Government Users Restricted Rights – Use, duplication or disclosure restricted by GSA ADP Schedule Contract
with IBM Corp.

Contents

Safety ............................vii

Chapter 1. The System x3550 M3 server ...............1

The IBM System x Documentation CD.................3

Hardware and software requirements ................3

Using the Documentation Browser .................3

Related documentation ......................4

Notices and statements in this document ................5

Features and specifications .....................6

What your server offers ......................8

Reliability, availability, and serviceability ................11

IBM Systems Director ......................13

The UpdateXpress System Packs ..................13

Server controls, LEDs, and power ..................14

Front view .........................14

Operator information panel ...................15

Light path diagnostics panel ...................15

Rear view ..........................25

System pulse LEDs ......................30

Server power features .....................31

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices................35

Instructions for IBM Business Partners ................35

Server components .......................36

System-board internal connectors .................37

System-board external connectors .................38

System-board switches and jumpers ................39

System-board LEDs ......................43

System-board optional device connectors ..............44

Installation guidelines ......................44

System reliability guidelines ...................46

Working inside the server with the power on .............46

Handling static-sensitive devices .................46

Internal cable routing and connectors ................47

Removing the cover .......................52

Removing the microprocessor 2 air baffle ...............53

Removing the DIMM air baffle ...................54

Installing a memory module ....................56

DIMM installation sequence ...................58

Memory mirroring .......................59

Online-spare memory .....................60

Installing a DIMM .......................61

Installing drives .........................62

Installing a hot-swap hard disk drive ................63

IDs for hot-swap hard disk drives .................63

Installing a simple-swap hard disk drive ...............64

Installing an optional DVD drive..................65

Replacing a PCI riser-card assembly .................68

Installing an adapter .......................70

Replacing a PCI Express assembly with a PCI-X assembly ........72

Replacing a PCI-X assembly with a PCI Express assembly ........73

Removing a ServeRAID SAS/SATA controller from the SAS/SATA RAID riser

card ............................74

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2012 iii

Installing a ServeRAID SAS/SATA controller on the SAS/SATA RAID riser card 75

Installing an optional ServeRAID adapter advanced feature key .......78

Installing an optional optical drive cage ................80

Installing a SAS/SATA 4 Pac HDD option ...............82

Installing a second microprocessor and heat sink ............84

Thermal grease........................89

Installing a hot-swap fan assembly .................90

Installing a hot-swap ac power supply ................91

Installing the optional two-port Ethernet adapter .............95

Installing the virtual media key ...................97

Installing a USB embedded hypervisor flash device ...........98

Installing a RAID adapter battery remotely in the server ..........99

Completing the installation ....................103

Replacing the DIMM air baffle ..................103

Replacing the microprocessor 2 air baffle..............104

Replacing the cover .....................105

Connecting the cables.....................105

Updating the server configuration.................106

Chapter 3. Configuring the server.................107

Using the Setup utility ......................108

Starting the Setup utility ....................108

Setup utility menu choices ...................109

Passwords .........................112

Using the Boot Manager program .................114

Starting the backup server firmware .................114

Using the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD ............114

ServerGuide features .....................115

Setup and configuration overview.................115

Typical operating-system installation................116

Installing your operating system without using ServerGuide .......116

Using the integrated management module ..............117

Using the embedded hypervisor ..................118

Using the remote presence capability and blue-screen capture .......119

Enabling the remote presence feature ...............119

Obtaining the IP address for the IMM ...............120

Logging on to the Web interface .................120

Enabling the Broadcom Gigabit Ethernet Utility program .........120

Configuring the Gigabit Ethernet controller ..............121

Using LSI Configuration Utility program ...............121

Starting the LSI Configuration Utility program ............122

Formatting a hard disk drive ..................122

Creating a RAID array of hard disk drives .............123

IBM Advanced Settings Utility program................123

Updating IBM Systems Director ..................123

The UpdateXpress System Pack Installer...............124

Appendix A. Getting help and technical assistance ..........125

Before you call ........................125

Using the documentation .....................126

Getting help and information from the World Wide Web .........126

How to send Dynamic System Analysis data to IBM ...........126

Creating a personalized support web page ..............126

Software service and support ...................126

Hardware service and support ...................127

IBM Taiwan product service ....................127

iv IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

Appendix B. Notices ......................129

Trademarks..........................129

Important notes ........................130

Particulate contamination.....................131

Documentation format ......................131

Telecommunication regulatory statement ...............132

Electronic emission notices ....................132

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) statement ........132

Industry Canada Class A emission compliance statement ........132

Avis de conformité à la réglementation d'Industrie Canada .......132

Australia and New Zealand Class A statement ............132

European Union EMC Directive conformance statement ........133

Germany Class A statement ..................133

VCCI Class A statement ....................134

Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA)

statement ........................134

Korea Communications Commission (KCC) statement .........134

Russia Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Class A statement ......135

People's Republic of China Class A electronic emission statement ....135

Taiwan Class A compliance statement ...............135

Index ............................137

Contents v

vi IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

Safety

Before installing this product, read the Safety Information.

Antes de instalar este produto, leia as Informações de Segurança.

Læs sikkerhedsforskrifterne, før du installerer dette produkt.

Lees voordat u dit product installeert eerst de veiligheidsvoorschriften.

Ennen kuin asennat tämän tuotteen, lue turvaohjeet kohdasta Safety Information.

Avant d'installer ce produit, lisez les consignes de sécurité.

Vor der Installation dieses Produkts die Sicherheitshinweise lesen.

Prima di installare questo prodotto, leggere le Informazioni sulla Sicurezza.

Les sikkerhetsinformasjonen (Safety Information) før du installerer dette produktet.

Antes de instalar este produto, leia as Informações sobre Segurança.

Antes de instalar este producto, lea la información de seguridad.

Läs säkerhetsinformationen innan du installerar den här produkten.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2012 vii

Important:

Each caution and danger statement in this documentation is labeled
with a number. This number is used to cross reference an English
language caution or danger statement with translated versions of the
caution or danger statement in the Safety Information document.

For example, if a caution statement is labeled "Statement 1,"
translations for that caution statement are in the Safety Information
document under "Statement 1."

Be sure to read all caution and danger statements in this document
before you perform the procedures. Read any additional safety
information that comes with the server or optional device before you
install the device.

viii IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

Attention: Use No. 26 AWG or larger UL-listed or CSA certified
telecommunication line cord.

Statement 1:

DANGER

Electrical current from power, telephone, and communication cables is
hazardous.

To avoid a shock hazard:
v Do not connect or disconnect any cables or perform installation,

maintenance, or reconfiguration of this product during an electrical
storm.

v Connect all power cords to a properly wired and grounded electrical

outlet.

v Connect to properly wired outlets any equipment that will be attached to

this product.

v When possible, use one hand only to connect or disconnect signal

cables.

v Never turn on any equipment when there is evidence of fire, water, or

structural damage.

v Disconnect the attached power cords, telecommunications systems,

networks, and modems before you open the device covers, unless
instructed otherwise in the installation and configuration procedures.

v Connect and disconnect cables as described in the following table when

installing, moving, or opening covers on this product or attached
devices.

To Connect: To Disconnect:

1. Turn everything OFF.

2. First, attach all cables to devices.

3. Attach signal cables to connectors.

4. Attach power cords to outlet.

5. Turn device ON.

1. Turn everything OFF.

2. First, remove power cords from outlet.

3. Remove signal cables from connectors.

4. Remove all cables from devices.

Safety ix

Statement 2:

CAUTION:
When replacing the lithium battery, use only IBM Part Number 33F8354 or an
equivalent type battery recommended by the manufacturer. If your system has
a module containing a lithium battery, replace it only with the same module
type made by the same manufacturer. The battery contains lithium and can
explode if not properly used, handled, or disposed of.

Do not:

v Throw or immerse into water
v Heat to more than 100°C (212°F)
v Repair or disassemble

Dispose of the battery as required by local ordinances or regulations.

x IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

Statement 3:

CAUTION:
When laser products (such as CD-ROMs, DVD drives, fiber optic devices, or
transmitters) are installed, note the following:

v Do not remove the covers. Removing the covers of the laser product could

result in exposure to hazardous laser radiation. There are no serviceable
parts inside the device.

v Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than

those specified herein might result in hazardous radiation exposure.

DANGER

Some laser products contain an embedded Class 3A or Class 3B laser
diode. Note the following.

Laser radiation when open. Do not stare into the beam, do not view directly
with optical instruments, and avoid direct exposure to the beam.

Class 1 Laser Product
Laser Klasse 1
Laser Klass 1
Luokan 1 Laserlaite
Appareil A Laser de Classe 1

`

Safety xi

Statement 4:

≥ 18 kg (39.7 lb.) ≥ 32 kg (70.5 lb.) ≥ 55 kg (121.2 lb.)

CAUTION:
Use safe practices when lifting.

Statement 5:

CAUTION:
The power control button on the device and the power switch on the power
supply do not turn off the electrical current supplied to the device. The device
also might have more than one power cord. To remove all electrical current
from the device, ensure that all power cords are disconnected from the power
source.

2

1

xii IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

Statement 6:

CAUTION:
Do not place any objects on top of a rack-mounted device unless that
rack-mounted device is intended for use as a shelf.

Statement 8:

CAUTION:
Never remove the cover on a power supply or any part that has the following
label attached.

Hazardous voltage, current, and energy levels are present inside any
component that has this label attached. There are no serviceable parts inside
these components. If you suspect a problem with one of these parts, contact
a service technician.

Statement 12:

CAUTION:
The following label indicates a hot surface nearby.

Safety xiii

Statement 26:

CAUTION:
Do not place any object on top of rack-mounted devices.

This server is suitable for use on an IT power-distribution system whose maximum
phase-to-phase voltage is 240 V under any distribution fault condition.

xiv IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

Chapter 1. The System x3550 M3 server

This Installation and User's Guide contains information and instructions for setting
up your IBM System x3550 M3 Type 4254 or 7944 server, instructions for installing
some optional devices, and instructions for cabling, and configuring the server. For
removing and installing optional devices, diagnostics and troubleshooting
information, see the Problem Determination and Service Guide on the IBM System
x Documentation CD, which comes with the server.

In addition to the instructions in Chapter 2, “Installing optional devices,” on page 35
for installing optional hardware devices, updating firmware and device drivers, and
completing the installation, IBM Business Partners must also complete the steps in
“Instructions for IBM Business Partners” on page 35.

®

The IBM
server for high-volume network transaction processing. This high-performance,
multi-core server is ideally suited for networking environments that require superior
microprocessor performance, input/output (I/O) flexibility, and high manageability.

Performance, ease of use, reliability, and expansion capabilities were key
considerations in the design of the server. These design features make it possible
for you to customize the system hardware to meet your needs today and provide
flexible expansion capabilities for the future.

System x3550 M3 Type 4254 or 7944 server is a 1-U-high1rack model

The server comes with a limited warranty. For information about the terms of the
warranty, see the Warranty Information document that comes with the server.

®

The server contains IBM X-Architecture

technologies, which help increase
performance and reliability. For more information, see “What your server offers” on
page 8 and “Reliability, availability, and serviceability” on page 11.

You can obtain up-to-date information about the server and other IBM server
products at http://www.ibm.com/systems/x/. At http://www.ibm.com/support/
mysupport/, you can create a personalized support page by identifying IBM
products that are of interest to you. From this personalized page, you can subscribe
to weekly e-mail notifications about new technical documents, search for information
and downloads, and access various administrative services.

If you participate in the IBM client reference program, you can share information
about your use of technology, best practices, and innovative solutions; build a
professional network; and gain visibility for your business. For more information
about the IBM client reference program, see http://www.ibm.com/ibm/
clientreference/.

If firmware and documentation updates are available, you can download them from
the IBM website. The server might have features that are not described in the
documentation that comes with the server, and the documentation might be updated
occasionally to include information about those features, or technical updates might
be available to provide additional information that is not included in the server
documentation. To check for updates, go to http://www.ibm.com/supportportal/.

1. Racks are marked in vertical increments of 1.75 inches each. Each increment is referred to as a unit, or a “U”. A 1-U-high device
is approximately 1.75 inches tall.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2012

1

Note: The illustrations in this document might differ slightly from your model.

The hot-swap server models support up to eight 2.5-inch hot-swap SAS/SATA hard
disk drives. The simple-swap server models support up to four 2.5-inch simple-swap
SATA hard disk drives. The following illustration shows the hot-swap server model.

Hard disk drive
activity LED (green)

Hard disk drive
status LED (amber)

Drive bay 0 Drive bay 2

Drive bay 1 Drive bay 3

Drive bay 4 Drive bay 6

Drive bay 5 Drive bay 7

On server models with an optional optical drive bay, the servers support up to four

2.5-inch simple-swap SATA or hot-swap SAS/SATA hard disk drives.

Hard disk drive
activity LED (green)

USB 1
connector

USB 2
connector

Operator
information
panel

Video
connector

Rack
release
latch

Operator information
panel release latch

Rack
release
latch

Hard disk drive
status LED (amber)

Drive bay 0 Drive bay 2

Drive bay 1 Drive bay 3

Optional
optical drive
activity LED

Optional
drive bay

Optional
optical drive
eject button

Power-control
button and LED

If firmware and documentation updates are available, you can download them from
the IBM Web site. The server might have features that are not described in the
documentation that comes with the server, and the documentation might be updated
occasionally to include information about those features, or technical updates might
be available to provide additional information that is not included in the server
documentation. To check for updates, go to http://www.ibm.com/supportportal/.

Record information about the server in the following table.

Product name IBM System x3550 M3 server
Machine type 4254 or 7944
Model number _____________________________________________
Serial number _____________________________________________

The model number and serial number are on the ID label on the front of the server,
as shown in the following illustration.

2 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

Note: The illustrations in this document might differ slightly from your hardware.

ID label

You can download an IBM ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD to help you
configure the hardware, install device drivers, and install the operating system.

For a list of supported optional devices for the server, see http://www.ibm.com/
servers/eserver/serverproven/compat/us/.

See the Rack Installation Instructions document on the IBM System x
Documentation CD for complete rack installation and removal instructions.

The IBM System x Documentation CD

The IBM System x Documentation CD contains documentation for the server in
Portable Document Format (PDF) and includes the IBM Documentation Browser to
help you find information quickly.

Hardware and software requirements

The IBM System x Documentation CD requires the following minimum hardware
and software:

v Microsoft Windows XP, Windows 2000, or Red Hat Linux
v 100 MHz microprocessor
v 32 MB of RAM
v Adobe Acrobat Reader 3.0 (or later) or xpdf, which comes with Linux operating

systems

Using the Documentation Browser

Use the Documentation Browser to browse the contents of the CD, read brief
descriptions of the documents, and view documents, using Adobe Acrobat Reader
or xpdf. The Documentation Browser automatically detects the regional settings in
use in your server and displays the documents in the language for that region (if
available). If a document is not available in the language for that region, the
English-language version is displayed.

Use one of the following procedures to start the Documentation Browser:
v If Autostart is enabled, insert the CD into the CD or DVD drive. The

Documentation Browser starts automatically.

v If Autostart is disabled or is not enabled for all users, use one of the following

procedures:
– If you are using a Windows operating system, insert the CD into the CD or

DVD drive and click Start -> Run.IntheOpen field, type

e:\win32.bat

Chapter 1. The System x3550 M3 server 3

where e is the drive letter of the CD or DVD drive, and click OK.

– If you are using Red Hat Linux, insert the CD into the CD or DVD drive; then,

run the following command from the /mnt/cdrom directory:

sh runlinux.sh

Select the server from the Product menu. The Available Topics list displays all the
documents for the server. Some documents might be in folders. A plus sign (+)
indicates each folder or document that has additional documents under it. Click the
plus sign to display the additional documents.

When you select a document, a description of the document is displayed under
Topic Description. To select more than one document, press and hold the Ctrl key
while you select the documents. Click View Book to view the selected document or
documents in Acrobat Reader or xpdf. If you selected more than one document, all
the selected documents are opened in Acrobat Reader or xpdf.

To search all the documents, type a word or word string in the Search field and
click Search. The documents in which the word or word string appears are listed in
order of the most occurrences. Click a document to view it, and press Crtl+F to use
the Acrobat search function, or press Alt+F to use the xpdf search function within
the document.

Click Help for detailed information about using the Documentation Browser.

Related documentation

This Installation and User’s Guide contains general information about the server
including how to set up and cabling the server, how to install supported optional
devices, and how to configure the server. The following documentation also comes
with the server:

v Environmental Notices and User Guide

This document is in PDF on the IBM System x Documentation CD. It contains
translated environmental notices.

v IBM License Agreement for Machine Code

This document is in PDF. It provides translated versions of the IBM License
Agreement for Machine Code for your product.

v IBM Warranty Information

This printed document contains the warranty terms and a pointer to the IBM
Statement of Limited Warranty on the IBM Web site.

v Licenses and Attributions Documents

This document is in PDF. It provides the open-source notices.

v Problem Determination and Service Guide

This document is in PDF on the IBM System x Documentation CD. It contains
information to help you solve problems yourself, and it contains information for
service technicians.

v Rack Installation Instructions

This printed document contains instructions for installing the server in a rack and
comes with the rack kit.

v Safety Information

This document is in PDF on the IBM System x Documentation CD. It contains
translated caution and danger statements. Each caution and danger statement

4 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

that appears in the documentation has a number that you can use to locate the
corresponding statement in your language in the Safety Information document.

Depending on the server model, additional documentation might be included on the
IBM System x Documentation CD.

The System x and BladeCenter Tools Center is an online information center that
contains information about tools for updating, managing, and deploying firmware,
device drivers, and operating systems. The System x and BladeCenter Tools Center
is at http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/toolsctr/v1r0/index.jsp.

The server might have features that are not described in the documentation that
you received with the server. The documentation might be updated occasionally to
include information about those features, or technical updates might be available to
provide additional information that is not included in the server documentation.
These updates are available from the IBM Web site. To check for updates, go to
http://www.ibm.com/supportportal/.

Notices and statements in this document

The caution and danger statements in this document are also in the multilingual
Safety Information document, which is on the IBM System x Documentation CD.
Each statement is numbered for reference to the corresponding statement in your
language in the Safety Information document.

The following notices and statements are used in this document:

v Note: These notices provide important tips, guidance, or advice.
v Important: These notices provide information or advice that might help you avoid

inconvenient or problem situations.

v Attention: These notices indicate potential damage to programs, devices, or

data. An attention notice is placed just before the instruction or situation in which
damage might occur.

v Caution: These statements indicate situations that can be potentially hazardous

to you. A caution statement is placed just before the description of a potentially
hazardous procedure step or situation.

v Danger: These statements indicate situations that can be potentially lethal or

extremely hazardous to you. A danger statement is placed just before the
description of a potentially lethal or extremely hazardous procedure step or
situation.

Chapter 1. The System x3550 M3 server 5

Features and specifications

The following information is a summary of the features and specifications of the
server. Depending on the model, some features might not be available, or some
specifications might not apply.

Table 1. Features and specifications

Microprocessor:

v Supports up to two Intel Xeon

multi-core microprocessors (one
installed)

v Level-3 cache
v QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) links

speed up to 6.4 GT per second

Note:

v Do not install an Intel Xeon

series microprocessor and an Xeon
5600 series microprocessor in the same
server.

v Use the Setup utility program to

determine the type and speed of the
microprocessors.

v For a list of supported microprocessors,

see http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/
serverproven/compat/us/.

Memory:

v Minimum: 2 GB
v Maximum: 288 GB

– 48 GB using unbuffered DIMMs

(UDIMMs)

– 288 GB using registered DIMMs

(RDIMMs)

v Type: PC3-10600R-999, 800, 1067, and

1333 MHz, ECC, DDR3 registered or
unbuffered SDRAM DIMMs

v Slots: 18 dual inline
v Supports (depending on the model):

– 2 GB and 4 GB unbuffered DIMMs
– 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB, and 16 GB

registered DIMMs

SATA optical drives (optional):

v DVD-ROM
v Multi-burner

Hot-swap fans:

The server comes standard with five
dual-motor hot-swap fans.

™

™

5500

Hard disk drive expansion bays
(depending on the model):

v Up to eight 2.5-inch hot-swap SAS or

hot-swap SATA hard disk drive bays

v Up to four 2.5-inch hot-swap

SAS/SATA or simple-swap SATA hard
disk drive bays (on server models with
an optional optical drive bay)

PCI expansion slots:

™

Supports two PCI riser slots:
v Slot 1 supports low-profile cards (PCI

Express Gen2 x16 or PCI-X 1.0a
64-bit/133 MHz ).

v Slot 2 supports half-length, full-height

cards (PCI Express Gen2 x16 or
PCI-X 1.0a 64-bit/133 MHz).

Video controller (integrated into IMM):

v Matrox G200eV (two analog ports -

one front and one rear that can be
connected at the same time)
Note: The maximum video resolution
is 1600 x 1200 at 75 Hz.
– SVGA compatible video controller
– DDR2 250 MHz SDRAM video

– Avocent Digital Video Compression
– 16 MB of video memory (not

memory controller

expandable)

Power supply:

v Up to two hot-swap power supplies for

redundancy support
– 460-watt ac
– 675-watt ac
– 675-watt high-efficiency ac
– 675-watt dc

Note: You cannot mix 460-watt and
675-watt power supplies, high-efficiency and
non-high-efficiency power supplies, or ac
and dc power supplies in the server.

Environment:

v Air temperature:

– Server on: 10°C to 35°C (50°F to

95°F); altitude: 0 to 914.4 m (3000 ft),
decrease system temperature by

1.0°C for every 1000-foot increase in
altitude

– Server off: 5°C to 45°C (41°F to

113°F); maximum altitude: 3048 m
(10000 ft)

– Shipment: -40°C to 60°C

(-40°F to 140°F); maximum altitude:
3048 m (10000 ft)

v Humidity:

– Server on: 20% to 80%; maximum

dew point: 21°C; maximum rate of
change: 5 °C/hr

– Server off: 8% to 80%; maximum dew

point: 27°C

v Particulate contamination:

Attention: Airborne particulates and
reactive gases acting alone or in
combination with other environmental
factors such as humidity or temperature
might pose a risk to the server. For
information about the limits for
particulates and gases, see “Particulate
contamination” on page 131.

Heat output:

Approximate heat output:
v Minimum configuration: 662 Btu per hour

(194 watts)

v Maximum configuration: 2302 Btu per

hour (675 watts)

6 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

Table 1. Features and specifications (continued)

Integrated functions:

v Integrated Management Module (IMM),

which provides service processor
control and monitoring functions, video
controller, and (when the optional virtual
media key is installed) remote
keyboard, video, mouse, and remote
hard disk drive capabilities

v Broadcom BCM5709 Gb Ethernet

controller with TCP/IP Offload Engine
(TOE) and Wake on LAN support

v Five Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0

ports (two front and two rear of the
chassis, and one on the SAS/SATA
RAID riser card in which the optional
USB flash device with embedded
hypervisor software is installed)

v Four Ethernet ports (two on system

board and two additional ports when the
optional IBM Dual-Port 1 Gb Ethernet
Daughter Card is installed)

v One System Management RJ-45 on the

rear to connect to a systems
management network. This system
management connector is dedicated to
the IMM functions. This connector is
active with or without the optional IBM
Virtual Media Key installed.

v One serial port

RAID controllers (depending on the
model):

v A ServeRAID-BR10il v2 SAS/SATA

adapter that provides RAID levels 0, 1,
and 1E (comes standard on some
hot-swap models).

v An optional ServeRAID-BR10i

SAS/SATA adapter that provides RAID
levels 0, 1, and 1E can be ordered.

v An optional ServeRAID-MR10i

SAS/SATA adapter that provides RAID
levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60 can be
ordered.

v An optional ServerRAID M1015

SAS/SATA adapter that provides RAID
levels 0, 1, and 10 with optional RAID
5/50 and SED (Self Encrypting Drive)
upgrade.

v An optional ServeRAID M5014

SAS/SATA adapter that provides RAID
levels 0, 1, 5, 10 and 50 with optional
RAID 6/60 and SED upgrade.

v An optional ServeRAID M5015

SAS/SATA adapter that provides RAID
levels 0, 1, 5, 10, and 50 with optional
RAID 6/60 and SED upgrade.

Size:

v 1U
v Height: 43 mm (1.7 inches)
v Depth: 711 mm (28.0 inches)
v Width: 440 mm (17.3 inches)
v Weight: approximately 15.9 kg (35.1

lb) when fully configured

Electrical input:

v Sine-wave input (47 - 63 Hz) required
v Input voltage low range:

– Minimum: 100 V ac
– Maximum: 127 V ac

v Input voltage high range:

– Minimum: 200 V ac
– Maximum: 240 V ac

v Input kilovolt-amperes (kVA),

approximately:
– Minimum: 0.090 kVA
– Maximum: 0.700 kVA

Notes:

1. Power consumption and heat output
vary depending on the number and type
of optional features installed and the
power-management optional features in
use.

2. The sound levels were measured in
controlled acoustical environments
according to the procedures specified
by the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) S12.10 and ISO 7779
and are reported in accordance with
ISO 9296. Actual sound-pressure levels
in a given location might exceed the
average values stated because of room
reflections and other nearby noise
sources. The noise emission level
stated in the declared (upper limit)
sound-power level, in bels, for a random
sample of system.

Acoustical noise emissions:

v Sound power, idling: 6.1 bels

maximum

v Sound power, operating: 6.1 bels

maximum

Chapter 1. The System x3550 M3 server

7

What your server offers

The server uses the following features and technologies:

v Integrated Management Module

The Integrated Management module (IMM) combines service processor
functions, video controller, and (when an optional virtual media key is installed)
remote presence function in a single chip. The IMM provides advanced
service-processor control, monitoring, and alerting function. If an environmental
condition exceeds a threshold or if a system component fails, the IMM lights
LEDs to help you diagnose the problem, records the error in the event log, and
alerts you to the problem. Optionally, the IMM also provides a virtual presence
capability for remote server management capabilities. The IMM provides remote
server management through the following industry-standard interfaces:

– Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) version 2.0
– Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) version 3
– Common Information Model (CIM)
– Web browser
For additional information, see “Using the integrated management module” on

page 117.

v UEFI-compliant server firmware

IBM System x Server Firmware (server firmware) offers several features,
including Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) 2.1 compliance; Active
Energy Manager technology; enhanced reliability, availability, and serviceability
(RAS) capabilities; and basic input/output system (BIOS) compatibility support.
UEFI replaces the BIOS and defines a standard interface between the operating
system, platform firmware, and external devices. UEFI-compliant System x
servers are capable of booting UEFI-compliant operating systems, BIOS-based
operating systems, and BIOS-based adapters as well as UEFI-compliant
adapters.

Note: The server does not support DOS (Disk Operating System).

v IBM Dynamic System Analysis Preboot diagnostics programs

The Dynamic System Analysis (DSA) Preboot diagnostics programs are stored
on the integrated USB memory. It collects and analyzes system information to aid
in diagnosing server problems. The diagnostic programs collect the following
information about the server:

– System configuration
– Network interfaces and settings
– Installed hardware
– Light path diagnostics status
– Service processor status and configuration
– Vital product data, firmware, and UEFI (formerly BIOS) configuration
– Hard disk drive health
– RAID controller configuration
– Event logs for ServeRAID controllers and service processors
The diagnostic programs create a merged log that includes events from all

collected logs. The information is collected into a file that you can send to IBM
service and support. Additionally, you can view the information locally through a
generated text report file. You can also copy the log to a removable media and
view the log from a Web browser.

8 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

For additional information about DSA Preboot diagnostics, see the Problem
Determination and Service Guide on the IBM System x Documentation CD

v Multi-core processing

™

The server supports up to two Intel Xeon

multi-core microprocessors. The

server comes with only one microprocessor installed.

v IBM Systems Director

IBM Systems Director is a workgroup-hardware-management tool that you can
use to centrally manage System x and xSeries servers. For more information,
see the IBM Systems Director Information Center at http://
publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/eserver/v1r2/topic/diricinfo_all/
diricinfoparent.html and “IBM Systems Director” on page 13.

v IBM X-Architecture technology

IBM X-Architecture technology combines proven, innovative IBM designs to make
your Intel-processor-based server powerful, scalable, and reliable. For more
information, see http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/xseries/xarchitecture/
enterprise/index.html.

™

– Active

Memory

The Active Memory feature improves the reliability of memory through memory
mirroring. Memory mirroring mode replicates and stores data on two pairs of
DIMMs within two channels simultaneously. If a failure occurs, the memory
controller switches from the primary pair of memory DIMMs to the backup pair
of DIMMs. For more information about installing DIMMs for memory mirroring,
see “Installing a memory module” on page 56.

– Remote presence capability and blue-screen capture

The remote presence and blue-screen capture features are integrated
functions of the Integrated Management Module (IMM) and are available with
the purchase of the optional IBM Virtual Media Key. A virtual media key is
required to enable the remote presence and blue-screen capture features.
The remote presence feature provides the following functions:

- Remotely viewing video with graphics resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 at 75
Hz, regardless of the system state

- Remotely accessing the server, using the keyboard and mouse from a
remote client

- Mapping the CD or DVD drive, diskette drive, and USB flash drive on a
remote client, and mapping ISO and diskette image files as virtual drives
that are available for use by the server

- Uploading a diskette image to the IMM memory and mapping it to the
server as a virtual drive

The blue-screen capture feature captures the video display contents before
the IMM restarts the server when the IMM detects an operating-system hang
condition. A system administrator can use the blue-screen capture to assist in
determining the cause of the hang condition.

See “Using the remote presence capability and blue-screen capture” on page
119 for additional information.

Chapter 1. The System x3550 M3 server 9

– Large system-memory capacity

The memory bus supports up to 192 GB of system memory when registered
DIMMs are installed. The server supports up to 48 GB if unbuffered DIMMs
are installed. The memory controller supports error correcting code (ECC) for
up to 18 industry-standard PC3-10600R-999, 800, 1067, and 1333 MHz,
DDR3 (third-generation double-data-rate), synchronous dynamic random
access memory (SDRAM) dual inline memory modules (DIMMs).

v IBM ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD

The ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD, which you can download from the
Web, provides programs to help you set up the server and install a Windows
operating system. The ServerGuide program detects installed optional hardware
devices and provides the correct configuration programs and device drivers. For
more information about the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD, see “Using
the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD” on page 114.

v Integrated network support

The server comes with an integrated dual-port Broadcom Gigabit Ethernet
controller, which supports connection to a 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, or 1000 Mbps
network. For more information, see “Configuring the Gigabit Ethernet controller”
on page 121.

v Integrated Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

This integrated security chip performs cryptographic functions and stores private
and public secure keys. It provides the hardware support for the Trusted
Computing Group (TCG) specification. You can download the software to support
the TCG specification, when the software is available. See http://www.ibm.com/
servers/eserver/xseries/scalable_family.html for details about the TPM
implementation. You can enable TPM support through the Setup utility under the
System Security menu option.

v Large data-storage capacity and hot-swap capability

The hot-swap server models support a maximum of eight 2.5-inch hot-swap
Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) hard disk drives or hot-swap Serial ATA (SATA) hard
disk drives. The simple-swap server models support a maximum of four 2.5-inch
simple-swap SATA hard disk drives.

With the hot-swap feature, you can add, remove, or replace hard disk drives
without turning off the server.

v Light path diagnostics

Light path diagnostics provides LEDs to help you diagnose problems. For more
information about the light path diagnostics, see “Light path diagnostics panel” on
page 15 and the Problem Determination and Service Guide on the IBM System x
Documentation CD.

v PCI adapter capabilities

The server has two PCI interface slots (one supports low-profile cards, and one
supports half-length, full-height cards). Both slots can support PCI Express or
PCI-X adapters through an optional PCI riser card. See “Installing an adapter” on
page 70 for detailed information.

v Active Energy Manager

The IBM Active Energy Manager solution is an IBM Systems Director plug-in that
measures and reports server power consumption as it occurs. This enables you
to monitor power consumption in correlation to specific software application
programs and hardware configurations. You can obtain the measurement values
through the systems-management interface and view them, using IBM Systems
Director. For more information, including the required levels of IBM Systems
Director and Active Energy Manager, see the IBM Systems Director

10 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

documentation on the IBM Systems Director CD, or see http://www.ibm.com/
servers/systems/management/director/resources/.

v Redundant connection

The addition of the optional Ethernet daughter card provides failover capability to
a redundant Ethernet connection with the applicable application installed. If a
problem occurs with the primary Ethernet connection and the optional Ethernet
daughter card is installed on the server, all Ethernet traffic that is associated with
the primary connection is automatically switched to the optional redundant
Ethernet daughter card connection. If the applicable device drivers are installed,
this switching occurs without data loss and without user intervention.

v Redundant cooling and optional power capabilities

The server supports a maximum of two 675-watt or 460-watt hot-swap power
supplies and six dual-motor hot-swap fans, which provide redundancy and
hot-swap capability for a typical configuration. The redundant cooling by the fans
in the server enables continued operation if one of the fans fails. The server
comes with one 675-watt or 460-watt hot-swap power supply and five fans.

You must install the sixth fan when you install the second microprocessor in the
server. You can order the second optional power supply for power redundancy.

Note: You cannot mix 460-watt and 675-watt power supplies, high-efficiency and

non-high-efficiency power supplies, or ac and dc power supplies in the
server.

v ServeRAID support

The ServeRAID adapter provides hardware redundant array of independent disks
(RAID) support to create configurations. The standard RAID adapter provides
RAID levels 0, 1, and 1E. An optional RAID adapter is available for purchase.

v Systems-management capabilities

The server comes with an integrated management module (IMM). When the IMM
is used with the systems-management software that comes with the server, you
can manage the functions of the server locally and remotely. The IMM also
provides system monitoring, event recording, and network alert capability. The
system-management connector on the rear of the server is dedicated to the IMM.
The dedicated system-management connector provides additional security by
physically separating the management network traffic from the production
network. You can use the Setup utility to configure the server to use a dedicated
systems-management network or a shared network.

v TCP/IP offload engine (TOE) support

The Ethernet controllers in the server support TOE, which is a technology that
offloads the TCP/IP flow from the microprocessor and I/O subsystem to increase
the speed of the TCP/IP flow. When an operating system that supports TOE is
running on the server and TOE is enabled, the server supports TOE operation.
See the operating-system documentation for information about enabling TOE.

Note: As of the date of this document, the Linux operating system does not

Reliability, availability, and serviceability

Three important computer design features are reliability, availability, and
serviceability (RAS). The RAS features help to ensure the integrity of the data that
is stored in the server, the availability of the server when you need it, and the ease
with which you can diagnose and correct problems.

support TOE.

Chapter 1. The System x3550 M3 server 11

Your server has the following RAS features:
v 3-year parts and 3-year labor limited warranty for machine type 7944 and 4-year

parts and 4-year labor limited warranty for machine type 4254

v Automatic error retry and recovery
v Automatic restart on nonmaskable interrupt (NMI)
v Automatic restart after a power failure
v Backup basic input/output system switching under the control of the Integrated

Management Module (IMM)

v Built-in monitoring for fan, power, temperature, voltage, and power-supply

redundancy

v Cable-presence detection on most connectors
v Chipkill memory protection
v Diagnostic support for ServeRAID and Ethernet adapters
v Error codes and messages
v Error correcting code (ECC) L2 cache and system memory
v Hot-swap cooling fans with speed-sensing capability
v Hot-swap hard disk drives
v Information and light path diagnostics LED panels
v Integrated Management Module (IMM)
v Menu-driven setup, system configuration, and redundant array of independent

disks (RAID) configuration programs

v Microprocessor built-in self-test (BIST), internal error signal monitoring,

configuration checking, and microprocessor and voltage regulator module failure
identification through light path diagnostics

v Memory mirroring support (memory mirroring are mutually exclusive of each

other)

v Parity checking on the small computer system interface (SCSI) bus and PCI

buses

v Power management: Compliance with Advanced Configuration and Power

Interface (ACPI)

v Power-on self-test (POST)
v Predictive Failure Analysis (PFA) alerts on memory, SAS/SATA hard disk drives,

fans, and power supplies

v Redundant Ethernet capabilities with failover support
v Redundant hot-swap power supplies and redundant hot-swap fans
v Redundant Network Interface Card (NIC) support
v Remind button to temporarily turn off the system-error LED
v Remote system problem-determination support
v ROM-based diagnostics
v ROM checksums
v Serial Presence Detection (SPD) on memory, VPD, power supply, and hard disk

drives backplane

v Single-DIMM isolation of excessive correctable error or multi-bit error by the

Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI)

v Standby voltage for system-management features and monitoring
v Startup (boot) from LAN through remote initial program load (RIPL) or dynamic

host configuration protocol/boot protocol (DHCP/BOOTP)

v System auto-configuring from the configuration menu
v System-error logging (POST and IMM)
v Systems-management monitoring through the Inter-Integrated Circuit (IC)

protocol bus

v Upgradeable POST, Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI), diagnostics,

IMM firmware, and read-only memory (ROM) resident code, locally or over the
LAN

v Vital product data (VPD) on microprocessors, system board, power supplies, and

SAS/SATA (hot-swap hard disk drive) backplane

12 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

v Wake on LAN capability

IBM Systems Director

IBM Systems Director is a platform-management foundation that streamlines the
way you manage physical and virtual systems supports multiple operating systems
and virtualization technologies in IBM and non-IBM x86 platforms.

Through a single user interface, IBM Systems Director provides consistent views for
viewing managed systems, determining how these systems relate to one other, and
identifying their statuses, helping to correlate technical resources with business
needs. A set of common tasks that are included with IBM Systems Director provides
many of the core capabilities that are required for basic management, which means
instant out-of-the-box business value. The common tasks include the following:

v Discovery
v Inventory
v Configuration
v System health
v Monitoring
v Updates
v Event notification
v Automation for managed systems

The IBM Systems Director Web and command-line interfaces provide a consistent
interface that is focused on driving these common tasks and capabilities:

v Discovering, navigating, and visualizing systems on the network with the detailed

inventory and relationships to the other network resources

v Notifying users of problems that occur on systems and the ability to isolate the

sources of the problems

v Notifying users when systems need updates and distributing and installing

updates on a schedule

v Analyzing real-time data for systems and setting critical thresholds that notify the

administrator of emerging problems

v Configuring settings of a single system and creating a configuration plan that can

apply those settings to multiple systems

v Updating installed plug-ins to add new features and functions to the base

capabilities

v Managing the life cycles of virtual resources

For more information about IBM Systems Director, see the documentation on the
IBM Systems Director CD that comes with the server and the IBM xSeries Systems
Management Web page at http://www.ibm.com/systems/management/, which
presents an overview of IBM Systems Management and IBM Systems Director.

The UpdateXpress System Packs

The UpdateXpress System Pack Installer detects supported and installed device
drivers and firmware in the server and installs available updates. For additional
information and to download the UpdateXpress System Pack Installer, go to the
ToolsCenter for System x and BladeCenter at, go to http://www.ibm.com/systems/
support/supportsite.wss/docdisplay?lndocid=SERV-XPRESS&brandind=5000008.

Chapter 1. The System x3550 M3 server 13

Server controls, LEDs, and power

This section describes the controls and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and how to turn
the server on and off. For the locations of other LEDs on the system board, see
“System-board LEDs” on page 43.

Front view

The following illustration shows the controls, LEDs, and connectors on the front of
the hot-swap server model.

Hard disk drive
activity LED (green)

Hard disk drive
status LED (amber)

Drive bay 0 Drive bay 2

Optional
optical drive
activity LED

Optional
optical drive
eject button

USB 1
connector

USB 2
connector

Video
connector

Rack
release
latch

Drive bay 1 Drive bay 3

Optional
drive bay

Power-control
button and LED

Operator
information
panel

Rack
release
latch

Operator information
panel release latch

v Rack release latches: Press the latches on each front side of the server to

remove the server from the rack.

v Hard disk drive status LEDs: This LED is used on hot-swap SAS or SATA hard

disk drives. When this LED is lit, it indicates that the drive has failed. If an
optional IBM ServeRAID controller is installed in the server, when this LED is
flashing slowly (one flash per second), it indicates that the drive is being rebuilt.
When the LED is flashing rapidly (three flashes per second), it indicates that the
controller is identifying the drive.

v Hard disk drive activity LEDs: This LED is used on hot-swap SAS or SATA

hard disk drives. Each hot-swap hard disk drive has an activity LED, and when
this LED is flashing, it indicates that the drive is in use.

v Optional DVD eject button: Press this button to release a DVD or CD from the

optional DVD drive.

v Optional DVD drive activity LED: When this LED is lit, it indicates that the

optional DVD drive is in use.

v Operator information panel: This panel contains controls and LEDs that

provides information about the status of the server. For information about the
controls and LEDs on the operator information panel, see “Operator information
panel” on page 15.

v Operator information panel release latch: Slide the blue release latch to the

left to pull out the light path diagnostics panel and view the light path diagnostics
LEDs and buttons. See “Light path diagnostics panel” on page 15 and the
Problem Determination and Service Guide for more information about the light
path diagnostics.

v Video connector: Connect a monitor to this connector. The video connectors on

the front and rear of the server can be used simultaneously.

Note: The maximum video resolution is 1600 x 1200 at 75 Hz.

v USB connectors: Connect a USB device, such as a USB mouse or keyboard to

any of these connectors.

14 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

Operator information panel

The following illustration shows the controls and LEDs on the operator information
panel.

v Power-control button and power-on LED: Press this button to turn the server

on and off manually or to wake the server from a reduced-power state. The
states of the power-on LED are as follows:

Off: Power is not present, or the power supply or the LED itself has failed.
Flashing rapidly (4 times per second): The server is turned off and is not

ready to be turned on. The power-control button is disabled. This will last
approximately 20 to 40 seconds.

Flashing slowly (once per second): The server is turned off and is ready to
be turned on. You can press the power-control button to turn on the server.

Lit: The server is turned on.
Fading on and off: The server is in a reduced-power state. To wake the

server, press the power-control button or use the IMM Web interface. See
“Logging on to the Web interface” on page 120 for information on logging on
to the IMM Web interface.

v Ethernet activity LEDs: When any of these LEDs is lit, they indicate that the

server is transmitting to or receiving signals from the Ethernet LAN that is
connected to the Ethernet port that corresponds to that LED.

v System-locator button/LED: Use this blue LED to visually locate the server

among other servers. This LED is also used as a presence detection button. You
can use IBM Systems Director to light this LED remotely. This LED is controlled
by the IMM. When you press the System-locator button, the LED will blink and it
will continue to blink until you press it again to turn it off. The locator button is
pressed to visually locate the server among the others servers.

v System-information LED: When this amber LED is lit, it indicates that a

noncritical event has occurred. Check the error log for additional information. See
the Problem Determination and Service Guide on the System x Documentation
CD for more information about error logs.

v System-error LED: When this amber LED is lit, it indicates that a system error

has occurred. A system-error LED is also on the rear of the server. An LED on
the light path diagnostics panel on the operator information panel is also lit to
help isolate the error. This LED is controlled by the IMM.

Light path diagnostics panel

The light path diagnostics panel is on the top of the operator information panel. For
additional information about the LEDs on the light path diagnostics panel, see
Table 2 on page 18.

Chapter 1. The System x3550 M3 server 15

Note: The system service label on the underside of the cover also provides

information about the location of the light path diagnostics LEDs.

To access the light path diagnostics panel, slide the blue release button on the
operator information panel to the left. Pull forward on the unit until the hinge of the
operator panel is free of the server chassis. Then pull down on the unit, so that you
can view the light path diagnostics panel information.

Note: When you slide the light path diagnostics panel out of the server to check

the LEDs or checkpoint codes, do not run the server continuously with light
path diagnostics panel outside of the server. The panel should only be
outside of the server a short time. The light path diagnostics panel must
remain in the server when the server is running to ensure proper cooling.

Operator information
panel

Light path
diagnostics LEDs

Release latch

The following illustration shows the LEDs and controls on the light path diagnostics
panel.

v Remind button: This button places the system-error LED on the front panel into

Remind mode. In Remind mode, the system-error LED flashes once every 2
seconds until the problem is corrected, the server is restarted, or a new problem
occurs.

By placing the system-error LED indicator in Remind mode, you acknowledge
that you are aware of the last failure but will not take immediate action to correct
the problem. The remind function is controlled by the IMM.

v NMI button: Press this button to force a nonmaskable interrupt to the

microprocessor. You might have to use a pen or the end of a straightened paper

16 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

clip to press the button. It allows you to blue screen the server and take a
memory dump (use this button only when directed by the IBM service support).

v Checkpoint code display: This display provides a checkpoint code that

indicates the point at which the system stopped during the boot block and POST.
A checkpoint code is either a byte or a word value that is produced by UEFI. The
display does not provide error codes or suggest components to be replaced.

v Reset button: Press this button to reset the server and run the power-on

self-test (POST). You might have to use a pen or the end of a straightened paper
clip to press the button. The Reset button is in the lower-right corner of the light
path diagnostics panel.

Chapter 1. The System x3550 M3 server 17

Table 2. Light path diagnostics panel LEDs

v Follow the suggested actions in the order in which they are listed in the Action column until the problem

is solved.

v See Chapter 3, "Parts listing", in the Problem Determination and Service Guide to determine which

components are customer replaceable units (CRU) and which components are field replaceable units
(FRU).

v If an action step is preceded by "(Trained service technician only)," that step must be performed only by a

trained service technician.

LED Description Action

None, but the
system error LED
is lit.

OVER SPEC The power supplies are using

An error has occurred and cannot
be isolated. The error is not
represented by a path.

more power than their maximum
rating.

Use the Setup utility to check the system error log for
information about the error.

If the OVER SPEC LED on the light path diagnostics panel is
lit, or any of the six 12 V channel error LEDs (A, B, C, D, E,
or AUX) on the system board are lit, use one of the following
procedures.

If the 12 V channel A error LED is lit, complete the following
steps:

1. Turn off the server and disconnect the power from the
server.

2. Remove the optical drive, fans, hard disk drives, and hard
disk drive backplane.

3. Restart the server to see whether the problem remains.

4. Reinstall each device that you removed in step 2 one at a
time, starting the server each time, to isolate the failing
device.

5. Replace any failing device.

6. (Trained service technician only) Replace the system
board.

If the 12 V channel B error LED is lit, complete the following
steps:

1. Turn off the server and disconnect the power from the
server.

2. Remove the PCI riser card in connector 1, all DIMMs, and
the microprocessor in socket 2.

3. Restart the server to see whether the problem remains.

4. Reinstall each device that you removed in step 2 one at a
time, starting the server each time, to isolate the failing
device.

5. Replace any failing device.

6. (Trained service technician only) Replace the system
board.

(Continued on the next page)

18 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

Table 2. Light path diagnostics panel LEDs (continued)

v Follow the suggested actions in the order in which they are listed in the Action column until the problem

is solved.

v See Chapter 3, "Parts listing", in the Problem Determination and Service Guide to determine which

components are customer replaceable units (CRU) and which components are field replaceable units
(FRU).

v If an action step is preceded by "(Trained service technician only)," that step must be performed only by a

trained service technician.

LED Description Action

OVER SPEC
(Continued)

The power supplies are using
more power than their maximum
rating.

If the 12 V channel C error LED is lit, complete the following
steps:

1. Turn off the server and disconnect the power from the
server.

2. Remove the SAS/SATA RAID riser card, DIMMs in
connectors 1 through 9, and the microprocessor in socket

1.
Note: The server will not power-on when the
microprocessor in socket 1 or 2 is not installed in the
server. (Trained service technician only) Toggle the switch
block (SW4), bit 3 to allow the server to power-on. See
“System-board switches and jumpers” on page 39 for the
location of the SW4 switch block on the system board.

3. Restart the server to see whether the problem remains.

4. Reinstall each device that you removed in step 2 one at a
time, starting the server each time, to isolate the failing
device.

5. Replace any failing device.

6. (Trained service technician only) Replace the system
board.

If the 12 V channel D error LED is lit, complete the following
steps:

1. Turn off the server and disconnect the power from the
server.

2. (Trained service technician only) Remove the
microprocessor in socket 1.
Note: The server will not power-on when the
microprocessor in socket 1 or 2 is not installed in the
server. (Trained service technician only) Toggle the switch
block (SW4), bit 3 to allow the server to power-on. See
“System-board switches and jumpers” on page 39 for the
location of the SW4 switch block on the system board.

3. Restart the server to see whether the problem remains.

4. (Trained service technician only) Reinstall the
microprocessor in socket 1 and restart the server.

5. Replace any failing device.

6. (Trained service technician only) Replace the system
board.

(Continued on the next page.)

Chapter 1. The System x3550 M3 server 19

Table 2. Light path diagnostics panel LEDs (continued)

v Follow the suggested actions in the order in which they are listed in the Action column until the problem

is solved.

v See Chapter 3, "Parts listing", in the Problem Determination and Service Guide to determine which

components are customer replaceable units (CRU) and which components are field replaceable units
(FRU).

v If an action step is preceded by "(Trained service technician only)," that step must be performed only by a

trained service technician.

LED Description Action

OVER SPEC
(Continued)

The power supplies are using
more power than their maximum
rating.

If the 12 V channel E error LED is lit, complete the following
steps:

1. Turn off the server and disconnect the power from the
server.

2. Remove the PCI riser card from PCI riser connector 2 and
the microprocessor in socket 2.

3. Restart the server to see whether the problem remains.

4. Reinstall each device that you removed in step 2 one at a
time, starting the server each time, to isolate the failing
device.

5. Replace any failing device.

6. (Trained service technician only) Replace the system
board.

If the 12 V AUX channel error LED is lit, complete the
following steps:

1. Turn off the server and disconnect the power from the
server.

2. Remove all PCI Express and PCI-X cards, all PCI riser
cards, the operator information panel, and the Ethernet
adapter (if installed).
Note: The server will not power-on when the
microprocessor in socket 1 or 2 is not installed in the
server. (Trained service technician only) Toggle the switch
block (SW4), bit 3 to allow the server to power-on. See
“System-board switches and jumpers” on page 39 for the
location of the SW4 switch block on the system board.

3. Restart the server to see whether the problem remains.

4. Reinstall each device that was removed in step 2 one at a
time, starting the server each time, to isolate the failing
device.

5. Replace any failing device.

6. (Trained service technician only) Replace the system
board.

LOG An error occurred. Check the IMM system event log and the system-error log for

information about the error. Replace any components that are

identified in the error logs.
LINK Reserved.
PS Power supply 1 or 2 has failed.

1. Check the power-supply that has an lit amber LED (see
“Power-supply LEDs” on page 27).

2. Make sure that the power supplies are seated correctly.

3. Remove one of the power supplies to isolate the failed
power supply.

4. Replace the failed power supply.

20 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

Table 2. Light path diagnostics panel LEDs (continued)

v Follow the suggested actions in the order in which they are listed in the Action column until the problem

is solved.

v See Chapter 3, "Parts listing", in the Problem Determination and Service Guide to determine which

components are customer replaceable units (CRU) and which components are field replaceable units
(FRU).

v If an action step is preceded by "(Trained service technician only)," that step must be performed only by a

trained service technician.

LED Description Action

PCI An error has occurred on a PCI

bus or on the system board. An
additional LED is lit next to a
failing PCI slot.

1. Check the LEDs on the PCI slots to identify the
component that caused the error.

2. Check the system-error log for information about the error.

3. If you cannot isolate the failing adapter by using the LEDs
and the information in the system-error log, remove one
adapter at a time from the failing PCI bus; and restart the
server after each adapter is removed.

4. Replace the following components, in the order shown,
restarting the server each time:

v PCI riser card
v (Trained service technician only) Replace the system

board.

5. If the failure remains, go to http://www.ibm.com/systems/
support/supportsite.wss/docdisplay?brandind=5000008
&lndocid=SERV-CALL.

SP A service processor error has

been detected.

1. Shut down the system and remove the power cords from
the server; then, reconnect the server to power and restart
the server.

2. Update the IMM firmware (see the Problem Determination
and Service Guide for more information).

3. (Trained service technician only) Replace the system
board, if the problem remains.

4. If the failure remains, go to http://www.ibm.com/systems/
support/supportsite.wss/docdisplay?brandind=5000008
&lndocid=SERV-CALL.

FAN A fan has failed, is operating too

slowly, or has been removed. The
TEMP LED might also be lit.

1. Reseat the failing fan, which is indicated by a lit LED near
the fan connector on the system board.

2. Replace the failing fan.
Note: If an LED near an unused fan connector on the
system board is lit, a PCI riser-card assembly might be
absent. Replace the PCI riser-card assembly (see
“Replacing a PCI riser-card assembly” on page 68). One
PCI riser-card assembly must always be present in PCI
connector 2.

TEMP The system temperature has

exceeded a threshold level. A
failing fan can cause the TEMP
LED to be lit.

1. Make sure that the heat sink is seated correctly.

2. Determine whether a fan has failed. If it has, replace it.

3. Make sure that the room temperature is not too high. See
Table 1 on page 6 for the server temperature information.

4. Make sure that the air vents are not blocked.

5. If the failure remains, go to http://www.ibm.com/systems/
support/supportsite.wss/docdisplay?brandind=5000008
&lndocid=SERV-CALL.

Chapter 1. The System x3550 M3 server 21

Table 2. Light path diagnostics panel LEDs (continued)

v Follow the suggested actions in the order in which they are listed in the Action column until the problem

is solved.

v See Chapter 3, "Parts listing", in the Problem Determination and Service Guide to determine which

components are customer replaceable units (CRU) and which components are field replaceable units
(FRU).

v If an action step is preceded by "(Trained service technician only)," that step must be performed only by a

trained service technician.

LED Description Action

MEM When only the MEM LED is lit, a

memory error has occurred.
When both the MEM and CNFG
LEDs are lit, the memory
configuration is invalid or the PCI
Option ROM is out of resource.

NMI A nonmaskable interrupt has

occurred, or the NMI button was
pressed.

CNFG A hardware configuration error

has occurred.

1. If the MEM LED and the CNFG LED are lit, complete the
following step:

a. Check the system-event log in the Setup utility or IMM

error messages (see the Problem Determination and
Service Guide for more information).

2. If the CNFG LED is not lit, the system might detect a
memory error. Complete the following steps to correct the
problem:

a. Update the server firmware to the latest level (see the

Problem Determination and Service Guide for more

information).
b. Reseat or swap the DIMMs.
c. Check the system-event log in the Setup utility or IMM

error messages (see the Problem Determination and

Service Guide for more information).

Check the system-error log for information about the error.

1. If the CNFG LED and the CPU LED are lit, complete the
following steps to correct the problem:

a. Check the microprocessors that were just installed to

make sure that they are compatible with each other
(see “Installing a second microprocessor and heat
sink” on page 84 for additional information about
microprocessor requirements).

b. (Trained service technician only) Replace the

incompatible microprocessor.

c. Check the system-error logs for information about the

error. Replace any components that are identified in
the error log.

2. If the CNFG LED and the MEM LED are lit, complete the
following step:

a. Check the system-event log in the Setup utility or IMM

error messages (see the Problem Determination and
Service Guide for more information).

22 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

Table 2. Light path diagnostics panel LEDs (continued)

v Follow the suggested actions in the order in which they are listed in the Action column until the problem

is solved.

v See Chapter 3, "Parts listing", in the Problem Determination and Service Guide to determine which

components are customer replaceable units (CRU) and which components are field replaceable units
(FRU).

v If an action step is preceded by "(Trained service technician only)," that step must be performed only by a

trained service technician.

LED Description Action

CPU An invalid microprocessor

configuration or a microprocessor
has failed (both the CPU LED and
the CNFG LED might be lit).

1. If the CNFG LED is lit, the system issues an invalid
microprocessor configuration error. Complete the following
steps to correct the problem:

a. Check the microprocessors that were just installed to

make sure that they are compatible with each other
(see “Installing a second microprocessor and heat
sink” on page 84 for additional information about
microprocessor requirements) and use the Setup utility
and select System Information → System Summary
→ Processor Details to verify the microprocessors
information.

b. (Trained service technician only) Replace the

incompatible microprocessor.

c. Check the system-error logs for information about the

error. Replace any components that are identified in
the error log.

2. If a microprocessor failure occurs, complete the following
steps:

a. (Trained service technician only) Make sure that the

failing microprocessor, which is indicated by a lit LED
on the system board, is installed correctly. See
“Installing a second microprocessor and heat sink” on
page 84 for information about installation and
requirements.

b. If the failure remains, go to http://www.ibm.com/

systems/support/supportsite.wss/
docdisplay?brandind=5000008&lndocid=SERV-CALL.

VRM Reserved.

Chapter 1. The System x3550 M3 server 23

Table 2. Light path diagnostics panel LEDs (continued)

v Follow the suggested actions in the order in which they are listed in the Action column until the problem

is solved.

v See Chapter 3, "Parts listing", in the Problem Determination and Service Guide to determine which

components are customer replaceable units (CRU) and which components are field replaceable units
(FRU).

v If an action step is preceded by "(Trained service technician only)," that step must be performed only by a

trained service technician.

LED Description Action

DASD A hard disk drive has failed or is

missing.

RAID Reserved.
BRD An error has occurred on the

system board.

1. Check the LEDs on the hard disk drives for the drive with
a lit status LED and reseat the hard disk drive.

2. Reseat the hard disk drive backplane (see the Problem
Determination and Service Guide for more information).

3. For more information, see the “Hard disk drive problems”
under the Troubleshooting tables in the Problem
Determination and Service Guide.

4. If the error remains, replace the following components in
the order listed, restarting the server after each:

a. Replace the hard disk drive.
b. Replace the hard disk drive backplane.

5. If the error remains, replace the following components one
at a time, in the order listed, restarting the server after
each:

a. Replace the hard disk drive.
b. Replace the hard disk drive backplane.

6. If the problem remains, go to http://www.ibm.com/systems/
support/supportsite.wss/docdisplay?brandind=5000008
&lndocid=SERV-CALL.

1. Check the LEDs on the system board to identify the
component that caused the error. The BRD LED can be lit
due to any of the following reasons:

v Battery
v Missing PCI riser-card assembly
v Failed voltage regulator

2. Check the system-error log for information about the error.

3. Replace any failed or missing replacement components,
such as the battery or PCI riser-card assembly.

4. If a voltage regulator has failed, (trained service technician
only) replace the system board.

24 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

Rear view

The following illustration shows the connectors and LEDs on the rear of the server.

v PCI slot 1: Insert a low-profile PCI Express or PCI-X adapter into this slot. You

can purchase an optional PCI Express or PCI-X riser-card assembly with bracket
if you want to install a PCI adapter in this slot.

v PCI slot 2: Insert a half-length, full-height PCI Express or PCI-X adapter into this

slot. Standard models of the server come with one PCI Express riser-card
assembly installed in this slot. You can purchase an optional PCI-X riser-card
assembly with bracket if you want to install a PCI-X adapter in this slot.

v Power connector: Connect the power cord to this connector.

Note: Power supply 1 is the default/primary power supply. If power supply 1

fails, you must replace it immediately.

v Video connector: Connect a monitor to this connector. The video connectors on

the front and rear of the server can be used simultaneously.

Note: The maximum video resolution is 1600 x 1200 at 75 Hz.

v Serial connector: Connect a 9-pin serial device to this connector. The serial port

is shared with the integrated management module (IMM). The IMM can take
control of the shared serial port to redirect serial traffic, using Serial over LAN
(SOL).

v USB connectors: Connect a USB device, such as a USB mouse or keyboard to

any of these connectors.

v Systems-management Ethernet connector: Use this connector to manage the

server, using a dedicated management network. If you use this connector, the
IMM cannot be accessed directly from production network. A dedicated
management network provides additional security by physically separating the
management network traffic from the production network. You can use the Setup
utility to configure the server to use a dedicated systems management network or
a shared network.

v Ethernet connectors: Use either of these connectors to connect the server to a

network. When you use the Ethernet 1 connector, the network can be shared
with the IMM through a single network cable.

The following illustration shows the LEDs on the rear of the server.

Chapter 1. The System x3550 M3 server 25

The following illustration shows the LEDs on a dc power supply.

Power input LED

Power output LED

Power error LED

-48V

Ground

-48V return

v Ethernet activity LEDs: When these LEDs are lit, they indicate that the server is

transmitting to or receiving signals from the Ethernet LAN that is connected to
the Ethernet port.

v Ethernet link LEDs: When these LEDs are lit, they indicate that there is an

active link connection on the 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, or 1000BASE-TX
interface for the Ethernet port.

v AC power LED: Each hot-swap power supply has an ac power LED and a dc

power LED. When the ac power LED is lit, it indicates that sufficient power is
coming into the power supply through the power cord. During typical operation,
both the ac and dc power LEDs are lit. For any other combination of LEDs, see
the Problem Determination and Service Guide on the IBM System x
Documentation CD.

v IN OK power LED: Each hot-swap dc power supply has an IN OK power LED

and an OUT OK power LED. When the IN OK power LED is lit, it indicates that
sufficient power is coming into the power supply through the power cord. During
typical operation, both the IN OK and OUT OK power LEDs are lit. For any other
combination of LEDs, see the Problem Determination and Service Guide on the
IBM System x Documentation CD.

v DC power LED: Each hot-swap power supply has a dc power LED and an ac

power LED. When the dc power LED is lit, it indicates that the power supply is
supplying adequate dc power to the system. During typical operation, both the ac
and dc power LEDs are lit. For any other combination of LEDs, see the Problem
Determination and Service Guide on the IBM System x Documentation CD.

v OUT OK power LED: Each hot-swap dc power supply has an IN OK power LED

and an OUT OK power LED. When the OUT OK power LED is lit, it indicates that
the power supply is supplying adequate dc power to the system. During typical
operation, both the IN OK and OUT OK power LEDs are lit. For any other
combination of LEDs, see the Problem Determination and Service Guide on the
IBM System x Documentation CD.

26 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

v System-error LED: When this LED is lit, it indicates that a system error has

occurred. An LED on the light path diagnostics panel is also lit to help isolate the
error.

v Power-on LED: When this LED is lit and not flashing, it indicates that the server

is turned on. The states of the power-on LED are as follows:

Off: Power is not present, or the power supply or the LED itself has failed.
Flashing rapidly (4 times per second): The server is turned off and is not

ready to be turned on. The power-control button is disabled. This will last
approximately 20 to 40 seconds.

Flashing slowly (once per second): The server is turned off and is ready to
be turned on. You can press the power-control button to turn on the server.

Lit: The server is turned on.
Fading on and off: The server is in a reduced-power state. To wake the

server, press the power-control button or use the IMM Web interface. See
“Logging on to the Web interface” on page 120 for information on logging on
to the IMM Web interface.

v System-locator LED: Use this LED to visually locate the server among other

servers. You can use IBM Systems Director to light this LED remotely.

Power-supply LEDs

The following illustration shows the location of the power-supply LEDs on the rear
of the server. See the Problem Determination and Service Guide for additional
information about solving power-supply problems.

The following table describes the problems that are indicated by various
combinations of the power-supply LEDs on an ac power supply and suggested
actions to correct the detected problems.

Chapter 1. The System x3550 M3 server 27

AC power-supply LEDs

Description Action NotesAC DC Error (!)

On On Off Normal operation
Off Off Off No ac power to the

server or a problem
with the ac power
source.

Off Off On No ac power to the

server or a problem
with the ac power
source and the
power-supply had
detected an internal
problem.

Off On Off Faulty

power-supply

Off On On Faulty

power-supply

On Off Off Power-supply not

fully seated, faulty
system board, or
faulty power-supply

On Off On Faulty

power-supply

On On On Power-supply is

faulty but still
operational

1. Check the ac power to the
server.

2. Make sure that the power
cord is connected to a
functioning power source.

3. Restart the server. If the error
remains, check the
power-supply LEDs.

4. Replace the power-supply.

v Make sure that the power cord

is connected to a functioning
power source.

v Replace the power supply.

Replace the power supply.

Replace the power supply.

1. Reseat the power supply.

2. If a power channel error LED
on the system board is not lit,
replace the power-supply
(see the documentation that
comes with the power supply
for instructions).

3. If a power channel error LED
on the system board is lit,
(trained service technician
only) replace the system
board.

Replace the power supply.

Replace the power supply.

This is a normal
condition when no ac
power is present.

This happens only
when a second power
supply is providing
power to the server.

Typically indicates a
power-supply is not
fully seated.

The following illustration shows the locations of the power-supply LEDs on the dc
power supply.

28 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

Power input LED

Power output LED

Power error LED

-48V

Ground

-48V return

The following table describes the problems that are indicated by various
combinations of the power-supply LEDs on a dc power supply and suggested
actions to correct the detected problems.

Chapter 1. The System x3550 M3 server 29

DC power-supply LEDs

Description Action NotesIN OK OUT OK Error (!)

On On Off Normal operation
Off Off Off No dc power to the

server or a problem
with the dc power
source.

Off Off On No dc power to the

server or a problem
with the dc power
source and the
power-supply had
detected an internal
problem.

Off On Off Faulty

power-supply

Off On On Faulty

power-supply

On Off Off Power-supply not

fully seated, faulty
system board, or
faulty power-supply

On Off On Faulty

power-supply

On On On Power-supply is

faulty but still
operational

1. Check the dc power to the
server.

2. Make sure that the power
cord is connected to a
functioning power source.

3. Restart the server. If the error
remains, check the
power-supply LEDs.

4. Replace the power-supply.

v Make sure that the power cord

is connected to a functioning
power source.

v Replace the power supply

(see the documentation that
comes with the power supply
for instructions).

Replace the power supply.

Replace the power supply.

1. (Trained service technician
only) Reseat the power
supply.

2. If a power channel error LED
on the system board is not lit,
replace the power-supply
(see the documentation that
comes with the power supply
for instructions).

3. If a power channel error LED
on the system board is lit,
(trained service technician
only) replace the system
board.

Replace the power supply.

Replace the power supply.

This is a normal
condition when no dc
power is present.

Typically indicates a
power-supply is not
fully seated.

System pulse LEDs

The following LEDs are on the system board and monitors the system power-on
and power-off sequencing and boot progress (see “System-board LEDs” on page
43 for the location of these LEDs):

30 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

Table 3. System pulse LEDs

LED Description Action

Enclosure management heartbeat power-on and power-off sequencing.

IMM heartbeat IMM heartbeat boot process. The following steps describe the

1. If the LED blinks at 1Hz, it is
functioning properly and no action
is necessary.

2. If the LED is not blinking, (trained
service technician only) replace
the system board.

different stages of the IMM heartbeat
sequencing process.

1. When this LED is blinking fast
(approximately 4Hz), this
indicates, that the IMM code is in
the loading process.

2. When this LED goes off
momentarily, this indicates that
the IMM code has loaded
completely.

3. When this LED goes off
momentarily and then starts
blinking slowing (approximately
1Hz), this indicates that IMM is
fully operational. You can now
press the power-control button to
power-on the server.

4. If this LED does not blink within
30 seconds of connecting a power
source to the server, complete the
following steps:

a. (Trained service technician

only) use the IMM recovery
jumper to recover the firmware
(see “System-board switches
and jumpers” on page 39).

b. (Trained service technician

only) replace the system
board.

Server power features

When the server is connected to an ac power source but is not turned on, the
operating system does not run, and all core logic except for the service processor
(the Integrated Management Module) is shut down; however, the server can
respond to requests to the service processor, such as a remote request to turn on
the server. The power-on LED flashes to indicate that the server is connected to
power but is not turned on.

Turning on the server

Approximately 5 seconds after the server is connected to power, one or more fans
might start running to provide cooling while the server is connected to power and
the power-on button LED will blink quickly. Approximately 20 to 40 seconds after the
server is connected to power, the power-control button becomes active (the

Chapter 1. The System x3550 M3 server 31

power-on LED will blink slowly), and one or more fans might start running to provide
cooling while the server is connected to power. You can turn on the server by
pressing the power-control button.

The server can also be turned on in any of the following ways:
v If a power failure occurs while the server is turned on, the server will restart

automatically when power is restored.

v If your operating system supports the Wake on LAN feature, the Wake on LAN

feature can turn on the server.

Note: When 4 GB or more of memory (physical or logical) is installed, some

memory is reserved for various system resources and is unavailable to the
operating system. The amount of memory that is reserved for system
resources depends on the operating system, the configuration of the server,
and the configured PCI options.

Turning off the server

When you turn off the server and leave it connected to power, the server can
respond to requests to the service processor, such as a remote request to turn on
the server. While the server remains connected to power, one or more fans might
continue to run. To remove all power from the server, you must disconnect it from
the power source.

Some operating systems require an orderly shutdown before you turn off the server.
See your operating-system documentation for information about shutting down the
operating system.

32 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

Statement 5:

CAUTION:
The power control button on the device and the power switch on the power
supply do not turn off the electrical current supplied to the device. The device
also might have more than one power cord. To remove all electrical current
from the device, ensure that all power cords are disconnected from the power
source.

2

1

The server can be turned off in any of the following ways:
v You can turn off the server from the operating system, if your operating system

supports this feature. After an orderly shutdown of the operating system, the
server will turn off automatically.

v You can press the power-control button to start an orderly shutdown of the

operating system and turn off the server, if your operating system supports this
feature.

v If the operating system stops functioning, you can press and hold the

power-control button for more than 4 seconds to turn off the server.

v The server can be turned off by Wake on LAN feature with the following

limitation:

Note: When you install any PCI adapter, the power cords must be disconnected

from the power source before you remove the PCI Express riser-card
assembly and the PCI-X riser-card assembly. Otherwise, the active power
management event signal will be disabled by the system-board logic, and
the Wake on LAN feature might not work. However, after the server is
powered-on locally, the active power management event signal will be
enabled by the system-board logic.

v The integrated management module (IMM) can turn off the server as an

automatic response to a critical system failure.

Chapter 1. The System x3550 M3 server 33

34 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices

This chapter provides detailed instructions for installing optional hardware devices in
the server.

Instructions for IBM Business Partners

In addition to the instructions in this chapter for installing optional hardware devices,
updating firmware and device drivers, and completing the installation, IBM Business
Partners must also complete the following steps:

1. Before you configure a server for a customer, complete the Solution Assurance
checklist at http://w3.ibm.com/support/assure/assur30i.nsf/webindex/sa294/.

2. After you have confirmed that the server starts correctly and recognizes the
newly installed devices and that no error LEDs are lit, run the Dynamic System
Analysis (DSA) stress tests. For information about using DSA, see the Problem
Determination and Service Guide.

3. Shut down and restart the server multiple times to ensure that the server is
correctly configured and functions correctly with the newly installed devices.

4. Save the DSA log as a file and send it to IBM.

5. To ship the server, repackage it in the original undamaged packing material and
observe IBM procedures for shipping.

Support information for IBM Business Partners is available at http://www.ibm.com/
partnerworld/.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2012 35

Server components

The following illustration shows the major components in the server. The
illustrations in this document might differ slightly from your hardware.

36 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

System-board internal connectors

The following illustration shows the internal connectors on the system board.

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 37

System-board external connectors

The following illustration shows the external input/output connectors on the system
board.

38 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

System-board switches and jumpers

The following illustration shows the location and description of the switches and
jumpers.

Note: If there is a clear protective sticker on the top of the switch blocks, you must

remove and discard it to access the switches.

uEFI boot recovery
jumper (J29)

IMM recovery
jumper (J147)

The following table describes the jumpers on the system board.

Table 4. System board jumpers

Jumper number Jumper name Jumper setting

J29 UEFI boot recovery jumper

SW4 switch block

SW3 switch block

v Pins 1 and 2: Normal

(default) Loads the primary
server firmware ROM
page.

v Pins 2 and 3: Loads the

secondary (backup) server
firmware ROM page.

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 39

Table 4. System board jumpers (continued)

Jumper number Jumper name Jumper setting

J147 IMM recovery jumper

Notes:

1. If no jumper is present, the server responds as if the pins are set to 1 and 2.

2. Changing the position of the UEFI boot recovery jumper from pins 1 and 2 to pins 2 and
3 before the server is turned on alters which flash ROM page is loaded. Do not change
the jumper pin position after the server is turned on. This can cause an unpredictable
problem.

v Pins 1 and 2: Normal

(default) Loads the primary
IMM firmware ROM page.

v Pins 2 and 3: Loads the

secondary (backup) IMM
firmware ROM page.

40 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

The following table describes the functions of the SW3 switch block on the system
board.

Table 5. System board SW3 switch block definition

Switch
number Default position Description

1 Off Clear CMOS memory. When this

switch is toggled to On, it clears the
data in CMOS memory.

2 Off Trust Platform Module (TPM)

physical presence. When this switch
is toggled to On, it enables the TPM

physical presence function.
3 Off Reserved.
4 Off Reserved.

The following table describes the functions of the SW4 switch block on the system
board.

Table 6. System board SW4 switch block definition

Switch
number Default position Description

1 Off Power-on password override.

Changing the position of this switch

bypasses the power-on password

check the next time the server is

turned on and starts the Setup utility

so that you can change or delete the

power-on password. You do not have

to move the switch back to the

default position after the power-on

password in overridden.

Changing the position of this switch

does not affect the administrator

password check if an administrator

password is set.

See “Passwords” on page 112 for

additional information about

passwords.
2 Off When you toggle this switch On and

then Off, you force a power-on,

which overrides the power-on and

power-off button on the server and

they become nonfunctional.
3 Off (Trained service technician only)

Forced power permission. Changing

the position of this switch overrides

the IMM power-on checking process.
4 Off Reserved.

Important:

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 41

1. Before you change any switch settings or move any jumpers, turn off the server;
then, disconnect all power cords and external cables. Review the information in
vii, “Installation guidelines” on page 44, “Handling static-sensitive devices” on
page 46, and “Turning off the server” on page 32.

2. Any system-board switch or jumper blocks that are not shown in the illustrations
in this document are reserved.

42 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

System-board LEDs

The following illustration shows the light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on the system
board.

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 43

System-board optional device connectors

The following illustration shows the connectors on the system board for
user-installable options.

Installation guidelines

Attention: Static electricity that is released to internal server components when

the server is powered-on might cause the system to halt, which might result in the
loss of data. To avoid this potential problem, always use an electrostatic-discharge
wrist strap or other grounding system when removing or installing a hot-swap
device.

Before you install optional devices, read the following information:
v Make sure that the devices that you are installing are supported. For a list of

supported optional devices for the server, see http://www.ibm.com/systems/info/
x86servers/serverproven/compat/us/.

v Read the safety information that begins on page vii and the guidelines in

“Working inside the server with the power on” on page 46, and “Handling
static-sensitive devices” on page 46. This information will help you work safely.

v When you install your new server, take the opportunity to download and apply

the most recent firmware updates. This step will help to ensure that any known
issues are addressed and that your server is ready to function at maximum levels
of performance. To download firmware updates for your server, go to
http://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/.

44 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

Important: Some cluster solutions require specific code levels or coordinated

code updates. If the device is part of a cluster solution, verify that the
latest level of code is supported for the cluster solution before you
update the code.

For additional information about tools for updating, managing, and deploying
firmware, see the ToolsCenter for System x and BladeCenter at
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/toolsctr/v1r0/index.jsp.

v Before you install optional hardware, make sure that the server is working

correctly. Start the server, and make sure that the operating system starts, if an
operating system is installed, or that a 19990305 error code is displayed,
indicating that an operating system was not found but the server is otherwise
working correctly. If the server is not working correctly, see the Problem
Determination and Service Guide on the IBM System x Documentation CD for
diagnostic information.

v Observe good housekeeping in the area where you are working. Place removed

covers and other parts in a safe place.

v If you must start the server while the server cover is removed, make sure that no

one is near the server and that no tools or other objects have been left inside the
server.

v Do not attempt to lift an object that you think is too heavy for you. If you have to

lift a heavy object, observe the following precautions:
– Make sure that you can stand safely without slipping.
– Distribute the weight of the object equally between your feet.
– Use a slow lifting force. Never move suddenly or twist when you lift a heavy

object.

– To avoid straining the muscles in your back, lift by standing or by pushing up

with your leg muscles.

v Make sure that you have an adequate number of properly grounded electrical

outlets for the server, monitor, and other devices.

v Back up all important data before you make changes to disk drives.
v Have a small flat-blade screwdriver, a small Phillips screwdriver, and a T8 torx

screwdriver available.

v You do not have to turn off the server to install or replace hot-swap power

supplies, hot-swap fans, or hot-plug Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices.
However, you must turn off the server before you perform any steps that involve
removing or installing adapter cables and you must disconnect the power source
from the server before you perform any steps that involve removing or installing a
riser card.

v Blue on a component indicates touch points, where you can grip the component

to remove it from or install it in the server, open or close a latch, and so on.

v Orange on a component or an orange label on or near a component indicates

that the component can be hot-swapped, which means that if the server and
operating system support hot-swap capability, you can remove or install the
component while the server is running. (Orange can also indicate touch points on
hot-swap components.) See the instructions for removing or installing a specific
hot-swap component for any additional procedures that you might have to
perform before you remove or install the component.

v When you are finished working on the server, reinstall all safety shields, guards,

labels, and ground wires.

v For a list of supported optional devices for the server, see http://www.ibm.com/

servers/eserver/serverproven/compat/us/.

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 45

System reliability guidelines

To help ensure proper system cooling and system reliability, make sure that the
following requirements are met:

v Each of the drive bays has a drive or a filler panel and electromagnetic

compatibility (EMC) shield installed in it.

v If the server has redundant power, each of the power-supply bays has a power

supply installed in it.

v There is adequate space around the server to allow the server cooling system to

work properly. Leave approximately 50 mm (2.0 in.) of open space around the
front and rear of the server. Do not place objects in front of the fans. For proper
cooling and airflow, replace the server cover before you turn on the server.

v You have followed the cabling instructions that come with optional adapters.
v You have replaced a failed fan within 48 hours.
v You have replaced a hot-swap fan within 30 seconds of removal.
v You have replaced a hot-swap drive within 2 minutes of removal.
v You do not operate the server without the air baffle installed. Operating the

server without the air baffle might cause the microprocessor to overheat.

v Microprocessor socket 2 always contains either a microprocessor baffle or a

microprocessor and heat sink.

v You have installed the sixth fan when you installed the second microprocessor

option.

Working inside the server with the power on

Attention: Static electricity that is released to internal server components when

the server is powered-on might cause the server to halt, which might result in the
loss of data. To avoid this potential problem, always use an electrostatic-discharge
wrist strap or other grounding system when you work inside the server with the
power on.

The server supports hot-plug, hot-add, and hot-swap devices and is designed to
operate safely while it is turned on and the server cover is removed. Follow these
guidelines when you work inside a server that is turned on:

v Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing on your forearms. Button long-sleeved shirts

before working inside the server; do not wear cuff links while you are working
inside the server.

v Do not allow your necktie or scarf to hang inside the server.
v Remove jewelry, such as bracelets, necklaces, rings, and loose-fitting wrist

watches.

v Remove items from your shirt pocket, such as pens and pencils, that could fall

into the server as you lean over it.

v Avoid dropping any metallic objects, such as paper clips, hairpins, and screws,

into the server.

Handling static-sensitive devices

Attention: Static electricity can damage the server and other electronic devices.

To avoid damage, keep static-sensitive devices in their static-protective packages
until you are ready to install them.

To reduce the possibility of damage from electrostatic discharge, observe the
following precautions:

46 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

v Limit your movement. Movement can cause static electricity to build up around

you.

v The use of a grounding system is recommended. For example, wear an

electrostatic-discharge wrist strap, if one is available. Always use an
electrostatic-discharge wrist strap or other grounding system when working inside
the server with the power on.

v Handle the device carefully, holding it by its edges or its frame.
v Do not touch solder joints, pins, or exposed circuitry.
v Do not leave the device where others can handle and damage it.
v While the device is still in its static-protective package, touch it to an unpainted

metal surface on the outside of the server for at least 2 seconds. This drains
static electricity from the package and from your body.

v Remove the device from its package and install it directly into the server without

setting down the device. If it is necessary to set down the device, put it back into
its static-protective package. Do not place the device on the server cover or on a
metal surface.

v Take additional care when handling devices during cold weather. Heating reduces

indoor humidity and increases static electricity.

Internal cable routing and connectors

The following illustration shows the internal routing and connectors for the two SAS
signal cables (in server models with eight SAS drive bays).

Notes:

1. To connect the SAS signal cables, make sure that you first connect the signal
cable, and then the power cable and configuration cable.

2. To disconnect the SAS signal cables, make sure that you first disconnect the
power cable, and then the signal cable and configuration cable.

The following illustration shows the internal routing and connector for optional
optical drive cable.

Attention: To disconnect the optional optical drive cable, you must first press the
connector release tab, and then disconnect the cable from the connector on the
system board. Do not disconnect the cable by using excessive force.

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 47

48 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

The following illustration shows the internal routing and connector for the operator
information panel cable. The following notes describe additional information you
must consider when you install or remove the operator information panel cable:

v You may remove the optional optical drive cable to obtain more room before you

install or remove the operator information panel cable.

v To remove the operator information panel cable, slightly press the cable toward

the chassis; then, pull to remove the cable from the connector on the system
board. Pulling the cable out of the connector by excessive force might cause
damage to the cable or connector.

v To connect the operator information panel cable on the system board, press

evenly on the cable. Pressing on one side of the cable might cause damage to
the cable or connector.

The following illustration shows the internal routing and connector for the USB/video
cable. The following notes describes other information you must consider when you
install or remove the USB/video cable:

v You may remove the optional optical drive cable to obtain more room before you

install or remove the operator information panel cable.

v The USB/video cable is routed under the video cable and then both the USB and

video cables are routed under the cable retention tab and the top cover latch
receptacle.

v To remove the USB/video cable, slightly press the cable toward the chassis;

then, pull to remove the cable from the connector on the system board. Pulling
the cable out of the connector by excessive force might cause damage to the
cable or connector.

v To connect the USB/video cable on the system board, press evenly on the cable.

Pressing on one side of the cable might cause damage to the cable or connector.

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 49

50 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

The following illustration shows the internal routing for the SATA power cable and
signal cable.

The following illustration shows the internal routing for the SATA power cable, the
SATA signal cable, and the configuration cable.

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 51

Hot-swap
SATA signal
cable

Hot-swap
configuration
cable

Hot-swap
SATA power
cable

Removing the cover

Important: Before you install optional hardware, make sure that the server is

working correctly. Start the server, and make sure that the operating system starts,
if an operating system is installed, or that a 19990305 error code is displayed,
indicating that an operating system was not found but the server is otherwise
working correctly. If the server is not working correctly, see the Problem
Determination and Service Guide for diagnostic information.

To remove the server cover, complete the following steps:

1. Read the safety information that begins on page vii and “Installation guidelines”
on page 44.

2. Turn off the server and peripheral devices and disconnect the power cords and
all external cables, if necessary.

Note: When you disconnect the power source from the server, you lose the

52 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

ability to view the LEDs because the LEDs are not lit when the power
source is removed. Before you disconnect the power source, make a
note of which LEDs are lit, including the LEDs that are lit on the
operation information panel, on the light path diagnostics panel, and
LEDs inside the server on the system board; then, see the Problem
Determination and Service Guide for information about how to solve the
problem.

3. If the server has been installed in a rack, slide the server out from the rack
enclosure.

4. Press down firmly on the blue tab on the top of the cover (on the right side near
the front of the server) and slide the cover toward the rear of the server until the
cover has disengaged from the chassis.

Cover

Ta b

5. Lift the server cover off the server and set it aside.

Attention: For proper cooling and airflow, replace the server cover before you
turn on the server.

Removing the microprocessor 2 air baffle

To remove the microprocessor 2 air baffle, complete the following steps:

1. Read the safety information that begins on page vii and “Installation guidelines”
on page 44.

2. Turn off the server and peripheral devices and disconnect the power cords and
all external cables, if necessary; then, remove the cover (see “Removing the
cover” on page 52).

3. Lift the air baffle up, making sure that the tab comes out of the hole on the side
of the power-supply cage; then, remove it from the server and set it aside.

Attention: For proper cooling and airflow, replace the air baffle before you
turn on the server. Operating the server with the air baffle removed might
damage server components.

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 53

Hole for baffle tab

Removing the DIMM air baffle

To remove the DIMM air baffle, complete the following steps:

1. Read the safety information that begins on page vii and “Installation guidelines”
on page 44.

2. Turn off the server and peripheral devices and disconnect the power cords and
all external cables, if necessary; then, remove the cover (see “Removing the
cover” on page 52).

Baffle tab

Microprocessor 2
air baffle

Note: When you disconnect the power source from the server, you lose the

ability to view the LEDs because the LEDs are not lit when the power
source is removed. Before you disconnect the power source, make a
note of which LEDs are lit, including the LEDs that are lit on the
operation information panel, on the light path diagnostics panel, and
LEDs inside the server on the system board; then, see the Problem
Determination and Service Guide for information about how to solve the
problem.

3. Grasp the DIMM air baffle and lift the baffle up, making sure that the pin comes
out of the pin hole on the system board to the left of DIMM connector 9.

54 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

Baffle pin

Baffle pin hole

4. Remove it from the server and set it aside.

DIMM air baffle

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 55

Attention: For proper cooling and airflow, replace the air baffle before you turn on
the server. Operating the server with the air baffle removed might damage server
components.

If you have other devices to install or remove, do so now. Otherwise, go to
“Completing the installation” on page 103.

Installing a memory module

The following notes describe the types of DIMMs that the server supports and other
information that you must consider when you install DIMMs.

v To confirm that the server supports the adapter that you are installing, see

http://www.ibm.com/systems/info/x86servers/serverproven/compat/us/.

v When you install or remove DIMMs, the server configuration information

changes. When you restart the server, the system displays a message that
indicates that the memory configuration has changed.

v The server supports only industry-standard double-data-rate 3 (DDR3), 800,

1066, or 1333 MHz, PC3-10600R-999, registered or unbuffered, synchronous
dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM) dual inline memory modules (DIMMs)
with error correcting code (ECC). See http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/
serverproven/compat/us/ for a list of supported memory modules for the server.

– The specifications of a DDR3 DIMM are on a label on the DIMM, in the

following format.
ggg eRxff-PC3-wwwwwm-aa-bb-cc
where:

ggg is the total capacity of the DIMM (for example, 1GB, 2GB, or 4GB)
e is the number of ranks

1 = single-rank
2 = dual-rank
4 = quad-rank

ff is the device organization (bit width)

4 = x4 organization (4 DQ lines per SDRAM)
8 = x8 organization
16 = x16 organization

wwwww is the DIMM bandwidth, in MBps

6400 = 6.40 GBps (PC3-800 SDRAMs, 8-byte primary data bus)
8500 = 8.53 GBps (PC3-1066 SDRAMs, 8-byte primary data bus)
10600 = 10.66 GBps (PC3-1333 SDRAMs, 8-byte primary data bus)
12800 = 12.80 GBps PC3-1600 SDRAMs, 8-byte primary data bus)

m is the DIMM type

E = Unbuffered DIMM (UDIMM) with ECC (x72-bit module data bus)
R = Registered DIMM (RDIMM)
U = Unbuffered DIMM with no ECC (x64-bit primary data bus)

aa is the CAS latency, in clocks at maximum operating frequency
bb is the JEDEC SPD Revision Encoding and Additions level
cc is the reference design file for the design of the DIMM
d is the revision number of the reference design of the DIMM

56 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

Note: To determine the type of a DIMM, see the label on the DIMM. The

information on the label is in the format xxxxx nRxxx
PC3-xxxxx-xx-xx-xxx. The numeral in the sixth numerical position
indicates whether the DIMM is single-rank (n=1), dual-rank (n=2), or
quad-rank (n=4).

v The following rules apply to DDR3 DIMM speed as it relates to the number of

DIMMs in a channel:
– When you install 1 DIMM per channel, the memory runs at 1333 MHz
– When you install 2 DIMMs per channel, the memory runs at 1066 MHz
– When you install 3 DIMMs per channel, the memory runs at 800 MHz
– All channels in a server run at the fastest common frequency
– Do not install registered and unbuffered DIMMs in the same server

v The maximum memory speed is determined by the combination of the

microprocessor, DIMM speed, and the number of DIMMs installed in each
channel.

v In two-DIMM-per-channel configuration, a server with an Intel Xeon X5600 series

microprocessor automatically operates with a maximum memory speed of up to
1333 MHz when one of the following conditions is met:

– Two 1.5 V single-rank or dual-rank RDIMMs are installed in the same channel.

In the Setup utility, Memory speed is set to Max performance mode

– Two 1.35 V single-rank or dual-ranl RDIMMs are installed in the same

channel. In the Setup utility, Memory speed is set to Max performance and
LV-DIMM power is set to Enhance performance mode. The 1.35 V RDIMMs
will function at 1.5 V

v The server supports a maximum of 18 single-rank or dual-rank RDIMMs. The

server supports up to 12 single-rank or dual-rank UDIMMs or quad-rank
RDIMMs.

v The server supports three single-rank or dual-rank DIMMs per channel. The

server supports a maximum of two quad-rank RDIMMs per channel. The
following table shows an example of the maximum amount of memory that you
can install using ranked DIMMs:

Table 7. Maximum memory installation using ranked DIMMs

Number of DIMMs DIMM type DIMM size Total memory

12 Single-rank UDIMMs 2 GB 24 GB
12 Dual-rank UDIMMs 4 GB 48 GB
18 Single-rank RDIMMs 2 GB 36 GB
18 Dual-rank RDIMMs 2 GB 36 GB
18 Dual-rank RDIMMs 4 GB 72 GB
18 Dual-rank RDIMMs 8 GB 144 GB
12 Quad-rank RDIMMs 16 GB 192 GB
18 Dual-rank RDIMMs 16 GB 288 GB

v The RDIMM options that are available for the server are 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB, and

16 GB. The server supports a minimum of 2 GB and a maximum of 288 GB of
system memory using RDIMMs.

For 32-bit operating systems only: Some memory is reserved for various
system resources and is unavailable to the operating system. The amount of
memory that is reserved for system resources depends on the operating system,
the configuration of the server, and the configured PCI devices.

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 57

v The UDIMM options that are available for the server are 2 GB and 4 GB. The

server supports a minimum of 2 GB and a maximum of 48 GB of system memory
using UDIMMs.

Note: The amount of usable memory is reduced depending on the system

configuration. A certain amount of memory must be reserved for system
resources. To view the total amount of installed memory and the amount
of configured memory, run the Setup utility. For additional information, see
Chapter 3, “Configuring the server,” on page 107.

v A minimum of one DIMM must be installed for each microprocessor. For

example, you must install a minimum of two DIMMs if the server has two
microprocessors installed. However, to improve system performance, install a
minimum of three DIMMs for each microprocessor.

v DIMMs in the same channel must be the same type (RDIMM or UDIMM) to

ensure that the server will operate correctly.

v When you install one quad-rank RDIMM in a channel, install it in the DIMM

connector furthest away from the microprocessor.

v Do not install one quad-rank RDIMM in one channel and three RDIMMs in

another channel.

The following illustration shows the location of the DIMM connectors on the system
board.

DIMM installation sequence

Depending on the server model, the server may come with a minimum of one 2 GB
or 4 GB DIMM installed in slot 3. When you install additional DIMMs, install them in

58 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

the order shown in the following table to optimize system performance. In
non-mirroring mode, all three channels on the memory interface for each
microprocessor can be populated in any order and have no matching requirements.

Table 8. Non-mirroring (normal) mode DIMM installation sequence

Installed microprocessors DIMM connector population sequence

Microprocessor socket 1 3, 6, 9, 2, 5, 8, 1, 4, 7
Microprocessor socket 2 12, 15, 18, 11, 14, 17, 10, 13, 16

Memory mirroring

Memory-mirroring mode replicates and stores data on two pairs of DIMMs within
two channels simultaneously. If a failure occurs, the memory controller switches
from the primary pair of memory DIMMs to the backup pair of DIMMs. To enable
memory mirroring through the Setup utility, select System Settings → Memory. For
more information, see “Using the Setup utility” on page 108. When you use the
memory mirroring feature, consider the following information:

v When you use memory mirroring, you must install a pair of DIMMs at a time.

v Channel 2, DIMM connectors 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, and 18 are not used in

v The maximum available memory is reduced to half of the installed memory when

One DIMM must be in channel 0, and the mirroring DIMM must be in the same
slot in channel 1. The two DIMMs in each pair must be identical in size, type,
and rank (single or dual) , and organization, but not in speed. The channels run
at the speed of the slowest DIMM in any of the channels.

memory-mirroring mode.

memory mirroring is enabled. For example, if you install 64 GB of memory using
RDIMMs, only 32 GB of addressable memory is available when you use memory
mirroring.

The following diagram shows the memory channel interface layout with the DIMM
installation sequence for mirroring mode. The numbers within the boxes indicate the
DIMM population sequence in pairs within the channels, and the numbers next to
the boxes indicate the DIMM connectors within the channels. For example, the
following illustration shows the first pair of DIMMs (indicated by ones (1) inside the
boxes) should be installed in DIMM connectors 1 on channel 0 and DIMM
connector 2 on channel 1. DIMM connectors 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 on channel 2
are not used in memory-mirroring mode.

1

3

1

6

9

3

2

21

3

2

5

8

CH0

CPU1

CH1

4

CH2

7

Figure 1. Memory channel interface layout

CH0

CPU2

QPI

CH1

CH2

6

10 11

6

16

5

4

12

5

4

15

1413

18

17

The following table lists the DIMM connectors on each memory channel.

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 59

Table 9. Connectors on each memory channel

Memory channel DIMM connectors

Channel 0 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12
Channel 1 4, 5, 6, 13, 14, 15
Channel 2 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18

The following illustration shows the memory connector layout that is associated with
each microprocessor. For example, DIMM connectors 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,
and 18 (DIMM connectors are shown underneath the boxes) are associated with
microprocessor 2 (CPU2) and DIMM connectors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are
associated with microprocessor 1 (CPU1). The numbers within the boxes indicate
the installation sequence of the DIMM pairs. For example, the first DIMM pair
(indicated within the boxes by ones (1)) should be installed in DIMM connectors 1
and 2, which is associated with microprocessor 1 (CPU1).

Note: You can install DIMMs for microprocessor 2 as soon as you install

microprocessor 2; you do not have to wait until all of the DIMM slots for
microprocessor 1 are filled.

CPU2

5566

44

15

10

9

8

13

1211

7

14

33

56

4

17 18

16

1122

3

CPU1

12

Figure 2. Memory connectors associated with each microprocessor for memory mirroring

The following table shows the installation sequence for installing DIMMs in
memory-mirroring mode:

Table 10. Memory-mirroring mode DIMM population sequence

Number of installed

DIMMs

First pair of DIMMs 1 3, 6
Second pair of DIMMs 1 2, 5
Third pair of DIMMs 1 1, 4
Fourth pair of DIMMs 2 12, 15
Fifth pair of DIMMs 2 11, 14
Sixth pair of DIMMs 2 10, 13

Note: DIMM connectors 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, and 18 are not used in memory-mirroring mode.

microprocessors DIMM connector

Online-spare memory

The memory online-spare feature disables the failed memory from the system
configuration and activates an online-spare DIMM to replace the failed active DIMM.
You can enable either online-spare memory or memory mirroring in the Setup utility

60 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

(see “Starting the Setup utility” on page 108). When you use the memory
online-spare feature, consider the following information:

v The memory online-spare feature is supported on server models with an Intel

Xeon

™

5600 series microprocessor.

v When you enable the memory online-spare feature, you must install three DIMMs

per microprocessor at a time. The first DIMM must be in channel 0, the second
DIMM in channel 1, and the third DIMM in channel 2. The DIMMs must be
identical in size, type, rank, and organization, but not in speed. The channels run
at the speed of the slowest DIMM in any of the channels.

v The maximum available memory is reduced to 2/3 of the installed memory when

memory online-spare mode is enabled. For example, if you install 72 GB of
memory using RDIMMs, only 48 GB of addressable memory is available when
you use memory online-spare.

The following table shows the installation sequence for installing DIMMs for each
microprocessor in memory online-spare mode:

Table 11. Memory online-spare mode DIMM population
sequence

Installed
Microprocessor DIMM connector

Microprocessor 1 3, 6, 9

3, 6, 9, 2, 5, 8
3, 6, 9, 2, 5, 8, 1, 4, 7

Microprocessor 2 12, 15, 18,

12, 15, 18, 11, 14, 17,
12, 15, 18, 11, 14, 17, 10, 13, 16

Installing a DIMM

To install a DIMM, complete the following steps:

1. Read the safety information that begins on page vii and “Installation guidelines”

2. Turn off the server and peripheral devices and disconnect the power cords and

3. Remove the cover (see “Removing the cover” on page 52).

4. Open the retaining clip on each end of the DIMM connector.

on page 44.

all external cables, if necessary.

Attention: To avoid breaking the retaining clips or damaging the DIMM
connectors, open and close the clips gently.

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 61

Installing drives

5. Touch the static-protective package that contains the DIMM to any unpainted
metal surface on the outside of the server. Then, remove the DIMM from the
package.

6. Turn the DIMM so that the DIMM keys align correctly with the connector.

7. Insert the DIMM into the connector by aligning the edges of the DIMM with the
slots at the ends of the DIMM connector (see “System-board optional device
connectors” on page 44 for the locations of the DIMM connectors).

8. Firmly press the DIMM straight down into the connector by applying pressure on
both ends of the DIMM simultaneously. The retaining clips snap into the locked
position when the DIMM is firmly seated in the connector.

Note: If there is a gap between the DIMM and the retaining clips, the DIMM

has not been correctly inserted; open the retaining clips, remove the
DIMM, and then reinsert it.

If you have other devices to install or remove, do so now. Otherwise, go to
“Completing the installation” on page 103.

The following notes describe the type of drives that the server supports and other
information that you must consider when you install a drive.

v Make sure that the devices that you are installing are supported. For a list of

supported optional devices for the server, see http://www.ibm.com/systems/info/
x86servers/serverproven/compat/us/.

v Locate the documentation that comes with the drive and follow those instructions

in addition to the instructions in this chapter.

v Make sure that you have all the cables and other equipment that are specified in

the documentation that comes with the drive.

v Select the bay in which you want to install the drive.
v The server supports one optional ultra-slim SATA optical drive.
v Check the instructions that come with the drive to determine whether you have to

set any switches or jumpers on the drive. If you are installing a SAS or SATA
hard disk drive, be sure to set the SAS or SATA ID for that device.

v The hot-swap server models support up to eight 2.5-inch hot-swap SAS or

hot-swap SATA hard disk drives. The simple-swap server models support up to
four 2.5-inch simple-swap SATA hard disk drives.

62 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

v The electromagnetic interference (EMI) integrity and cooling of the server are

protected by having all bays and PCI and PCI Express slots covered or
occupied. When you install a drive, PCI, or PCI Express adapter, save the EMC
shield and filler panel from the bay or PCI adapter or PCI Express adapter slot
cover in the event that you later remove the device.

Installing a hot-swap hard disk drive

To install a 2.5-inch hot-swap SAS or SATA hard disk drive, complete the following
steps.

Note: If you have only one hard disk drive, you must install it in the upper-left bay.

Drive-tray
assembly

Drive handle

Filler panel

1. Read the safety information that begins on page vii and “Installation guidelines”
on page 44.

2. Remove the filler panel from the empty drive bay.

3. Touch the static-protective package that contains the drive to any unpainted
metal surface on the server; then, remove the drive from the package and place
it on a static-protective surface.

4. Install the hard disk drive in the drive bay:
a. Make sure that the tray handle is in the open (unlocked) position.
b. Align the drive assembly with the guide rails in the bay.
c. Gently push the drive assembly into the bay until the drive stops.
d. Rotate the tray handle to the closed (locked) position.
e. Check the hard disk drive status LED to verify that the hard disk drive is

operating correctly. If the amber hard disk drive status LED for a drive is lit
continuously, that drive is faulty and must be replaced. If the green hard disk
drive activity LED is flashing, the drive is being accessed.

5. If you are installing additional hot-swap hard disk drives, do so now.

If you have other devices to install or remove, do so now. Otherwise, go to
“Completing the installation” on page 103.

IDs for hot-swap hard disk drives

The hot-swap drive ID that is assigned to each drive is printed on the front of the
server. The following illustration shows the location of the IDs of the hard disk
drives. The ID numbers and the drive bay numbers are the same.

Note: If the server is configured for RAID operation using a ServeRAID

adapter, you might have to reconfigure your disk arrays after you
install hard disk drives. See the ServeRAID adapter documentation
for additional information about RAID operation and complete
instructions for using the ServeRAID adapter.

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 63

Hard disk drive
activity LED (green)

Hard disk drive
status LED (amber)

Drive bay 0 Drive bay 2

Drive bay 1 Drive bay 3

Drive bay 4 Drive bay 6

Drive bay 5 Drive bay 7

Installing a simple-swap hard disk drive

Some server models support 2.5-inch simple-swap SATA hard disk drives that are
accessible from the front of the server. You must turn off the server before installing
simple-swap drives in the server. Before you install a simple-swap SATA hard disk
drive, read the following information.

v Make sure that the devices that you are installing are supported. For a list of

supported optional devices for the server, see http://www.ibm.com/systems/info/
x86servers/serverproven/compat/us/.

v Locate the documentation that comes with the hard disk drive and follow those

instructions in addition to the instructions in this chapter.

v Make sure that you have all the cables and other equipment that are specified in

the documentation that comes with the drive.

v Select the bay in which you want to install the drive.
v Check the instructions that come with the drive to determine whether you have to

set any switches or jumpers on the drive. If you are installing a SATA device, be
sure to set the SATA ID for that device.

v You can install up to four 2.5-inch simple-swap SATA hard disk drives in the

server. Do not install hot-swap drives into a simple-swap server model, it is not
supported.

v The sequence for installing the hard disk drives is to install the drives starting

from bay 0, 1, 2, and 3.

v Simple-swap models of the server do not support the Hypervisor USB flash

device and the installation of the SAS/SATA riser card is not supported.

v The simple-swap server models are available only in non-RAID configurations.
v The electromagnetic interference (EMI) integrity and cooling of the server are

protected by having all bays and PCI and PCI Express slots covered or
occupied. When you install a drive, PCI, or PCI Express adapter, save the EMC
shield and filler panel from the bay or PCI or PCI Express adapter slot cover in
the event that you later remove the device.

To install a 2.5-inch simple-swap SATA hard disk drive, complete the following
steps:

1. Read the safety information that begins on page vii and “Installation guidelines”
on page 44.

2. Turn off the server and peripheral devices and disconnect the power cords and
all external cables.

Note: When you disconnect the power source from the server, you lose the

64 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

ability to view the LEDs because the LEDs are not lit when the power
source is removed. Before you disconnect the power source, make a

note of which LEDs are lit, including the LEDs that are lit on the
operation information panel, on the light path diagnostics panel, and
LEDs inside the server on the system board; then, see the Problem
Determination and Service Guide for information about how to solve the
problem.

3. Remove the filler panel from the empty drive bay.

4. Touch the static-protective package that contains the drive to any unpainted
metal surface on the server; then, remove the drive from the package and place
it on a static-protective surface.

5. Install the hard disk drive in the drive bay:
a. Grasp the black drive handle and slide the blue release latch to the right

and align the drive assembly with the guide rails in the bay.

b. Gently push the drive assembly into the bay until the drive stops.

6. Reinstall the drive bay filler panel that you remove earlier.

7. If you are installing additional simple-swap hard disk drives, do so now.

8. Turn on the peripheral devices and the server.

IDs for simple-swap hard disk drives

The simple-swap-drive ID that is assigned to each drive is printed on the front of
the server. The following illustration shows the location of the IDs of the
simple-swap hard disk drives.

The ID numbers and the drive bay numbers are the same.

Installing an optional DVD drive

Note: If your server does not come with a DVD drive bay, you can purchase and

install the optical drive cage and bezel option. The option includes the
components that allow you to install an optional DVD drive in your server
(see “Installing an optional optical drive cage” on page 80).

To install an optional DVD drive, complete the following steps:

1. Read the safety information that begins on page vii and “Installation guidelines”
on page 44.

2. Turn off the server and peripheral devices and disconnect the power cords and
all external cables.

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 65

Note: When you disconnect the power source from the server, you lose the

ability to view the LEDs because the LEDs are not lit when the power
source is removed. Before you disconnect the power source, make a
note of which LEDs are lit, including the LEDs that are lit on the
operation information panel, on the light path diagnostics panel, and
LEDs inside the server on the system board; then, see the Problem
Determination and Service Guide for information about how to solve the
problem.

3. Remove the cover (see “Removing the cover” on page 52).

4. Remove the optical drive filler panel if it is installed. Locate the blue release tab
on the rear of the optical drive filler panel; then, while you press the tab, push
the optical drive filler panel out of the drive bay. Save the optical drive filler
panel for future use.

Release tab

DVD drive filler panel

5. Remove the retention clip from the side of the optical drive filler panel.

Note: If you are installing a drive that contains a laser, observe the following

safety precaution.

Statement 3:

66 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

CAUTION:
When laser products (such as CD-ROMs, DVD drives, fiber optic devices,
or transmitters) are installed, note the following:

v Do not remove the covers. Removing the covers of the laser product

could result in exposure to hazardous laser radiation. There are no
serviceable parts inside the device.

v Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other

than those specified herein might result in hazardous radiation
exposure.

DANGER

Some laser products contain an embedded Class 3A or Class 3B laser
diode. Note the following.

Laser radiation when open. Do not stare into the beam, do not view
directly with optical instruments, and avoid direct exposure to the
beam.

Class 1 Laser Product
Laser Klasse 1
Laser Klass 1
Luokan 1 Laserlaite
Appareil A Laser de Classe 1

`

6. Touch the static-protective package that contains the new optical drive to any
unpainted metal surface on the server; then, remove the optical drive from the
package and place it on a static-protective surface.

7. Follow the instructions that come with the DVD drive to set any jumpers or
switches.

8. Attach the drive retention clip that you removed from the optical drive filler panel
to the side of the DVD drive.

9. Align the drive in the drive bay and slide the drive into the optical drive bay until
the drive clicks into place.

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 67

If you have other devices to install or remove, do so now. Otherwise, go to
“Completing the installation” on page 103.

Replacing a PCI riser-card assembly

Note: A PCI riser-card assembly must be installed in slot 2 even if you do not

install an adapter.

To replace a PCI riser-card assembly, complete the following steps:

1. Read the safety information that begins on page vii and the “Installation
guidelines” on page 44.

2. Turn off the server and peripheral devices and disconnect the power cords and
all external cables.

Note: When you disconnect the power source from the server, you lose the

ability to view the LEDs because the LEDs are not lit when the power
source is removed. Before you disconnect the power source, make a
note of which LEDs are lit, including the LEDs that are lit on the
operation information panel, on the light path diagnostics panel, and
LEDs inside the server on the system board; then, see the Problem
Determination and Service Guide for information about how to solve the
problem.

3. Remove the cover (see “Removing the cover” on page 52).

4. If an adapter is installed in the riser-card assembly, disconnect any cables that
are connected to the adapter.

5. Grasp the rear of the riser-card assembly from the rear and lift it out of the PCI
riser-card slot on the system board.

68 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

PCI riser-card assembly
(full-height, half-length adapters)

PCI riser-card assembly
(low-profile adapters)

PCI riser
connector 2

PCI riser
connector 1

6. Remove the adapter, if one is present, from the riser-card assembly.

7. Set the adapter and riser-card assembly aside.

8. Install the adapter in the new PCI riser-card assembly (see “Installing an
adapter” on page 70).

9. Set any jumpers or switches on the adapter as directed by the adapter
manufacturer.

10. If you are installing the PCI riser-card assembly on PCI slot connector 1 on the
system board, remove the PCI filler panel from the rear of the server.

11. Align the PCI riser-card assembly with the PCI slot connector on the system
board; then, press down firmly until the riser-card assembly is seated correctly
in the connector on the system board.

PCI riser
connector 2

PCI riser-card assembly
(full-height, half-lenght adapters)

PCI riser-card assembly
(low-profile adapters)

PCI riser
connector 1

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 69

Installing an adapter

The following notes describe the types of adapters that the server supports and
other information that you must consider when you install an adapter:

v To confirm that the server supports the adapter that you are installing, see

http://www.ibm.com/systems/info/x86servers/serverproven/compat/us/.

v Locate the documentation that comes with the adapter and follow those

instructions in addition to the instructions in this section.

v The server provides one SAS/SATA RAID riser-card slot on the system board.

See “System-board optional device connectors” on page 44 for the location of the
SAS/SATA RAID riser-card slot. The ServeRAID-BR10il v2, ServeRAID-M1015,
ServeRAID-M5014, or ServeRAID-M5015 adapter comes installed on some
models of the server. You can replace the IBM ServeRAID SAS/SATA adapter
with an optional IBM ServeRAID SAS/SATA adapter in the slot. For configuration
information, see the ServeRAID documentation at http://www.ibm.com/systems/
support/,

To ensure that any of your ServeRAID 10i, 10is, or 10M adapters function
properly on UEFI-based servers, make sure that the adapter firmware level is
updated to at least 11.x.x-XXX , and the supporting drivers.

Attention: Some cluster solutions require specific code levels or coordinated
code updates. If the device is part of a cluster solution, verify that the latest level
of code is supported for the cluster solution before you update the code.

v Do not set the maximum digital video adapter resolution above 1600 x 1200 at

75 Hz for an LCD monitor. This is the highest resolution that is supported for any
add-on video adapter that you install in the server.

v Any high-definition video-out connector or stereo connector on any add-on video

adapter is not supported

v The server does not support full-length adapters.
v When you install any PCI adapter, the power cords must be disconnected from

the power source before you remove the PCI Express riser-card assembly and
the PCI-X riser-card assembly. Otherwise, the active power management event
signal will be disabled by the system-board logic, and the Wake on LAN feature
might not work. However, after the server is powered-on locally, the active power
manager active power management event signal will be enabled by the
system-board logic.

v If you switch the PCI adapter from slot 1 riser assembly to slot 2, you will need to

remove the screw from the standard bracket and then replace the standard
bracket with the low-profile bracket.

v The server provides two PCI riser-card slots on the system board. A PCI riser

assembly with a bracket is installed in slot 2. The following information describes
the PCI riser-card slots and the type of adapters that the riser cards support:

– Standard models of the server come with two PCI Express riser-card

assemblies installed. If you want to replace them with PCI-X riser-card
assemblies, you must order the PCI-X riser-card assembly option, which
includes the bracket.

– A PCI Express riser-card assembly has a black connector and supports PCI

Express adapters, and a PCI-X riser-card assembly has a white (light in color)
connector and supports PCI-X adapters.

– PCI riser slot 1 (the farthest slot from the power supplies). This slot supports

only low-profile adapters.

– PCI riser slot 2 (the closest slot to the power supplies). This slot supports only

full-height, half-length adapters.

70 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

The following table lists the supported configurations for the PCI riser-card slot.

Table 12. PCI riser slots supported configurations

PCI riser-card
slot number Configuration 1 Configuration 2 Configuration 3 Configuration 4

Slot 1 PCI Express

Gen 2 (x16) card
with a PCI
Express riser
card with a
low-profile
bracket

Slot 2 PCI Express

Gen 2 (x16) card
with a PCI
Express riser
card with a
standard bracket

PCI Express
Gen 2 (x16) card
with a PCI
Express riser
card with a
low-profile
bracket

PCI-X 1.0a
64-bit/133 MHz
card with a
PCI-X riser card
with a standard
bracket

PCI-X 1.0a
64-bit/133 MHz
card with a
PCI-X riser card
with a low-profile
bracket

PCI Express
Gen 2 (x16) card
with a PCI
Express riser
card with a
standard bracket

PCI-X 1.0a
64-bit/133 MHz
card with a
PCI-X riser card
with a low-profile
bracket

PCI-X 1.0a
64-bit/133 MHz
card with a
PCI-X riser card
with a standard
bracket

Notes:

1. The instructions in this section apply to any PCI adapter (for example, video

graphics adapters or network adapters).

2. Do not set the maximum digital video adapter resolution above 1600 x 1200 at

75 Hz for an LCD monitor. This is the highest resolution that is supported for
any add-on video adapter that you install in the server.

3. Any high-definition video-out connector or stereo connector on any add-on video

adapter is not supported

To install an adapter, complete the following steps:

1. Read the safety information that begins on page vii and the “Installation

guidelines” on page 44.

2. Turn off the server and peripheral devices and disconnect the power cords and

all external cables; then, remove the server cover (see “Removing the cover” on
page 52).

3. Follow the cabling instructions, if any come with the adapter. Route the adapter

cables before you install the adapter.

4. Insert the adapter into the riser-card assembly, aligning the edge connector on

the adapter with the connector on the riser-card assembly. Press the edge of
the connector firmly into the riser-card assembly. Make sure that the adapter
snaps into the riser-card assembly securely.

Attention: When you install an adapter, make sure that the adapter is
correctly seated in the riser-card assembly and that the riser-card assembly is
securely seated in the riser-card connector on the system board before you turn
on the server. An incorrectly seated adapter might cause damage to the system
board, the riser-card assembly, or the adapter.

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 71

5. Install the riser-card assembly in the server (see “Replacing a PCI riser-card
assembly” on page 68).

6. Perform any configuration tasks that are required for the adapter.

If you have other devices to install or remove, do so now. Otherwise, go to
“Completing the installation” on page 103.

Replacing a PCI Express assembly with a PCI-X assembly

The server comes with one PCI riser-card assembly installed in slot 2. You can
replace a PCI Express riser-card assembly with a PCI-X riser-card assembly.

To replace a PCI Express riser-card assembly with a PCI-X riser-card assembly,
complete the following steps:

1. Read the safety information that begins on page vii and the “Installation
guidelines” on page 44.

2. Turn off the server and disconnect the power cords and all external cables, if
necessary; then, remove the server cover (see “Removing the cover” on page

52).

Note: When you disconnect the power source from the server, you lose the

ability to view the LEDs because the LEDs are not lit when the power
source is removed. Before you disconnect the power source, make a
note of which LEDs are lit, including the LEDs that are lit on the
operation information panel, on the light path diagnostics panel, and
LEDs inside the server on the system board; then, see the Problem
Determination and Service Guide for information about how to solve the
problem.

3. Remove the PCI Express riser-card assembly from the system board:
a. If an adapter is installed in the riser-card assembly, disconnect any cables

that are connected to the adapter.

b. Grasp the riser-card assembly at the rear edge and lift it from the riser-card

connector on the system board.

72 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

c. Remove the adapter, if one is present, from the riser-card assembly.
d. Store the riser-card assembly and the adapter in a safe place for possible

future use.

4. Install a PCI-X adapter into the new PCI-X riser-card assembly. See “Installing
an adapter” on page 70 for more information. Set any jumpers or switches on
the adapter as directed by the adapter manufacturer.

Note: You might have to replace the brackets when you replace a PCI Express

assembly with a PCI-X assembly.

5. Insert the PCI-X riser-card assembly into the riser-card connector on the system
board. Make sure that it is fully seated.

If you have other devices to install or remove, do so now. Otherwise, go to
“Completing the installation” on page 103.

Replacing a PCI-X assembly with a PCI Express assembly

The server comes with one PCI riser-card assembly installed in slot 2. You can
replace a PCI-X riser-card assembly with a PCI Express riser-card assembly.

To replace a PCI-X riser-card assembly with a PCI Express riser-card assembly,
complete the following steps:

1. Read the safety information that begins on page vii and the “Installation
guidelines” on page 44.

2. Turn off the server and disconnect the power cords and all external cables, if
necessary; then, remove the server cover (see “Removing the cover” on page

52).

Note: When you disconnect the power source from the server, you lose the

ability to view the LEDs because the LEDs are not lit when the power
source is removed. Before you disconnect the power source, make a
note of which LEDs are lit, including the LEDs that are lit on the
operation information panel, on the light path diagnostics panel, and
LEDs inside the server on the system board; then, see the Problem
Determination and Service Guide for information about how to solve the
problem.

3. Remove the PCI-X riser-card assembly from the system board:
a. If an adapter is installed in the riser-card assembly, disconnect any cables

that are connected to the adapter.

b. Grasp the riser-card assembly at the rear edge and lift it from the riser-card

connector on the system board.
c. Remove the adapter, if one is present, from the riser-card assembly.
d. Store the riser-card assembly and the adapter in a safe place for possible

future use.

4. Install a PCI Express adapter in the PCI Express riser-card assembly. See
“Installing an adapter” on page 70 for more information. Set any jumpers or
switches on the adapter as directed by the adapter manufacturer.

Note: You might have to replace the bracket when you replace a PCI-X

assembly with a PCI Express assembly.

5. Insert the PCI Express riser-card assembly into the riser-card connector on the
system board. Make sure that it is fully seated.

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 73

If you have other devices to install or remove, do so now. Otherwise, go to
“Completing the installation” on page 103.

Removing a ServeRAID SAS/SATA controller from the SAS/SATA RAID
riser card

A ServeRAID SAS/SATA controller is installed in a dedicated slot on the SAS/SATA
RAID riser card.

Depending on the server model, the server comes with a ServeRAID-BR10il v2,
ServeRAID-M1015, ServeRAID-M5014, or a ServeRAID-M5015 SAS/SATA
controller installed.

You can replace the ServeRAID controller with another supported ServeRAID
controller. For a list of supported ServeRAID controllers, see http://www.ibm.com/
servers/eserver/serverproven/compat/us/.

Note: For brevity, in this documentation the ServeRAID SAS/SATA controller is

often referred to as the SAS/SATA adapter or the ServeRAID adapter.

To remove the SAS/SATA adapter from a SAS/SATA RAID riser card, complete the
following steps:

1. Read the safety information that begins on page vii and the “Installation
guidelines” on page 44.

2. Turn off the server and peripheral devices and disconnect all power cords; then,
remove the cover (see “Removing the cover” on page 52).

3. Locate the SAS/SATA RAID riser-card assembly near the left-front corner of the
server.

4. Disconnect the SAS signal cables from the connectors on the SAS/SATA
adapter and note their locations.

5. Press the plastic tab (next to the power supply) toward the power supply and
remove the entire SAS RAID riser-card assembly from the server.

6. Pull the SAS/SATA adapter horizontally out of the connector on the SAS/SATA
RAID riser card.

74 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

Release tab

Installing a ServeRAID SAS/SATA controller on the SAS/SATA RAID
riser card

To install a SAS/SATA adapter on the SAS/SATA RAID riser card, complete the
following steps:

1. Read the safety information that begins on page vii and “Installation guidelines”
on page 44.

2. Make sure that the server is turned off, all external cables and power cords are
disconnected, and the cover has been removed.

3. If you are installing a new or replacement SAS/SATA adapter, touch the
static-protective package that contains the new SAS/SATA adapter to any
unpainted metal surface on the server. Then, remove the new SAS/SATA
adapter from the package.

4. Align the SAS/SATA adapter so that the keys align correctly with the connector
on the SAS/SATA RAID riser-card assembly.

5. Insert the SAS/SATA adapter into the connector on the SAS/SATA RAID riser
card until it is firmly seated.

Attention: Incomplete insertion might cause damage to the server or the
adapter.

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 75

6. Align the SAS RAID riser-card assembly keys correctly with the connector on
the system board and press down on the assembly until it is seated firmly into
the connector on the system board.

7. Route the signal cables from the drive backplane over the blue adapter
retention bracket.

8. Connect the signal cables to the SAS/SATA adapter:
v ServeRAID-BR10il v2 adapter: Take the signal cable that is attached to the

drive backplane for drive bays 0 through 3 and connect it to the SAS/SATA
connector on the ServeRAID adapter.

76 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

v ServeRAID-BR10i, ServeRAID-M1015, ServeRAID-M5014, or

ServeRAID-M5015 adpater: Take the signal cable that is attached to the

drive backplane for drive bays 4 through 7 and connect it to the ServeRAID
adapter connector that is closest to the power supply cage. Connect the other
signal cable so that is attached to the drive backplane for drive bays 0
through 3 and connect it to the other connector on the adapter.

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 77

v ServeRAID-M10i adapter: Take the signal cable that is attached to the drive

backplane for drive bays 0 through 3 and connect it to the connector on the
ServeRAID adapter connector that is closest to the power-supply cage.
Connect the other signal cable so that is attached to the drive backplane for
drive bays 4 and 7 and connect it to the other connector on the adapter.

Note: When you restart the server, you are prompted to import the existing

RAID configuration to the new ServeRAID adapter.

If you have other devices to install or remove, do so now. Otherwise, go to
“Completing the installation” on page 103.

Installing an optional ServeRAID adapter advanced feature key

To install an optional ServeRAID adapter advanced feature key, complete the
following steps:

1. Read the safety information that begins on page vii and “Installation guidelines”
on page 44.

2. Turn off the server and peripheral devices and disconnect the power cords.

3. Remove the cover (see “Removing the cover” on page 52).

78 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

4. Align the upgrade key with the connector on the ServeRAID adapter and push it
into the connector until it is firmly seated.

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 79

If you have other devices to install or remove, do so now. Otherwise, go to
“Completing the installation” on page 103.

Installing an optional optical drive cage

The IBM System x3550 M3 DVD enablement kit is used to install an optical drive
cage in a server with less than four hard disk drives. The optional optical drive cage
is installed in the bays for hot-swap hard disk drives 5 to 8.

The DVD enablement option kit contains the following components:

v One optical drive cage
v One optical drive bay filler panel
v One SATA cable
v One retention bracket
v One bezel and screws

To install an optical drive cage, complete the following steps:

1. Read the safety information that begins on page vii and “Installation guidelines”
on page 44.

2. Turn off the server and peripheral devices and disconnect the power cords.

3. Remove the cover (see “Removing the cover” on page 52).

4. Remove the hard disk drives and filler panels from the hard disk drive bays.

5. Remove the screws from the bezel.

Bezel screws

Video connector
screws

6. Remove the screws from the video connector.

7. Pull the top of the bezel out slightly; then, rotate it downward until the tabs on
the bottom of the bezel disengages from the chassis and set it aside.

8. Slide the optical drive cage forward into the optical drive bay until the screw
holes on the drive cage align with the screw holes on the chassis.

80 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

Optical drive cage

Bezel

9. Insert the tabs on the bottom of the bezel into the holes on the chassis.

10. Reinstall the bezel screws and the video connector screws.

11. Align the cable connector with the connector on the rear of the optical drive
cage and press the cable connector into the optical drive cage connector until
it is firmly seated.

12. Pull the cable connector latch up and hold it there while you slide the cable
connector to the left; then, slide the cable connector latch down to lock the
cable in place.

13. Connect the other end of the DVD cable to the connector on the system
board. The following shows cable routing for the DVD cable:

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 81

Note: The DVD cable should go on the top of the operation information panel

cable (in the middle) and the Video/USB cable (on the bottom) when all
three cables are installed in the server.

If you have other devices to install or remove, do so now. Otherwise, go to
“Completing the installation” on page 103.

Installing a SAS/SATA 4 Pac HDD option

You can install an IBM System x3550 M3 hot-swap SAS/SATA 4 Pac HDD option to
add four additional 2.5-inch hot-swap hard disk drives in the server. See
http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/serverproven/compat/us/ for a list of supported
optional devices. To order a SAS/SATA 4 Pac HDD option, contact your IBM
marketing representative or authorized reseller.

The SAS/SATA 4 Pac HDD option kit contains the following components:

v One 2.5-inch hard disk drive backplane (with bracket)
v Four drive bay filler panels
v One SAS signal cable
v One 4 Pac hard disk drive cage and screws
v One bezel (depending on the option you purchase)

To install a SAS/SATA 4 Pac HDD option, complete the following steps:

1. Read the safety information that begins on page vii and “Installation guidelines”
on page 44.

2. Turn off the server and peripheral devices and disconnect the power cords.

3. Remove the cover (see “Removing the cover” on page 52).

82 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide

4. Remove the hard disk drives and filler panels from the hard disk drive bays.

5. Remove the screws from the bezel.

Bezel screws

Video connector
screws

6. Remove the screws from the video connector.

7. Pull the top of the bezel out slightly; then, rotate it downward until the tabs on
the bottom of the bezel disengages from the chassis and set it aside.

8. Slide the hot-swap hard disk drive cage forward into the server until the screw
holes on the drive cage align with the screw holes on the chassis.

9. Insert the tabs on the bottom of the bezel into the holes on the chassis.

10. Reinstall the bezel screws and the video connector screws.

11. Align the sides of the hard disk drive backplane with the slots on the backplane
bracket.

12. Insert the hard disk drive backplane into the slots on the backplane bracket
and push the hard disk drive backplane down until the backplane is fully
seated.

Note: You can reconnect the cables to the hard disk drive backplane before

Hard disk drive cage

Bezel

installing the backplane onto the brackets or you can connect the
cables after you install the backplane, if that is easier for you.

Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 83

Hard disk drive
backplane

Backplane
bracket slots

13. Connect the SATA power cable, the SATA signal cable, and the configuration
cable to the hard disk drive backplane (see “Internal cable routing and
connectors” on page 47).

Note: The configuration cable will not be shipped with this option. The

configuration cable is already installed from the system board to the
original backplane, this cable is two drops chained cable. Connect the
end of this cable to the newly-added 4 Pac HDD backplane.

14. Connect the other end of the SATA signal cable to the connector on the
SAS/SATA adapter (see step 8 on page 76).

15. Reinstall the hard disk drives and filler panels.

If you have other devices to install or remove, do so now. Otherwise, go to
“Completing the installation” on page 103.

Installing a second microprocessor and heat sink

The following notes describe the type of microprocessor that the server supports
and other information that you must consider when you install a microprocessor and
heat sink:

v Microprocessors are to be installed only by trained service technicians.

Important: Always use the microprocessor installation tool to install a
microprocessor. Failing to use the microprocessor installation tool may damage
the microprocessor sockets on the system board. Any damage to the
microprocessor sockets may require replacing the system board.

v To confirm that the server supports the adapter that you are installing, see

http://www.ibm.com/systems/info/x86servers/serverproven/compat/us/.

v Microprocessors are to be installed only by trained service technicians.

84 IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Installation and User’s Guide