Superior performance/U in a 4-socket, 2U server
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Product Guide
August 2010
Product Overview
CONTENTS
Product Overview
Selling Features
Key Features
Key Options
x3755 M3 Images
x3755 M3 Specifications 1
The Bottom Line 1
Server Comparison Chart 1
For More Information 1
Legal Information 1
IBM System x3755 M3
Outstanding price/performance for mid-size workloads
Suggested Uses: Businesses requiring a rack-optimized compute-dense server for business
intelligence, midsized databases or virtualization, ERP, HPC, and the like.
The challenge today is to squeeze as much performance out of your IT dollars as possible, while
saving cost on features not needed. The four-socket, IBM® System x3755 M3, incorporating
IBM X-Architecture™ features, meets that challenge. It was designed to eliminate system
architecture bottlenecks through the use of separate, high-speed links between the processors,
main memory and I/O. It is well suited for application workloads that benefit from a 4-processor
system with outstanding price/performance, offering high compute density, large memory
capacity, and high I/O throughput, all in a small rack footprint. Up to 21 x3755 M3 servers can be
installed in a single 42U rack, offering the compute density of up to 84 processors (1008
processing cores) per rack.
The x3755 M3 supports the latest 12- and 8-core AMD Opteron 6000 series processors with
DirectConnect Architecture and HyperTransport technology, to offer impressive computing power
in a 2U rack-optimized design. This server offers, up to 48 processor cores, high memory
bandwidth, and high floating-point performance at an affordable price. The x3755 M3 offers
up to 256GB1 of industry-standard 1333MHz DDR3 (PC3-10600) memory with Chipkill™ ECC
(Error Checking and Correcting) protection—for high performance and reliability. For even higher
levels of availability, the x3755 M3 also offers online memory sparing. Two dual-port
integrated Gigabit Ethernet controllers are standard—offering TOE (TCP offload engine) and
RDMA support, load-balancing and failover capabilities, along with four high-performance PCIe
Gen 2 adapter slots.
All models offer support for two or four processors and a choice of high-performance hard disk
drives with an internal storage capacity of up to 16TB (eight 3.5-inch hot-swap SATA drives) or
4.8TB2 (four 3.5-inch hot-swap SAS drives). The integrated ServeRAID™ SAS (Serial Attach
SCSI)/SATA (Serial-attach ATA) controller provides hardware-based RAID-0/1/10 or RAID-
0/1/10/5/50 support standard (model-specific). Additional RAID support is available via upgrade.
Standard in the x3755 M3 is an integrated Baseboard Management Controller (iBMC) that
enables the user to manage and control the server easily—both locally and remotely. This high
level of manageability is designed to keep costs down and the system up. A pop-out/drop-down
light path diagnostics panel enables quick servicing of the system if a problem develops.
These advanced features help maximize network availability by increasing uptime, as do
integrated RAID; temperature-controlled fans; IPMI 2.0 support, including highly secure
remote power control and Serial over LAN; as well as text-console redirect over LAN.
Another improvement in the new generation of X-Architecture is the replacement of legacy BIOS
with a new generation Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). UEFI provides a more
intuitive user interface and understandable event logs and better management.
With the inclusion of unique IBM service and support features such as IBM Active Memory™, the
iBMC, UEFI, light path diagnostics, IBM Systems Director, IBM ServerGuide™, and others, the
x3755 M3 is designed for maximum uptime.
If you need highly manageable, quad-socket/multi-core price/performer in a rack-dense 2U
package, the x3755 M3 is the ideal system.
Selling Features
The x3755 M3 offers numerous features to boost performance and reduce product and operating
costs:
• Up to four 12- or 8-core Opteron 6000 series processors with HyperTransport Technology,
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Maximum memory and disk capacity may require the replacement of standard components with the largest supported component
available. 256GB capacity using 8GB DIMMs requires a 4-processor system in order to use all 64 sockets. In a two-processor
configuration, only 16 total DIMM sockets are available; thus a two-processor system is limited to 128GB of RAM (16 x 8GB).
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GB equals 1,000,000,000 bytes when referring to hard disk drive capacity. Accessible capacity may be less.
Please see the Legal Information section for important notices and information.
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Superior performance/U in a 4-socket, 2U server
DirectConnect Architecture and 12MB of integrated Level 3 cache per processor offer solid
performance capable of tackling the toughest jobs.
• Each processor includes 4 integrated memory controllers (one per memory channel), for up
to 16 memory controllers per server.
• Energy-efficient processors use less power and produce lest waste heat than less efficient
processors, thus helping to reduce data center energy costs. For example, the 12-core 115W
(maximum) processors average only 80W in typical use, which is under 7W per core.
• All x3755 M3 servers support 2 DIMMs per channel (2DPC) at 1333MHz (using 1.5V DIMMs).
• Fast PC3-10600 DDR3 ECC memory with Chipkill error correction and online memory
sparing protection provides speed and high availability.
• Four high-speed PCIe Gen 2 adapter slots offer investment protection by supporting high-
performance adapters, such as 10Gb Ethernet and InfiniBand cards.
• Integrated ServeRAID controllers support RAID-0/1/10 or RAID-0/1/10/5/50 standard (model-
specific), upgradeable to RAID-0/1/10/5/50.
• Up to eight 3.5-inch hot-swap SAS or SATA hard disk drives offer high-performance with
high availability.
• Two integrated dual-port Gigabit Ethernet controllers with IPMI 2.0 support provide 4 ports
for high-speed network communications.
• Support for TCP Offload Engine (TOE) and RDMA offers higher performance for TCP/IP
traffic, with less overhead on the system processor.
• A high degree of device integration—including quad Gigabit Ethernet, systems
management and video controllers—lowers costs and frees up valuable adapter slots.
Flexibility
The x3755 M3 has the ability to grow with your application requirements, thanks to:
• A choice of Opteron processors with 1.8 through 2.3GHz clock rates and 79-137W maximum
power draw.
• Up to 256GB of high-speed DDR3 system memory (64GB per processor).
• Three available high-performance adapter slots (one PCIe x16, one x8, one x4 in all
models.
• Hardware-based support for RAID-0/1/10 (upgradeable to RAID-5/50) is provided standard in
most models. Other models provide RAID-0/1/10/5/50 standard (upgradeable with RAID-6/60
and battery backup).
• The five USB 2.0 ports are up to 40X faster3 than older USB 1.1 ports. This provides speedy
access to external HDDs (non-arrayed), optical drives, tape drives, and other USB devices.
Two ports are on the front of the unit, one is internal, and two are on the back.
• Up to eight internal 3.5-inch hot-swap SAS/SATA HDDs are supported internally (up to 16TB
SATA or 4.8TB SAS).
Manageability
Powerful systems management features simplify local and remote management of the x3755 M3:
• The x3755 M3 includes an integrated Baseboard Management Controller (iBMC) to monitor
server availability, perform Predictive Failure Analysis, etc., and trigger IBM Systems Director
alerts. The BMC enables service personnel to use sophisticated diagnostic tools, such as light
path diagnostics and Serial over LAN, to resolve problems quickly. The remote presence
feature offers remote control of keyboard, video, and mouse, graphical console redirection
over LAN, remote virtual floppy and CD-ROM, plus the latest OS failure screen capture.
• Integrated IPMI 2.0 support alerts IBM Systems Director to anomalous environmental factors,
such as voltage and thermal conditions. It also supports highly secure remote power
control using data encryption.
• Text Console Redirection support allows the administrator to remotely view x3755 M3 text
messages over Serial or LAN.
• Integrated industry-standard Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) next-generation
BIOS. New capabilities include:
– Human readable event logs — no more beep codes
– Complete out-of-band coverage by the Advance Settings Utility to simplify remote setup
– A complete setup solution, allowing adapter configuration functions to be moved into UEFI
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Data transfer rates may be less than the maximum possible.
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Superior performance/U in a 4-socket, 2U server
– Consistent firmware management across an entire product line
• Integrated Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 support.
• IBM Systems Director is provided for proactive systems management. It comes with a portfolio
of tools, including IBM Systems Director Active Energy Manager and others. In addition, IBM
Systems Director offers extended systems management tools f or additional server
management and increased availability.
Availability and Serviceability
The x3755 M3 provides many features to simplify serviceability and increase system uptime:
• x3755 M3 servers support Chipkill-enabled memory DIMMs. Chipkill memory is up to 16X
better than standard ECC memory at correcting memory errors. This can help reduce
downtime caused by memory errors.
• The x3755 M3 offers online memory sparing for redundancy in the event of a noncorrectable
memory failure.
• Toolless cover removal provides easy access to upgrades and serviceable parts. Similarly,
the DIMMS, HDDs, system battery, and adapters can be installed and replaced without
tools. This means less time (and therefore less money) spent s ervicing the x3755 M3.
Additionally, hot-swap/redundant HDDs, fan modules and power supplies, as well as
online memory sparing, mean greater system uptime while these components are being
serviced.
• New toolless slides ship with the server, together with a Cable Management Arm (CMA),
that allow the rack server to easily slide into place
• IBM Thermal Diagnostics allows the administrator to evaluate thermal data on the server
without taking the hardware offline. This can provide greater server uptime.
• The drop-down light path diagnostics panel and individual light path LEDs quickly lead the
technician to failed (or failing) components. This simplifies servicing, speeds up problem
resolution and helps improve network availability.
• Integrated 6Gbps RAID controller to enhance system availability and data.
• IPMI 2.0 supports highly secure remote system power control using data encryption. This
allows an administrator to restart a server without having to visit it in person, saving travel time
and getting the server back up and running quickly and securely. It also adds new features to
those provided by IPMI 1.5, including VLAN support, Serial over LAN, enhanced
authentication and encryption algorithms (RM CP+ and AES) and a firmware firewall.
• Temperature-controlled hot-swap redundant fans adjust to compensate for changing
thermal characteristics. At the lower speeds they draw less power and suffer less wear.
Equally important in a crowded data center, temperature-controlled fans produce less ambient
noise in the data center than if they were constantly running at full speed.
• Hot-swap/redundant power supplies (two in a 2-processor system or three in a 4-processor
system) for N+N or N+1 redundancy.
• The three-year (parts and labor) limited onsite warranty4 helps afford you peace of mind
and greater investment protection than a one-year warranty does.
Key Features
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For terms and conditions or copies of the IBM Statement of Limited Warranty, call 800-772-2227 in the U.S. In Canada call 800-
426-2255. Telephone support may be subject to additional charges. For warranties including onsite labor, a technician is sent after
IBM attempts to resolve the problem remotely. International warranty service is available in any country in which this product is
sold.
High-Performance Multi-Core Opteron Processors
The x3755 M3 supports up to four high-performance 12- or 8-core AMD Opteron 6000 series
processors in only 2U of rack space. The x3755 M3 offers a choice of processors:
• 137W maximum (105W average) 12-core AMD Opteron 6176SE at 2.3Ghz with 64-bit
• 115W maximum (80W average) 12-core AMD Opteron 6172 at 2.2Ghz with 64-bit extensions,
• 115W maximum (80W average) 8-core AMD Opteron 6128 or 6134 operating at 2.0 or
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extensions, extremely low power draw per core (11.4W), 6.4 GTps (gigatransfers per second),
1333MHz memory access, quad integrated memory controllers, and 12MB of L3 processor
cache (1MB per core)—available via CTO only
extremely low power draw per core (9.6W), 6.4 GTps (gigatransf ers per second), 1333MHz
memory access, quad integrated memory controllers, and 12MB of L3 processor cache (1MB
per core)
2.3GHz (respectively), with 64-bit extensions, low power draw per core (14.4W), 6.4 GTps,
1333MHz memory access, quad integrated memory controllers, and 12MB of L3 processor
cache (1.5MB per core)
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Superior performance/U in a 4-socket, 2U server
• 79W maximum (65W average) 8-core AMD Opteron 6124HE operating at 1.8GHz, with 64-bit
extensions, extremely low power draw per core (9.9W), 6.4 GTps, 1333MHz memory access,
quad integrated memory controllers, and 12MB of L3 processor cache (1.5MB per core)—
available via CTO only
System power-efficiency is crucial for businesses looking to increase their computing strength
to spread the workload without outgrowing their current data center. With the power-efficient AMD
Opteron dual-core processors, increased performance-per-watt improves compute capacity
within the same infrastructure space. By replacing old Opteron processor-based servers with new
x3755 M3 servers using the new power-efficient processors, you can reduce the number of
servers needed by up to 54%, with equivalent performance and as much as a 427% power
reduction. Or, you can nearly double the performance in the same space while still saving on
power, when implementing a one-to-one server replacement.
HyperTransport technology is a high-speed, low-latency, point-to-point link, designed to
increase the communication speed between circuits. It permits the fastest possible access to
CPU and memory. The x3755 M3 incorporates the latest version of HyperTransport technology,
which provides coherent bandwidth (among processors) of up to 3.2GBps and noncoherent
bandwidth (between processors and I/O) of up to 2.6GBps. Go to http://amd.com for more
information on HyperTransport technology.
AMD PowerNow! technology with optimized power management dynamically reduces processor
power draw based on workload. This can result in a power savings of up to 55% per processor at
CPU idle.
DDR3 ECC Memory with Chipkill Protection
x3755 M3 servers use registered double data rate III (DDR3) DIMMs and provide Active Memory
features, including advanced Chipkill memory protection, for up to 16X better error correction
than standard ECC memory, and optional online memory sparing. In addition to offering triple
the memory bandwidth of registered DDR2 or fully-buffered memory, DDR3 memory also uses
less energy. DDR2 memory already offered up to 37% lower energy use than fully buffered
memory. Now, a generation later, DDR3 memory is even more efficient, using 10-15 % less
energy than DDR2 memory.
The x3755 M3 supports up to 32 DIMMs, with 8 DIMM slots assigned to each processor (four
memory channels with two DIMM slots and one memory controller per channel). Therefore a 2processor system is limited to 16 DIMMs. Four processors are required to use all 32 DIMM slots.
Memory types supported include single-, dual-, and quad-rank, 1.5V and energy-efficient 1.35V
DIMMs. 1.35V DIMMs consume up to 18% less energy than 1.5V DIMMs.
Notes: Memory is available in 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB DIMMs. It is highly recommended that memory
be installed in pairs, f or load-balancing purposes. The DIMMs within a pair must be identical
(capacity, rank, and speed). Chipkill protection is offered with either x4 or x8 DIMMs.
The x3755 M3 supports up to two DIMMs per channel (2DPC) running at 133MHz, depending on
the configuration. Memory configurations include:
• 2DPC — Single- and dual-rank 1.5V and 1.35V at 1333MH z
• 2DPC — 2 quad-rank, or 1 quad-rank and 1 single- or dual-rank 1.5V at
1066MHz; 1.35V at 800MHz
• 1DPC — Single- and dual-rank 1.5V and 1.35V at 1333MHz
• 1DPC — Quad-rank 1.5V at 1333MHz; 1.35V at 1066MHz
With online sparing enabled one rank of each pair is configured as a spare. These spare ranks
are used in the event of a DIMM failure. Using online sparing, only 1/2 of the memory is available
for use with two single-rank DIMMs in a memory channel; with one single-rank DIMM and one
dual-rank DIMM, only 2/3 of the memory is available. 3/4 of the memory is available with two
dual-rank DIMMs. (Online sparing is not available with quad-rank DIMMs.)
High-Performance Adapter Slots
The x3755 M3 provides four high-speed PCI Express (PCIe) Gen 2 adapter slots to fit a variety
of needs. PCI Express Gen 2 is the latest high-performance, low-latency, next-generation serial
I/O bus. One x16 physical/x16 electrical (“by 16”) 16GBps full-length/full-height slot (Slot 1)
supports x1/x4/x8/x16 Gen 1 or Gen 2 cards at full rated throughput. Two x8 physical/x8
electrical 8GBps half-length/full-height slots (Slots 2 and 3) support x1/x4/x8 Gen 1 or Gen 2
cards at full rated throughput. One x8 physical/x4 electrical 4GBps half-length/full-height slot
(Slot 4) support x1, x4, and x8 Gen 1 or Gen 2 cards, but at a maximum of x4 Gen 2 throughput.
Slot 4 is reserved for the RAID controller.
Drive Bays
The x3755 M3 contains nine drive bays in all (one 5.25-inch and eight 3.5-inch). All models
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Superior performance/U in a 4-socket, 2U server
support hot-swap SAS/SATA drives. This enables up to eight SAS or SATA drives to be
installed.
The fifth drive bay supports an optional 5.25-inch optical drive with a SATA interface. No floppy
drive is supplied with any model; an external USB floppy drive may be used, if needed.
Large HDD Storage Capacity
The x3755 M3 offers a choice of disk storage, supporting up to eight 3.5-inch hot-swap SAS or
SATA drives:
3.5-inch SAS
• 15,000 RPMs — 300 or 600GB (4.8TB)
3.5-inch SATA
• 7,200 RPMs — 250 or 500GB, 1 or 2TB (16TB)
Disk Controllers
All models include an integrated IBM ServeRAID-M1015 or ServeRAID-M5015 SAS/SATA
Controller (model-specific) in a dedicated PCIe slot. Supported controllers include:
• The 6Gbps (x8 PCIe) ServeRAID-M1015 SAS/SATA controller — RAID-0/1/10 (no cache)
for up to 8 drives. The IBM ServeRAID M1000 Series Advance Feature Key adds RAID-5
support.
• The 6Gbps (x8 PCIe) ServeRAID-M5015 SAS/SATA controller — enhanced performance
with 512MB of cache memory and battery backup, and supports RAID-0/1/10/5/50 for up to
8 drives.
• The ServeRAID M5000 Series Advance Feature Key adds RAID-6/60 to the M5015.
Dual Gigabit Ethernet Controllers
The x3755 M3 includes two dual-port integrated Broadcom BCM5709C Gigabit Ethernet
controllers with TOE, and RDMA support, as well as load-balancing and failover capabilities,
with up to 10X higher maximum throughput than a 10/100 Ethernet controller.
It also supports highly secure remote power management using IPMI 2.0, plus Wake on LAN®
and PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) flash interface. Optional PCI adapters offering failover
and load balancing between adapters are available for added throughput and increased system
availability.
Ultra-Efficient Cooling
Strategically located fans, combined with efficient airflow paths, provide highly effective system
cooling for the x3755 M3. The server includes five hot-swap f ans standard. These offer failover
capability. In addition, each power supply contains a fan.
The system contains two cooling zones. Zone 1 (incorporating four fans) cools the processors
and their associated memory. Zone 2 (one f an) cools the adapter slots.
The fans automatically adjust speeds in response to changing thermal requirements, from the
minimum speed to a maximum of 16,000 RPMs, depending on the zone and internal
temperatures. When the temperature inside the server increases, the fans speed up to maintain
the proper ambient temperature. When the temperature returns to a normal operating level, the
fans return to their default speed. Why not simply run the fans at 100% capacity all the time? For
several good reasons: to reduce the ambient noise, reduce the wear-and-tear on the fans and
reduce the server power draw. The reduction in ambient noise and power draw may be relatively
minor for a single server, but put dozens or hundreds in a data center and it can make a big
difference.
In addition, the server uses hexagonal ventilation holes in the chassis. Hexagonal holes can be
grouped more densely than round holes, providing greater airflow through the system cover.
This cooling scheme is important because newer, more powerful processors generate a
significant amount of heat, and heat must be controlled for the system to function properly.
Hot-Swap/Redundant Components
System availability is maximized through the extensive use of hot-swap and redundant
components, including:
• Redundant memory protection (with Chipkill and/or online memory sparing enabled)
• Hot-swap, redundant hard disk drives (with RAID-1/10 or 1/10/5/50 protection standard and
RAID-5 or 6/60 optional)
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Superior performance/U in a 4-socket, 2U server
• Hot-swap, redundant power supplies (optional)—Energy Star-compliant (80+Gold); up to
92% efficient
• Hot-swap, redundant cooling fans
Light Path Diagnostics
Light path diagnostics enables a technician to quickly identify and locate a failed or failing system
component, such as a specific fan or memory DIMM. This enables quick replacement of the
component, which helps increase server uptime and lower operating costs.
The front of the server has an LED indicator light to show possible component failures. If the front
LED indicates an error condition, by pressing a button on the front of the server an LED panel will
pop out and drop down for easy viewing without the need to open the server cover or remove the
server from the rack. The light path diagnostics panel tells the servicer which component requires
attention. In addition, many components have their own identifying LEDs. For example, each of
the memory modules has an LED next to the DIMM slot, as do all processors, all adapter slots, all
fans, the power supply, the voltage regulator modules and the service processor. This allows the
servicer to easily identify exactly which component needs servicing. By following the “light path,”
the component can be replaced quickly, and without guesswork. (Note: In the event of a failed
DIMM or processor, the system will restart and mark the component as bad while offline, thus
allowing the system to continue running, with reduced capacity, until serviced.)
Other Features
• Trusted Platform Module standard — This module provides a highly secure start-up process
from power-on through hand-off to the operating system boot loader. ACPI support is provided
to allow ACPI-enabled operating systems to access the security features of this module. (TCG
V1.2-compliant.)
• Five USB 2.0 ports — Provides flexibility to add high-speed external devices. The USB 2.0
specification supports up to 480Mbps transfer rates. (Note: Not all USB 2.0 devices are
capable of achieving this rate.) Two ports are provided on the front of the server, two are on
the back, and 1 is internal to support an optional flash memory key with embedded hypervisor.
• Toolless slides — Allows quick rack installation and quicker upgrade and servicing of the
server.
• Toolless chassis — The cover can be opened without tools, and many components can be
added or replaced without tools, including processors, DIMMs, hot-swap HDDs, PCIe
adapters, an optional optical drive, and the integrated or optional ServeRAID controller. This
can save a servicer significant time.
Advanced Systems Management Capabilities
The x3755 M3 has a high level of systems management capabilities that are well-suited to
remote locations as well as to stand-alone environments. Features include the UEFI, an
integrated Baseboard Management Controller (iBMC) with remote presence, IBM ToolsCenter, IBM
Systems Director Active Energy Manager, Automatic Server Restart, W ake on LAN support, PXE
support, text console redirect, Predictive Failure Analysis, and IBM Systems Director.
The iBMC provides industry-standard Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) 2.0compliant systems management. It provides a number of important system functions, including:
• Monitoring of system and battery voltage, system temperature, fans, power supplies,
processor and DIMM status
• Fan speed control
• Product ID and Family ID detection
• Highly secure remote power on/off
• System reset control
• NMI/SMI detection and generation
• System diagnostic LED control (power, HDD, activity, alerts, heartbeat)
• IPMI over LAN
• Serial Over LAN
• Proxy server support
• LAN messaging and alerting
• Text console redirection over LAN
• Predictive Failure Analysis for system f ans
• Web-based out-of-band control
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Superior performance/U in a 4-socket, 2U server
• SSL (Secure Socket Layer) and LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) support
• Enhanced authentication and encryption algorithms (RMCP+, AES)
• Local update of iBMC firmware
• Firmware firewall
• Support for IPMI v2.0 compliant management software (e.g., xCAT)
• Other mandatory and optional IPMI iBMC functions
The iBMC alerts IBM Systems Director to anomalous environmental factors, such as voltage and
thermal conditions—even if the server has failed.
The iBMC remote presence feature offers additional systems management capabilities, including:
• Graphical console redirection over LAN
• Remote virtual floppy and CD-ROM
• High-speed remote redirection of PCI video, keyboard and mouse
IBM ToolsCenter consolidates 42 needed tools for managing servers individually into an
integrated suite of 8 tools. They are organized by function: deployment, updates, configuration
and diagnostics. Tools are now simpler to access and use with a single webpage for access, a
common look and feel and a common command line interface for the scripting tools. The
ToolsCenter Bootable Media Creator offers significantly more functionality than past tools with
the ability to add more tools to the bootable image and to automatically download the bootable
environment if needed. Bootable Media Creator allows you to create bootable CDs, DVD, and
USB keys for updates customized to your s ystems.
Automatic Server Restart (ASR) helps reduce downtime by restarting the server automatically
in the event of a system lockup. If the operating system crashes or the hardware freezes, it
automatically triggers the ASR hardware, which immediately restarts the server (and logs an ASR
event with IBM Systems Director). These features are designed so that no more than five minutes
can pass before the server is restarted.
Wake on LAN permits the server to be remotely powered on if it has been shut off. Once
powered up, the server can be controlled across the network, using the Preboot Execution
Environment (PXE).
Like Wake on LAN, PXE is system firmware. It enables software to take control of a system
before the BIOS, operating system or applications are loaded (using W ake on LAN/PXE) and lets
an administrator perform many low-level tasks remotely that would otherwise require a visit to
each system. These tasks may include such things as formatting a hard disk drive, updating
system firmware, or deploying a Windows or Linux operating system.
Text and Graphical Console Redirection support allows the administrator to remotely view
system text messages and graphics over serial or LAN.
Predictive Failure Analysis (PFA) is designed to allow the x3755 M3 to detect impending failure
of supported components (processors, memory, power supplies, fans, and hard disk drives)
before actual failure, and alert the administrator through IBM Systems Director. This gives you
the ability to replace the failing component before it fails, resulting in increased uptime.
IBM Systems Director software for advanced workgroup management is included standard. IBM
Systems Director comes with a portfolio of tools. System Availability (a no-charge download) and
Capacity Manager (sold separately) are available as add-ons f or additional server management
and increased availability. IBM Systems Director provides a single uniform graphical interface for
all of these systems management functions. IBM Systems Director enables you to customize
thresholds and monitor system components (for things like temperature, voltage regulation, etc.)
to help maximize uptime.
Extensive System Support Features
The IBM services and technical support portf olio provides world-class, consistent, high-quality
service and support. The x3755 M3 offers a number of tools and services designed to make
ownership a positive experience. From the start, IBM programs make it easier for you to plan for,
configure and purchase System servers, get them running and keep them running long-term.
These features include IBM ServerProven, the IBM Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool,
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IIBM ServerGuide, Product Customization Services and extensive technical support offerings.
The IBM ServerProven program provides the confidence that specific options and operating
systems have been tested on the server and are officially supported to work together. It is
updated frequently to ensure that the latest compatibility information is always at your fingertips.
The IBM Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool (SSCT) is a downloadable tool that
simplifies the often complex chore of configuring a full rack of servers (including blade servers)
and confirming that you have all the cables, power distribution units, KVM (keyboard, video and
mouse) switch boxes and other components you need, as well as the proper airflow clearances,
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Superior performance/U in a 4-socket, 2U server
electrical circuits and other environmental conditions.
IBM ServerGuide (installed from CD) simplifies the process of installing and configuring System
x and BladeCenter servers. ServerGuide goes beyond mere hardware configuration by assisting
with the automated installation of the Microsoft® Windows® Server 2008 operating systems,
device drivers and other system components, with minimal user intervention. (Drivers are also
included for support of Novell NetWare, Red Hat Linux and SUSE LINUX.) This focus on
deployment helps you reduce both your total cost of ownership and the complexity that
administrators and technical personnel face.
Additional services include hardware warranty upgrades and factory-installed Product
Customization Services (PCS), such as asset tagging, hardware integration, software imaging
and operating systems personalization.
IBM offers extensive industry-leading technical support by phone and via the Web. Support
options include links to forums/newsgroups, problem submission, online shopping support,
service offerings, device drivers for all IBM product lines, software downloads and even upcoming
technical seminar worldwide schedules and registration. Also available are remote installation,
configuration and usage support for System x hardware and software, as well as onsite custom
services to provide the level of expertise you require.
IBM Maintenance and Technical Support solutions can help you get the most out of your IT
investment by reducing support costs, increasing availability and simplifying management with
integrated support for your multiproduct, multivendor hardware and software environment. For
more information on hardware maintenance, software support, solution support and managed
support, visit http://ibm.com/services/maintenance.
Key Options
IBM options for System x servers help you take your servers to a
higher level
You can rely on System x options to supply a complete solution for your business needs. Options
help you create an optimized server system to meet your data protection, storage and availability
needs. Every IBM option is designed and tested for peak performance and flexibility, helping to
maximize your return on investment. The combination of System x servers and options lets you
keep your fingers on the pulse of you e-business.
Processors — The AMD Opteron 6000 series processors provide 12 or 8 cores, 64-bit
extensions, a large cache and four integrated memory controllers. DirectConnnect Architecture
and a large cache, combined with fast 1333MHz memory access, reduces memory latency and
facilitates the movement of data through the processor and I/O devices. (Note: System
performance depends not only on the number of processors in the server but also on the power
and functionality of each processor.) Adding additional processors may be a cost-effective way to
achieve significant performance improvements.
Memory — Memory is a significant factor in systems application performance. Adding more
memory to a System x server is one of the most effective ways to increase application
performance. For best performance in a server with 8-core processors, there should be twice as
much memory available as for a 4-core processor. The x3755 M3 takes memory upgrades in
pairs and provides two-way interleaving. (Note: Each processor provides 8 DIMM slots.)
Power Supply — W ith two processors installed, the optional 1100W second power supply for the
x3755 M3 enables redundancy for hot-swap power. When four processors are installed, two hotswap power supplies are required; a third provides redundancy.
Hard Disk Drives — IBM hard disk drives help customers improve the transaction and cost
performance of their System x servers. The choice of hard disk drives can be a critical aspect of
maximizing the I/O throughput of the system. SAS hard disk drives (3.5-inch) are available for the
x3755 M3 with capacities of 300 or 600GB at 15,000 RPMs. SATA hard disk drives (3.5-inch) are
available with capacities of 250 and 500GB, and 1 or 2TB, at 7,200 RPMs.
IBM ServeRAID Controllers — System x servers using ServeRAID technology allow companies
to build a reliable foundation for business-critical computing. IBM ServeRAID technology allows
an array consisting of multiple physical hard disk drives to be treated as one logical drive.
ServeRAID technology also allows data to be stored redundantly, across multiple hard disk
drives— enhancing both the integrity and the availability of the data. SAS and SATA ServeRAID
controllers offer enhanced performance due to onboard processors and cache. Because IBM
ServeRAID controllers can help significantly improve data transf er rates, this technology is
extremely effective when implementing demanding, transaction-oriented applications. By
employing the advanced fault tolerance of IBM ServeRAID technology, companies can effectively
implement networked business systems that require large amounts of storage space for data and
applications that must be available for their businesses to continue operating.
The IBM ServeRAID-M 1015, x8 PCIe and 6Gbps, offers RAID-0/1/10; optionally RAID-5/50 with
SED support. The IBM ServeRAID-M5014, x8 PCIe and 6Gbps, provides 256MB cache and
RAID-0/1/10/5/50; optionally RAID-6/60 with SED, and battery backup). The IBM ServeRAID-
M5015, x8 PCIe and 6Gbps, has 512MB cache and RAID-0/1/10/5/50; optionally RAID-6/60 and
Please see the Legal Information section for important notices and information.
8
Superior performance/U in a 4-socket, 2U server
PCIe
Video
HS Redun
dant
USB
Serial
10/100
Ethernet
Gb Ethernet
Hexagonal
battery backup. The IBM ServeRAID M1000 Series Advance Feature Key adds RAID-5/50
support to the ServeRAID-M1015. Similarly, the IBM ServeRAID M5000 Series Advance
Feature Key adds RAID-6/60 support to the M5015.
x3755 M3 Images
Front View
Hot-Swap Fan
Access Door
Rear View
8 Hot-Swap
SAS/SATA Bays
Status
LEDs
Pop-Out Light
Path Diagnostics
Panel
Optional
Optical
Drive
Light Path
Diagnostics Panel
Eject Button
USB Ports
Power Supplies
Ventilation
Holes
Ports
Ports
Port
Port
Port for BMC
Please see the Legal Information section for important notices and information.
Slots
9
Superior performance/U in a 4-socket, 2U server
Processor /
Adapter
Riser
Adapter
Interior View
Slots
DIMMs
Heatsink
Cage
Card
x3755 M3 Specifications
Machine type 7164-22x, 42x, 62x
DIMMs
Form factor 2U
12-core AMD Opteron
14.4W
(61xx Series)
1.8GHz 6124HE (cia CTO), 2.0GHz 6128
CTO)
115W (80W average)---
22x, 42x, 62x
11.4W
(6176SE)
I/O)
Processor type
Maximum processor power draw
Maximum power draw per core
HyperTransport link speed
# of processors standard / maximum 2 / 4 (22x, 42x, 62x)
Internal L2 / L3 processor cache 512B L2 per core 12MB L3 (shared by all cores)
Chipset AMD SR5690 and SP5100
Standard memory5 16GB (4 x 4GB)—62x 8GB (2 x 2GB)—22x, 42x
Maximum memory 256GB
5
Maximum memory and disk capacity may require the replacement of standard components with the largest supported component
available.
2.2GHz 6174 (62x), 2.3GHz 6176SE (via
137W (105W average)—
6176SE via CTO
(22x, 42x)
3.2GHz coherent (among processors); 2.6GHz noncoherent (between processors and
8-core AMD Opteron
(61xx Series)
(22x), 2.3GHz 6134 (42x)
79W (65W average)—
6124HE via CTO
9.9W
(6124HE)
9.6W
(62x)
Please see the Legal Information section for important notices and information.
10
Superior performance/U in a 4-socket, 2U server
x3755 M3 Specifications
Standard memory type PC3-10600 (1333MHz) DDR3 ECC
Memory interleaving Yes (two-way)
DIMM capacities supported 2GB, 4GB, 8GB
# of DIMM sockets total / available 32 / 28 (62x)—8 sockets per processor
2 DIMMs per Channel (2DPC) support Yes (up to 256GB at 2DPC)
Online memory sparing supported / #
of DIMM sockets reserved for sparing
Memory mirroring supported / # of
DIMM sockets reserved for mirroring
# of drive bays total / available 9 / 9
# of HDD drive bays total / available 8 / 8 3.5-inch
# of 5.25" bays total / available 1 / 0 (optical drive optional)
Maximum HDD capacity 16TB (8 x 2TB) hot-swap SAS 3.5-inch
HDD capacities supported
# of HDDs standard None
# of optical drives standard None
# of diskette drives standard None (optional external USB)
Internal tape drives supported No
Disk drive technology Hot-swap SAS/SATA
Integrated disk controller 8-port SAS RAID
300, 600GB — 15K RPMs
Yes / 1 rank per channel (4 channels per processor)
3.5-inch HS SAS
32 / 30 (22x, 42x)—8 sockets per
processor
N/A
3.5-inch HS SATA
250, 500GB, 1, 2TB — 7.2K RPMs
# of disk drives supported per port 1
External disk drives supported Yes, via adapter
Integrated RAID controller standard
Optional RAID controllers supported ServeRAID-M5015—22x, 42x
# of adapter slots total / available 4 / 3 (RAID adapter installed)
# of PCIe Gen 2 x16/x8 slots (16GBps) 1 (standard) full-height/full-length
# of PCIe Gen 2 x8/x8 slots (8GBps) 2 (standard) full-height/half-length
# of PCIe Gen 2 x8/x4 slots (4GBps) 1 (standard) half-length/low-profile (reserved for RAID card)
# of PCI-X/133 slots (1GBps) None
# of video ports 1 (rear)
Video controller AST 2010 (integrated on iBMC)
Video memory 8MB SDRAM
Maximum video resolution 1280 x 1024 x 32-bit color at 75Hz
Gigabit Ethernet controller 2 dual-port Broadcom BCM5709
TOE / RDMA / failover / load-balancingcapable
ServeRAID-M1015 (x8 PCIe, no cache,
RAID-0/1/10; optional RAID-5)—22x, 42x
Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
ServeRAID-M5015 (x8 PCIe, 512MB
cache, battery, RAID-0/1/10/5/50;
optional RAID-50/60)—62x
Please see the Legal Information section for important notices and information.
11
Superior performance/U in a 4-socket, 2U server
x3755 M3 Specifications
# of Gigabit Ethernet ports 4 (rear)
# of RS485 ports None
# of serial ports 1 (rear)
# of parallel ports None (USB-attached)
# of mouse ports None (USB-attached)
# of keyboard ports None (USB-attached)
# of USB 2.0 ports 5 (2 front, 2 rear, 1 internal for hypervisor)
Integrated systems management
controller
Optional systems management
adapter
Light path diagnostics support Yes
Predictive Failure Analysis support Processors, memory, HDDs, fans, power supplies
Power supply size 1100W universal, autoswitching
# of power supplies standard /
maximum
Hot-swap/redundant power supported Yes (with 2 power supplies for 2 processors; 3 power supplies for 4 processors)
# of fans/blowers standard / maximum 5 / 5 fans (plus one f an per power supply)
Hot-swap/redundant fans supported Yes
Heat emitted
Rack mount method Toolless slides and Cable Management Arm (provided standard)
Maximum altitude
Operating temperature range
648 (min.) - 3753 (typical) BTUs per hour;
190 (min.) - 1100 (typical) Watts per hour
50 – 95º F; 10 – 35º C (up to 3,000 ft /
914.4 m)
1 / 3 (1 required per two processors)
Yes (iBMC)
None
5971 BTUs per hour max. (1930 watts) at
110 VAC
6739 BTUs per hour max. (2150 watts) at
220 VAC
7,000 ft;
2,133 m
50 – 90º F; 10 – 32º C (3,000 ft to 7,000
ft / 914.4m to 2,133m)
Dimensions (HWD) / weight
Operating systems supported Microsoft Windows Server 2008, RHEL 5 64-bit, SLES 10/11 64-bit
Length of limited warranty 3 years (parts and labor)6
The Bottom Line
6
For terms and conditions or copies of the IBM Statement of Limited Warranty, call 800-772-2227 in the U.S. In Canada call 800-
426-2255. IBM makes no representation or warranty regarding third-party products or services including those designated as
ServerProven or ClusterProven. Telephone support may be subject to additional charges. For warranties including onsite labor, a
technician is sent after IBM attempts to resolve the problem remotely. International warranty service is available in any country in
which this product is sold.
Please see the Legal Information section for important notices and information.
The x3755 M3 is an extremely powerful system that incorporates leading-edge industry-standard
features and adds IBM-unique innovations:
Performance
• High-throughput processors — Up to four 2.2 to 2.3GHz 12-core AMD Opteron 6000 series
3.43” (87mm) H
28.64” (727.5mm) D (without front panel)
17.56” (446mm) W
29.4” (747mm) D (with front panel)
processors—up to 48 processor cores total; or up to four 1.8 to 2.3GHz 8-core AMD
48.6 (minimum) - 72.7 lb (maximum)
22 - 33 kg
12
Superior performance/U in a 4-socket, 2U server
Opteron 6000 series processors—up to 32 processor cores in all
• Large cache — 512KB of L2 processor cache; 12MB of L3 cache (shared) in all processors
• 64-bit extensions
• HyperTransport Technology — High-speed access among processors, memory and I/O
controllers
• Fast memory — Up to 1333MHz PC3-10600 DDR III ECC memory access (even with 8
DIMMs populated per processor), low latency, and two-way interleaving
• Fast disk technology — Integrated ServeRAID-M1015 SAS/SATA controller providing
RAID-0/1/10, upgradeable to RAID-0/1/10/5/50 with SED; or integrated ServeRAID-M5015
SAS/SATA controller with 512MB of battery-backed cache, providing RAID-0/1/10/5/50,
upgradeable to RAID-6/60 with SED
• Fast communications — Integrated two dual-port Gigabit Ethernet controllers with TOE/
RDMA support
• Fast I/O — Four PCIe Gen 2 adapter slots
Flexibility
• High-performance configurations using two or four Opteron processors
• Large memory capacity — Up to 256GB, using 32 DIMMs (in a four-processor system)
• Up to eight 3.5-inch hot-swap SAS or SATA drives, as well as support for external iSCSI/FC
SANs
• High-performance external expansion — Five 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports (two front, two rear,
one internal for a hypervisor or tape drive)
• Optional high-performance RAID controllers
• Four available adapter slots —
One x16/x167 PCIe Gen 2 slot (16GBps)
Two x8/x88 PCIe Gen 2 slot (8GBps)
One x8/x49 PCIe Gen 2 slots (4GBps)
• Optional integrated optical drive
Manageability, Serviceability and Availability
• IBM Systems Director systems management software, including (among others):
IBM Systems Director Active Energy Manager
• Integrated Baseboard Management Controller (iBMC):
IPMI 2.0 compliance, including highly secure remote power control
Text console redirection systems management standard
• Active Memory protection:
Advanced Chipkill ECC memory protection, and
Online memory sparing
• ServeRAID-M1015 with RAID-1 disk mirroring and RAID-10 striped/mirrored arrays, or
ServeRAID-M5015 with RAID-1/10/5/50 with memory-backed c ache standard (model-
specific)
• Optional hot-swap/redundant power supplies and cooling
• Light path diagnostics (front LED panel, drop-down light path panel)
• Remote presence capability
Supports LDAP and SSL industry standards
Remote KVM over IP
• Toolless chassis and toolless slide design; integrated Cable Management Arm
7
x16 Gen 2 slots can accept x1, x4, x8, or x16 Gen 1 or Gen 2 adapters running at the adapters’ maximum throughput.
8
x8 Gen 2 slots can accept x1, x4 or x8 Gen 1 or Gen 2 adapters running at the adapters’ maximum throughput.
9
x4 Gen 2 slots can accept x1 or x4 Gen 1 or Gen 2 adapters running at the adapters’ maximum throughput.
Please see the Legal Information section for important notices and information.
13
Superior performance/U in a 4-socket, 2U server
x3250 M3x3550 M3x3620 M3x3630 M3x3650
x3690
x3755 M3x3850 X5x3950
Server Comparison Chart
The following table shows the suggested uses for the respective IBM System x rack-optimized servers, including comparisons of the uses for
which each server is best suited:
Rack-Optimized ServersRequirements
M3
X5
X5
Important
1
Nice to Have
2
Can do without
3
Best
Better
Good
Theme Key Workloads
Cluster / HPC
Modeling & Simulation
HPC
High Performance DB
Business Intelligence
Search
Content
Communities
Commerce
Collaboration
ERP/SCM
CRM
Hosted Client
Point of Sale
Branch Office
Virtualization
Business Continuity
Database
Email/Collaboration
Security
Web Serving
File & Print
Web 2.0 /
Web 3D
Business
Applications
Infrastructure
Applications
Floating Point
Performance
Throughput
Scalability
3 1 1 2 2 1 3 3 3 3
2 1 1 1 3 1 3 2 3 3
2 2 1 1 1 3 2 2 3 3
2 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 3
3 1 1 1 2 1 3 3 1 2
2 2 2 2 2 1 3 3 2 2
1 2 2 2 1 1 2 3 2 2
2 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 2
2 3 2 3 2 1 2 3 2 2
1 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 3
1 3 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 2
3 3 3 2 1 3 1 1 1 1
2 3 3 3 2 2 1 1 2 1
1 2 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 3
2 3 3 3 1 2 2 1 2 2
2 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 3
2 3 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 2
2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 3
3 2 2 2 3 1 2 1 3 3
2 3 2 3 1 2 2 1 3 3
I/O and Storage
Performance
Memory
Integer
High Availability
Management
Systems
Density
Security
Deployment
Distributed
Please see the Legal Information section for important notices and information.
14
Superior performance/U in a 4-socket, 2U server
For More Information
IBM System x Servers and Options http://ibm.com/systems/x
IBM Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool http://ibm.com/systems/x/hardware/configtools.html
IBM Configuration and Options Guide http://ibm.com/systems/x/hardware/configtools.html
IBM ServerProven Program http://ibm.com/systems/info/x86servers/serverproven/compat/us
Technical Support http://ibm.com/server/support
Other Technical Support Resources http://ibm.com/systems/support
Legal Information
© IBM Corporation 2010
IBM Systems and Technology Group
Dept. U2SA
3039 Cornwallis Road
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Produced in the USA
August 2010
All rights reserved
For a copy of applicable product warranties, write to: Warranty
Information, P.O. Box 12195, RTP, NC 27709, Attn: Dept.
JDJA/B203. IBM makes no representation or warranty
regarding third-party products or services including those
designated as ServerProven or ClusterProven®. Telephone
support may be subject to additional charges. For onsite labor,
IBM will attempt to diagnose and resolve the problem remotely
before sending a technician.
IBM, the IBM logo, ibm.com, Active Energy Manager, Active
Memory, Chipkill, ClusterProven, ServeRAID, ServerGuide,
ServerProven, System Storage, System x, W ake on LAN, and
X-Architecture are trademarks of IBM Corporation in the
United States, other countries, or both. If these and other IBM
trademarked terms are marked on their first occurrence in this
information with a trademark symbol (® or ™), these symbols
indicate U.S. registered or common law trademarks owned by
IBM at the time this information was published. Such
trademarks may also be registered or common law
trademarks in other countries. A current list of IBM trademarks
is available on the W eb at
http://ibm.com/legal/copytrade.shtml.
Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
Microsoft, Windows, and the Windows logo are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Other company, product and service names may be
trademarks or service marks of others.
IBM reserves the right to change specifications or other
product information without notice. References in this
publication to IBM products or services do not imply that IBM
intends to make them available in all countries in which IBM
operates. IBM PROVIDES THIS PUBLICATION “AS IS”
WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED W ARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE. Some jurisdictions do not allow disclaimer of
express or implied warranties in certain transactions;
therefore, this statement may not apply to you.
This publication may contain links to third party sites that are
not under the control of or maintained by IBM. Access to any
such third party site is at the user's own risk and IBM is not
responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any information,
data, opinions, advice or statements made on these sites. IBM
provides these links merely as a convenience and the
inclusion of such links does not imply an endorsement.
Information in this presentation concerning non-IBM products
was obtained from the suppliers of these products, published
announcement material or other publicly available sources.
IBM has not tested these products and cannot confirm the
accuracy of performance, compatibility or any other claims
related to non-IBM products. Questions on the capabilities of
non-IBM products should be addressed to the suppliers of
those products.
MB, GB and TB = 1,000,000, 1,000,000,000 and
1,000,000,000,000 bytes, respectively, when referring to
storage capacity. Accessible capacity is less; up to 3GB is
used in service partition. Actual storage capacity will vary
based upon many factors and may be less than stated.
Performance is in Internal Throughput Rate (ITR) ratio based
on measurements and projections using standard IBM
benchmarks in a controlled environment. The actual
throughput that any user will experience will depend on
considerations such as the amount of multiprogramming in the
user’s job stream, the I/O configuration, the storage
configuration and the workload processed. Therefore, no
assurance can be given that an individual user will achieve
throughput improvements equivalent to the performance ratios
stated here.
Maximum internal hard disk and memory capacities may
require the replacement of any standard hard drives and/or
memory and the population of all hard disk bays and memory
slots with the largest currently supported drives available.
When referring to variable speed CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs
and DVDs, actual playback speed will vary and is often less
than the maximum possible.
XSO03119-USEN-00
Please see the Legal Information section for important notices and information.
15
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