IBM 79788BU, 7978B5U, 7978B9U, 7978B1U, 7978BCU User Manual

IBM System x3550 Ty pe 7978

User’ s Gui de

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IBM System x3550 Ty pe 7978

User’ s Gui de

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Note:

Before using this information and the product it supports, read the general information in “Notices,” on page 77.

Second Edition (August 2006)

© Copyright International Business Machines Corporation 2006. All rights reserved.

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

Contents

Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .v

Chapter 1. The System x3550 Type 7978 server . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Related documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Notices and statements used in this document . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Features and specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

What your server offers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Reliability, availability, and serviceability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

IBM Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

The UpdateXpress program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Server controls, LEDs, and power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Front view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Light path diagnostics panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Rear view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Server power features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Chapter 2. Installing options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Server components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

System-board internal connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

System-board external connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

System-board switches and jumpers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

System-board LEDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

System-board channels and baffles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

System-board option connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Installation guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

System reliability guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Working inside the server with the power on . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Handling static-sensitive devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Removing the server cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Removing air baffles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Installing a hot-swap power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Installing a Y power cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Installing a hard disk drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Installing a hot-swap hard disk drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Installing a simple-swap hard disk drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Replacing a riser-card assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Installing an adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Replacing the RAID SAS controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Installing a memory module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Installing a microprocessor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Installing a fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Installing a Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine . . . . . . . . . . . .44

Completing the installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Replacing the server cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Connecting the cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Updating the server configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Chapter 3. Configuring the server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Using the Configuration/Setup Utility program . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Starting the Configuration/Setup Utility program . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Configuration/Setup Utility menu choices . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Using the Boot Menu program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2006 iii

Starting the backup BIOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Using the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD . . . . . . . . . . . .56

ServerGuide features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Setup and configuration overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Typical operating-system installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Installing your operating system without ServerGuide . . . . . . . . . .58

Using the baseboard management controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Enabling and configuring SOL using the OSA SMBridge management utility

program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Installing the OSA SMBridge management utility program . . . . . . . .67

Using the baseboard management controller utility programs . . . . . . .69

Configuring the Gigabit Ethernet controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Configuring hot-swap SAS or hot-swap SATA RAID . . . . . . . . . . .71

Using the IBM ServeRAID Configuration Utility program . . . . . . . . .71

Using ServeRAID Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

Configuring simple-swap SATA RAID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

Using the Adaptec RAID Configuration Utility program . . . . . . . . .74

Setting up an Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine . . . . . . . . . . .75

Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

Cabling the Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine . . . . . . . . . .75

Installing the Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine firmware . . . . . .76

Completing the setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

Appendix. Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Trademarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Important notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

Product recycling and disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

Battery return program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

Electronic emission notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) statement . . . . . . . . .81

Industry Canada Class A emission compliance statement . . . . . . . .81

Australia and New Zealand Class A statement . . . . . . . . . . . .81

United Kingdom telecommunications safety requirement . . . . . . . . .81

European Union EMC Directive conformance statement . . . . . . . . .82

Taiwanese Class A warning statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Chinese Class A warning statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Japanese Voluntary Control Council for Interference (VCCI) statement . . .82

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

iv IBM System x3550 Type 7978: User’s Guide

Safety

Before installing this product, read the Safety Information.

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

Pred instalací tohoto produktu si prectete prírucku bezpecnostních instrukcí.

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.

© Copyright IBM Corp. 2006 v

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

Läs säkerhetsinformationen innan du installerar den här produkten.

Important:

All caution and danger statements in this documentation begin with a
number. This number is used to cross reference an English caution or
danger statement with translated versions of the caution or danger
statement in the IBM

®

Safety Information book.

For example, if a caution statement begins with a number 1,
translations for that caution statement appear in the IBM Safety

Information book under statement 1.

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

vi IBM System x3550 Type 7978: User’s Guide

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.

1. Turn everything OFF.

2. First, remove power cords from outlet.

3. Remove signal cables from connectors.

4. Remove all cables from devices.

5. Turn device ON.

Safety vii

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.

viii IBM System x3550 Type 7978: 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

laser products contain an embedded Class 3A or Class 3B laser

Some
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 ix

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

x IBM System x3550 Type 7978: 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 xi

Statement 26:

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

xii IBM System x3550 Type 7978: User’s Guide

Chapter 1. The System x3550 Type 7978 server

®

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

The System x3550 server supports one of the following hard disk drive
configurations:

v Servers with four hot-swap bays support 2.5-inch hot-swap Serial Attached SCSI

(SAS) hard disk drives. You can install only 2.5-inch hot-swap SAS drives in
these servers.

The following illustration shows a System x3550 server with a 2.5-inch hard disk
drive configuration.

Rack release latch

System x3550 Type 7978 server is a 1-U-high

USB 3 connector

USB 4 connector

Video connector

1

rack model server for

Operator information
panel

Rack release latch

2.5-inch hard disk drives

Hard disk drive
status LED

Hard disk drive
activity LED

CD-RW/DVD eject button

CD-RW/DVD drive activity LED

v Servers with two hot-swap bays support 3.5-inch hot-swap SAS or 3.5-inch

hot-swap Serial ATA (SATA) hard disk drives. Yo u can install only 3.5-inch
hot-swap SAS or hot-swap SATA drives in these servers.

v Servers with two simple-swap bays support 3.5-inch simple-swap SATA hard disk

drives. Yo u can install only 3.5-inch simple-swap SATA drives in these servers.

The following illustration shows a System x3550 server with a hot-swap or
simple-swap 3.5-inch hard disk drive configuration.

Hard disk
drive status

Rack release latch

3.5 inch hard disk drives

Hard disk
drive activity

USB 3 connector

USB 4 connector

Video connector

Operator information panel

Rack release latch

CD-RW/DVD eject button

CD-RW/DVD drive activity LED

CD-RW/DVD drive

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.

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. 2006 1

The server comes with a limited warranty. For information about the terms of the
warranty and getting service and assistance, see the Warranty and Support

Information document.

The server contains IBM Enterprise X-Architecture
increase performance and reliability. For more information, see “What your server
offers” on page 6 and “Reliability, availability, and serviceability” on page 8.

You can obtain up-to-date information about the server and other IBM server
products at http://www.ibm.com/systems/x/.

Related documentation

This User’s Guide provides general information about the server, including how to
install supported options and how to configure the server. The following
documentation also comes with the server:

v Installation Guide

This printed document contains instructions for setting up the server and basic
instructions for installing some options.

v Safety Information

This document is in Portable Document Format (PDF) on the IBM System x
Documentation CD. It contains translated caution and danger statements. Each

caution and danger statement 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.

v Rack Installation Instructions

This printed document contains instructions for installing the server in a rack.

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 Warranty and Support Information

This document is in PDF on the IBM System x Documentation CD. It contains
information about the terms of the warranty and getting service and assistance.

™

technologies, which help

Depending
IBM System x Documentation CD.

The xSeries Tools Center is an online information center that contains information
about tools for updating, managing, and deploying firmware, device drivers, and
operating systems. The xSeries 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/servers/eserver/support/xseries/index.html, select System

x3550 from the Hardware list, and click Go. For firmware updates, click the
Download tab. For Documentation updates, click the Install and use tab, and click
Product documentation.

2 IBM System x3550 Type 7978: User’s Guide

on the server model, additional documentation might be included on the

Notices and statements used in this document

The caution and danger statements that appear 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 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 could 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 Type 7978 server 3

Features and specifications

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

4 IBM System x3550 Type 7978: User’s Guide

Table 1. Features and specifications

Microprocessor:

®

™

v Intel

Xeon

FC-LGA 771
dual-core with 4096 KB (minimum)
Level-2 cache

v Support for up to two

microprocessors

v Support for Intel Extended Memory

64 Technology (EM64T)

Note:

v Use the Configuration/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: 1 GB
v Maximum: 32 GB
v Type: PC2-5300, 667 MHz, ECC,

DDR II fully buffered SDRAM
DIMMs only

v Slots: Eight dual inline
v Supports 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, and

4 GB (when available) DIMMs

Drives:

CD/DVD: IDE 24x CD-RW/ 8x DVD
combination

Expansion bays (depending on
model):

Either two 3.5-inch or four 2.5-inch
hard disk drive bays

v Servers with a 2.5-inch hot-swap

drive bay configuration support up
to four 2.5-inch hot-swap SAS hard
disk drives

v Servers with a 3.5-inch hot-swap

drive bay configuration support up
to two 3.5-inch SAS or SATA
hot-swap hard disk drives

v Servers with a 3.5-inch

simple-swap drive bay configuration
support up to two 3.5-inch
simple-swap SATA hard disk drives

PCI

Expansion slots:

v One PCI Express x8 (half length)
v One PCI Express x8 (half length) or

PCI-X (half length)

Power supply:

Maximum of two redundant 670-watt
(110 or 220 V ac auto-sensing)
hot-swap power supplies.

Hot-swap fans:

v Standard: five
v Maximum: six (with two

microprocessors installed)

Size:

v Height: 43 mm (1.69 inches, 1 U)
v Depth: 711 mm (28 inches)
v Width: 440 mm (17.3 inches)
v Maximum weight: 15.4 kg (34 lb)

when fully configured

Integrated

functions:

v Tw o Broadcom NetXtreme II Gb

Ethernet controllers with TOE and
Wake on LAN

®

support

v Four Universal Serial Bus (USB)

2.0 ports (two front and two rear)

v One Advanced System

Management RJ-45 (active only
when a Remote Supervisor
Adapter II SlimLine is installed)

v One serial port

Hard

disk controllers:

v Serial ATA (SATA) controller with

integrated RAID (simple-swap
SATA models)

v Serial-attached SCSI (SAS)

controller with integrated RAID
(hot-swap SAS models)

Acoustical

noise emissions:

v Sound power, idling: 6.8 bels

maximum

v Sound power, operating: 6.8 bels

maximum

Environment:

v Air temperature:

– Server on: 10° to 35°C (50.0°

to 95.0°F); altitude: 0 to 914 m
(2998.7 ft)

– Server off: -40° to 60°C

(-104° to 140°F); maximum
altitude: 2133 m (6998.0 ft)

v

Humidity:

– Server on: 8% to 80%
– Server off: 8% to 80%

Heat output:

Approximate heat output in British
thermal units (Btu) per hour:

v Minimum configuration: 662 Btu per

hour (194 watts)

v Maximum configuration: 2390 Btu

per hour (700 watts)

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: 0.194 kVA
– Maximum: 0.700 kVA

Video

controller (integrated):

v AT I Radeon RN50 (dual ports - front

and rear)

v Support for SPI Serial flash memory

video BIOS

v Flexible memory support

– 8 MB to 256 MB
– DDR1 and DDR2 SDRAM and

SGRAM

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. These 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 declared sound-power
levels indicate an upper limit, below
which a large number of computers
will operate.

Chapter 1. The System x3550 Type 7978 server 5

What your server offers

The server uses the following features and technologies:

v Advanced System Management

The Remote Supervisor Adapter II Slimline provides Advanced System
Management capabilities by enabling remote keyboard, video, and mouse (KVM)
access to the server.

v Baseboard management controller

The baseboard management controller (BMC) provides basic service-processor
environmental monitoring functions. If an environmental condition exceeds a
threshold or if a system component fails, the baseboard management controller
lights LEDs to help you diagnose the problem. Critical errors are included in the
error log. The BMC also provides Serial over LAN (SOL) connectivity.

v Diagnostics program

You can use the diagnostics program to test the major components of the server.
To start the diagnostics program, press F2 while the server is starting.

v Dual-core processing

The server supports up to two Intel microprocessors. The server comes with only
one microprocessor, and you can install a second microprocessor to enhance
performance.

v IBM Director

IBM Director is a workgroup-hardware-management tool that you can use to
centrally manage System x servers. For more information, see the IBM Director
documentation on the IBM Director CD.

v IBM Enterprise 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/html.

– Active

The Active Memory feature improves the reliability of memory through memory
mirroring and online-spare memory. Memory mirroring stores data in two pairs
of DIMMs simultaneously. Online-spare memory disables a failed pair of
DIMMs from the system configuration and activates a pair of online-spare
DIMMs. For more information, see the section about installing DIMMs in the
Installation Guide.

– Large system-memory capacity

The memory bus supports up to 32 GB of system memory. The memory
controller supports error correcting code (ECC) for up to eight
industry-standard PC2-5300, 667 MHz, DDR2 (second-generation
double-data-rate), fully buffered, synchronous dynamic random access
memory (SDRAM) dual inline memory modules (DIMMs).

IBM ServerGuide

v

The ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD that comes with the server provides
programs to help you set up the server and install a Windows
The ServerGuide program detects installed hardware options 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 56.

v Integrated network support

™

Memory

™

Setup and Installation CD

®

operating system.

6 IBM System x3550 Type 7978: User’s Guide

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 70.

v Large data-storage capacity and hot-swap capability

The server supports a maximum of four 2.5-inch or two 3.5-inch Serial Attached
SCSI (SAS) or Serial ATA (SATA) hot-swap hard disk drives in the hot-swap bays
or two 3.5-inch S ATA simple swap 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, see the section about light path diagnostics in the Installation Guide.

v PCI adapter capabilities

The server has two half-length PCI interface slots. Both slots can be used for
PCI Express adapters. The full-length slot can be used for either a PCI-X adapter
or a PCI Express adapter.

v PowerExecutive

PowerExecutive is an IBM Director extension 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
systems-management interface, and can view them using IBM Director. For more
information, including the required levels of IBM Director and PowerExecutive,
see the IBM Director documentation on the IBM Director CD, or see
www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/xseries/systems_management/ibm_director/
extensions.

v Redundant connection

The addition of an optional network interface card (NIC) provides failover
capability to a redundant Ethernet connection. If a problem occurs with the
primary Ethernet connection, all Ethernet traffic that is associated with the
primary connection is automatically switched to the redundant NIC. 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 670-watt hot-swap power supplies and
six hot-swap fans, which provide redundancy and hot-swap capability for a typical
configuration.The redundant cooling of the fans in the server enables continued
operation if one of the fans fails. The server comes with one 670-watt hot-swap
power supply and five fans. Yo u can order the second optional power supply with
the additional fan.

™

v ServeRAID

support

An optional ServeRAID adapter provides hardware redundant array of
independent disks (RAID) support to create configurations. The standard RAID
configuration on the server provides software RAID support and mirroring.

v Systems-management capabilities

The server comes with a baseboard management controller (BMC). When the
BMC is used with the systems-management software that comes with the server,
you can manage the functions of the server locally and remotely. The BMC also
provides system monitoring, event recording, and network alert capability.

The optional Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine can be used to obtain
enhanced systems-management capabilities, in addition to those of the

Chapter 1. The System x3550 Type 7978 server 7

embedded BMC. The Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine, provides a
dedicated Ethernet connection at the rear of the server.

v TCP/IP offload engine (RTOE) 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

support TOE.

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.

Your server has the following RAS features:

v Automatic error retry and recovery
v Automatic restart after a power failure
v Baseboard management controller (BMC) service processor
v Backup basic input/output system (BIOS) switching under the control of the BMC
v Built-in monitoring for fan, power, temperature, voltage, and power-supply

redundancy

v Cable-presence detection on most connectors
v Chipkill
v Error codes and messages
v Error correcting code (ECC) L2 cache and system memory
v Hot-swap hard disk drives, some drives
v Information and light path diagnostics LED panels
v Menu-driven setup, system configuration, and redundant array of independent

disks (RAID) configuration programs

v Availability of microcode and diagnostic levels
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
v Redundant Ethernet capabilities with failover support
v Hot-swap cooling fans with speed-sensing capability
v Redundant hot-swap power supplies and redundant hot-swap fans (some

models)

v Remind button to temporarily turn off the system-error LED
v Remote system problem-determination support
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 BMC)
v System-management monitoring through the Iner IC protocol
v Upgradeable POST, BIOS, diagnostics, BMC firmware, and read-only memory

(ROM) resident code, locally or over the LAN

™

memory protection

®

(PFA) alerts

8 IBM System x3550 Type 7978: User’s Guide

IBM Director

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

SAS (hot-swap-drive) backplane, and power backplane

v Wake on LAN feature capability

With IBM Director, a network administrator can perform the following tasks:

v View the hardware configuration of remote systems, in detail

v Monitor the usage and performance of critical components, such as

microprocessors, disks, and memory

v Centrally manage individual or large groups of IBM and non-IBM

Intel-processor-based servers, desktop computers, workstations, and mobile
computers on a variety of platforms

Director provides a comprehensive entry-level workgroup hardware manager. It

IBM
includes the following key features:

v Advanced self-management capabilities for maximum system availability.

®

v Multiple operating-system platform support, including Microsoft

Windows 2000
Server, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP Professional, AIX, i5/OS, Red Hat
Linux, SUSE Linux, VMware, and Novell NetWare. For a complete list of
operating systems that support IBM Director, see the IBM Director Compatibility
Document. This document is in Portable Document Format (PDF) at
http://www.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-61788. It is
updated every 6 to 8 weeks.

v Support for IBM and non-IBM servers, desktop computers, workstations, and

mobile computers.

v Support for systems-management industry standards.

v Integration into leading workgroup and enterprise systems-management

environments.

v Ease of use, training, and setup.

Director also provides an extensible platform that supports advanced server

IBM
tools that are designed to reduce the total cost of managing and supporting
networked systems. By deploying IBM Director, you can achieve reductions in
ownership costs through the following benefits:

v Reduced downtime

v Increased productivity of IT personnel and users

v Reduced service and support costs

more information about IBM Director, see the documentation on the IBM

For

Director CD that comes with the server, the IBM Director Information Center at

http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/eserver/v1r2/topic/diricinfo/ fqm0_main.html,
and the IBM System x Systems Management Web page at http://www.ibm.com/
servers/systems/x/systems_management/,
Systems Management and IBM Director.

The UpdateXpress program

The UpdateXpress program is available for most servers and server options. It
detects supported and installed device drivers and firmware in the server and
installs available updates. Yo u can download the UpdateXpress program from the
Web at no additional cost, or you can purchase it on a CD. To download the

which presents an overview of IBM

Chapter 1. The System x3550 Type 7978 server 9

program or purchase the CD, go to http://www.ibm.com/systems/x/
systems_management/ ibm_director/extensions/xpress.html.

Server controls, LEDs, and power

This section describes the controls and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and how to turn
the server on and off.

Front view

The following illustration shows the controls, LEDs, and connectors on the front of
the server. This configuration supports up to four 2.5-inch hot-swappable hard disk
drives.

Rack release latch

Video connector

USB 3 connector

USB 4 connector

Operator information
panel

Rack release latch

2.5-inch hard disk drives

Hard disk drive
status LED

Hard disk drive
activity LED

CD-RW/DVD eject button

CD-RW/DVD drive activity LED

The following illustration shows the controls, LEDs, and connectors on the front of
the server. This configuration supports up to two 3.5-inch hot-swappable hard disk
drives or two 3.5-inch simple-swap SATA hard disk drives.

Rack release latch

3.5-inch hard disk drives

USB 3 connector

USB 4 connector

Video connector

Operator information panel

Rack release latch

CD-RW/DVD eject button

CD-RW/DVD drive
activity LED

Hard disk drive
status LED (SAS model)

Hard disk drive
activity LED (SAS model)

Note: The locations of the controls, LEDs, and connectors vary, depending on the

hardware configuration that you have.

v Operator information panel: This panel contains controls and LEDs about the

status of the server.

Power-on
LED (green)

System
locator
LED (blue)

System-error
LED (amber)

Power­control
button

10 IBM System x3550 Type 7978: User’s Guide

Hard drive
activity
LED (green)

System
information
LED (amber)

Release
latch

The following controls and LEDs are on the operator information panel:
– Power-on LED: When this green LED is lit and not flashing, it indicates that

the server is turned on. When this LED is flashing, it indicates that the server
is turned off and is still connected to an ac power source. When this LED is
off, it indicates that ac power is not present, or the power supply or the LED
itself has failed. A power LED is also on the rear of the server.

Note: If this LED is off, it does not mean that there is no electrical power in

the server. The LED might be burned out. To remove all electrical
power from the server, you must disconnect the power cord from the
electrical outlet.

– System-locator LED: Use this blue LED to visually locate the server among

other servers. You can use IBM Director to light this LED remotely. This LED
is controlled by the BMC.

– 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 system board is also lit to help
isolate the error. This LED is controlled by the BMC.

– Release latch: Press the release latch to the left to slide out the operator

information panel and view the light path diagnostics LEDs and buttons. See
the Problem Determination and Service Guide for more information about the
light path diagnostics panel.

– 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 information about light path diagnostics in the Problem Determination

and Service Guide for more information about error logs.

– Hard drive activity LED: When this green LED is lit, it indicates that one of

the hard disk drives is in use.

Notes:

1. For a SAS drive, a hard disk drive activity LED is shown in two places: on
the hard disk drive and on the operator information panel.

2. For a S ATA drive, hard disk drive activity is indicated only by the hard disk
drive activity LED on the operator information panel.

– Power-control button: Press this button to turn the server on and off

manually.

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

remove the server from the rack.

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

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

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

other device to any of these connectors.

v CD-RW/DVD eject button: Press this button to release a DVD or CD from the

CD/DVD drive.

v CD-RW/DVD drive activity LED: When this LED is lit, it indicates that the

CD-RW/DVD drive is in use.

v Hard disk drive status LED: This LED is used on SAS 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.

Chapter 1. The System x3550 Type 7978 server 11

v Hard disk drive activity LED: This LED is used on SAS 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.

Light path diagnostics panel

The light path diagnostics panel is on the top of the operator information panel.

To access the light path diagnostics panel, push the release button on the operator
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 the operator information
panel is at a right angle with the server.

Operator information
panel

Light path LEDs

Release button

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

Light Path

Diagnostics

CPU

MEM

FAN

PCI

PS1SPPS2

VRM

CNFG

NMI

S ERR

RAID

DASD

TEMP

BRD

OVER SPEC

REMIND

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 rapidly until the
problem is corrected, the system 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 handled by the BMC.

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 to the right of the remind button.

12 IBM System x3550 Type 7978: User’s Guide

Rear view

For information about light path diagnostics, see the System x3550 Problem
Determination and Service Guide on the IBM System x Documentation CD.

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

Ethernet 1

Ethernet 2

PCI slot 1 PCI slot 2

USB 2

USB 1

Systems
management
Ethernet connector

Serial
connector

Video
connector

Power connector

Power-on LED

System-locator LED

System-error LED

AC Power
LED

DC Power
LED

v PCI slot 1: Insert a PCI Express type adapter into this slot.
v PCI slot 2: Insert a PCI Express type adapter into this slot. Yo u can purchase an

optional PCI-X riser card assembly to convert this slot to accept a PCI-X adapter.

v Power connector: Connect the power cord to this connector.
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 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 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. When this LED is flashing, it indicates that the server is turned off
and still connected to an ac power source. When this LED is off, it indicates that
ac power is not present, or the power supply or the LED itself has failed.

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

servers. Yo u can use IBM Director to light this LED remotely.

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

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

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

is shared with the baseboard management controller (BMC). The BMC can take
control of the shared serial port to perform text console redirection and to redirect
serial traffic, using Serial over LAN (SOL).

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

other device to any of these connectors.

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

server to a network for systems-management information control. This connector
is active only if you have installed a Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine, and
it is used only by the Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine.

Chapter 1. The System x3550 Type 7978 server 13

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. See “Connecting the cables” on page 46 for the LED location.

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. See “Connecting the cables” on page 46 for the
LED location.

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

network.

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 baseboard management controller or optional Remote Supervisor Adapter II
SlimLine) is shutdown; however, the server can respond to requests from 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 ac power but is not turned
on.

Turning on the server

Approximately 5 seconds after the server is connected to ac power, the
power-control button becomes active, and one or more fans might start running to
provide cooling while the server is connected to power. Yo u can turn on the server
and start the operating system 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 you installed an optional Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine, the server can

be turned on from the Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine user interface.

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

feature can turn on the server.

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

Note:

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 ac power, the server can
respond to requests from the service processor, such as a remote request to turn
on the server. While the server remains connected to ac 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.

14 IBM System x3550 Type 7978: 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 If you installed an optional Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine, the server can

be turned off from the Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine user interface.

v The baseboard management controller can turn off the server as an automatic

response to a critical system failure.

Chapter 1. The System x3550 Type 7978 server 15

16 IBM System x3550 Type 7978: User’s Guide