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What your compute node offers

Your compute node offers features such as the integrated management module II, hard disk drive support, systems-management support, microprocessor technology, integrated network support, I/O expansion, large system-memory capacity, light path diagnostics LEDs, PCI Express, and power throttling.

  • Features on Demand

    If a Features on Demand feature is integrated in the compute node or in an optional device that is installed in the compute node, you can purchase an activation key to activate the feature. For information about Features on Demand, see the Lenovo Features on Demand website.

  • Flexible network support

    The compute node provides flexible network capabilities:

    • Models with embedded Ethernet

      The server comes with an integrated dual-port Intel Gigabit Ethernet controller, which supports connection to a 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, or 1000 Mbps network.

  • Hard disk drive support

    The compute node supports up to one 3.5-inch simple-swap SATA, two 2.5-inch hot-swap SATA/SAS, two 2.5-inch simple-swap SATA/SAS, or four 1.8-inch simple-swap solid-state drives. You can implement RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, or RAID 10 for the drives with hardware RAID. In addition, there are optional two 2.5-inch hot-swap drive bays available in some configurations.

  • LenovoServerGuide Setup and Installation CD

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

  • Integrated management module 2.1 (IMM2.1)

    The integrated management module 2.1 (IMM2.1) combines service processor functions, video controller, and remote presence and blue-screen capture features in a single chip. The IMM provides advanced service-processor control, monitoring, and alerting function. If an environmental condition exceeds a threshold or if a system component fails, the IMM lights LEDs to help you diagnose the problem, records the error in the IMM event log, and alerts you to the problem. Optionally, the IMM also provides a virtual presence capability for remote server management capabilities. The IMM provides remote server management through the following industry-standard interfaces:
    • Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) version 2.0
    • Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) version 3.0
    • Common Information Model (CIM)
    • Web browser

    For additional information, see Using the integrated management module and the Integrated Management Module 2.1 Users Guide at the the Lenovo Support Portal.

  • Large system-memory capacity

    The compute node supports up to 512 GB of system memory. The memory controller provides support for up to 16 industry-standard registered ECC DDR4 on low-profile (LP) DIMMs on the system board. For the most current list of supported DIMMs, see the Lenovo ServerProven website.

  • Light path diagnostics

    Light path diagnostics provides LEDs to help you diagnose problems. For more information about light path diagnostics and the LEDs, see Compute node controls, connectors, and LEDs.

  • Microprocessor technology

    The compute node supports up to two multi-core IntelXeon microprocessors. For more information about supported microprocessors and their part numbers, see the Lenovo ServerProven website.

    Note
    The optional microprocessors that Lenovo supports are limited by the capacity and capability of the compute node. Any microprocessor that you install must have the same specifications as the microprocessor that came with the compute node.

  • Mobile access to Lenovo Service Information website

    The server provides a QR code on the system service label, which is on the cover of the server, that you can scan using a QR code reader and scanner with a mobile device to get quick access to the Lenovo Service Information website. The Lenovo Service Information website provides additional information for parts installation and replacement videos, and error codes for server support. For the QR code, see The Lenovo NeXtScale nx360 M5 compute node.

  • PCI Express

    PCI Express is a serial interface that is used for chip-to-chip interconnect and expansion adapter interconnect. You can add optional I/O and storage devices.

    Optional expansion nodes are available to provide a cost-effective way for you to increase and customize the capabilities of the compute node. Expansion nodes support a wide variety of industry-standard PCI Express, network, storage, and graphics adapters.

  • Power throttling

    By enforcing a power policy known as power-domain oversubscription, the NeXtScale n1200 Enclosure can share the power load between twelve power supplies to ensure sufficient power for each device in the NeXtScale n1200 Enclosure. This policy is enforced when the initial power is applied to the NeXtScale n1200 Enclosure or when a compute node is inserted into the NeXtScale n1200 Enclosure.

    The following settings for this policy are available:
    • Basic power management
    • Power module redundancy
    • Power module redundancy with compute node throttling allowed

  • Lenovo XClarity Administrator

    Lenovo XClarity Administrator is a centralized resource-management solution that enables administrators to deploy infrastructure faster and with less effort. The solution seamlessly integrates into System x, ThinkServer, and NeXtScale servers, as well as the Flex System converged infrastructure platform.

    Lenovo XClarity Administrator provides:

    • Automated discovery

    • Agent-free hardware management

    • Monitoring

    • Firmware updates and compliance

    • Pattern-based configuration management

    • Deployment of operating systems and hypervisors

    Administrators are able to find the right information and accomplish critical tasks faster through an uncluttered, dashboard-driven graphical user interface (GUI). Centralizing and automating foundational infrastructure deployment and lifecycle management tasks across large pools of systems frees up administrator time, and makes resources available to end-users faster.

    Lenovo XClarity is easily extended into the leading virtualization management platforms from Microsoft and VMware using software plug-ins, called Lenovo XClarity Integrators. The solution improves workload uptime and service-level assurance by dynamically relocating workloads from affected hosts in the cluster during rolling server reboots or firmware updates, or during predicted hardware failures.

    For more information about Lenovo XClarity Administrator, see the and the Lenovo XClarity Administrator Information Center website.

  • Installing Lenovo XClarity Administrator

    • Installing Lenovo XClarity Administrator for the first time

      The initial setup of Lenovo XClarity Administrator involves preparing the network, installing and configuring the Lenovo XClarity Administrator virtual appliance, managing systems, and optionally setting up automatic problem notification.

      There are a number of different ways to connect manageable systems to the network and to set up the Lenovo XClarity Administrator to manage those systems based on the network topology that is implemented in your environment. For guidance for installing the Lenovo XClarity Administrator in VMware ESXi-based and Hyper-V environments, see .

    • Free 90-day trial

      Lenovo XClarity Administrator offers a free, 90-day trial license that enables you to use all available features (including operating-system deployment, firmware maintenance, and configuration management) for a limited time.

      After 90 days, you can continue to use Lenovo XClarity Administrator to manage and monitor your hardware for free; however, you must purchase a full-function-enablement license to continue using Lenovo XClarity Administrator to configure your hardware using Configuration Patterns and to deploy operating systems. You can purchase Lenovo XClarity Administrator licenses from your Lenovo seller or business partner.

      For information about installing the license, see .

    • Updating Lenovo XClarity Administrator

      You can download or import Lenovo XClarity Administrator updates and install the updates from the Lenovo XClarity Administrator web interface. For information about updating a Lenovo XClarity Administrator, see .Ensure that you carefully read the Installation and Setup Instructions in the Invgy_sw_lxca_***_anyos_noarch.txt file that is provided in the update package .zip file.