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Features

Performance, ease of use, reliability, and expansion capabilities were key considerations in the design of the compute node. 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.

Your compute node implements the following features and technologies:

  • 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 Lenovo Features on Demand website.

  • Lenovo XClarity Controller

    The Lenovo XClarity Controller is the common management controller for Lenovo ThinkSystem compute node hardware. The Lenovo XClarity Controller consolidates multiple management functions in a single chip on the compute node system board.

    Some of the features that are unique to the Lenovo XClarity Controller are enhanced performance, higher-resolution remote video, and expanded security options. For additional information about the Lenovo XClarity Controller, refer to the XCC documentation compatible with your server at:

    Lenovo XClarity Controller portal page

    Important

    Lenovo XClarity Controller (XCC) supported version varies by product. All versions of Lenovo XClarity Controller are referred to as Lenovo XClarity Controller and XCC in this document, unless specified otherwise. To see the XCC version supported by your server, go to Lenovo XClarity Controller portal page.

  • UEFI-compliant server firmware

    Lenovo ThinkSystem firmware is Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) compliant. UEFI replaces BIOS and defines a standard interface between the operating system, platform firmware, and external devices.

    Lenovo ThinkSystem servers are capable of booting UEFI-compliant operating systems, BIOS-based operating systems, and BIOS-based adapters as well as UEFI-compliant adapters.

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

  • Large system-memory capacity

    The compute node supports up to a maximum of 6.9 TB of system memory. The compute node supports industry-standard double-data-rate 4 DIMM (DDR4) , registered DIMM (RDIMM), load-reduced DIMM (LRDIMM), 3DS RDIMM, and Persistent Memory Module (PMEM).

  • Flexible network support

    The compute node has connectors on the system board for optional expansion adapters for adding network communication capabilities to the compute node. You can install up to two I/O expansion adapters for network support. This provides the flexibility to install expansion adapters that support a variety of network communication technologies.

  • Integrated Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

    This integrated security chip performs cryptographic functions and stores private and public secure keys. It provides the hardware support for the Trusted Computing Group (TCG) specification. You can download the software to support the TCG specification.

    For more information on TPM configurations, see “Enable TPM/TCM” in the Maintenance Manual.
    Note
    For customers in People’s Republic of China, integrated TPM is not supported. However, customers in the People’s Republic of China can install a Trusted Cryptographic Module (TCM) adapter or a Lenovo-qualified TPM adapter (sometimes called a daughter card).

  • Drive support

    The compute node supports up to two hot-swap drives. You can implement RAID 0 or RAID 1 for the drives. Additional drive types and RAID levels are supported when an optional drive backplane and RAID adapter are installed.

  • Light Path Diagnostics

    Light Path Diagnostics provides light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to help you diagnose problems.

  • Mobile access to Lenovo Service Information website

    The compute node provides a quick response (QR) code on the system service label, which is on the cover of the compute node, 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 compute node support. Information about the ThinkSystem SN550 V2 QR code can be found here: Introduction.

  • Processor technology

    The compute node supports up to two multi-core Intel Xeon processors.

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

  • Power throttling

    By enforcing a power policy known as power-domain oversubscription, the Lenovo Flex System Enterprise Chassis chassis can share the power load between two or more power supply modules to ensure sufficient power for each device in the Lenovo Flex System Enterprise Chassis chassis. This policy is enforced when the initial power is applied to the Lenovo Flex System Enterprise Chassis chassis or when a compute node is inserted into the Lenovo Flex System Enterprise Chassis chassis.

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

    You can configure and monitor the power environment by using the Chassis Management Module. For more information, see the Flex System Chassis Management Module: Command-Line Interface Reference Guide.

  • 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 ThinkSystem compute nodes, and NeXtScale compute nodes, 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 compute node reboots or firmware updates, or during predicted hardware failures.

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

  • Systems-management support

    The compute node XClarity Controller provides a web interface for remote systems-management support. You can use the interface to view system status and to control systems-management functions and baseboard management settings.

    The XClarity Controller communicates with the Lenovo Flex System Chassis Management Module (CMM) and the Lenovo XClarity Administrator application (if installed).
    • The CMM is a hot-swap module that provides systems-management functions for all components in an Lenovo Flex System Enterprise Chassis chassis. It controls a serial port for remote connection and a 1 Gbps Ethernet remote-management connection. For more information, see the Flex System Chassis Management Module: Command-Line Interface Reference Guide.
    • The Lenovo XClarity Administrator is a virtual appliance that you can use to manage Lenovo Flex System Enterprise Chassis chassis in a secure environment. The Lenovo XClarity Administrator provides a central interface to perform the following functions for all managed endpoints:
      • User management
      • Hardware monitoring and management
      • Configuration management
      • Operating system deployment
      • Firmware management

      For more information, see

      the Lenovo XClarity Administrator information page.