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What your server offers

Your server offers features and technology such as the integrated management module II (IMM2), hard disk drive support, Features on Demand software Ethernet and RAID support, systems-management support, microprocessor technology, memory mirroring and sparing, remote presence and blue-screen capture features and ServeRAID support.

The server uses and supports the following features and technologies:

  • Active Energy Manager

    This Lenovo server provides Active Energy Manager program support. The Active Energy Manager solution is an Systems 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 configurations. You can obtain the measurement values through the systems-management interface and view them, using Systems Director. For more information, including the required levels of Systems Director and Active Energy Manager, see the Systems Director documentation on the Systems Director DVD.

  • Dynamic System Analysis (DSA)
    The server comes with the Lenovo Dynamic System Analysis (DSA) Preboot diagnostic program stored in the integrated USB memory on the server. DSA collects and analyzes system information to aid in diagnosing server problems, as well as offering a rich set of diagnostic tests of the major components of the server. DSA creates a DSA log, which is a chronologically ordered merge of the system-event log (as the IPMI event log), the IMM2 event log (as the ASM event log), and the operating-system event logs. You can send the DSA log as a file to Support or view the information as a text file or HTML file.
    Note
    This documentation includes references to web sites, products, and information about obtaining service. is Lenovo's preferred service provider for the Lenovo System x products.

    Two editions of Dynamic System Analysis are available: DSA Portable and DSA Preboot. For more information about both editions, see DSA editions

  • Features on Demand software Ethernet support

    The server provides Features on Demand software Ethernet support. You can purchase a Features on Demand software upgrade activation key for Fiber Channel over Ethernet and iSCSI storage protocols that is provided through the Intel Ethernet controller. For more information, see Enabling Features on Demand Ethernet software.

  • Features on Demand software RAID support

    The server provides Features on Demand software RAID support for RAID levels 5, 6, 50, and 60 upgrade. Features on Demand software RAID upgrade is integrated into the IMM2. For more information, see Enabling Features on Demand RAID software.

  • Integrated management module II

    The IMM2 combines service processor functions, video controller, and remote presence and blue-screen capture features in a single chip. The IMM2 provides advanced service-processor control, monitoring, and alerting function. If an environmental condition exceeds a threshold or if a system component fails, the IMM2 lights LEDs to help you diagnose the problem, records the error in the IMM2 event log, and alerts you to the problem. Optionally, the IMM2 also provides a virtual presence capability for remote server management capabilities. The IMM2 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 II and the Integrated Management Module II User's Guide at Integrated Management Module II.

  • Integrated Trusted Platform Module

    This integrated security chip performs cryptographic functions and stores private and public secure keys. It provides the hardware support for the Trusted Computing Group (TCG) specification. You can download the software to support the TCG specification, when the software is available. You can enable TPM support through the Setup utility under the System Security menu choice (see Using the Setup utility).

  • Large data-storage capacity and hot-swap capability

    The server can support a maximum of 16 2.5-inch drives, 32 1.8-inch drives, or a combination of both 2.5-inch and 1.8-inch drives when you use the supported SAS/SATA backplane configurations and/or required RAID Option Adapter additions. The server supports 2.5-inch hot-swap Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) hard disk drives or hot-swap Serial ATA (SATA) hard disk drives, 2.5-inch hot-swap solid state drives, or 1.8-inch hot-swap solid state drives.

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

  • Large system-memory capacity

    The server can support up to 1.5 TB of system memory. The server base system board provides 24 dual inline memory module (DIMM) connectors for up to 768 GB of memory. For additional memory capacity, an optional microprocessor and memory expansion tray is available for purchase that provides 24 DIMMs for up to 768 GB of additional memory (depending on the DIMM size) and two additional microprocessor sockets.

    The server memory controller supports error correcting code (ECC) for up to 48 industry-standard PC3L-12800R 1600 MHz, PC3-14900R 1866 MHz, PC3L-12800L 1600 MHz (Load Reduced), or PC3-14900L 1866 MHz (Load Reduced) single-rank, dual-rank, or quad-rank, third-generation double-data-rate (DDR3), registered, synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) DIMMs.

  • Light path diagnostics

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

  • Memory mirroring

    Memory mirroring provides a redundant copy of all code and data that are addressable in the configured memory map. Through the microprocessor memory controller chip set, memory mirroring replicates and stores data across DIMMs on two or four memory channels simultaneously. If a failure occurs, the memory controller switches from the DIMMs on the primary channel to the DIMMs on the backup channel. To enable memory mirroring through the Setup utility, select System Settings > Memory > Memory Mode > Mirroring. For information about installing DIMMs for memory mirroring, see Memory mirroring and Installing a memory module for more information.

  • Memory sparing

    The server supports memory sparing. Memory sparing reserves memory capacity for failover in the event of a DIMM failure, and the reserved capacity is subtracted from the total available memory. Memory sparing provides less redundancy than memory mirroring does. If a predetermined threshold of correctable errors is reached, the contents of the failing DIMM are copied to the spare memory, and the failing DIMM or rank is disabled. To enable memory sparing through the Setup utility, select System Settings > Memory > Memory Mode > Sparing. For information about installing DIMMs for memory sparing, see Memory sparing.

  • Multi-core processors

    The server supports up to four Intel Xeon EP 4S E5-4600 V2 series, four-core, six-core, eight-core, ten-core and 12 core microprocessors (depending on your model). The server comes with a minimum of one microprocessor.

    Note
    To install the third and fourth microprocessors, you must purchase and install an optional microprocessor and memory expansion tray. Both of the microprocessors must be installed as a pair on the microprocessor and memory expansion tray.

  • Network support

    The server comes with a proprietary ML adapter slot that supports an optional quad-port GbE, dual port 10 Gbase-T, or dual-port 10 GbE SFP+ ML2 adapter. The ML2 adapters can support a connection to a 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 1 Gbps, or 10 Gbps network, depending on the adapter. Advanced options or technology such as iSCSI, vNIC, TOE, FCoE and Wake on LAN are only available on ML2 adapters that support those options or technology and might require a Features on Demand (FOD) key to enable.

    Functionality is available using the Network Controller Sideband Interface (NCSI) protocol to access System Management functions in one of the network ports on the ML2 adapter. This functionality is called Systems Management Shared Port since the port can be used for normal network traffic and systems management traffic. ML2 adapters use this shared port through the Reduced Media Independent Interface (RMII) to the IMM2 for system management.
    Note
    When the IMM2 is placed in Shared Mode (Shared Mode is enabled), the dedicated port is no longer used. The default port (port 1) on the ML2 adapter now performs as the shared port.

  • Next generation technology

    next generation technology systems combine proven, innovative, designs to make your x86-processor-based server powerful and reliable.

  • PCI Express Gen3 adapter capabilities

    The server provides up to eight PCIe Gen3 adapter slots. The system board provides five low-profile PCIe Gen3 adapter slots. An optional PCIe riser-card provides an additional two or three PCIe adapter slots:
    • Three x8 (x16 mechanical) PCIe Gen3 adapter slots.
    • Two PCIe Gen3 adapter slots one x8 (x16 mechanical) and one x16 (x16 mechanical).
    Available PCIe riser-card adapter slots are dependent on the PCI riser-card used in the server. See Installing an adapter for detailed information.
    Note
    The second microprocessor must be installed on the system board for the server to support more than three PCIe slots on the system board or the optional PCI riser-card.

  • Redundant connection

    The dual-port and quad-port Ethernet controller provides fallover capability to a redundant Ethernet connection with the applicable application installed. If a problem occurs with the primary Ethernet connection and another Ethernet adapter is installed in the server, all Ethernet traffic that is associated with the primary connection is automatically switched to a secondary Ethernet connection. If the applicable device drivers are installed, this switching occurs without data loss and without user intervention.

  • Redundant cooling and optional power capabilities

    The server comes with six dual-motor, counter-rotating, speed-controlled hot-swap fans, which provide redundancy and hot-swap capability for a full configuration. The redundant cooling by the fans in the server enables continued operation if one of the fan motors fails.

    The server comes with one of the following:
    • One 750-watt dc hot-swap power supply
    • One 900-watt hot-swap power supply
    • One 1400-watt hot-swap power supply

    The server supports a maximum of two 750-watt dc, two 900-watt or two 1400-watt hot-swap power supplies. For redundancy support, two power supplies must be installed in the server. Two power supplies enable continued operation if one of the power supplies fails. You can order the optional Power Interposer for Redundant Power Option Kit or the optional Microprocessor and Memory Expansion Tray to install a second power supply.

  • Remote presence and blue-screen capture features

    The remote presence and blue-screen capture features are integrated functions of the IMM2. The remote presence feature provides the following functions:
    • Remotely view video with graphics resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 at 75 Hz, regardless of the system state
    • Remotely access the server, using the keyboard and mouse from a remote client
    • Map the CD, or DVD drive, diskette drive, and USB flash drive on a remote client, and map ISO and diskette image files as virtual drives that are available for use by the server
    • Upload a diskette image to the IMM2 memory and map it to the server as a virtual drive

    The blue-screen capture feature captures the video display contents before the IMM2 restarts the server when the IMM2 detects an operating-system hang condition. A system administrator can use the blue-screen capture feature to assist in determining the cause of the hang condition.

    See Using the remote presence and blue-screen capture features for additional information.

  • ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD

    The Lenovo 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.

  • ServeRAID support

    A ServeRAID adapter provides hardware redundant array of independent disks (RAID) support to create configurations. The server comes with an integrated RAID controller, which provides RAID levels 0, 1 and 10. Additional optional RAID adapters, RAID cache cards, and Features on Demand software RAID are available to upgrade to RAID levels 5, 6, 50, and 60.

  • Systems-management capabilities

    The server comes with an IMM2 service processor. When the IMM2 is used with the systems-management software that comes with the server, you can manage the functions of the server locally and remotely. The IMM2 also provides system monitoring, event recording, and network alert capability. The systems-management connector on the rear of the server is dedicated to the IMM2. The dedicated systems-management connector provides additional security by physically separating the management network traffic from the production network. You can use the Setup utility to configure the server to use a dedicated systems-management network or a shared network.

  • TCP/IP offload engine support

    Some of the Ethernet controllers that can be installed in the server support TCP/IP Offload Engine (TOE). TOE 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 Ethernet controllers are installed that support TCP/IP technology, TCP/IP processing is moved to and managed by the Ethernet controller allowing the microprocessor to be used for more important tasks. 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.

  • UEFI-compliant server firmware

    The UEFI firmware offers several features, including Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) version 2.1 compliance, Active Energy Management (AEM) technology, enhanced reliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS) capabilities, and basic input/output system (BIOS) compatibility support. UEFI replaces the BIOS and defines a standard interface between the operating system, platform firmware, and external devices. The server is capable of booting UEFI-compliant operating systems, BIOS-based operating systems, and BIOS-based adapters as well as UEFI-compliant adapters. For more information about UEFI-compliant firmware, go to Using HTTP Boot to Install an Operating System on Lenovo ThinkSystem servers.
    Note
    The server does not support DOS.

  • VMware ESXi embedded hypervisor

    An optional USB flash device with VMware ESXi embedded hypervisor software is available for purchase. Hypervisor is virtualization software that enables multiple operating systems to run on a host system at the same time. Install the USB flash device in the USB embedded hypervisor flash device connectors on the system board (see System-board internal connectors). See Using the embedded hypervisor for additional information.

  • 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 Lenovo XClarity Administrator Infomation Center page 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 Installing and setting up Lenovo XClarity Administrator.

    • 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 the Lenovo XClarity Administrator management server.

    • 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 Updating the Lenovo XClarity Administrator management server.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.