Chapter  1.  The  System  x3500  server 
The  IBM
® 
System  x3500  Type  7977  server  is  a  5-U
1
-high  high  performance  server. 
It  can  be  upgraded  to  a  symmetric  multiprocessing  (SMP)  server  through  a 
microprocessor  upgrade.  It  is  ideally  suited  for  networking  environments  that  require 
superior  microprocessor  performance,  efficient  memory  management,  flexibility,  and 
large  amounts  of  reliable  data  storage. 
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. 
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  technologies,  which  help 
increase  performance  and  reliability.  For  more  information,  see  “What  your  server 
offers”  on  page  4  and  “Reliability,  availability,  and  serviceability”  on  page  5. 
You  can  obtain  up-to-date  information  about  the  server  and  other  IBM  server 
products  at  http://www.ibm.com/eserver/xseries/. 
Related  documentation 
This  User’s  Guide  contains  general  information  about  the  server,  including  how  to 
install  supported  optional  devices  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  optional  devices. 
v  Warranty  and  Support  Information 
This  document  is  in  Portable  Document  Format  (PDF)  on  the  IBM  System  x 
Documentation  CD.  It  contains  information  about  the  terms  of  the  warranty  and 
getting  service  and  assistance. 
v  Safety  Information  
This  document  is  in  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  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.
Depending
  on  the  server  model,  additional  documentation  might  be  included  on  the 
IBM  System  x  Documentation  CD. 
1. Racks  are  measured  in  vertical  increments  of  4.45  cm  (1.75  inches)  each.  Each  increment  is  called  a  ″U.″  A  1-U-high  device  is 
1.75  inches  tall. 
 
©  Copyright  IBM  Corp.  2007  1