IBM X3850 X6 User Manual

40 IBM System x3850 X6 and x3950 X6 Planning and Implementation Guide
IBM eXFlash DIMMs have the following key characteristics:
򐂰 Provides ultrahigh overall performance using array of eXFlash DIMMs in a parallel
manner.
򐂰 Offers up to 12.8 TB total flash storage capacity per server with IBM 200 GB and 400 GB
eXFlash DIMMs.
򐂰 Ultra low latency means less than 5 µs write latency.
򐂰 eXFlash DIMMs use available DDR3 memory channels; they support up to 1600 MHz
DDR memory speeds.
򐂰 eXFlash DIMMs can be intermixed with standard registered memory DIMMs (RDIMMs) on
the same memory channel without impacting RDIMM performance.
򐂰 eXFlash DIMMs support advanced reliability and availability features including Flexible
Redundant Array of Memory Elements (F.R.A.M.E.), DataGuard, and EverGuard.
򐂰 eXFlash memory-channel storage is supported by the major operating systems through
software drivers (RHEL 6, SLES 11, Windows 2008 R2, Windows 2012, Windows Server
2012 R2, VMware vSphere (ESXi) 5.1 and 5.5)
These new technologies will allow IBM X6 servers to deliver break-through performance for
targeted workloads by offering significantly lower latency compared to traditional solid-state
drives like IBM eXFlash SSDs, and even PCIe SSD adapters like IBM High IOPS adapters.
For more information about IBM eXFlash DIMMs, see the following documents:
򐂰 IBM eXFlash DDR3 Storage DIMMs Product Guide
http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/tips1141.html?Open
򐂰 The Benefits of IBM eXFlash Memory-Channel Storage in Enterprise Solutions
http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/redp5089.html?Open
2.6.3 IBM eXFlash SSD technology
IBM eXFlash SSD technology is a server-based high performance internal storage solution
which is based on Solid State Drives (SSDs) and performance-optimized disk controllers
(both RAID and non-RAID).
A single eXFlash SSD unit accommodates up to eight hot-swap SSDs, and can be connected
to up to two performance-optimized controllers.
Figure 2-30 shows an eXFlash unit, with the status lights assembly on the left side:
Figure 2-30 IBM eXFlash unit
Solid state drives
(SSDs)
Status lights

IBM X3850 X6 Specifications

General

Chipset	Intel C602J
Network Controller	Integrated quad-port Gigabit Ethernet
Processor	Up to four Intel Xeon E7-4800 v2 series processors or Intel Xeon E7-8800 v2 series processors
Memory	Up to 6 TB of DDR3 ECC Registered DIMMs (RDIMMs) or Load-Reduced DIMMs (LRDIMMs)
Form Factor	4U rack server
Storage	Up to 24x 2.5" hot-swap SAS/SATA HDDs or SSDs
Expansion Slots	Up to 11 PCIe 3.0 slots
Power Supply	Up to four 1400W or 900W hot-swap power supplies
Memory Type	DDR3 RDIMM/LRDIMM
Storage Controller	ServeRAID M5210 SAS/SATA controller
RAID Support	RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60
Operating System Support	Windows Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, VMware