IBM HS21 - BladeCenter - 8853 User manual

Welcome.
Thank you for buying an
IBM blade server.
For more information about your
BladeCenter components and
features, you can view the
publications on the
http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/.
Your blade
server features superior
performance, availability,
and scalability.
This
contains information for setting up,
configuring, and using your
blade server.
Additionally, a service information
label is attached to each BladeCenter
unit and blade server. This label
provides a graphical summary of
many of the installation and service
activities that are associated with
each device.
CD or download them from the
IBM Support Web site.
Go to
Installation and User’s Guide
Documentation
Installation and
User’s Guide
The blade server is now
ready to use. Be sure to
register and profile your
blade server on the
IBM Support Web site.
Before installing the BladeCenter HS21
Type 8853 blade server in a BladeCenter unit,
complete the following procedures:
Install and configure the rack according
to the documentation that came with the rack.
Install the BladeCenter unit into the rack and
configure it, according to the documentation
that comes with the BladeCenter unit.
Supply power to the BladeCenter unit.
Install the latest firmware in all BladeCenter
components.
Before you install the blade server into the
BladeCenter unit, install devices such as
drives, memory modules, and processor or
expansion cards in the blade server, if applicable.
Install the blade server in the BladeCenter unit.
See Chapter 3 for more information.
BladeCenter HS21
Type 8853
Configure the blade server.
See Chapter 4 for more information.
Install the operating system.
See Chapter 5 for more information.
Install additional applications
according to the instructions that
comes with the applications.

Server Support
Ye s
No
No
See the troubleshooting
information that comes with
the server to determine
the cause of the problem
and the action to take.
Update the firmware to the
latest level.
You can download firmware from
.
http://www.ibm.com/systems/
support/
No
No Software
Ye s
Ye s
Hardware
Check all cables for loose connections
and verify that all optional devices you
installed are on the ServerProven list at
http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/
serverproven/compat/us/.
Is the server working
correctly?
Is the problem
solved?
Hardware or
software problem?
View support telephone numbers at
http://www.ibm.com/planetwide/.
View information about IBM Support Line at
or view support telephone numbers at
http://www.ibm.com/services/sl/products/
http://www.ibm.com/planetwide/.
Register the server. Go to
http://www.ibm.com/support/mysupport/.
Ye s
Is the problem
solved?
Is the problem
solved?

BladeCenter HS21 Ty pe 8853
Installation and User’s Guide


Note: Before using this information and the product it supports, read the general information in Appendix B, “Notices,” on page 55
and the Warranty and Support Information document for your blade server type on the IBM Documentation CD.
Fourth Edition (August 2007)
©Copyright International Business Machines Corporation 2007. All rights reserved.
US Government Users Restricted Rights –Use, duplication or disclosure restricted by GSA ADP Schedule Contract
with IBM Corp.

Contents
Safety ............................v
Chapter 1. Introduction ......................1
Related documentation ......................3
The IBM Documentation CD ....................3
Hardware and software requirements ................3
Using the Documentation Browser .................4
Notices and statements in this document ................5
Features and specifications .....................6
What your blade server offers ....................7
Reliability, availability, and serviceability features .............8
IBM Director ..........................9
Major components of the blade server ................10
Chapter 2. Power, controls, and indicators..............11
Turning on the blade server ....................11
Turning off the blade server ....................11
Control panel buttons and LEDs ..................12
Blade server connectors .....................14
Chapter 3. Installing options ...................15
Installation guidelines ......................15
System reliability guidelines ...................16
Handling static-sensitive devices .................16
Removing the blade server from the BladeCenter unit ..........17
Opening the blade server cover...................18
Removing an expansion unit ....................19
Removing the blade server bezel assembly ..............20
Installing aSAS hard disk drive ...................20
Removing aSAS hard disk drive ..................22
Installing memory modules ....................22
Installing an additional microprocessor ................25
Installing aConcurrent KVM Feature Card ...............28
Installing an I/O-expansion card...................29
Installing asmall-form-factor expansion card .............30
Installing astandard-form-factor expansion card............31
Installing ahigh-speed expansion card ...............32
Installing an expansion unit ....................33
Completing the installation.....................34
Installing the blade server bezel assembly ..............35
Closing the blade server cover ..................35
Installing the blade server in aBladeCenter unit............36
Updating the blade server configuration ...............38
Input/output connectors and devices .................38
Chapter 4. Configuring the blade server...............39
Using the Configuration/Setup Utility program .............39
Configuration/Setup Utility menu choices ..............40
Using passwords .......................42
Using the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD ............43
ServerGuide features .....................43
Setup and configuration overview .................43
Typical operating-system installation ................44
©Copyright IBM Corp. 2007 iii

Installing the operating system without ServerGuide ..........44
Using the PXE boot agent utility program ...............45
Firmware updates ........................45
Configuring the Gigabit Ethernet controllers ..............45
Blade server Ethernet controller enumeration ..............46
Configuring aRAID array .....................47
Using the LSI Logic Configuration Utility program ............47
Chapter 5. Installing the operating system ..............49
Using the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD to install the operating system 49
Using RDM Version 4.20 or later to install the operating system .......50
Downloading installation instructions .................50
Chapter 6. Solving problems ...................51
Diagnostic tools overview .....................51
ServerGuide problems ......................52
Appendix A. Getting help and technical assistance ..........53
Before you call .........................53
Using the documentation .....................53
Getting help and information from the World Wide Web ..........54
Software service and support ...................54
Hardware service and support ...................54
IBM Taiwan product service ....................54
Appendix B. Notices ......................55
Trademarks ..........................56
Important notes.........................57
Product recycling and disposal ...................57
Battery return program ......................59
Electronic emission notices ....................60
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) statement .........60
Industry Canada Class Aemission compliance statement ........61
Avis de conformité àla réglementation d’Industrie Canada ........61
Australia and New Zealand Class Astatement ............61
United Kingdom telecommunications safety requirement.........61
European Union EMC Directive conformance statement .........61
Taiwanese Class Awarning statement ...............62
Chinese Class Awarning statement ................62
Japanese Voluntary Control Council for Interference (VCCI) statement ...62
Index ............................63
iv BladeCenter HS21 Type 8853: Installation and User’s Guide

Safety
Before installing this product, read the Safety Information.
Antes de instalar este produto, leia as Informações de Segurança.
Pred instalací tohoto produktu si prectete prírucku bezpecnostních instrukcí.
Læs sikkerhedsforskrifterne, før du installerer dette produkt.
Lees voordat udit product installeert eerst de veiligheidsvoorschriften.
Ennen kuin asennat tämän tuotteen, lue turvaohjeet kohdasta Safety Information.
Avant d’installer ce produit, lisez les consignes de sécurité.
Vor der Installation dieses Produkts die Sicherheitshinweise lesen.
Prima di installare questo prodotto, leggere le Informazioni sulla Sicurezza.
Les sikkerhetsinformasjonen (Safety Information) før du installerer dette produktet.
Antes de instalar este produto, leia as Informações sobre Segurança.
©Copyright IBM Corp. 2007 v

Antes de instalar este producto, lea la información de seguridad.
Läs säkerhetsinformationen innan du installerar den här produkten.
Important:
All caution and danger statements in this documentation begin with a
number. This number is used to cross reference an English caution or
danger statement with translated versions of the caution or danger
statement in the IBM Safety Information book.
For example, if acaution statement begins with anumber 1,
translations for that caution statement appear in the IBM Safety
Information book under statement 1.
Be sure to read all caution and danger statements in this
documentation before performing the instructions. Read any additional
safety information that comes with the server or optional device before
you install the device.
vi BladeCenter HS21 Type 8853: Installation and User’s Guide

Statement 1:
DANGER
Electrical current from power, telephone, and communication cables is
hazardous.
To avoid ashock hazard:
vDo not connect or disconnect any cables or perform installation,
maintenance, or reconfiguration of this product during an electrical
storm.
vConnect all power cords to aproperly wired and grounded electrical
outlet.
vConnect to properly wired outlets any equipment that will be attached to
this product.
vWhen possible, use one hand only to connect or disconnect signal
cables.
vNever turn on any equipment when there is evidence of fire, water, or
structural damage.
vDisconnect the attached power cords, telecommunications systems,
networks, and modems before you open the device covers, unless
instructed otherwise in the installation and configuration procedures.
vConnect and disconnect cables as described in the following table when
installing, moving, or opening covers on this product or attached
devices.
To Connect: To Disconnect:
1. Turn everything OFF.
2. First, attach all cables to devices.
3. Attach signal cables to connectors.
4. Attach power cords to outlet.
5. Turn device ON.
1. Turn everything OFF.
2. First, remove power cords from outlet.
3. Remove signal cables from connectors.
4. Remove all cables from devices.
Safety vii

Statement 2:
CAUTION:
When replacing the lithium battery, use only IBM Part Number 33F8354 or an
equivalent type battery recommended by the manufacturer. If your system has
amodule containing alithium battery, replace it only with the same module
type made by the same manufacturer. The battery contains lithium and can
explode if not properly used, handled, or disposed of.
Do not:
vThrow or immerse into water
vHeat to more than 100°C (212°F)
vRepair or disassemble
Dispose of the battery as required by local ordinances or regulations.
Statement 3:
CAUTION:
When laser products (such as CD-ROMs, DVD drives, fiber optic devices, or
transmitters) are installed, note the following:
vDo not remove the covers. Removing the covers of the laser product could
result in exposure to hazardous laser radiation. There are no serviceable
parts inside the device.
vUse of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than
those specified herein might result in hazardous radiation exposure.
DANGER
Some laser products contain an embedded Class 3A or Class 3B laser
diode. Note the following.
Laser radiation when open. Do not stare into the beam, do not view directly
with optical instruments, and avoid direct exposure to the beam.
Class 1 Laser Product
Laser Klasse 1
Laser Klass 1
Luokan 1 Laserlaite
Appareil A Laser de Classe 1
`
viii BladeCenter HS21 Type 8853: Installation and User’s Guide

Statement 4:
≥18 kg (39.7 lb) ≥32 kg (70.5 lb) ≥55 kg (121.2 lb)
CAUTION:
Use safe practices when lifting.
Statement 5:
CAUTION:
The power control button on the device and the power switch on the power
supply do not turn off the electrical current supplied to the device. The device
also might have more than one power cord. To remove all electrical current
from the device, ensure that all power cords are disconnected from the power
source.
1 2
Safety ix

Statement 8:
CAUTION:
Never remove the cover on apower supply or any part that has the following
label attached.
Hazardous voltage, current, and energy levels are present inside any
component that has this label attached. There are no serviceable parts inside
these components. If you suspect aproblem with one of these parts, contact
aservice technician.
Statement 13:
DANGER
Overloading abranch circuit is potentially afire hazard and ashock hazard
under certain conditions. To avoid these hazards, ensure that your system
electrical requirements do not exceed branch circuit protection
requirements. Refer to the information that is provided with your device for
electrical specifications.
Statement 21:
CAUTION:
Hazardous energy is present when the blade is connected to the power
source. Always replace the blade cover before installing the blade.
xBladeCenter HS21 Type 8853: Installation and User’s Guide

Chapter 1. Introduction
The IBM®BladeCenter®HS21 Type 8853 blade server is compatible with IBM
BladeCenter units. This high-density, high-performance blade server is ideally suited
for networking environments that require superior microprocessor performance,
efficient memory management, flexibility, and reliable data storage.
Note: Unless otherwise stated, references to the BladeCenter unit apply to all
BladeCenter unit types.
This Installation and User’s Guide provides information about:
vSetting up the blade server
vStarting and configuring the blade server
vInstalling hardware options
vInstalling the operating system
vPerforming basic troubleshooting of the blade server
Packaged with this document are software CDs that help you to configure
hardware, install device drivers, and install the operating system. To download the
latest device drivers, complete the following steps.
Note: Changes are made periodically to the IBM Web site. The actual procedure
might vary slightly from what is described in this document.
1. Go to http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/.
2. Under Product support,click BladeCenter.
3. Under Popular links,click Software and device drivers.
4. Click BladeCenter HS21 (8853, 1885) to display the matrix of downloadable
files for the blade server.
The blade server comes with alimited warranty. For information about the terms of
the warranty and getting service and assistance, see the Warranty and Support
Information document for your blade server on the IBM Documentation CD. You can
obtain up-to-date information about the blade server at http://www.ibm.com/systems/
bladecenter/.
If firmware and documentation updates are available, you can download them from
the IBM Web site. The blade server might have features that are not described in
the documentation that comes with the blade server, and the documentation might
be updated occasionally to include information about those features, or technical
updates might be available to provide additional information that is not included in
the blade server documentation. To check for updates, complete the following steps.
Note: Changes are made periodically to the IBM Web site. Procedures for locating
firmware and documentation might change from what is described in this
document.
1. Go to http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/.
2. Under Product support,click BladeCenter.
3. Under Popular links,click Software and device drivers for firmware updates,
or click Publications lookup for documentation updates.
©Copyright IBM Corp. 2007 1

Record information about the blade server in the following table. You will need
these numbers when you register the blade server with IBM. You can register the
blade server at http://www.ibm.com/support/mysupport/.
Product name BladeCenter HS21
Machine type 8853
Model number _____________________________________________
Serial number _____________________________________________
The model number and serial number are located on the ID label that is behind the
control panel door on the front of the blade server, and on alabel on the side of the
blade server that is visible when the blade server is not in the BladeCenter unit.
Note: The illustrations in this document might differ slightly from the hardware.
Release
handles
Aset of blank labels comes with the blade server. When you install the blade server
in the BladeCenter unit, write identifying information on alabel and place the label
on the BladeCenter unit bezel. See the documentation for your BladeCenter unit for
recommended label placement.
Important: Do not place the label on the blade server itself or in any way block the
ventilation holes on the blade server.
2BladeCenter HS21 Type 8853: Installation and User’s Guide

Related documentation
This Installation and User’s Guide contains general information about the blade
server, including how to install supported optional devices and how to configure the
blade server. The following documentation also comes with the blade server:
vProblem Determination and Service Guide
This document is in Portable Document Format (PDF) on the IBM Documentation
CD. It contains information to help you solve problems yourself, and it contains
information for service technicians.
vSafety Information
This document is in PDF on the IBM Documentation CD. It contains translated
caution and danger statements. Each caution and danger statement that appears
in the documentation has anumber that you can use to locate the corresponding
statement in your language in the Safety Information document.
vWarranty and Support Information
This document is in PDF on the IBM Documentation CD. It contains information
about the terms of the warranty and getting service and assistance.
Depending on your BladeCenter product, additional documents might be included
on the IBM Documentation CD. In addition to the documentation in this library, be
sure to review the.IBM BladeCenter Planning and Installation Guide for your
BladeCenter unit for information to help you prepare for system installation and
configuration. To check for updated documentation and technical updates, complete
the following steps.
Note: Changes are made periodically to the IBM Web site. The actual procedure
might vary slightly from what is described in this document.
1. Go to http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/.
2. Under Product support,click BladeCenter.
3. Under Popular links,click Publications lookup.
4. From the Product family menu, select BladeCenter HS21 and click Continue.
The IBM Documentation CD
You can run the IBM Documentation CD on any personal computer that meets the
hardware and software requirements.
The IBM Documentation CD contains documentation for your blade server in
Portable Document Format (PDF) and includes the IBM Documentation Browser to
help you find information quickly.
Hardware and software requirements
The IBM Documentation CD requires the following minimum hardware and
software:
vMicrosoft®Windows NT®4.0 (with Service Pack 3or later), Windows®2000, or
Red Hat Linux®.
v100 MHz microprocessor.
v32 MB of RAM.
vAdobe Acrobat Reader 3.0 (or later) or xpdf, which comes with Linux operating
systems. Acrobat Reader software is included on the CD, and you can install it
when you run the Documentation Browser.
Chapter 1. Introduction 3

Using the Documentation Browser
Use the Documentation Browser to browse the contents of the CD, read brief
descriptions of the documents, and view documents using Adobe Acrobat Reader or
xpdf. The Documentation Browser automatically detects the regional settings in use
in your system and displays the documents in the language for that region (if
available). If adocument is not available in the language for that region, the
English-language version is displayed.
Use one of the following procedures to start the Documentation Browser:
vIf Autostart is enabled, insert the CD into the CD drive. The Documentation
Browser starts automatically.
vIf Autostart is disabled or is not enabled for all users, use one of the following
procedures:
–If you are using aWindows operating system, insert the CD into the CD drive
and click Start →Run.In the Open field, type:
e:\win32.bat
where eis the drive letter of the CD-ROM drive, and click OK.
–If you are using Red Hat Linux, insert the CD into the CD drive; then, run the
following command from the /mnt/cdrom directory:
sh runlinux.sh
Select your blade server from the Product menu. The Available Topics list
displays all the documents for your blade server. Some documents might be in
folders. Aplus sign (+) indicates each folder or document that has additional
documents under it. Click the plus sign to display the additional documents.
When you select adocument, adescription of the document appears under Topic
Description.To select more than one document, press and hold the Ctrl key while
you select the documents. Click View Book to view the selected document or
documents in Acrobat Reader or xpdf. If you selected more than one document, all
the selected documents are opened in Acrobat Reader or xpdf.
To search all the documents, type aword or word string in the Search field and
click Search.The documents in which the word or word string appears are listed in
order of the most occurrences. Click adocument to view it, and press Crtl+F to use
the Acrobat search function or Alt+F to use the xpdf search function within the
document.
Click Help for detailed information about using the Documentation Browser.
4BladeCenter HS21 Type 8853: Installation and User’s Guide

Notices and statements in this document
The caution and danger statements that appear in this document are also in the
multilingual Safety Information document, which is on the IBM Documentation CD.
Each statement is numbered for reference to the corresponding statement in the
Safety Information document.
The following notices and statements are used in this document:
vNote: These notices provide important tips, guidance, or advice.
vImportant: These notices provide information or advice that might help you avoid
inconvenient or problem situations.
vAttention: These notices indicate possible damage to programs, devices, or
data. An attention notice is placed just before the instruction or situation in which
damage could occur.
vCaution: These statements indicate situations that can be potentially hazardous
to you. Acaution statement is placed just before the description of apotentially
hazardous procedure step or situation.
vDanger: These statements indicate situations that can be potentially lethal or
extremely hazardous to you. Adanger statement is placed just before the
description of apotentially lethal or extremely hazardous procedure step or
situation.
Chapter 1. Introduction 5

Features and specifications
The following table provides asummary of the features and specifications of the
blade server.
Notes:
vPower, cooling, removable-media drives, external ports, and advanced system
management are provided by the BladeCenter unit.
vThe operating system in the blade server must provide USB support for the blade
server to recognize and use the removable-media drives and front-panel USB
ports. The BladeCenter unit uses USB for internal communications with these
devices.
Microprocessor: Supports up to two
dual- or quad-core Intel®Xeon
microprocessors.
Note: Use the Configuration/Setup
Utility program to determine the type
and speed of the microprocessors in
your blade server.
Memory:
vDual-channel DIMMs: 4DIMM slots
vType: fully-buffered double-data
rate (FB-DDR2), PC2-5300, ECC
SDRAM registered x4 (Chipkill)
DIMMs
vSupports 512 MB, 1GB, 2GB, and
4GB DIMMs (as of the date of this
publication) with up to 16 GB of
total memory in the system board
vAdditional memory support when an
optional IBM BladeCenter Memory
and I/O Expansion Blade is
installed
Drives: Support for up to two internal
small-form-factor Serial Attached SCSI
(SAS) drives
Predictive Failure Analysis®(PFA)
alerts:
vMicroprocessor
vMemory
vHard disk drives
Electrical input: 12 Vdc
Integrated functions:
vDual Gigabit Ethernet controllers
vExpansion card interface
vLocal service processor:
Baseboard management controller
(BMC) with Intelligent Platform
Management Interface (IPMI)
firmware
vATI RN-50 ES1000 video
controller
vLSI 1064E Serial Attached SCSI
(SAS) controller
vLight path diagnostics
vRS-485 interface for
communication with the
management module
vAutomatic server restart (ASR)
vSerial over LAN (SOL)
vRedundant buses for
communication with keyboard,
mouse, and removable media
drives
vConcurrent keyboard/video/mouse
(cKVM) support when optional
cKVM feature card is installed
Environment (non-NEBS):
vAir temperature:
–Blade server on: 10° to 35° C
(50° to 95° F). Altitude: 0to
914 m(0 to 3000 ft)
–Blade server on: 10° to 32° C
(50° to 90° F). Altitude: 914 to
2134 m(3000 to 7000 ft)
–Blade server off: -40° to 60° C
(-40° to 140° F)
v
Humidity:
–Blade server on: 8% to 80%
–Blade server off: 5% to 80%
Environment (NEBS):
vAir temperature:
–Blade server on: 5° to 40°C (41°
to 104°F). Altitude: -60 to 1800 m
(-197 to 5905 ft)
–Blade server on (short term): -5°
to 55°C (23° to 131°F). Altitude:
-60 to 1800 m(-197 to 5905 ft)
–Blade server on: 5° to 30°C (41°
to 86°F). Altitude: 1800 to 4000 m
(5905 to 13 123 ft)
–Blade server on (short term): -5°
to 45°C (23° to 113°F). Altitude:
1800 to 4000 m(5905 to 13 123
ft)
–Blade server off: -40° to 60°C
(-40° to 140°F)
v
Humidity:
–Blade server on: 8% to 85%
–Blade server on (short term): 5%
to 90% but not to exceed 0.024
kg water/kg of dry air
–Blade server off: uncontrolled
Note: “Short term” refers to aperiod of
not more than 96 consecutive hours
and atotal of not more than 15 days in
1year. (This refers to atotal of 360
hours in any year, but no more than 15
occurrences during that 1-year period.)
Size:
vHeight: 24.5 cm (9.7 inches)
vDepth: 44.6 cm (17.6 inches)
vWidth: 2.9 cm (1.14 inches)
vMaximum weight: 5.4 kg (12 lb)
6BladeCenter HS21 Type 8853: Installation and User’s Guide

What your blade server offers
The blade server uses the following features and technologies:
vBaseboard management controller (BMC)
The baseboard management controller (BMC) is on the system board of the
blade server. The BMC operates as the service processor for the blade server
and performs several tasks, including the following:
–Provides RS-485 interfaces to the management module
–Provides support for:
-Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI)
-The operating system
-Power control and advanced power management
-Reliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS) features
-Serial over LAN (SOL)
v
Disk drive support
The blade server supports up to two 2.5-inch small-form-factor (SFF) Serial
Attached SCSI (SAS) hard disk drives.
vIBM Director
IBM Director is aworkgroup-hardware-management tool that you can use to
centrally manage servers. For more information, see the IBM Director
documentation on the IBM Director CD.
vIBM Enterprise X-Architecture™
IBM Enterprise X-Architecture technology combines proven, innovative IBM
designs to make your x86-processor-based blade server powerful, scalable, and
reliable. For more information, see http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/xseries/
xarchitecture/enterprise/index.html.
vIBM ServerGuide™Setup and Installation CD
The ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD that comes with the blade server
provides programs to help you set up the blade server and install aWindows
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” on page 43.
vMicroprocessor technology
The blade server supports up to two dual-core or quad-core Intel Xeon™
microprocessors. Depending on the model, the blade server comes with either
one or two dual-core or quad-core Intel Xeon microprocessors. Models that come
with one microprocessor support the addition of asecond microprocessor of the
same type.
vIntegrated network support
The blade server comes with two integrated Broadcom BCM5708S Gigabit
Ethernet controllers, which support connection to a10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, or 1000
Mbps network through an Ethernet-compatible switch module in the BladeCenter
unit. The controller supports Wake on LAN®technology.
Chapter 1. Introduction 7

vI/O expansion
The blade server has connectors on the system board for optional expansion
cards for adding more network communication capabilities to the blade server.
vLarge system memory
The blade server system board supports up to 16 GB of system memory. The
memory controller provides support for up to four industry-standard fully-buffered
double-data rate (FB-DDR2), PC2-5300, ECC SDRAM registered x4 (Chipkill™)
DIMMs installed on the system board. The controller is able to support additional
memory DIMMs that are installed in an optional expansion unit. For the most
current list of supported DIMMs, see the ServerProven®list at
http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/serverproven/compat/us/.
vLight path diagnostics
Light path diagnostics provides light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to help you diagnose
problems. For more information, see the Problem Determination and Service
Guide.
vPCI Express
PCI Express is aserial interface that is used for chip-to-chip interconnect and
expansion adapter interconnect. With the blade expansion connector you can
add optional I/O and storage devices.
vPower throttling
Each blade server is powered by two BladeCenter redundant power-supply
modules. By enforcing apower policy known as power-domain oversubscription,
the BladeCenter unit can share the power load between two power modules to
ensure sufficient power for each device in the BladeCenter unit. This policy is
enforced when the initial power is applied to the BladeCenter unit or when a
blade server is inserted into the BladeCenter unit.
The following settings for this policy are available:
–Redundant without performance impact
–Redundant with performance impact
–Nonredundant
You can configure and monitor the power environment by using the management
module. For more information about configuring and using power throttling, see
the management-module documentation or http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/.
Reliability, availability, and serviceability features
Three of the most important features in server design are reliability, availability, and
serviceability (RAS). These RAS features help to ensure the integrity of the data
that is stored in the blade server, the availability of the blade server when you need
it, and the ease with which you can diagnose and correct problems.
The blade server has the following RAS features:
vAdvanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI)
vAutomatic error retry or recovery
vAutomatic server restart
vBuilt-in monitoring for temperature, voltage, hard disk drives.
vChipkill memory
vCustomer support center 24 hours per day, 7days aweek1
vCustomer-upgradeable basic input/output system (BIOS) code and diagnostics
vDiagnostic support of Ethernet controllers
1. Service availability will vary by country. Response time will vary depending on the number and nature of incoming calls.
8BladeCenter HS21 Type 8853: Installation and User’s Guide