Lenovo Flex System x280 X6 Compute Node Installation and maintenance instructions

Flex System x280 X6, x480 X6, and x880 X6 Compute
Node
Types7903and4259
Installation and Service Guide

Flex System x280 X6, x480 X6, and x880 X6 Compute
Node
Types7903and4259
Installation and Service Guide

Note
Before using this information and the product it supports, read the general information in “Notices” on page 777, the
Warranty Information document, and the IBM® Safety Information and the Environmental Notices and User Guide documents on
the IBM Documentation CD.
Third Edition (April 2015)
© Copyright Lenovo 2015.
Portions © Copyright IBM Corporation 2014.
LIMITED AND RESTRICTED RIGHTS NOTICE: If data or software is delivered pursuant a General Services
Administration “GSA” contract, use, reproduction, or disclosure is subject to restrictions set forth in Contract No.
GS-35F-05925.

Contents
Safety ...............v
Guidelines for trained service technicians ....vi
Inspecting for unsafe conditions ......vi
Guidelines for servicing electrical equipment . . vii
Safety statements ............viii
Chapter 1. Introduction ........1
Related documentation ...........2
The Lenovo Documentation CD ........3
Hardware and software requirements .....3
Using the Documentation Browser ......3
Notices and statements in this document .....4
Features and specifications..........5
What your compute node offers ........7
Reliability, availability, and serviceability features. . 10
Major components of the compute node .....10
Power, controls, and indicators ........11
Compute node controls, connectors, and LEDs. . 11
Console breakout cable .........15
Turning on the compute node .......15
Turning off the compute node .......16
System-board layouts ...........17
System-board connectors .........17
System-board jumpers ..........18
System-board LEDs...........19
System-board switches..........19
Working with scalable partitions .......22
FlexNode partitioning ..........23
Single partition considerations .......23
Chapter 2. Configuring ........25
Partitioning a multi-node complex.......25
Updating firmware and device drivers .....25
Recovering a UEFI image..........27
Configuring the compute node ........28
Using the Setup utility..........29
Nx boot failure ............35
Setting the boot protocol to boot from legacy
devices using the Setup utility .......35
Using the Boot Selection Menu program....36
Updating the Universally Unique Identifier and
DMI/SMBIOS data ...........37
Enabling Features on Demand RAID software . . 40
Configuring a RAID array ........40
Using the LSI Logic Configuration Utility . . . 40
Features on Demand ..........41
Setting up the LAN-on-motherboard (LOM)
feature ...............42
Chapter 3. Installing the operating
system...............45
Using the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD . 46
ServerGuide features ..........47
Typical operating-system installation .....47
Installing the operating system without using
ServerGuide .............48
Using Lenovo ServerGuide Scripting Toolkit . . . 48
Chapter 4. Accessing the IMM2 ....49
Accessing the IMM2 remotely ........49
Viewing the network access tag.......49
Logging on to the web interface ......50
IMM2 action descriptions.........51
Accessing the IMM2 using the LAN over USB
interface ...............55
Potential conflicts with the LAN over USB
interface ..............56
Resolving conflicts with the IMM2 LAN over
USB interface .............56
Configuring the LAN over USB interface . . . 56
Chapter 5. Parts listing, Types 7903
and 4259 ..............59
Chapter 6. Troubleshooting ......65
Service bulletins .............65
Diagnostic tools .............65
Light path diagnostics ..........65
IMM event log ............68
Viewing event logs through the Setup utility . . 68
Viewing event logs without restarting the
compute node ............69
Lenovo Dynamic System Analysis Preboot
diagnostic program ...........70
DSA diagnostic test results ........72
Event messages.............179
IMM messages ............179
UEFI diagnostic codes .........647
DSA messages ............667
Troubleshooting by symptom ........669
Compute node start problems .......669
Connectivity problems .........670
Hard disk drive problems ........686
Intermittent Connectivity Problems .....687
Intermittent problems .........687
Memory problems...........688
Observable problems ..........689
Optional device and replaceable component
installation problems ..........690
Performance problems .........691
Power-on problems ..........692
Software ..............693
System Scaling Issues..........694
Undetermined problems.........695
Solving undetermined problems .......696
Collecting service data ..........697
© Lenovo 2015. Portions © IBM Corp. 2014. iii

Chapter 7. Installing, removing, and
replacing compute node components . 699
Installing an optional device ........699
Installation guidelines ..........699
System reliability guidelines .......700
Handling static-sensitive devices ......700
Returning a device or component .....700
Updating the compute node configuration. . . 700
Removing a compute node from a chassis ....701
Installing a compute node in a chassis .....702
Removing and replacing Tier 1 customer
replaceable units (CRUs) .........704
Removing the adapter-retention assembly . . . 704
Installing the adapter-retention assembly . . . 705
Removing the bezel ..........707
Installing the bezel ..........707
Removing the center partition .......708
Installing the center partition .......709
Removing the chassis bulkhead ......710
Installing the chassis bulkhead ......711
Removing the CMOS battery .......712
Installing the CMOS battery .......713
Removing the compute node cover .....715
Installing the compute node cover .....716
Removing a DIMM ..........717
Installing a DIMM...........719
Removing a fabric connector .......728
Installing a fabric connector .......729
Removing a flash DIMM ........730
Installing a flash DIMM .........730
Removing the front handle ........735
Installing the front handles ........736
Removing the hard disk drive cage and
backplane assembly ..........737
Installing the hard disk drive cage and
backplane assembly ..........738
Removing a hot-swap hard disk drive ....739
Installing a hot-swap hard disk drive ....740
Removing an I/O expansion adapter ....741
Installing an I/O expansion adapter .....742
Removing the light path diagnostics panel . . 743
Installing the light path diagnostics panel . . . 744
Removing an SMP expansion connector . . . 745
Installing an SMP expansion connector ....747
Removing a solid state drive .......750
Installing a solid state drive .......751
Removing the solid state drive cage and
backplane .............752
Installing the solid state drive cage and
backplane .............753
Removing the solid state drive mounting sleeve 755
Installing the solid state drive mounting sleeve 755
Removing the USB flash drive.......756
Installing the USB flash drive .......757
Removing and replacing FRUs (trained service
technician only) ............758
Removing a microprocessor and heat sink. . . 758
Installing a microprocessor and heat sink . . . 762
Thermal grease ............766
Removing the system-board components for
base-assembly replacement ........767
Installing the system-board components for
base-assembly replacement ........769
Appendix. Getting help and technical
assistance.............773
Before you call .............773
Using the documentation .........774
Getting help and information from the World Wide
Web................774
How to send DSA data ..........774
Creating a personalized support web page . . . 775
Software service and support ........775
Hardware service and support .......775
Taiwan product service ..........775
Notices ..............777
Trademarks ..............778
Important notes ............778
Recycling information ..........779
Particulate contamination .........779
Telecommunication regulatory statement ....780
Electronic emission notices .........780
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
statement..............780
Industry Canada Class A emission compliance
statement..............780
Avis de conformité à la réglementation
d'Industrie Canada ..........781
Australia and New Zealand Class A statement 781
European Union EMC Directive conformance
statement..............781
Germany Class A statement .......781
Japan VCCI Class A statement.......782
Japan Electronics and Information Technology
Industries Association (JEITA) statement . . . 782
Korea Communications Commission (KCC)
statement..............783
Russia Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Class
A statement .............783
People's Republic of China Class A electronic
emission statement ..........783
Taiwan Class A compliance statement ....783
Index ...............785
iv Flex System x280 X6, x480 X6, and x880 X6 Compute Node Types 7903 and 4259: Installation and Service 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 u dit 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.
© Lenovo 2015. Portions © IBM Corp. 2014. v

Les sikkerhetsinformasjonen (Safety Information) før du installerer dette produktet.
Antes de instalar este produto, leia as Informações sobre Segurança.
Antes de instalar este producto, lea la información de seguridad.
Läs säkerhetsinformationen innan du installerar den här produkten.
Bu ürünü kurmadan önce güvenlik bilgilerini okuyun.
Guidelines for trained service technicians
This section contains information for trained service technicians.
Inspecting for unsafe conditions
Use this information to help you identify potential unsafe conditions in a device
that you are working on.
Each device, as it was designed and manufactured, has required safety items to
protect users and service technicians from injury. The information in this section
addresses only those items. Use good judgment to identify potential unsafe
conditions that might be caused by unsupported alterations or attachment of
unsupported features or optional devices that are not addressed in this section. If
vi Flex System x280 X6, x480 X6, and x880 X6 Compute Node Types 7903 and 4259: Installation and Service Guide

you identify an unsafe condition, you must determine how serious the hazard is
and whether you must correct the problem before you work on the product.
Consider the following conditions and the safety hazards that they present:
vElectrical hazards, especially primary power. Primary voltage on the frame can
cause serious or fatal electrical shock.
vExplosive hazards, such as a damaged CRT face or a bulging capacitor.
vMechanical hazards, such as loose or missing hardware.
To inspect the product for potential unsafe conditions, complete the following
steps:
1. Make sure that the power is off and the power cords are disconnected.
2. Make sure that the exterior cover is not damaged, loose, or broken, and observe
any sharp edges.
3. Check the power cords:
vMake sure that the third-wire ground connector is in good condition. Use a
meter to measure third-wire ground continuity for 0.1 ohm or less between
the external ground pin and the frame ground.
vMake sure that the power cords are the correct type.
vMake sure that the insulation is not frayed or worn.
4. Remove the cover.
5. Check for any obvious unsupported alterations. Use good judgment as to the
safety of any unsupported alterations.
6. Check inside the system for any obvious unsafe conditions, such as metal
filings, contamination, water or other liquid, or signs of fire or smoke damage.
7. Check for worn, frayed, or pinched cables.
8. Make sure that the power-supply cover fasteners (screws or rivets) have not
been removed or tampered with.
Guidelines for servicing electrical equipment
Observe these guidelines when you service electrical equipment.
vCheck the area for electrical hazards such as moist floors, nongrounded power
extension cords, and missing safety grounds.
vUse only approved tools and test equipment. Some hand tools have handles that
are covered with a soft material that does not provide insulation from live
electrical current.
vRegularly inspect and maintain your electrical hand tools for safe operational
condition. Do not use worn or broken tools or testers.
vDo not touch the reflective surface of a dental mirror to a live electrical circuit.
The surface is conductive and can cause personal injury or equipment damage if
it touches a live electrical circuit.
vSome rubber floor mats contain small conductive fibers to decrease electrostatic
discharge. Do not use this type of mat to protect yourself from electrical shock.
vDo not work alone under hazardous conditions or near equipment that has
hazardous voltages.
vLocate the emergency power-off (EPO) switch, disconnecting switch, or electrical
outlet so that you can turn off the power quickly in the event of an electrical
accident.
vDisconnect all power before you perform a mechanical inspection, work near
power supplies, or remove or install main units.
Safety vii

vBefore you work on the equipment, disconnect the power cord. If you cannot
disconnect the power cord, have the customer power-off the wall box that
supplies power to the equipment and lock the wall box in the off position.
vNever assume that power has been disconnected from a circuit. Check it to
make sure that it has been disconnected.
vIf you have to work on equipment that has exposed electrical circuits, observe
the following precautions:
– Make sure that another person who is familiar with the power-off controls is
near you and is available to turn off the power if necessary.
– When you work with powered-on electrical equipment, use only one hand.
Keep the other hand in your pocket or behind your back to avoid creating a
complete circuit that could cause an electrical shock.
– When you use a tester, set the controls correctly and use the approved probe
leads and accessories for that tester.
– Stand on a suitable rubber mat to insulate you from grounds such as metal
floor strips and equipment frames.
vUse extreme care when you measure high voltages.
vTo ensure proper grounding of components such as power supplies, pumps,
blowers, fans, and motor generators, do not service these components outside of
their normal operating locations.
vIf an electrical accident occurs, use caution, turn off the power, and send another
person to get medical aid.
Safety statements
These statements provide the caution and danger information that is used in this
documentation.
Important:
Each caution and danger statement in this documentation is labeled with a
number. This number is used to cross reference an English-language caution or
danger statement with translated versions of the caution or danger statement in
the Safety Information document.
For example, if a caution statement is labeled Statement 1, translations for that
caution statement are in the Safety Information document under Statement 1.
Be sure to read all caution and danger statements in this documentation before you
perform the procedures. Read any additional safety information that comes with
your system or optional device before you install the device.
viii Flex System x280 X6, x480 X6, and x880 X6 Compute Node Types 7903 and 4259: Installation and Service Guide

Statement 1
DANGER
Electrical current from power, telephone, and communication cables is
hazardous.
To avoid a shock 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 a properly 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 ix

Statement 2
CAUTION:
When replacing the lithium battery, use only Part Number 33F8354 or an
equivalent type battery recommended by the manufacturer. If your system has a
module containing a lithium 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 12
CAUTION:
The following label indicates a hot surface nearby.
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.
UL regulatory information
This device is for use only with Listed Flex System Enterprise Chassis.
xFlex System x280 X6, x480 X6, and x880 X6 Compute Node Types 7903 and 4259: Installation and Service Guide

Chapter 1. Introduction
The IBM Flex System x280 X6, x480 X6, and x880 X6 Compute Node Types 7903
and 4259 is a high-availability, scalable compute node that is optimized to support
the next-generation microprocessor technology and is ideally suited for medium
and large businesses.
The Flex System x280 X6, x480 X6, and x880 X6 Compute Node Types 7903 and
4259 is supported in the Flex System Enterprise Chassis only.
The Flex System x280 X6, x480 X6, and x880 X6 Compute Node Types 7903 and
4259 is functionally identical except for the scaling capabilities of the
microprocessor family.
Table 1. Compute node scaling capabilities
Compute node Scaling capability Microprocessor family
Flex System x280 X6 One-node configurations
only
2800
Flex System x480 X6 One-node and two-node
configurations
4800
Flex System x880 X6 One-node, two-node, and
four-node configurations
8800
The scaling capabilities of the Flex System x280 X6, x480 X6, and x880 X6 Compute
Node Types 7903 and 4259 allows you to form a scalable partition. Combining the
compute nodes in a scalable partition provides for FlexNode partitioning. With
FlexNode partitioning, you can toggle between a single partition or multiple
partitions without having to modify the physical setup of the compute nodes. For
more information about scalable partitions and FlexNode partitioning, see
“Working with scalable partitions” on page 22.
This documentation provides the following information about setting up and
troubleshooting the compute node:
vStarting and configuring the compute node
vInstalling the operating system
vDiagnosing problems
vInstalling, removing, and replacing components
Packaged with the compute node are software CDs that help you configure
hardware, install device drivers, and install the operating system.
To download the latest firmware and device drivers, go to http://www.ibm.com/
support/fixcentral and select Flex System and Flex System x280 X6, x480 X6, and
x880 X6.
The compute node comes with a limited warranty. For information about the terms
of the warranty and getting service and assistance, see the Warranty Information
document for your compute node. This document is available on the Documentation
CD.
© Lenovo 2015. Portions © IBM Corp. 2014. 1

You can obtain up-to-date information about the compute node at
http://www.ibm.com/systems.
The compute node might have features that are not described in the
documentation that comes with the compute node. The documentation might be
updated occasionally to include information about those features. Technical
updates might also be available to provide additional information that is not
included in the compute node documentation. To obtain the most up-to-date
documentation for this product, go to http://pic.dhe.ibm.com/infocenter/flexsys/
information/index.jsp.
You can subscribe to information updates that are specific to your compute node at
http://www.ibm.com/support/mynotifications.
The model number and serial number are on the ID label on the bezel on the front
of the compute node, and on a label on the bottom of the compute node that is
visible when the compute node is not in the Flex System chassis. If the compute
node comes with an RFID tag, the RFID tag covers the ID label on the bezel on the
front of the compute node but you can open the RFID tag to see the ID label
behind it.
Note: The illustrations in this document might differ slightly from your hardware.
ID label
RFID tag
Related documentation
Use this information to identify and locate related compute node documentation.
This Installation and Service Guide contains general information about the compute
node, including how to install supported optional devices and how to configure
the compute node. It also contains information to help you solve problems yourself
and instructions for removing and installing components, and it contains
information for service technicians. Documents that are in Portable Document
Format (PDF) are on the documentation CD that comes with your product. The
following documentation is also available.
vSafety Information
2Flex System x280 X6, x480 X6, and x880 X6 Compute Node Types 7903 and 4259: Installation and Service Guide

This document is in PDF. 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.
vLenovo Warranty Information
This printed document contains the warranty terms and a pointer to the Lenovo
Statement of Limited Warranty.
vEnvironmental Notices and User Guide
This document is in PDF. It contains translated environmental notices.
vLicense Agreement for Machine Code
This document is in PDF. It provides translated versions of the Lenovo License
Agreement for Machine code for your compute node.
vLicenses and Attributions Document
This document is in PDF. It provides information about the open-source notices.
In addition to the documentation in this library, be sure to review the Installation
and Service Guide for your Flex System chassis for information to help you prepare
for system installation and configuration.
To check for updated documentation, go to http://www.ibm.com/supportportal.
You can also find documentation that is related to Flex System products at
http://pic.dhe.ibm.com/infocenter/flexsys/information/index.jsp.
The Lenovo Documentation CD
The Documentation CD contains documentation for the compute node in Portable
Document Format (PDF). It includes a documentation browser to help you find
information quickly.
You can run the Documentation CD on any computer that meets the hardware and
software requirements.
Hardware and software requirements
Use this information to determine the minimum hardware and software
requirements.
The Lenovo Documentation CD requires the following minimum hardware and
software:
vMicrosoft Windows
v100 MHz microprocessor
v32 MB of RAM
vAdobe Acrobat Reader 3.0 (or later) or xpdf, which comes with Linux operating
systems
Using the Documentation Browser
Use this information to start 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
Chapter 1. Introduction 3

use in your system and displays the documents in the language for that region (if
available). If a document 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 or DVD 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 a Windows operating system, insert the CD into the CD or
DVD drive and click Start →Run.IntheOpen field, type
e:\win32.bat
where eis the drive letter of the CD or DVD drive, and click OK.
– If you are using Red Hat Linux, insert the CD into the CD or DVD drive;
then, run the following command from the /mnt/cdrom directory:
sh runlinux.sh
Select the compute node from the Product menu. The Available Topics list
displays all the documents for the compute node. Some documents might be in
folders. A plus sign (+) indicates each folder or document that has additional
documents under it. Click the plus sign to display the additional documents.
When you select a document, a description of the document is displayed 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 a word 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 a document to view it. Press Ctrl+F to use
the Acrobat search function, or press Alt+F to use the xpdf search function within
the document.
Click Help for detailed information about using the Documentation Browser.
Notices and statements in this document
Use this information to understand the most common documentation notices and
statements and how they are used.
The caution and danger statements in this document are also in the multilingual
Safety Information document, which is on the 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 might occur.
4Flex System x280 X6, x480 X6, and x880 X6 Compute Node Types 7903 and 4259: Installation and Service Guide

vCaution: These statements indicate situations that can be potentially hazardous
to you. A caution statement is placed just before the description of a potentially
hazardous procedure step or situation.
vDanger: These statements indicate situations that can be potentially lethal or
hazardous to you. A danger statement is placed just before the description of a
potentially lethal or hazardous procedure step or situation.
Features and specifications
Use this information to view specific information about the compute node, such as
compute node hardware features and the dimensions of the compute node.
Notes:
1. Power, cooling, and chassis systems management are provided by the Flex
System chassis.
2. The operating system in the compute node must provide USB support for the
compute node to recognize and use USB media drives and devices.
The following is a summary of the features and specifications of the Flex System
x280 X6, x480 X6, and x880 X6 compute node.
Microprocessor:
Two multi-core Intel Xeon microprocessors.
Note: Use the Setup utility to determine the type and speed of the
microprocessors in the compute node.
Integrated functions:
vRenesas SH7757 (IMM2) baseboard management controller (BMC) with
integrated VGA controller
v(Models with LAN-on-motherboard (LOM) only) Two LOM fabric
connectors and one Emulex Skyhawk Quad-Port 10 Gigabit Ethernet
controller
vSupport for up to two internal USB ports
vOne external USB port
vOne LSI 3004 SAS controller with support for RAID level-0 or RAID
level-1
vLight path diagnostics
vAutomatic server restart (ASR)
v(Models without LOM) Four I/O expansion connectors
v(Models with LOM) Support for two I/O expansion connectors
vSerial over LAN (SOL)
vWake on LAN (WOL)
vWake on PCI (PME) capability
vBuilt-in monitoring for temperature, voltage, and hard disk drives
vAdvanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI)
Upgradeable firmware:
All firmware is field upgradeable.
Memory:
v48 dual inline memory module (DIMM) connectors
vType: Low-profile (LP) double-data rate (DDR3) DRAM
vSupports 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB DIMMs with up to 3 TB
of total memory on the system board per compute node
vSupport for RDIMMs and LRDIMMs (combining is not supported)
vVital product data (VPD)
Chapter 1. Introduction 5

Drives:
vSupport for up to two 2.5-inch hot-swap, small form factor (SFF) Serial
Attached SCSI (SAS) or Serial ATA (SATA) hard disk drives, or up to
two 2.5-inch hot-swap solid state drives (SSDs)
vOptional support for up to four 1.8-inch hot-swap SSDs
vOptional RAID controller supports up to four 1.8-inch hot-swap SSDs
and up to four non-hot-swap 1.8-inch SSDs
Flash DIMMs:
Supports a maximum of 16 DDR3 flash DIMMs in 200 GB or 400 GB
capacities.
Scalability:
Supports scaling to form two-node or four-node complexes, providing up
to eight microprocessor sockets and 192 DIMM connectors.
Predictive Failure Analysis (PFA) alerts:
vMicroprocessors
vMemory
vHard disk drives
Size:
vHeight: 55.5 mm (2.19 in)
vDepth: 500 mm (19.7 in)
vWidth: 435.3 mm (17.14 in)
vMaximum weight: 12.25 kg (27 lbs)
Security:
Fully compliant with NIST 800-131A. The security cryptography mode set
by the managing device (CMM or Flex System Manager management
node) determines the security mode in which the compute node operates.
Environment:
The Flex System x280 X6, x480 X6, and x880 X6 Compute Node Types 7903
and 4259 complies with ASHRAE class A3 specifications.
vPower on1:
– Temperature: 5°C - 40°C (41°F - 104°F) up to 950m (3,117ft)3
– Humidity, non-condensing: -12°C dew point (10.4°F) and 8% - 85%
relative humidity5,6
– Maximum dew point: 24°C (75°F)
– Maximum altitude: 3048 m (10,000 ft)
– Maximum rate of temperature change: 5°C/hr (41°F/hr )4
vPower off2:
– Temperature: 5°C to 45°C (41°F - 113°F)
– Relative humidity: 8% - 85%
– Maximum dew point: 27°C (80.6°F)
vStorage (non-operating):
– Temperature: 1°C to 60°C (33.8°F - 140°F)
– Altitude: 3050 m (10,006 ft)
– Relative humidity: 5% - 80%
– Maximum dew point: 29°C (84.2°F)
vShipment (non-operating)7:
– Temperature: -40°C to 60°C (-40°F - 140°F)
– Altitude: 10,700 m (35,105 ft)
6Flex System x280 X6, x480 X6, and x880 X6 Compute Node Types 7903 and 4259: Installation and Service Guide

– Relative humidity: 5% - 100%
– Maximum dew point: 29°C (84.2°F)8
vParticulate contamination
Attention: Airborne particulates and reactive gases acting alone or in
combination with other environmental factors such as humidity or
temperature might pose a risk to the compute node. For information
about the limits for particulates and gases, see “Particulate
contamination” on page 779.
1. Compute Node powered on.
2. Compute Node is removed from original shipping container and is
installed but not in use, for example, during repair, maintenance, or
upgrade.
3. A3 - Derate maximum allowable temperature 1°C/175 m above 950 m.
At maximum altitude of 3,050m (10kft) maximum air temperature is
28°C (82°F)
4. 5°C/hr for data centers employing tape drives and 20°C/hr for data
centers employing disk drives.
5. The minimum humidity level for class A3 is the higher (more moisture)
of the -12 °C dew point and the 8% relative humidity. These intersect at
approximately 25°C. Below this intersection (~25C), the dew point (-12
°C) represents the minimum moisture level; above the intersection,
relative humidity (8%) is the minimum.
6. Moisture levels lower than 0.5°C DP, but not lower -10 °C DP or 8%
relative humidity, can be accepted if appropriate control measures are
implemented to limit the generation of static electricity on personnel
and equipment in the data center. All personnel and mobile furnishings
and equipment must be connected to ground via an appropriate static
control system. The following items are considered the minimum
requirements:
a. Conductive materials (conductive flooring, conductive footwear on
all personnel who go into the datacenter; all mobile furnishings and
equipment will be made of conductive or static dissipative
materials).
b. During maintenance on any hardware, a properly functioning wrist
strap must be used by any personnel who contacts IT equipment.
7. The equipment acclimation period is 1 hour per 20°C of temperature
change from the shipping environment to the operating environment.
8. Condensation is acceptable, but not rain.
9. The fully configured chassis weight is based on all nodes and I/O
modules being at their maximum design limit.
What your compute node offers
Your compute node offers features such as the integrated management module II,
hard disk drive support, systems-management support, microprocessor technology,
integrated network support, I/O expansion, large system-memory capacity, light
path diagnostics, PCI Express, and power throttling.
vFeatures 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
Chapter 1. Introduction 7

activation key to activate the feature. For information about Features on
Demand, see http://www.ibm.com/systems/x/fod/.
vFlash DIMM support
The compute node supports a maximum of 16 DDR3 flash DIMMs in 200 GB or
400 GB capacities. The flash DIMMs utilize the unpopulated DIMM slots
available in the compute node and provide high performance solid state
memory. The flash DIMMs can be used for storage or storage cache.
vFlexible network support
The compute node provides flexible network capabilities:
–Models with embedded virtual fabric: The integrated Emulex Skyhawk
Quad-Port 10 Gigabit Ethernet controller supports connections to a 10 Mbps,
100 Mbps, or 1000 Mbps network through an Ethernet-compatible switch
module in the chassis. The controller supports connections at 10 Gb. The
controller also supports Wake on LAN technology. You can install up to two
additional I/O expansion adapters for network support.
–Models without embedded virtual fabric: 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 four
I/O expansion adapters for network support. This provides the flexibility to
install expansion adapters that support a variety of network communication
technologies.
vHard disk drive support
The compute node supports up to two hot-swap hard disk drives, with optional
support for up to four hot-swap solid state drives (SSDs). You can implement
RAID 0 or RAID 1 for the drives. An optional RAID controller supports up to
four hot-swap SSDs and up to four non-hot-swap SSDs.
vLenovo ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD
The ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD, which you can download from the
web, provides programs to help you set up the compute node 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, see “Using the ServerGuide Setup and
Installation CD” on page 46.
vLenovo X-Architecture
Lenovo X-Architecture systems combine proven, innovative designs to make
your x86-processor-based compute node powerful, scalable, and reliable. For
more information, see http://www.ibm.com/systems/x/hardware/enterprise/.
vIntegrated management module II (IMM2)
The integrated management module II (IMM2) combines systems-management
functions, video controller, the remote presence, and blue-screen capture features
in a single chip. The IMM2 provides advanced systems-management 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 IMM event log, and alerts you to
the problem.
Optionally, the IMM2 also provides a virtual presence capability for remote
systems management. The IMM2 provides remote systems management through
industry-standard interfaces:
– Common Information Model (CIM)
– Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) version 2.0
– Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) version 3.0
8Flex System x280 X6, x480 X6, and x880 X6 Compute Node Types 7903 and 4259: Installation and Service Guide