IBM Flex System x240 M5 Product Guide

Key features

The IBM Flex System x240 M5 Compute Node is a high-availability, scalable compute node that is optimized to support the next-generation microprocessor technology. It is ideally suited for medium and large businesses. This section describes the key features of the server.

Scalability and performance

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The x240 M5 offers the following features to boost performance, improve scalability, and reduce costs:

Improves productivity by offering superior system performance with up to 18-core processors, up to

45 MB of L3 cache, and up to 9.6 GT/s QPI interconnect links.

Supports up to two processors, 36 cores, and 72 threads, which maximizes the concurrent execution of multi-threaded applications.

Intelligent and adaptive system performance with energy efficient Intel Turbo Boost Technology allows CPU cores to run at maximum speeds during peak workloads by temporarily going beyond processor thermal design power (TDP).

Intel Hyper-Threading Technology boosts performance for multithreaded applications by enabling simultaneous multithreading within each processor core, up to two threads per core.

Intel Virtualization Technology integrates hardware-level virtualization hooks that allow operating system vendors to better use the hardware for virtualization workloads.

Intel Advanced Vector Extensions 2.0 (AVX 2.0) enable acceleration of enterprise-class workloads, such as databases and enterprise resource planning.

Up to 2133 MHz memory speeds with two DIMMs per channel that are running at 2133 MHz to help maximize system performance.

Up to 1.5 TB of memory capacity with 64 GB load-reduced DIMMs, or LRDIMMs (support for 64 GB

LRDIMMs is planned for a later date).

Optional support for high-performance PCIe-attached NVMe Flash Storage solid-state drives (SSDs) can significantly improve I/O performance.

Supports the Storage Expansion Node, which provides another 12 hot-swap, 2.5-inch drive bays for local storage.

Up to 16 virtual I/O ports per compute node with available 10 Gb Virtual Fabric Adapters, which offers the choice of Ethernet, Fibre Channel, iSCSI, or Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) connectivity.

The x240 M5 offers PCI Express 3.0 I/O expansion capabilities that improve the theoretical maximum bandwidth by 60% (8 GT/s per link), compared with the previous generation of PCI Express 2.0.

With Intel Integrated I/O Technology, the PCI Express 3.0 controller is integrated into the Intel Xeon processor E5 family. This integration helps to dramatically reduce I/O latency and increase overall system performance.

Support for high-bandwidth I/O adapters, up to two in each x240 M5 Compute Node.

Support for 10 Gb Ethernet, 16 Gb Fibre Channel, and FDR InfiniBand.

Supports the PCIe Expansion Node for support for up to six more I/O adapters.

High-speed USB 3.0 port for connectivity to external devices.

IBM Flex System x240 M5 Product Guide 2

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Availability and serviceability

The x240 M5 provides the following features to simplify serviceability and increase system up-time:

Chipkill, memory mirroring, and memory rank sparing for redundancy if there is a non-correctable memory failure.

Tool-less cover removal provides easy access to upgrades and serviceable parts, such as CPU, memory, and adapter cards.

Hot-swap drives support integrated RAID 1 redundancy for data protection and greater system up-time.

A light path diagnostics panel and individual light path LEDs to quickly lead the technician to failed (or failing) components. This feature simplifies servicing, speeds up problem resolution, and helps improve system availability.

Predictive Failure Analysis (PFA), which detects when system components (such as processors, memory, and hard disk drives) operate outside of standard thresholds and generates pro-active alerts in advance of possible failure, which increases uptime.

Solid-state drives (SSDs), which offer significantly better reliability than traditional mechanical HDDs for greater uptime.

Built-in Integrated Management Module II (IMM2) continuously monitors system parameters, triggers alerts, and performs recovering actions if there is a failure to minimize downtime.

Built-in diagnostics that uses Dynamic Systems Analysis (DSA) Preboot speeds up troubleshooting tasks to reduce service time.

Three-year customer replaceable unit and on-site limited warranty; next business day 9x5. Optional service upgrades are available.

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Manageability and security

The following powerful systems management features simplify the local and remote management of the x240 M5:

The x240 M5 includes an IMM2 to monitor server availability and perform remote management.

Integrated industry-standard Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) enables improved setup, configuration, and updates, and simplifies error handling.

Integrated Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 support enables advanced cryptographic functionality, such as digital signatures and remote attestation.

System x Trusted Platform Assurance, an exclusive set of System x security features and practices, establishes a foolproof security foundation for workloads by delivering firmware that is securely built, tested, digitally signed, and verified before execution.

The server offers enterprise-class data protection with optional self-encrypting drives and simple, centralized key management through IBM Security Key Lifecycle Management.

Industry-standard AES NI support for faster, stronger encryption.

Integrates with the IBM® Flex System™ Manager for proactive systems management. It offers comprehensive systems management for the entire IBM Flex System platform that helps to increase up-time, reduce costs, and improve productivity through advanced server management capabilities.

IBM Fabric Manager simplifies deployment of infrastructure connections by managing network and storage address assignments.

IBM Flex System x240 M5 Product Guide 3

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Intel Execute Disable Bit functionality can help prevent certain classes of malicious buffer overflow attacks when combined with a supporting operating system.

Intel Trusted Execution Technology provides enhanced security through hardware-based resistance to malicious software attacks, which allows an application to run in its own isolated space that is protected from all other software that is running on a system.

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Energy efficiency

The x240 M5 offers the following energy-efficiency features to save energy, reduce operational costs, increase energy availability, and contribute to the green environment:

Component-sharing design of the IBM Flex System chassis provides ultimate power and cooling savings.

The Intel Xeon processor E5-2600 v3 product family offers significantly better performance over the

E5-2600 v2 family while fitting into the same thermal design power (TDP) limits.

Intel Intelligent Power Capability powers individual processor elements on and off as needed, which reduces power draw.

Low-voltage Intel Xeon processors draw less energy to satisfy demands of power and thermally constrained data centers and telecommunication environments.

Low-voltage 1.2 V DDR4 memory DIMMs use up to 20% less energy compared to 1.35 V DDR3

DIMMs.

Solid state drives (SSDs) use as much as 80% less power than traditional spinning 2.5-inch HDDs.

The x240 M5 uses hexagonal ventilation holes, which are a part of IBM Calibrated Vectored Cooling™ technology. Hexagonal holes can be grouped more densely than round holes, which provides more efficient airflow through the system.

IBM Flex System x240 M5 Product Guide 4