Lenovo ThinkSystem SR650 Server (Xeon SP Gen 2)Product Guide

Lenovo ThinkSystem SR650 is an ideal 2-socket 2U rack server for small businesses up to large enterprises that need industry-leading reliability, management, and security, as well as maximizing performance and flexibility for future growth. The SR650 server is designed to handle a wide range of workloads, such as databases, virtualization and cloud computing, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), enterprise applications, collaboration/email, and business analytics and big data.

Featuring the second generation of Intel Xeon Processor Scalable Family (Xeon SP Gen 2), the SR650 server offers scalable performance, storage capacity, and I/O expansion. The SR650 server supports up to two processors, up to 2933 MHz memory speed, up to 3 TB of memory capacity with TruDDR4 DIMMs or up to 7.5 TB of memory capacity with a combination of TruDDR4 DIMMs and Intel DC persistent memory modules (DCPMMs), up to 24x 2.5-inch or 14x 3.5-inch drive bays with an extensive choice of NVMe PCIe SSDs, SAS/SATA SSDs, and SAS/SATA HDDs, and flexible I/O expansion options with a LOM slot, a dedicated storage controller slot, and up to 6x PCIe expansion slots.

The SR650 server offers basic or advanced hardware RAID protection and a wide range of networking options, including selectable LOM, ML2, and PCIe network adapters. The next-generation Lenovo XClarity Controller, which is built into the SR650 server, provides advanced service processor control, monitoring, and alerting functions.

The following figure shows the ThinkSystem SR650.

Figure 1. Lenovo ThinkSystem SR650

The SR650 server features an AnyBay design that allows a choice of drive interface types in the same drive bay: SAS drives, SATA drives, or U.2 NVMe PCIe drives.

The SR650 server offers onboard NVMe PCIe ports that allow direct connections to the U.2 NVMe PCIe SSDs, which frees up I/O slots and helps lower NVMe solution acquisition costs.

The SR650 server delivers impressive compute power per watt, featuring 80 PLUS Titanium and Platinum redundant power supplies that can deliver 96% (Titanium) or 94% (Platinum) efficiency at 50% load when connected to a 200 - 240 V AC power source.

The SR650 server is designed to meet ASHRAE A4 standards (up to 45 °C [113 °F]) in select configurations, which enable customers to lower energy costs, while still maintaining world-class reliability.

The SR650 server delivers outstanding memory performance with Performance+ 2933 MHz DIMMs, which is achieved by supporting two-DIMMs-per-channel configurations at speeds up to 10% faster than the Intel specification defines, while still maintaining world-class reliability.

Combining performance and flexibility, the SR650 server is a great choice for small and medium businesses up to the large enterprise. It can provide outstanding uptime to keep business-critical applications and cloud deployments running safely. Ease of use and comprehensive systems management tools help make deployment easier. Outstanding reliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS) and high-efficiency design improve your business environment and help save operational costs.

Scalability and performance

The SR650 server offers numerous features to boost performance, improve scalability, and reduce costs:

• Improves productivity by offering superior system performance with the second generation of the Intel Xeon Processor Scalable Family with up to 28-core processors, up to 38.5 MB of last level cache (LLC), up to 2933 MHz memory speeds, and up to 10.4 GT/s Ultra Path Interconnect (UPI) links.
  • Support for up to two processors, 56 cores, and 112 threads allows to maximize the concurrent execution of multithreaded applications.
  • Intelligent and adaptive system performance with energy efficient Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 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 utilize the hardware for virtualization workloads.
  • Intel Speed Select Technology provides improvements in server utilization and guaranteed per-core performance service levels with more granular control over processor performance.
  • Intel Deep Learning Boost (Vector Neural Network Instruction set [VNNI]) is designed to deliver significant, more efficient Deep Learning (Inference) acceleration for high-performance Artificial Intelligence (AI) workloads.
  • Intel Advanced Vector Extensions 512 (AVX-512) enable acceleration of enterprise-class and high performance computing (HPC) workloads.
• Helps maximize system performance for data intensive applications with up to 2933 MHz memory speeds and up to 3 TB of memory capacity with 3DS RDIMMs.
• Boosts the performance of data-intensive applications and delivers consistent service levels at scale for virtualized and cloud environments by using the innovative persistent memory technology that provides a unique combination of affordable large memory capacity and non-volatility for up to 7.5 TB of total server memory capacity, including 3DS RDIMMs and DCPMMs (DC persistent memory modules).
• Offers flexible and scalable internal storage in a 2U rack form factor with up to 24x 2.5-inch and 2x 3.5-inch drives for performance-optimized configurations or up to 14x 3.5-inch drives for capacity-optimized configurations, providing a wide selection of SAS/SATA HDD/SSD and PCIe NVMe SSD types and capacities.
• Provides flexibility to use SAS, SATA, or NVMe PCIe drives in the same drive bays with an AnyBay design.
• Provides I/O scalability with a LOM slot, PCIe 3.0 slot for an internal storage controller, and up to six PCI Express (PCIe) 3.0 I/O expansion slots in a 2U rack form factor.
• Reduces I/O latency and increases overall system performance with Intel Integrated I/O Technology that embeds the PCI Express 3.0 controller into the Intel Xeon Processor Scalable Family.

Availability and serviceability

The SR650 server provides many features to simplify serviceability and increase system uptime:

• Offers protection in the event of a non-correctable memory failure with Single Device Data Correction (SDDC, also known as Chipkill, requires x4-based DIMMs), Adaptive Double Device Data Correction (ADDDC, also known as Redundant Bit Steering [RBS], requires x4-based DIMMs and Intel Xeon Gold or Platinum processors), memory mirroring, and memory rank sparing.
• Provides easy access to upgrades and serviceable parts (such as processors, memory DIMMs, and adapter cards) with tool-less cover removal.
• Offers data protection and greater system uptime with hot-swap drives supporting basic or advanced RAID redundancy.
• Provides availability for business-critical applications with redundant hot-swap power supplies and redundant hot-swap system fans.
• Simplifies servicing, speeds up problem resolution, and helps improve system availability with light path diagnostics.
• Allows preventive actions in advance of possible failure, thereby increasing server uptime and application availability with Proactive Platform Alerts (including PFA and SMART alerts) for processors, voltage regulators, memory, internal storage (SAS/SATA HDDs and SSDs, NVMe SSDs, M.2 storage, flash storage adapters), fans, power supplies, RAID controllers, and server ambient and sub-component temperatures.
• Continuously monitors system parameters, triggers alerts, and performs recovery actions in case of failure to minimize downtime with Built-in XClarity Controller (XCC).
• Provides quick access to system status, firmware, network, health, and alerts information via Virtual Operator Panel from the XClarity Mobile App running on the Android or iOS mobile device that is connected to the front USB port with XClarity Controller access.
• Speeds up troubleshooting tasks to reduce service time with diagnostics built into the XClarity Provisioning Manager.

Manageability and security

Powerful systems management features simplify local and remote management of the SR650 server and deliver enterprise-class data protection:

• Provides advanced service processor control, monitoring, and alerting functions with XClarity Controller, a next generation service processor.
• Improves Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) system setup, configuration, updates, simplified error handling, and operating system deployment with the embedded XClarity Provisioning Manager.
• Offers XClarity Essentials software tools that can help you set up, use, and maintain the server.
• Increases uptime, reduces costs, and improves productivity through advanced server management capabilities with Lenovo XClarity Administrator that provides comprehensive hardware management.
• Provides on-the-go monitoring and management of devices in XClarity Administrator from anywhere with the Lenovo XClarity mobile app, which can help improve efficiency and reduce downtime risks.
• Centralizes infrastructure resource management with Lenovo XClarity Integrators for VMware vCenter and Microsoft System Center, extending XClarity Administrator features to virtualization management software tools and enabling users to deploy and manage infrastructure end-to-end.
• Offers advanced cryptographic functionality (such as digital signatures and remote attestation) with an integrated Trusted Platform Module (TPM) or optional Trusted Cryptographic Module (TCM) or Nationz TPM (available only in PRC).
• Keeps user data safe with Lenovo Business Vantage, a security software tool suite designed to work with the Trusted Cryptographic Module or Nationz TPM (available only in PRC).
• Offers enterprise-class data protection with advanced RAID and optional self-encrypting drives.
• Provides faster, stronger encryption with industry-standard AES NI support.
• Helps prevent certain classes of malicious buffer overflow attacks with Intel Execute Disable Bit functionality, when combined with a supporting operating system.
• Enhances security through hardware-based resistance to malicious software attacks with Intel Trusted Execution Technology, allowing an application to run in its own isolated space, protected from all other software running on a system.

The following figure shows the front of the SR650 server with up to 16x 2.5-inch drive bays.

Figure 2. Front view of the SR650: Up to 16x 2.5-inch drive bays

The following table lists the system specifications for the SR650 server.

ThinkSystem SR650 server models can be configured by using the Lenovo Data Center Solution Configurator (DCSC):
http://dcsc.lenovo.com

ThinkSystem SR650 server models are country-specific; that is, each country may define their own server models, and not all server models are available in every country. For a complete list of the SR650 models, contact a Lenovo or Lenovo Business Partner representative in your country. Information on the SR650 models is also available on the PSREF website:
http://psref.lenovo.com/Product/ThinkSystem/ThinkSystem_SR650

All models of the SR650 server are shipped with the following items:

* Processor details: Processor quantity and model, cores, thermal design power (TDP), and core speed.
^ The server supports two onboard PCIe slots 4 and 7 and up to five I/O slots on the riser cards. An internal storage controller occupies the PCIe slot 7.
‡ Models with 8, 16, or 24 SFF drive bays can be upgraded with 2 additional LFF rear drive bays (See Internal storage for details) that are not included in the maximum quantity shown.
† Includes NVIDIA GRID vPC Subscription Licenses 3Yr, 1 CCU for 64 concurrent users.

* Processor details: Processor quantity and model, cores, thermal design power (TDP), and core speed.
^ The server supports two onboard PCIe slots 4 and 7 and up to five I/O slots on the riser cards. An internal storage controller occupies the PCIe slot 7.

* Processor details: Processor quantity and model, cores, thermal design power (TDP), and core speed.
^ The server supports two onboard PCIe slots 4 and 7 and up to five I/O slots on the riser cards. An internal storage controller occupies the PCIe slot 7.
‡ Models with 8, 16, or 24 SFF drive bays can be upgraded with 2 additional LFF rear drive bays (See Internal storage for details) that are not included in the maximum quantity shown.

* Processor details: Processor quantity and model, cores, thermal design power (TDP), and core speed.
^ The server supports two onboard PCIe slots 4 and 7 and up to five I/O slots on the riser cards. An internal storage controller occupies the PCIe slot 7.
‡ Models with 8, 16, or 24 SFF drive bays can be upgraded with 2 additional LFF rear drive bays (See Internal storage for details) that are not included in the maximum quantity shown.
† Includes NVIDIA GRID vPC Subscription Licenses 3Yr, 1 CCU for 64 concurrent users.

* Processor details: Processor quantity and model, cores, thermal design power (TDP), and core speed.
^ The server supports two onboard PCIe slots 4 and 7 and up to five I/O slots on the riser cards. An internal storage controller occupies the PCIe slot 7.
‡ Models with 8, 16, or 24 SFF drive bays can be upgraded with 2 additional LFF rear drive bays (See Internal storage for details) that are not included in the maximum quantity shown.

* Processor details: Processor quantity and model, cores, thermal design power (TDP), and core speed.
^ The server supports two onboard PCIe slots 4 and 7 and up to five I/O slots on the riser cards. An internal storage controller occupies the PCIe slot 7.
‡ Models with 8, 16, or 24 SFF drive bays can be upgraded with 2 additional LFF rear drive bays (See Internal storage for details) that are not included in the maximum quantity shown.

* Processor details: Processor quantity and model, cores, thermal design power (TDP), and core speed.
^ The server supports two onboard PCIe slots 4 and 7 and up to five I/O slots on the riser cards. An internal storage controller occupies the PCIe slot 7.
‡ Models with 8, 16, or 24 SFF drive bays can be upgraded with 2 additional LFF rear drive bays (See Internal storage for details) that are not included in the maximum quantity shown.

* Processor details: Processor quantity and model, cores, thermal design power (TDP), and core speed.
^ The server supports two onboard PCIe slots 4 and 7 and up to five I/O slots on the riser cards. An internal storage controller occupies the PCIe slot 7.
‡ Models with 8, 16, or 24 SFF drive bays can be upgraded with 2 additional LFF rear drive bays (See Internal storage for details) that are not included in the maximum quantity shown.

The SR650 server supports one or two Intel Xeon Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum processors. The following table lists the specifications of the processors for the SR650 server.

Configuration notes:

• The Intel Xeon Gold 5218 and 5218B processors have similar specifications; however, they use different silicon designs and cannot be mixed in the same system.
• The processors that support SST-PP offer three distinct operating points that are defined by a core count with a base speed associated with that core count. The operating point is static, it is selected during the boot process and cannot be changed at runtime.

For the SR650 server models that come standard with one processor, the second processor can be ordered, if required (see the following table for ordering information). The second processor must be of the same model as the first processor. The second processor option includes a processor and a heatsink; an additional system fan is not included and needs to be purchased with the second processor (see Cooling for details).

* For CTO configurations, the feature code represents a processor, and fans and heatsinks are derived by the configuration tool.

The SR650 server supports up to 12 TruDDR4 memory RDIMMs or 3DS RDIMMs when one processor is installed and up to 24 DIMMs when two processors are installed. Each processor has six memory channels (two integrated memory controllers with three memory channels per memory controller), and there are two DIMMs per channel.

Lenovo TruDDR4 memory uses the highest-quality components sourced from Tier 1 DRAM suppliers and only memory that meets strict requirements is selected. It is compatibility tested and tuned on every ThinkSystem server to maximize performance and reliability.

TruDDR4 memory has a unique signature programmed into the DIMM, which enables Lenovo servers to verify whether the memory installed is qualified and supported. Lenovo qualified and supported TruDDR4 memory is covered by Lenovo warranty, and service and support provided worldwide.

Configuration notes:

• All DIMMs in the server operate at the same speed, which is determined as the lowest value of:
  • DIMM rated speed (2666 MHz or 2933 MHz).
  • Memory speed supported by the specific processor (2133 MHz, 2400 MHz, 2666 MHz, or 2933 MHz).
  • Memory speed for the selected quantity of DIMMs per channel:
    • One DIMM per channel (1 DPC): 2933 MHz.
    • Two DIMMs per channel (2 DPC)
      • Performance+ DIMMs: 2933 MHz.
      • Other supported DIMMs: 2666 MHz.
  Note: Maximum memory speed can be achieved when Max performance mode is enabled in UEFI.
• Mixing different types of memory (RDIMMs and 3DS RDIMMs) is not supported.
• All Performance+ DIMMs in the server must be of the same type, rank, and capacity (the same part number or feature code) to operate at 2933 MHz in the configurations with two DIMMs per channel. Performance+ DIMMs cannot be mixed with other DIMMs. 
• Mixing RDIMMs of different ranks (single- or dual-rank), DRAM chip types (x4 or x8), speeds (2666 MHz or 2933 MHz), and capacities (8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB) is supported in the independent channel mode (the default operational mode) (excluding Performance+ RDIMMs).
• Mixing 3DS RDIMMs of different speeds (2666 MHz or 2933 MHz) and capacities (64 GB or 128 GB) is supported in the independent channel mode (excluding Performance+ 3DS RDIMMs).
• The 128 GB Performance+ 2933 MHz 3DS RDIMMs (feature code B5N9) running at 2933 MHz with two DIMMs per channel are supported at the ambient temperature of up to 30 °C (86 °F).
• The maximum quantity of DIMMs supported is reduced by the quantity of DC Persistent Memory Modules used in the configuration.
• Server configurations with more than 1 TB of memory capacity per socket (including DCPMMs and RDIMMs or 3DS RDIMMs) require processors that support up to 2 TB (M-suffix) or 4.5 TB (L-suffix) per socket. Server configurations with more than 2 TB of memory capacity per socket (including DCPMMs and RDIMMs or 3DS RDIMMs) require processors that support up to 4.5 TB per socket (L-suffix).
• For server configurations with memory protection, the following rules apply:
  • Single Device Data Correction (SDDC) works only in the independent channel mode and supports only x4-based memory DIMMs.
  • Adaptive Double Device Data Correction (ADDDC) works with x4-based memory DIMMs and requires two DIMM ranks per channel, Intel Xeon Gold or Platinum processors, and the Closed Page memory access mode.
  • If memory mirroring is used, then DIMMs must be installed in quantities of 2, 4, or 8 per processor for mirroring across two memory channels, or in quantities of 3, 6, 9, or 12 per processor for mirroring across three memory channels. Mixing two- and three-channel mirroring in the server is allowed (one processor uses two-channel mirroring, and another processor uses three-channel mirroring). All DIMMs in the server must be identical in type and size.
  • If memory rank sparing is used, then a minimum of two ranks must be installed per populated channel (a least one dual-rank or quad-rank DIMM, or two single-rank DIMMs). In rank sparing mode, one rank in each populated channel is reserved as spare memory for other ranks on the same channel. All DIMMs in the server must be identical in type and size.
  • SDDC, memory mirroring, and memory rank sparing modes are mutually exclusive. Only one operational memory mode can be enabled on the server.
  • In the configurations with DCPMMs, memory mirroring is supported only in the App Direct mode (other DCPMM modes do not support memory mirroring) and applies only to the RDIMMs or 3DS RDIMMs (DCPMMs are not mirrored). Memory sparing is not supported in the configurations with DCPMMs.

Intel Optane DC persistent memory is an innovative technology that delivers a unique combination of affordable large memory capacity and persistence (non-volatility). The persistent memory technology can help boost the performance of data-intensive applications, such as in-memory analytics, databases, content delivery networks, and high performance computing (HPC), as well as deliver consistent service levels at scale with higher virtual machine and container density.

The SR650 server supports up to six TruDDR4 DC Persistent Memory Modules (DCPMMs) when one processor is installed and up to 12 DCPMMs when two processors are installed (up to one DCPMM per processor's memory channel) for a total of up to 6 TB of persistent memory capacity. The DCPMMs are installed in the same memory DIMM slots on the system board that are used for installing RDIMMs or 3DS RDIMMs.

The DCPMMs support the following modes of operation:

• Memory Mode

  Memory Mode seamlessly brings large memory capacity at affordable cost points to legacy applications. In this mode, DCPMMs provide volatile memory that behaves much like traditional RDIMMs or 3DS RDIMMs (the data will not be saved in case of a power loss) and is transparent to the operating system and applications. DCPMMs provide memory capacity and RDIMMs or 3DS RDIMMs provide cache memory that is managed by the processor's memory controller. The total memory capacity that is seen by the operating system is the capacity of the DCPMMs; the capacity of the RDIMMs or 3DS RDIMMs is hidden and does not appear as a memory resource in the operating system. This mode is considered particularly suited for virtualized database deployments and big-data analytics applications.

• App Direct Mode

  App Direct Mode brings persistency to the data and structures (the data will be saved in case of a power loss). This mode requires operating system and application awareness of two types of system memory: Persistent (DCPMMs) and DRAM (RDIMMs or 3DS RDIMMs). The total memory capacity that is seen by the operating system includes the capacity of the DCPMMs and RDIMMs or 3DS RDIMMs. This mode is considered particularly suited for in-memory databases, in-memory analytics frameworks, and ultrafast storage applications.

• Mixed Memory Mode

  Mixed Memory Mode is a combination of Memory Mode and App Direct Mode, where a portion of the capacity of the DCPMMs is used for the Memory Mode operations, and the remaining capacity of the DCPMMs is used for the App Direct Mode operations.

Configuration notes:

• DCPMMs are supported only in the configurations with 8x 2.5-inch, 16x 2.5-inch, or 8x 3.5-inch drive bays.
• All DCPMMs in the server must be of the same capacity (the same part number or feature code).
• The RDIMMs or 3DS RDIMMs are required in the configurations with DCPMMs, and all RDIMMs or 3DS RDIMMs must be of the same type, rank, and capacity (the same part number or feature code).
• The DCPMMs cannot be mixed with the 8GB TruDDR4 2933 MHz RDIMM (4ZC7A08706).
• For Mixed Memory Mode, the volatile (Memory) portion of the total capacity of DCPMMs is configured in increments of 32 GB multiplied by the number of DCPMMs in the server, and the remaining capacity is allocated to the persistent (App Direct) portion. The ratio of the total capacity of RDIMMs or 3DS RDIMMs to the total capacity of the volatile portion of DCPMMs should be between 1 to 4 and 1 to 16.
• Server configurations with more than 1 TB of memory capacity per socket (including DCPMMs and RDIMMs or 3DS RDIMMs) require processors that support up to 2 TB (M-suffix) or 4.5 TB (L-suffix) per socket. Server configurations with more than 2 TB of memory capacity per socket (including DCPMMs and RDIMMs or 3DS RDIMMs) require processors that support up to 4.5 TB per socket (L-suffix).
• In the configurations with the processors of 200 W or 205 W TDP, or with Gold 6240Y or 6244 processors, the DCPMMs require two power supplies.
• The DCPMMs are not supported in the configurations with the GPU adapters.

For more information, refer to the Intel Optane DC Persistent Memory (DCPMM) Product Guide:
http://lenovopress.com/LP1066

The SR650 server supports the following internal drive bay configurations:

1. Up to 16 SFF (front) and 2 LFF (rear) hot-swap drive bays:
   1. 8x 2.5" SAS/SATA + 8x 2.5" SAS/SATA + 2x 3.5" SAS/SATA
   2. 4x 2.5" SAS/SATA & 4x 2.5" AnyBay + 8x 2.5" SAS/SATA + 2x 3.5" SAS/SATA
   3. 4x 2.5" SAS/SATA & 4x 2.5" AnyBay + 4x 2.5" SAS/SATA & 4x 2.5" AnyBay + 2x 3.5" SAS/SATA
2. Up to 24 SFF (front) and 2 LFF (rear) hot-swap drive bays:
   1. 8x 2.5" SAS/SATA + 8x 2.5" SAS/SATA + 8x 2.5" SAS/SATA + 2x 3.5" SAS/SATA
   2. 4x 2.5" SAS/SATA & 4x 2.5" AnyBay + 8x 2.5" SAS/SATA + 8x 2.5" SAS/SATA + 2x 3.5" SAS/SATA
   3. 4x 2.5" SAS/SATA & 4x 2.5" AnyBay + 4x 2.5" SAS/SATA & 4x 2.5" AnyBay + 8x 2.5" SAS/SATA + 2x 3.5" SAS/SATA
   4. 4x 2.5" SAS/SATA & 4x 2.5" AnyBay + 4x 2.5" SAS/SATA & 4x 2.5" AnyBay + 4x 2.5" SAS/SATA & 4x 2.5" AnyBay
   5. 16x 2.5" U.2 NVMe PCIe + 8x 2.5" SAS/SATA (factory-installed only)
   6. 20x 2.5" U.2 NVMe PCIe
   7. 24x 2.5" U.2 NVMe PCIe
3. Up to 10 LFF SAS/SATA hot-swap drive bays: 8x 3.5" SAS/SATA (front) + 2x 3.5" SAS/SATA (rear)
4. Up to 14 LFF hot-swap drive bays:
   1. 12x 3.5" SAS/SATA (front) + 2x 3.5" SAS/SATA (rear)
   2. 8x 3.5" SAS/SATA & 4x 3.5" AnyBay (front) + 2x 3.5" SAS/SATA (rear)

In addition, the SR650 server models can be configured with one or two internal M.2 SATA SSDs. The server also supports configurations without drive bays.

The following table lists the internal storage options for the SR650 server.

* These backplane kits can be factory-installed in standard or custom (CTO or Special Bid) models, and they might not have an option part number assigned.
** Field upgrade only.

The following tables list supported internal storage configurations with the SAS/SATA and AnyBay backplanes.

* Four NVMe SSDs are required in the 3.5" AnyBay configuration with an 8-port storage controller. 

The following table lists the storage controllers and options for internal storage of the SR650 server.