BladeCenter E

Lenovo BladeCenter® remains an innovative solution to running business solutions. BladeCenter E efficiently integrates servers, storage, networking, I/O, and applications, enabling organizations to build flexible IT infrastructures by using common building blocks. In 7U of rack space, the BladeCenter E chassis can contain up to 14 blade servers, four switch modules, and four power supplies to provide the necessary I/O network switching, power, and cooling to support the individual servers.

Figure 1 shows the BladeCenter E.

Figure 1. The BladeCenter E

BladeCenter E delivers extreme density, energy efficiency, and reliability for space- and power-constrained enterprise IT environments.

The chassis supports up to four traditional fabrics by using networking switches, storage switches, or pass-through devices. The chassis offers light path diagnostics, one front USB input, and an optical drive.

This section lists the key features of the BladeCenter E chassis.

Scalability and performance

The BladeCenter E chassis offers numerous features to boost performance and improve scalability:

• Up to 14 servers with support for the latest generation of BladeCenter blades, which helps provide performance and investment protection.
• IBM Virtual Fabric offers up to four I/O ports on a single-wide blade and up to four I/O modules in a single chassis, with the choice of Ethernet, Fibre Channel, iSCSI, and SAS connectivity.
• BladeCenter E supports port speeds up to 8 Gbps.
• BladeCenter E provides up to 288 Gbps of external uplink bandwidth (full-duplex) with up to four IBM 1/10Gb Uplink Ethernet switches.
• A flexible and scalable architecture with integrated servers and networking, storage, and management infrastructure supports your growing business needs.

Manageability and security

Powerful systems management features simplify local and remote management of the BladeCenter E chassis:

• The high degree of integration in the BladeCenter E chassis reduces the need for server components, replacing numerous fans, KVM and Ethernet cables, power supplies, external switches, and other components.
• The BladeCenter E chassis includes the Advanced Management Module (AMM). The AMM boosts administrator productivity and reduces skill level requirements, which can help reduce costs, improve overall productivity, and make administration easier by providing a single point of control for the solution. The AMM supports many industry-standard open protocols.
• The AMM provides extensive security features, including role-based user authentication and access control, LDAP support, and SSH and SSL protocols for secure remote systems management.
• IBM Systems Director remains a powerful and intelligent solution to manage BladeCenter systems along side rack mount and tower servers. Systems Director uses the hardware’s capabilities by surfacing pertinent information about your blade server. The easy-to-use wizards provide step-by-step instructions and offer automated deployment capabilities.
• IBM Fabric Manager simplifies the deployment of infrastructure connections by managing network and storage address assignments.

Availability and serviceability

The BladeCenter E chassis provides many features to simplify serviceability and increase system uptime:

• BladeCenter reduces the number of parts that are required to run the system. By sharing fans, power supplies, systems management, and ports, there are fewer parts to buy and maintain, and fewer components that can fail and cause downtime.
• Hot-swap components, such as the server, switches, power modules, and blowers, ensure maximum uptime.
• Redundant components, such as blowers and power modules, ensure that systems can remain available even during hardware maintenance windows and failures.
• The Predictive Failure Analysis (PFA) detects when the system components operate outside of the standard thresholds and generates proactive alerts in advance of possible failure, therefore increasing uptime.
• Dual independent power and signal connectors to the BladeCenter E chassis midplane provide fault tolerance to increase uptime.
• The light path diagnostics panel and individual light path LEDs quickly lead the technician to failed (or failing) components. These features simplify servicing, speed up problem resolution, and improve system availability.
• Three-year customer replaceable unit and onsite limited warranty, with next business day 9x5, provides an additional peace of mind.

Energy efficiency

The BladeCenter E chassis offers the following energy-efficient features to save energy, reduce operational costs, increase energy availability, and contribute to a green environment:

• Energy-efficient components and the component-sharing design of the BladeCenter chassis provides ultimate power and cooling savings.
• The BladeCenter E helps reduce energy costs with high-efficiency power supplies.
• The BladeCenter E uses hexagonal ventilation holes, a part of the IBM Calibrated Vectored Cooling™ technology. Hexagonal holes can be grouped more densely than round holes, providing a more efficient airflow through the system, which helps reduce cooling costs.
• IBM Systems Director Active Energy Manager™ provides advanced power management features with actual real-time energy monitoring, reporting, and capping features.

Figure 2 shows the front of the BladeCenter E chassis.

Figure 2. Front of the BladeCenter E chassis

Figure 3 shows the rear of the BladeCenter E chassis.

Figure 3. Rear of the BladeCenter E chassis

Table 1 lists the standard specifications of the BladeCenter E chassis.

Table 2 lists the specifications of the standard BladeCenter E models.

† x is a region-specific letter (for example, EMEA MTM is 86774TG, and the US MTM is 86774TU).
* The model 3Tx is not available in EMEA.

Table 3 lists the blade servers that are supported in the BladeCenter E. The table also lists the maximum number of installable servers based on the thermal design power (TDP) of the Intel Xeon processor that is installed in the servers.

† The support that is shown is for Intel Xeon standard thermal profile processors (all except Intel Xeon E5-2618L v2, E5-2628L v2, E5-2648L v2, and E5-2658 v2).
* When one blower fails, the HS23 (7875, E5-2600 v2) with specified processor TDP only supports ambient temperature of up to 28 °C when installed in the BladeCenter E chassis.
§ The HS23 (7875, E5-2600 v2) with the Intel Xeon processor E5-2658 v2 (95 W) only supports one DIMM per channel when installed in the BladeCenter E chassis.
†† The support that is shown is for Intel Xeon standard thermal profile processors (all except Intel Xeon E5-2648L and E5-2658).
# The support that is shown is for Intel Xeon robust thermal profile processors: Intel Xeon E5-2618L v2 (50 W), E5-2628L v2 (70 W), E5-2648L v2 (70 W), and E5-2658 v2 (95 W).
## The support that is shown is for Intel Xeon robust thermal profile processors: Intel Xeon E5-2648L (70 W) and E5-2658 (95 W).
** Only specific models of the BladeCenter E are supported by the PS700: 8677-3Sx, 4Sx, 3Tx, 4Tx.

For the latest information about the servers that are supported in the BladeCenter E chassis, see IBM ServerProven® at the following web address:
http://ibm.com/servers/eserver/serverproven/compat/us/

The BladeCenter E chassis provides connection paths between the server blade bays and I/O bays through a hardwired dual redundant midplane.

Each blade bay has four dedicated I/O connections (two per midplane) linked to four I/O bays (one blade bay connection to one I/O bay). Thus, each I/O bay has a total of 14 I/O connections (to 14 blade bays). Figure 4 shows the I/O topology.

Figure 4. BladeCenter E I/O topology

Each blade server has at least two integrated Gigabit Ethernet ports (Ethernet 1 and Ethernet 2). Ethernet 1 is routed to I/O bay 1 and Ethernet 2 is routed to I/O bay 2, which means that only Ethernet-capable I/O modules can be used in I/O bays 1 and 2.

I/O expansion cards that you optionally install in blade servers have two ports, which are routed to I/O bays 3 and 4. Thus, depending on the expansion card that is installed, compatible I/O modules must be chosen for those I/O bays. Unless an expansion card is installed in one or more processor blades, there is no need for I/O modules 3 and 4.

The I/O modules must be compatible with the I/O interfaces present in the blade servers. For example, when a Fibre Channel expansion card is installed in a blade server, I/O modules 3 and 4 must also be Fibre Channel-based (that is, an FC switch module), and vice versa. If you install FC switches in bays 3 and 4, then any expansion cards that are installed in all other blade servers in the same chassis must be Fibre Channel.

Table 4 shows the connections between adapter slots in the compute nodes to the switch bays in the chassis.

Tables 5 through 7 list the I/O modules that are supported by the BladeCenter E chassis and the corresponding I/O bay into which the I/O module can be installed.

* Withdrawn, not available for ordering.

* Withdrawn, not available for ordering.

For more information, see the following Lenovo Press Product Guides:

• Ethernet switches:
  https://lenovopress.com/servers/blades/networkmodule
• Fibre Channel switches:
  https://lenovopress.com/servers/blades/storagemodule

The BladeCenter E supports one optical drive. The optical drive and USB port are available to any one blade server in the chassis. The drive and USB port cannot be shared among multiple servers. The drive and USB port can be used to install operating systems, update drivers, or to copy data to recordable media.

Table 8 lists the supported optical drives.

IBM UltraSlim Enhanced SATA DVD-ROM (part number 46M0901) supports the following media and speeds for reading:

• CD-ROM 24X
• CD-R 24X
• CD-RW 24X
• DVD-ROM (4.7 GB) 8X
• DVD-ROM (dual layer, 8.5 GB) 8X
• DVD-R (4.7 GB) 8X
• DVD-R (dual layer, 8.5 GB) 8X
• DVD+R (4.7 GB) 8X
• DVD+R (dual layer, 8.5 GB) 8X
• DVD-RW (4.7 GB) 8X
• DVD+RW (4.7 GB) 8X
• DVD-RAM (4.7 GB) 5X

IBM UltraSlim Enhanced SATA Multi-Burner (46M0902) supports the same media and speeds for reading as DVD-ROM (46M0901). This drive also supports the following media and speeds for writing:

• CD-R 24X
• CD-RW 4X
• High Speed CD-RW 10X
• Ultra Speed CD-RW 24X
• Ultra Speed Plus CD-RW 24X
• DVD-R (4.7 GB) 8X
• DVD-R (dual layer, 8.5 GB) 6X
• DVD+R (4.7 GB) 8X
• DVD+R (dual layer, 8.5 GB) 6X
• DVD-RW (4.7 GB) 6X
• DVD+RW (4.7 GB) 8X
• DVD-RAM (4.7 GB) 5X

Remote management functionality is provided by the Advanced Management Module (AMM). The AMM is a hot-swap module that you use to configure and manage all installed BladeCenter components. The AMM provides system management functions and KVM multiplexing for all blade servers in the BladeCenter unit that support KVM. It controls a serial port for remote connection, the external keyboard, mouse, and video connections for use by a local console, and a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet remote management connection.

The BladeCenter E chassis comes standard with at least one AMM, and it supports up to two redundant hot-swap AMMs in an active/standby configuration. Table 9 shows the AMM ordering information.

Important: Older BladeCenter E chassis were shipped with the Standard Management Module. If your existing BladeCenter E chassis has the Standard Management Module, then you might need to replace it with the AMM to support newer blades, I/O modules, and software functions that are used in this chassis.

Figure 5 shows the Advanced Management Module.

Figure 5. Advanced Management Module

The following tasks can be performed with AMM:

• Defining the login IDs and passwords
• Configuring security settings, such as data encryption and user account security
• Selecting recipients for alert notification about specific events
• Monitoring the status of the BladeCenter unit, blade servers, and other BladeCenter components:
  • Event log
  • LEDs
  • Hardware and firmware VPD
  • Fan speeds
  • Temperatures
  • Power usage
• Discovering other BladeCenter units in the network and enabling access to them through their management-module web interfaces
• Controlling the BladeCenter unit, blade servers, and other BladeCenter components:
  • Power on/off
  • Firmware update
  • Configuration settings
  • Serial over LAN
• Configuring power management for BladeCenter unit
• Accessing the I/O modules to configure them
• Changing the startup sequence in a blade server
• Setting the date and time
• Using a remote console for the blade servers
• Mounting remote virtual media for the blade servers
• Changing ownership of the keyboard, video, and mouse
• Changing ownership of the removable-media drives and USB ports (The removable-media drives in the BladeCenter unit are viewed as USB devices by the blade server operating system.)
• Using IBM Fabric Manager functions
• Using Service Advisor functions to autonomously inform IBM Support about any critical events that happen

AMM supports the following management methods:

• Web-based interface with SSL support
• CLI through Telnet/SSH
• SMASH Command Line Protocol
• SNMP

For more information about AMM, see the following product documentation:

• BladeCenter Advanced Management Module Installation Guide, found at:
  http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-5073392
• BladeCenter Advanced Management Module User's Guide, found at:
  http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-5073887
• Advanced Management Module Command Line Interface Reference Guide, found at:
  http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-54667

The BladeCenter E unit comes with one pair of 2000 W or 2320 W (model-dependent) hot-swap power modules in power module bays 1 and 2, and with two IEC 320-C19 to C20 power cables. Each power module has its own IEC 320-C20 power connector.

The power modules in bays 1 and 2 provide power to all the I/O and management modules and to blade bays 1 - 6. The power modules in bays 3 and 4 provide power to blade bays 7 - 14.

Table 10 shows the ordering information for power modules (each part number contains two power modules and two IEC 320-C19 to C20 power cables).

* This option requires the AMM.

Important:

• Because the existing chassis might have lower capacity power supplies (1200, 1400, 1800, or 2000 W), ensure that the pair of power modules in the same power domain has the same capacity.
• When you use 2320 W power modules in a BladeCenter E Type 8677 unit, all power modules must be 2320 W modules.
  • 2320 W power module field replaceable units (FRUs) may be listed as either 2320 W or 2500 W part on the power supply label and in the AMM. These power supplies can be used interchangeably in the same power domain.

The Acoustic Attenuation Module is an option for BladeCenter E that you can install over the blower modules in the rear of the chassis to reduce decibels in sound-sensitive environments. BladeCenter E generates 74 decibels (7.4 bels) at maximum performance levels. The Acoustic Attenuation Module reduces the decibel level to 69 decibels by using a T-shaped baffle.

Table 11 lists the optional acoustic attenuation module that can be ordered for the BladeCenter E chassis.

Dimensions and weight (approximate):

• Height: 304 mm (12.0 in.)
• Width: 444 mm (17.5 in.)
• Depth: 711 mm (28.0 in.)
• Weight:
  • Minimum configuration: 39 kg (85 lb)
  • Maximum configuration: 102 kg (225 lb)

Supported environment:

• Temperature and humidity:
  • 10.0 - 35.0 degrees C (50 - 95 degrees F) at 0 - 914 m (0 - 3,000 ft)
  • 10.0 - 32.0 degrees C (50 - 90 degrees F) at 914 - 2,133 m (3,000 - 7,000 ft)
  • Relative humidity: 8% - 80%
  • Maximum altitude: 2,133 m (7,000 ft)
• Supported electrical input:
  • 200 - 240 (nominal) V ac; 50 Hz or 60 Hz
• Input kilovolt-amperes (kVA) (approximately):
  • Minimum configuration: 0.4 kVA
  • Maximum configuration:
    • 2000 W power supplies: 6.0 kVA
    • 2320 W power supplies: 7.0 kVA
• BTU output:
  • Minimum configuration: 1365 Btu/hr (400 watts)
  • Maximum configuration:
    • 2000 W power supplies: 20094 Btu/hr (5889 watts)
    • 2320 W power supplies: 23672 Btu/hr (6938 watts)
• Acoustical noise emissions:
  • Declared sound power level without acoustic attenuation module: 7.4 bels
  • Declared sound power level with acoustic attenuation module: 6.9 bels

The BladeCenter E has a three-year onsite warranty with 9x5 next-business-day terms. IBM offers the warranty service upgrades through IBM ServicePac®, which is described in this section. The IBM ServicePac is a series of prepackaged warranty maintenance upgrades and post-warranty maintenance agreements with a well-defined scope of services, including service hours, response time, term of service, and service agreement terms and conditions.

IBM ServicePac offerings are country-specific. That is, each country might have its own service types, service levels, response times, and terms and conditions. Not all covered types of ServicePac might be available in a particular country. For more information about the IBM ServicePac offerings that are available in your country, see the IBM ServicePac Product Selector at https://www-304.ibm.com/sales/gss/download/spst/servicepac.

Table 12 explains warranty service definitions in more detail.

In general, the following types are the types of IBM ServicePacs that are available for the BladeCenter E:

• Warranty and maintenance service upgrades:
  • One, two, three, four, or five years of 9x5 or 24x7 service coverage
  • Onsite repair from the next business day to four or two hours
  • One or two years of warranty extension
• Remote technical support services:
  • One or three years with 24x7 coverage (severity 1) or 9x5/next business day for all severities
  • Installation and startup support for System x® servers
  • Remote technical support for System x servers
  • Software support - Support Line:
    • Microsoft or Linux software
    • VMware
    • IBM Director

The chassis conforms to the following regulations:

• FCC - Verified to comply with Part 15 of the FCC Rules, Class A
• Canada ICES-003, Class A
• UL 60950
• CSA C22.2 No. 60950
• NOM-019
• Japan VCCI, Class A
• EN55022 Class A
• CISPR 22, Class A

Lenovo offers the ThinkSystem DE Series and ThinkSystem DM Series external storage systems for high-performance storage. See the DE Series and DM Series product guides for specific controller models, expansion enclosures and configuration options:

• ThinkSystem DE Series Storage
  https://lenovopress.com/storage/thinksystem/de-series#rt=product-guide
• ThinkSystem DM Series Storage
  https://lenovopress.com/storage/thinksystem/dm-series#rt=product-guide
• ThinkSystem DG Series Storage
  https://lenovopress.com/storage/thinksystem/dg-series#rt=product-guide

The following table lists the external backup options that are offered by Lenovo.

For more information, see the list of Product Guides in the Backup units category:
https://lenovopress.com/servers/options/backup

The following table lists the power distribution units (PDUs) that are offered by Lenovo.

For more information, see the Lenovo Press documents in the PDU category:
https://lenovopress.com/servers/options/pdu

The following table lists the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units that are offered by Lenovo.

† Only available in China and the Asia Pacific market.

For more information, see the list of Product Guides in the UPS category:
https://lenovopress.com/servers/options/ups

The BladeCenter E chassis is supported in the rack cabinets that are listed in Table 18.

For more information, see the list of Lenovo Press Product Guides in the Rack cabinets and options category at https://lenovopress.com/servers/options/racks

The BladeCenter E chassis supports the rack console switches and monitor kits that are listed in Table 19.

For more information, see the list of Lenovo Press Product Guides in the KVM Switches & Consoles category at https://lenovopress.com/servers/options/kvm

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For more information, see the following resources:

• BladeCenter home page
  http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/systems/servers/blades/bladecenter/
• IBM US Announcement Letter - BladeCenter E
  http://ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?infotype=dd&subtype=ca&&htmlfid=897/ENUS110-044
• BladeCenter Information Center
  http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/bladectr/documentation/
• Installation and User's Guide - BladeCenter E
  http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-45152
• Problem Determination and Service Guide - BladeCenter E
  http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-50053
• BladeCenter Products and Technology, SG24-7523
  http://lenovopress.com/sg247523
• BladeCenter Interoperability Guide
  http://lenovopress.com/bcig
• BladeCenter Power Guide
  http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=LNVO-POWINF
• Configuration and Option Guide
  http://www.ibm.com/systems/xbc/cog/
• xREF: System x Server Reference
  http://lenovopress.com/xref
• System x Support Portal
  http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/
• IBM System Storage Interoperation Center
  http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/storage/ssic