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integrated suite of 8 tools. They are organized by function: deployment, updates, configuration
and diagnostics. Tools are now simpler to access and use with a single webpage for access, a
common look and feel and a common command line interface for the scripting tools. The
ToolsCenter Bootable Media Creator offers significantly more functionality than past tools with
the ability to add more tools to the bootable image and to automatically download the bootable
environment if needed. Bootable Media Creator allows you to create bootable CDs, DVD, and
USB keys for updates customized to your systems.
IBM developed IBM Systems Director Active Energy Manager to put control of system power-
saving features at the fingertips of administrators. Active Energy Manager is designed to take
advantage of new features, such as monitoring power usage and balancing the performance of
the system according to available power input. It provides the ability to plan and predict power
consumption based on your hardware configuration. It also helps enable you to reduce the
infrastructure required for redundancy, by using fewer servers on smaller power feeds and
potentially lowering your overall data center support costs. It does this by inventorying all
components, then adding up the total power draw and tracking the usage. It also includes power
management features to help administrators manage or reduce power usage.
Automatic Server Restart (ASR) helps reduce downtime by restarting the server automatically
in the event of a system lockup. ASR technology is a combination of hardware circuitry tied into
the server’s system reset function and a device driver. As long as the server continues running,
the ASR watchdog timer will keep being reset, but if the operating system crashes or the
hardware freezes somehow the ASR software will be unable to reset the hardware timer. If the
timer is not reset within five minutes, it automatically triggers the ASR hardware, which
immediately restarts the server (and logs an ASR event with IBM Systems Director). These
features are designed so that no more than five minutes can pass before the server is restarted.
Wake on LAN permits the server to be remotely powered on if it has been shut off. Once
powered up, the server can be controlled across the network, using the Preboot Execution
Environment (PXE).
Like Wake on LAN, PXE is system firmware. It enables software such as the optional IBM
Remote Deployment Manager to take control of a system before the BIOS, operating system or
applications are loaded (using Wake on LAN/PXE) and lets an administrator perform many low-
level tasks remotely that would otherwise require a visit to each system. These tasks may include
such things as formatting a hard disk drive, updating system firmware, or deploying a Windows or
Linux operating system.
Text Console Redirection support allows the administrator to remotely view x3620 M3 text
messages over serial or LAN. An optional upgrade to the Virtual Media Key adds graphical
console redirection.
Predictive Failure Analysis (PFA) is designed to allow the system to detect impending failure of
supported components (memory, HDDs, and the onboard battery) before actual failure, and alert
the administrator through IBM Systems Director. This gives you the ability to replace the failing
component before it fails, resulting in increased uptime.
IBM Systems Director software for advanced workgroup management is included with the
x3620 M3. IBM Systems Director comes with a portfolio of tools, including IBM Systems
Director Active Energy Manager
™
, Service and Support Manager, and others. System
Availability (a no-charge download) and Capacity Manager (sold separately) are available as add-
ons for additional server management and increased availability. IBM Systems Director provides
a single uniform graphical interface for all of these systems management functions.
IBM Systems Director enables you to customize thresholds and monitor system components (for
things like temperature, voltage regulation, etc.) to help maximize uptime.
Key Options
IBM options for System x servers help
you
take
your
servers to a
higher level
You rely on System x options to supply a complete solution for your business needs. Options
help you create an optimized server system to meet your data protection, storage and availability
needs. Every IBM option is designed and tested for peak performance and flexibility, helping to
maximize your return on investment. The combination of System x servers and options lets you
keep your fingers on the pulse of your e-business.
Processors —Intel Xeon processors provide high clock rates, 4 to 6 cores, 64-bit extensions,
and advanced features for performance, availability and power management. Large cache size,
combined with fast 1333MHz, 1066MHz or 800MHz memory access and an integrated memory
controller reduce memory latency and facilitate the movement of data. (Note: System
performance depends not only on the number of processors in the server but also on the
frequency and functionality of each processor.) Adding a second processor may be a cost-
effective way to achieve significant performance improvements.
Memory — Memory is a major factor in systems application performance. Adding more memory