A cost-optimized storage-rich alternative to traditional enterprise 2U dual-socket servers
Please see the Legal Information section for important notices and information.
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VMware ESXi includes all the performance, scalability and compatibility features of ESX,
including full VMFS support across FC SAN, iSCSI SAN, and NAS, and 4-way VSMP. Because
it runs from flash memory, it’s extremely fast and ideal for diskless configurations. It also offers
enhanced security, because it runs without an operating system-based console and is
updated/patched much like firmware. Licensing works the same as for “standard” ESX.
Disk Controllers
The x3620 M3 simple-swap models include firmware RAID-0/1 (in other words, without
hardware assist) standard, and support an optional ServeRAID-BR10il v2, ServerRAID-M1015,
ServeRAID-M5014, or ServeRAID-M5015 SAS/SATA controller, to enhance system
performance, availability and data protection. Hot-swap models include either a ServeRAID-
M1015, ServeRAID-M5014, or ServeRAID-M5015 controller standard (model-specific). They can
be upgraded to other ServeRAID controllers. The supported ServeRAID controllers include:
The 3Gbps
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(x4 PCIe) ServeRAID-BR10il v2 controller offers hardware RAID-0/1/1E support (no
cache) for up to 4 HDDs.
The 6Gbps (x8 PCIe) ServeRAID-M1015 SAS/SATA controller supports RAID-0/1/10 (no
cache) for up to 16 drives (limited by available bays to 8). The IBM ServeRAID M1000 Series
Advance Feature Key adds RAID-5 with SED support.
The 6Gbps (x8 PCIe) ServeRAID-M5014 SAS/SATA controller offers enhanced performance
with 256MB of cache memory (with optional battery backup), and supports RAID-0/1/10/5/50 for
up to 16 drives (limited by available bays to 8).
The 6Gbps (x8 PCIe) ServeRAID-M5015 SAS/SATA controller offers enhanced performance
with 512MB of cache memory and battery backup included, and supports RAID-0/1/10/5/50 for
up to 16 drives (limited by available bays to 8).
The IBM ServeRAID M5000 Series Advance Feature Key adds RAID-6/60 with SED support to
the ServeRAID-M5014 and M5015. The IBM ServeRAID M5000 Series Battery Key adds
battery backup support to the M5014.
Drive Bays
The x3620 M3 supports up to 9 or 5 drive bays in all (model-specific). Models include either 8
hot-swap or 4 simple-swap 3.5-inch drive bays, plus one 5.25-inch bay for either an optional
optical drive, a tape drive, or an RDX Removable Disk Backup System. The hot-swap bays
support either SATA or SAS HDDs. The simple-swap bays support only SATA drives.
Hot-swap drives may be inserted or removed through the front of the server without powering off
the system. Simple-swap drives can be inserted or removed through the front of the server as
well; however, the system power must first be turned off.
For additional storage, a direct-attach, NAS or SAN external expansion option can be added,
using an optional controller.
No diskette drive is supplied with any model; an external USB floppy drive may be used, if
needed.
Flexible Internal Storage
The x3620 M3 offers flexibility with either 4 or 8 2.5” HDD bays (model-dependent), supporting
high-performance drives that provide high density/high reliability and allow you to scale up as
your business grows. (Hot-swap models require a RAID controller.)
3.5-inch Hot-Swap SAS
• 15,000 RPMs — 300, 450, or 600GB (4.8TB maximum capacity, with 8 bays)
3.5-inch Hot-Swap SATA
• 7,200 RPMs — 250 or 500GB, 1 or 2TB (16.0TB maximum capacity, with 8 bays)
3.5-inch Simple-Swap SATA
• 7,200 RPMs — 250 or 500GB, 1 or 2TB (8.0TB maximum capacity, with 4 bays)
The hot-swap drives use the Converged Tray for interchangeability with other IBM System x
®
systems. If you need more storage space, terabyte capacities are possible with external IBM
System Storage direct-attach, NAS and SAN offerings.
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Data transfer rates depend on many factors and are often less than the maximum possible.