On Jan 16th, IBM launched its next generation server family that is built on the exclusive IBM X-Architecture. Featuring the Intel Xeon E7 v2 family of processors, the four socket x3850 X6 and eight socket x3950 X6 offer extraordinary performance for analytics, virtualization, database, and ERP workloads.
X6 servers come with new Intel Xeon E7 v2 processors
On the heels of Intel’s February 16th launch of the Ivy Bridge EX processor platform, IBM announced its new line of servers featuring the new Intel Xeon E7 v2 processors. With models ranging from 6 to 15 cores per processor and supporting up to six terabytes of RAM in a single server.
According to IDC’s white paper, Enterprise Workloads on the IBM X6 Portfolio, “IT organizations are challenged to transform their IT environments to deliver on the promised capabilities of the new era of cloud, or what IDC refers to as the 3rd Platform. This requires server systems capable of running enterprise workloads and processing growing sets of data, yet still able to deliver within the budget constraints of IT.”
The budget constraints of many IT departments means that demonstrating the ROI of X6 platforms for Big Data, ERP, analytics and virtualization requirements a big importance for the business case and investment approval.
What is it?
The IBM X6 servers feature exclusive IBM X-Architecture innovations and Intel Xeon E7 v2 processors. You need to know if X6 is the right platform for your unique needs, so we’ve expanded on the three main capabilities of the X6 platform below.
Fast: moving storage closer to the processor
IBM is introducing disruptive eXFlash memory-channel storage technology – the industry’s first, which will accommodate up to 12 terabytes of DIMM-based flash storage per server. This memory-channel storage moves storage closer to the processor than traditional SSD disks and PCI-connected flash technologies. This is a big help to reduce the amount of hardware and software licenses required to run high-demand workloads.
Agile: the compute book strategy
The new modular server design allows you to configure fit-for-purpose servers by utilizing a “compute book” strategy which supports 2, 4, 6, and 8 way configurations. The X6 servers will also allow multiple generations of technology within the same server shell, helping to lengthen server lifecycle and reduce overall acquisition costs when new processors and memory capabilities evolve. The modular design also helps improve the management and serviceability of the servers to reduce time spent on maintenance when you simply easily insert an upgraded compute book instead of ripping and replacing a whole new server.
Resilient: adding advanced memory recovery and automated failover
IBM and Intel collaborated to create a comprehensive set of RAS capabilities to keep critical workloads up and running. By integrating across both the hardware and software stack (built on top of Intel Run SureTechnology RAS features), IBM adds both platform and solution level features to help increase server dependability. Platform level features such as advanced memory recovery, automated processor failover and solution level management with upward integration for VMware and Hyper-V ensures that applications heavily dependent on memory and processor will perform with maximum uptime.
Watch this animated overview of what’s different and new about these servers.
Who is it for?
IBM’s X6 platform is built to support companies with heavy compute requirements that demand high performance for big data, analytics, cloud computing, database and ERP workloads. This typically means support for high volume transactions with companies in retail, finance, healthcare and e-commerce.
x3850 X6 quick tech specs
Using book design, the 4U x3850 X5 comes standard with one or more Compute books, one storage book, and one primary I/O book. Each compute book contains one processor socket, 24 DIMM slots, and two hot-swap fans. The processor socket supports up to 155W CPUs. The DIMM slots can contain all memory DIMMs, or up to 8 eXFlash DIMMs and 16 memory DIMMs.
Supported memory sizes are 4, 8, and 16GB (RDIMM), or 16, 32 and 64GB (LRDIMM). You can add three more compute books, for a total of 4 processors and 96 DIMM slots (including up to 32 eXFlash DIMMs).
The maximum memory capacity using four compute books is 6TB of 1333MHz (or 3TB of 1600MHz) LRDIMM memory, 1.5TB of 1600MHz RDIMM memory, or 1TB of RDIMM memory and 12.8TB of eXFlash DIMM storage (various other combinations of memory and flash storage are also supported).
As newer generations of processor/memory technology evolve, simply replace these books with newer ones (but all compute books must use matching technology). You don’t need to replace the entire system, just the book you want to upgrade! If storage and I/O are of higher importance than processors and memory, you can even configure a two-node x3950 X6 with only four processors and four power supplies (two per node). This gives you added flexibility for growth later, with a lower initial entry cost.
Why we like it
X6 servers help extend the advantages of cloud computing to mission-critical applications. As business and analytical applications like Cognos, Oracle and SQL grow more sophisticated, server platform requirements also grow more complex. From the processor to memory technologies to management modules, it is critically important that these complex systems maintain maximum application availability as well as integrate into virtual environments.
For more on the challenges and opportunities of X6, see IDC’s Enterprise Workloads on the IBM X6 Portfolio. Visit IBM’s quotes page to see what other businesses are saying, and for an even deeper dive, check out IBM’s Introducing IBM X6 Technology White Paper.
What you should do
Take a holistic look at your virtual environment to make sure that you have the right hardware to support your mission-critical applications. Softchoice offers a comprehensive set of agnostic consultation services to ensure you get the right solution that meets your needs. To learn more about how Softchoice can consult, implement and manage an analytics solution for you, download our Virtualization TechCheck one pager.
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