eXFlash DIMM Configuration and Support Requirements - Lenovo x280 X6, x480 X6, x880 X6 Compute Node

Machine types and models

NOTICE: For 7196-ADU and 7196-DDU, please visit the following page for requirements specific to these Machine Type / Models: 7196-ADU and 7196-DDU eXFlash DIMM Configuration and Support Requirements.

Firmware Requirements

System Firmware:

The following software are the minimum system code versions required to support eXFlash DIMM devices. Please ensure your server is updated to these code levels or higher prior to installing the eXFlash DIMM hardware.

• UEFI:
  • Lenovo x280 X6 Compute Node: lnvgy_fw_uefi_n3e122x-1.00_anyos_32-64
  • Lenovo x480 X6 Compute Node: lnvgy_fw_uefi_n3e122x-1.00_anyos_32-64
  • Lenovo x880 X6 Compute Node: lnvgy_fw_uefi_n3e122x-1.00_anyos_32-64
• IMM2:
  • Lenovo x280 X6 Compute Node: lnvgy_fw_imm2_tcoo08v-1.64_anyos_noarch
  • Lenovo x480 X6 Compute Node: lnvgy_fw_imm2_tcoo08v-1.64_anyos_noarch
  • Lenovo x880 X6 Compute Node: lnvgy_fw_imm2_tcoo08v-1.64_anyos_noarch

eXFlash DIMM Firmware / Drivers:

The following software is the minium eXFlash code version required to support eXFlash DIMM devices on the machine type / models as noted in the table above. Please ensure your exFlash DIMM devices are at this code level.

• eXFlash DIMM v1.6.0 software

Supported operating systems

• Microsoft Windows 2012 all versions *, **
• Microsoft Windows 2012 R2 all versions  *, **
• Red Hat™ Enterprise Linux® 6.5*, 6.6**, 7.1**
• SUSE™ Linux Enterprise Server (SLES™ 11) SP3*, SP4**
• SUSE™ Linux Enterprise Server (SLES™ 12) *,**
• VMware ESXi 5.5 u0*,u2**
• VMware ESXi 6.0 Update xx

*7903 x280 models
**7903 x480/x880 models

Note: Refer to x86 Serverproven for more details on OS support http://www.ibm.com/systems/info/x86servers/serverproven/compat/us/

Supported processor options

There are no processor limitations associated with eXFlash DIMMs per the machine type / models listed in the above table.

Supported memory options

Note:  eXFlash DIMM module will operate at 1333 MHz (default) or 1066 MHz depending on the operating mode.

Memory Population Rules

• Only 8 GB and 16 GB RDIMMs are supported with eXFlash DIMMs
• 200 GB and 400 GB eXFlash DIMMs can not be mixed
• Only one eXFlash DIMM per channel is supported with 1 or 2 RDIMMs on the same channel.
  • RDIMM must always be installed in the terminating slot of the channel
  • eXFlash DIMM must be installed last in the channel after all RDIMMs are installed and adjacent to RDIMM
• The maximum quantity of eXFlash DIMMs supported on an x280 X6 is 12
• The maximum quantity of eXFlash DIMMs supported on an x480 X6 is 24
• The maximum quantity of eXFlash DIMMs supported on an x880 X6 is 24.
  • In an x880 X6, eXFlash DIMMs can only be installed in the first two (bottom) nodes.
• Lockstep mode or memory mirroring is not supported if eXFlash DIMMs are installed
• eXFlash DIMMs operate at the same DIMM frequency as the speed of the RDIMMs installed in the system
• Quantities of eXFlash DIMMs supported in single node:
  • 2, 4, 8, 12
• The quantity of RDIMMs in a configuration must meet or exceed the quantity of eXFlash DIMMs
• eXFlash DIMMs are not permitted in DIMM slots 31 through 42 for any x280, x480, or x880 X6 node

eXFlash DIMM Installation Procedure

Please refer to the Lenovo Flex System x280 X6, x480 X6, and x880 X6 Compute Node Types 7196 and 4258 Installation & Service Guide