Overview - IBM NeXtScale nx360 M4 Node Ref 2

Content

Planned availability date: 22 April 2014

Overview

IBM NeXtScale System is the next generation of dense computing. It is an open, flexible, and simple data center solution for users of technical computing, grid deployments, analytics workloads, and large-scale cloud and virtualization infrastructures.

IBM NeXtScale system is built with industry-standard components to create flexible configurations of servers, chassis, and networking switches that integrate easily in a standard 19-inch rack. It is a general purpose platform that provides flexibility, creating unique and differentiated solutions using off-the-shelf components, such as standard PCIe adapters, networking switches, and cables. Front-access to servers, networking cables, and switches enables ease of serviceability and reduces chances of miscabling. Additionally, front access allows users to stay at the front of racks in the cold aisle instead at the back in hot aisle.

Customized solutions for your applications can be configured to meet your specific business needs for optimum compute power, GPU or co-processor acceleration, and storage with your choice of I/O and networking. Since NeXtScale platform is optimized for standard racks, it allows the mixing of high-density NeXtScale server offerings and non-NeXtScale components within the same cluster rack.

You can purchase a fully integrated NeXtScale solution from IBM or order piece part or procure through your preferred Business Partner.

If purchased through Intelligent Cluster, IBM manufacturing sites will fully integrate the components on site and test them as a complete solution before shipping the rack to your location. When you receive the rack, it is removed from the packaging, placed in its proper location, powered up, and connected to the network in minimal time. IBM personnel will confirm that the servers and network are functioning properly before acceptance.

In addition, the integrated NeXtScale solution will undergo Linpack testing on the nodes and clients who require the benchmarking results can be provided HPL output data that was obtained during the test.

IBM NeXtScale System is scalable and extendable with multigenerational upgrades to protect and maximize IT investments.

Key prerequisites

• Device drivers, as required

At a glance

IBM NeXtScale System is a powerful chassis-based solution and comprised of compute, storage, and GPU/Phi nodes. The compute node is the nx360 M4. Two new chassis models are being added for the n1200 Enclosure. Each chassis can house up to 12 half-wide nx360 M4 compute nodes or six GPU/Phi nodes or six storage nodes. You can mix compute, GPU/Phi, and storage nodes within the chassis.

The IBM NeXtScale nx360 M4 is a half-wide, dual-socket server designed for data centers that require high performance, yet are constrained on floor space, power, and cooling infrastructure. The nx360 M4 is equipped with the latest Intel Xeon E5-2600 V2 Series processors and is ideal for clients who need a dense, flexible solution with low total cost of ownership.

In the refresh 2 of nx360 M4 server, a PCIe native expansion tray is being added to the base compute node, thus allowing you to create an ultra-dense GPU/Phi node with up to two high powered accelerators attached to a single compute node within 1U effective rack density.

New features of the NeXtScale nx360 M4 Refresh 2 server include:

• PCIe Native Expansion tray (PCIe NeX)
• Support for NVIDIA GPUs: Tesla K40, K20x, K10 and VGA K1, K2
• Support for Intel Xeon Phi Coprocessors: 5110p and 7120p
• Support for additional Intel Xeon E5-2600 V2 Series processors
• Support for additional Networking adapters

The n1200 Enclosure is a light chassis without integrated networking or built-in switching. As a result, no chassis-level management is required. The nodes in the chassis with front-access cabling connect to top-of-rack switches installed in the same rack or another rack. Two new chassis models are being added for the n1200 Enclosure.

New features of the n1200 Enclosure include:

• Two 1300 W power supplies (nonredundant, N+1, or N+N) (model A3x)
• Six 1300 W power supplies (nonredundant, N+1, or N+N) (model A4x)
• CTO (configure to order) support for two to five 1300 W power supplies (nonredundant, N+1, or N+N)(model HC1)

Easy-to-order dual-socket compute nx360 M4 standard models and CTO (build your own) models are now available in Standalone Solutions Configurator Tool (SSCT), IBM Hardware Configurator (Blue Horizons), and IBM System x and Cluster Solutions configurator (x-config).

Note: CTO support for the Intel X520 Dual Port 10GbE SFP+ Embedded Adapter for IBM System x and for n1200 Enclosure configurations of two to five 1300 W power supplies will begin on June 23, 2014.

Warranty

• IBM service options: Three-year customer replaceable unit (CRU) and on-site(1) limited warranty(2).

Physical Specifications:

NeXtScale nx360 M4 server specifications:

Electrical :

• 100 - 127 (nominal) V ac; 50 Hz or 60 Hz; 6.8 A (900 W PSU)
• 200 - 240 (nominal) V ac; 50 Hz or 60 Hz; 5.0 A (900 W PSU) or 6.9 A (1300 W PSU)
• Input kilovolt-amperes (kVA) (approximately):
  • Minimum configuration: 0.100 kVA
  • Maximum configuration: 6.000 kVA
• Btu output:
  • Ship configuration: 341.18 Btu/hr (110 watts)
  • Full configuration: 20,470.84 Btu/hr (6,000 watts)

900-watt PSU electrical power specifications:

• Input: 100 - 127 V ac, 200 - 240 V ac auto-ranging operation
• Built-in overload and surge protection
• 100 - 127 (nominal) V ac; 50 or 60 Hz; 6.8 A (maximum) output power: 600 W
• 200 - 240 (nominal) V ac; 50 or 60 Hz; 5.0 A (maximum) output power: 900 W

1300-watt PSU electrical power specifications:

• Input: 200 - 240 V ac; 50 or 60 Hz; 6.9 A (maximum)
• Built-in overload and surge protection
• Output: DC +12.2 V; 106.6 A (maximum), 12 Vaux/2.5 A maximum output power 1300 W

Operating environment

The IBM NeXtScale nx360 M4 products are designed to operate in a general business environment, such as a Class A or A1, temperature and humidity-controlled room.

Power on

• Temperature: 5 C - 40 C (40 F - 104 F) up to 950 mm (3,117 ft). Above 950 m, derated maximum air temperature 1C per 175 m
• Humidity, noncondensing: -12 C dew point (10.4 F) and 8% - 85% relative humidity
• Maximum dew point: 24 C (75 F)
• Maximum altitude: 3050 m (10,000 ft) and 5 C - 28 C (41 F - 82 F)
• Maximum rate of temperature change: 5 C per hour (41 F per hour) for tape drive, 20 C per hour (68 F per hour) for HDDs
• Declared noise level: 7.0 bels (idling)

Power off

• Temperature: 5 C to 45 C (41 F - 113 F)
• Relative humidity: 8% - 85%
• Maximum dew point: 27 C (80.6 F)

Storage (nonoperating):

• Temperature: 1 C to 60 C (33.8 F - 140 F)
• Altitude: 3,050 m (10,000 ft)
• Relative humidity: 5% - 80%
• Maximum dew point: 29 C (84.2 F)

Shipment (nonoperating) :

• Temperature: -40 C to 60 C (-40 F - 140 F)
• Altitude: 10,700 m (35,105 ft)
• Relative humidity: 5% - 100%
• Maximum dew point: 29 C (84.2 F)

Attention:

Design to ASHRAE Class A3, ambient of 40 C, with relaxed support:

• The system will support cloud-like workload with no performance degradation acceptable (Turbo-Off).
• Under no circumstance can any combination of worst-case workload and config uration result in system shutdown or design exposure at 40 C.

Specific processors supported environment:

• Processor E5-2680:
  • Temperature: 5 C - 30 C (41 F - 86 F)
  • Altitude: 0 - 950 m (3,117 ft)
• Processor E5-2690 v2:
  • Temperature: 5 C - 35 C (41 F - 95 F)
  • Altitude: 0 - 950 m (3,117 ft)
• Processor E5-2697 v2:
  • Temperature: 5 C - 35 C (41 F - 95 F)
  • Altitude: 0 - 950 m (3,117 ft)

Japan energy saving standard

Energy value tables - NeXtScale nx360 M4

Hardware Requirements

For service, the NeXtScale requires a compatible:

• Monitor
• Combination USB keyboard and pointing device, such as IBM part number 40K5372
• USB CD-RW/DVD drive, such as the IBM and Lenovo part number 73P4515 or 73P4516

Note: Rack must have 784.86 mm (30.9 in) minimum clearance on the front and back sides of the rack to allow service.

Software Requirements

The following network operating systems are supported in the NeXtScale:

• Microsoft
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2
  • Microsoft Windows HPC Server 2008
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2012
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2
• Linux
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Server x64 Edition
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 Server x64 Edition
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 x64 Edition
• VMware
  • vSphere 5.5 (ESXi), vSphere 5.0 (ESXi), vSphere 5.1 (ESXi)

Note: For additional support, certification, and version information on network operating systems, visit

http://www-03.ibm.com/servers/eserver/serverproven/compat/us/

Compatibility

All components of the System x NeXtScale are compatible when purchased as a supported NeXtScale solution.

Limitations

The IBM NeXtScale PCIe Native Expansion Tray will not support 900 W PSUs when installed in the chassis.

NeXtScale options are supported only when ordered and deployed in a NeXtScale solution. They will not be supported when ordered without a corresponding order for a NeXtScale configuration.

Regarding the use of solid-state disk drives, solid-state memory cells have an intrinsic, finite number of write cycles that each cell can incur. As a result, each solid-state device has a maximum amount of write cycles to which it can be subjected, documented as TBW (Total Bytes Written). IBM is not responsible for replacement of hardware that has reached the maximum guaranteed number of write cycles. This limit may be revealed as the device failing to respond to system-generated commands or becoming incapable of being written to. Additional information is available at http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/x/options/storage/solidstate/index.html