IBM System x

The IBM System x computers formed a sub-brand of International Business Machines (IBM's) System brand servers, focusing on x86 processor equipped servers. (the other System sub-brands having the names IBM Power Systems, IBM System z and IBM System Storage). In addition, IBM System x was the main component of the IBM System Cluster 1350 solution.

The division has been sold to Lenovo, effective October 1st 2014.[1]

History

Starting out as IBM PC Server, rebranded Netfinity, then eServer xSeries and now System x, these servers are distinguished by being based on off-the-shelf x86 CPUs; IBM positions them as their "low end" or "entry" offering. Previously IBM servers based on AMD Opteron CPUs did not share the xSeries brand; instead they fell directly under the eServer umbrella. However, current AMD Opteron-based servers fall under the System x brand.

IBM PC Server

PC Server range

Numbering scheme

IBM Netfinity

Not to be confused with a different IBM product with a similar name, NetFinity (notice the capital F).

Netfinity range

Numbering scheme

The numbering scheme started off similar to that of the IBM PC Servers, but additional ranges were added, like the entry-level 1000 model later on. Models ending with an R, are rack-mount.

KVM Cabling scheme

Some Netfinity servers used IBM's C2T cabling scheme for Keyboard/Video/Mouse.

IBM eServer xSeries

xSeries range

Numbering scheme

KVM Cabling scheme

Many xSeries servers used IBM's C2T cabling scheme for Keyboard/Video/Mouse.

IBM eServer

eServer range

Numbering scheme

For marketing reasons the AMD processor based e325, e326 and e326m and the BladeCenter which supports non-Intel processor products were not branded xSeries, but were instead placed directly under the eServer brand. The xSeries brand was limited to only Intel-based server products.

From a numbering perspective the AMD servers did fit into the xSeries range, under the similar x335 and x336 Intel processor products. These numbers were not re-used in the xSeries range to prevent confusion.


IBM System x range

The IBM System x3300 M4 with LED lighting

Lenovo System x range

Lenovo also had and still has its own ThinkServer family of Intel servers. This family is technically less advanced than System x.

Enterprise X4 architecture

Numbering scheme

2nd digit increments to show capability

3rd digit is a 0 for tower models, and 5 for rack-mount

4th digit is a 0 for Intel processors, and 5 for AMD Opteron.

Models with a T at the end are meant for Telco purposes.

iDataPlex

An iDataPlex rack in a Portable Modular Data Center.

System x iDataPlex was used by many TOP500 supercomputers, including SuperMUC and Stampede. Other smaller installations included SciNet Consortium's General Purpose Cluster[2][3][4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kunert, Paul (23 January 2014). "It was inevitable: Lenovo stumps up $2.3bn for IBM System x server biz". channelregister.co.uk. The Register. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  2. ↑ "Toronto team completes Canada's most powerful supercomputer". CBC News. June 18, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
  3. ↑ Hall, Joseph (June 18, 2009). "U of T supercomputer probes origins of the universe". The Star. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
  4. ↑ "University of Toronto's Supercomputer Goes Online Thursday". All Headline News. June 18, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
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