IBM System x3250 M4 Server

Scalability and Performance

The x3250 M4 offers numerous features to boost performance, improve scalability, and reduce costs:

• The single-socket x3250 M4 supports the new quad-core Intel Xeon Processor E3-1200 v2 family of processors ("Ivy Bridge") in a compact 1U rack design.
• Choice of processors with up to 4 cores to enable the effective use of multi-threaded applications.
• Intel Xeon Processor E3-1200 v2 family supports Intel Hyer-Threading Technology (except the Xeon E3-1220L) and Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 to maximize performance.
• Up to 32GB of high-speed DDR3 system memory with four DIMM sockets.
• Memory speeds up to 1600 MHz supported on models with Xeon Processor E3-1200 v2.
• Two available high-performance PCI Express expansion slots, one PCIe 3.0 slot and one PCIe 2.0 slot.
• Two internal 3.5-inch simple-swap SATA II drive bays or four 2.5" hot-swap SAS/SATA drive bays (model dependent) offer low-cost/high-capacity enterprise-class storage. Up to 8TB of internal storage. Configurations with four 2.5" simple-swap drive bays available via CTO.
• Integrated ServeRAID C100 software RAID controller supports RAID 0, 1 and 10. Some models offer ServeRAID BR10il V2 or H1110 hardware RAID controller standard. Other hardware RAID options available.
• Integrated dual-port Gigabit Ethernet provides increased network throughput and redundancy with efficient slot-saving integration.
• An optional optical drive for installing software or backing up data.
• Seven USB 2.0 ports, two on the front, four on the back, and one internal for a embedded hypervisor

Availability and Serviceability

The x3250 M4 provides many features to simplify serviceability and increase system uptime:

• ECC memory provides error correction not available in PC-class “servers” that use parity memory. Avoiding system crashes (and data loss) due to soft memory errors can mean greater system uptime.
• Hot-swap drives supported on some models enable failed disk drives to be replaced without powering off the server.
• Hot-swap redundant power supplies available on some models maximizes system uptime even when one power supply fails.
• Tool-less cover removal provides easy access to upgrades and serviceable parts, such as CPU, memory, and adapter cards.
• The Predictive Failure Analysis (PFA) detects when system components (for example, processors, memory, hard disk drives) operate outside of standard thresholds and generates pro-active alerts in advance of possible failure, therefore increasing uptime.
• Built-in Integrated Management Module II (IMM2) with optional upgrade to Standard and Advanced levels, continuously monitors system parameters, triggers alerts, and performs recovering actions in case of failures to minimize downtime.
• Built-in diagnostics using Dynamic Systems Analysis (DSA) Preboot speeds up troubleshooting tasks to reduce service time.
• Three-year customer replaceable unit and onsite limited warranty, next business day 9x5. Optional service upgrades available.

Manageability and Security

Powerful systems management features simplify local and remote management of the x3250 M4:

• The server includes an Integrated Management Module II (IMM2) to monitor server availability and, with IMM feature upgrades, perform remote management.
• Integrated industry-standard Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) enables improved setup, configuration, and updates, and simplifies error handling.
• Integrated Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 support enables advanced cryptographic functionality, such as digital signatures and remote attestation.
• Intel Xeon Processor E3-1200 v2 family supports Industry-standard Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) NI support for faster, stronger encryption.
• IBM Systems Director is included for proactive systems management. It offers comprehensive systems management tools that help to increase up-time, reduce costs, and improve productivity through advanced server management capabilities.
• Intel Execute Disable Bit functionality can help prevent certain classes of malicious buffer overflow attacks when combined with a supporting operating system.

Energy Efficiency

The x3250 M4 offers the following energy-efficiency features to save energy, reduce operational costs, increase energy availability, and contribute to the green environment:

• Energy-efficient planar components help lower operational costs.
• Efficient 300 W 80 PLUS certified power supply or 460 W hot-swap redundant power supply options
• The Intel Xeon processor E3-1200 v2 product family offers significantly better performance over the previous generation while fitting into the same thermal design power (TDP) limits.
• Low-voltage Intel Xeon processors draw less energy to satisfy demands of power and thermally constrained data centers and telecommunication environments.
• The server uses hexagonal ventilation holes, a part of Calibrated Vectored Cooling™ technology. Hexagonal holes can be grouped more densely than round holes, providing more efficient airflow through the system.