IBM idataplex: Internet Enterprise Cloud computing Platform

IBM iDataPlex is a new type of server launched in May 2008, based on Blade server design, but with a lower cost compared to blades, iDataPlex is more like a rack server in appearance, but with a half deep design, a more compact structure, The server density is increased by one fold in a single rack, and iDataPlex employs innovative thermal and efficiency designs that make iDataPlex ideal for cloud computing, the Internet, and HPC applications. Today, iDataPlex servers are already heavily used in IBM's own cloud computing hub.

iDataPlex Cluster

On the internet, in cloud computing and HPC applications, data centers need to deploy servers on a large scale, as the number of servers increases, costs, heat, power, and management problems follow, and these users urgently need to find a new way to reduce operating costs, that is, reducing electricity tariffs, reducing heat costs, reducing space consumption, Reduce maintenance costs and reduce the cost of the server itself. However, cost reduction does not mean that the server can be significantly reduced in reliability and performance, after all, in the Internet, cloud computing and HPC applications, there is also a certain demand for computing power, the requirements of reliability, although not the telecommunications, financial and other industries so harsh, but also can not tolerate frequent server downtime.

IBM iDataPlex Dx360 server node

IBM iDataPlex is a new product designed to address data center challenges, and its high density, low cost, easy to manage features are ideal for the current maturing internet, cloud computing, and HPC applications, and the IBM iDataPlex has the following features:

• water-cooled Cabinet Backdoor design: The IBM water-cooled rear door heat exchanger can absorb heat from the back end of the rack, even if fully populated with 84 servers is no exception, and can be further adjusted to make room cooling, help reduce the need to eliminate the data center for air-conditioning.

• Unique rack design: Compared with the traditional standard 19-inch cabinet, the width of the iDataPlex cabinet is twice times the traditional cabinet, the depth is only about half of the traditional cabinet, at the same time, each 1U height of the iDataPlex cabinet can be placed in two servers, As a result, the entire cabinet can hold up to 84 servers.

·“ Green energy-saving "node design: engineers specifically designed the iDataPlex server node, through the sharing of power and fans, shorten the chassis depth, optimize power supply and the use of energy-efficient components, compared with a similar configuration of 1U server, the iDataPlex server can be used to power the fan than the rack server savings of 67% , saving 40% on overall electricity consumption.

• Customizable Modular Design: The iDataPlex is modular and can combine up to 100U of servers, chassis, switches, power units, management devices, and heat exchangers in each rack, using a 2U Flex node chassis or 3U chassis.

• Easy to manage standardized architecture: iDataPlex built on industry standards, supports the use of Third-party components, including Linux operating systems and cluster management technology Xcat, supports the IPMI 2.0 management specification, integrates Avocent Server management modules, and uses Flex Node technology and front-end access design.

· The iDataPlex architecture server also shows good features in monitoring and maintenance. IBM Bae Director Active Energy Manager supports power supply monitoring and throttling, and all iDataPlex servers and options are accessible from the front end without the need for maintenance at the rear of the rack. For iDataPlex dx360m3, optical channel diagnostic LEDs help quickly pinpoint hardware problems, and servers can be serviced separately.

On the specs, IBM iDataPlex has 2U Flex chassis and 3U storage chassis, the node model is currently mainly iDataPlex dx360m2 and dx360m3, the former support dual Xeon 5500 processor, the latter support dual Xeon 5600 processor, Supports 16 DIMM slots, M3 is one-fold larger than M2 on storage, 2U chassis supports 10TB, 3U chassis support 24TB.

In the way of sales, IBM iDataPlex adopted a customized model, each iDataPlex system can be manufactured by order, and when the factory arrives at the customer and delivers it to the customer, it has completed the relevant integration and can be put into operation at any time. This unique delivery model allows iDataPlex to cost significantly less than a considerable amount of "white box" systems. iDataPlex is not sold through market channels like the traditional system x, but by the relevant IBM personnel.

Comments: IBM iDataPlex is a highly customizable server product that appears earlier on the market, but it may be a bit unfamiliar to domestic users, but in fact IBM iDataPlex already has a wide range of references, such as IBM's own cloud computing center, Large Internet service providers such as Yahoo and many higher-school HPC have adopted this customized product. Compared with traditional blades, IBM idataplex cost lower, and compared to rack density, this balanced design is ideal for large-scale data centers. Today iDataPlex can support NVIDIA GPU products and is more suitable for HPC. However, iDataPlex more suitable for large-scale enterprise applications, after all, this is a pure custom, direct marketing products.