IBM eX5 Implementation Guide

294 IBM eX5 Implementation Guide

Operating system updates, fixes, and patches

The performance and reliability of an x3850 X5 tightly relate to the OS running on it. IBM

supports an assortment of modern and widely used OSs capable of utilizing the system’s

potential. Each vendor supports their OS by releasing updates, fixes, and patches that

provide enhanced functionality and fixes to known problems. Several of these updates, fixes,

and patches only apply to certain configurations, while other updates, fixes, and patches

apply to all configurations. The OS vendors support website has extensive information about

these updates, fixes, and patches.

System update resources

Table 6-12 provides useful web address links to IBM tools, as well as vendor OS support

links.

Table 6-12 Internet links to supports and downloads

6.10.6 SAN storage reference and considerations

The System x3850 X5 with its MAX5 memory expansion capability is the high-end server

solution in the IBM System x product line. Target workloads for this design include

virtualization and database application. In both designations, it is typical for the user to attach

storage area network (SAN) storage to the server for data storage.

SAN storage attachment

A storage area network (SAN) is a network whose primary purpose is the transfer of data

between computer systems and storage elements. The following list describes the typically

used SAN protocols, each with their own characteristics:

򐂰 Fibre Channel (FC)

The Fibre Channel Protocol (FCP) is the interface protocol of SCSI on Fibre Channel. FCP

is a transport protocol, which predominantly transports SCSI commands over Fibre

Channel networks. Fibre Channel (FC) is the prevalent technology standard in the Storage

Area Network (SAN) data center environment. Typical requirements for this configuration

require an FC HBA and FC SAN infrastructure. Despite its name, Fibre Channel signaling

can run on both twisted-pair copper wire and fiber optic cables.

Tip: IBM UpdateXpress is a tool that allows the IBM System x firmware and drivers to be

updated via the OS. More information about this tool is available at the following website:

http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=SERV-XPRESS

Vendor Product Address

IBM Systems Support http://ibm.com/systems/support/

IBM ServerGuide http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=SERV-GUIDE

IBM UpdateXpress http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=SERV-XPRESS

IBM Bootable Media Creator http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=TOOL-BOMC

Microsoft Windows Server http://support.microsoft.com/ph/14134

Red Hat RHEL https://www.redhat.com/support/

Novell SLES http://www.novell.com/support/

VMware vSphere http://downloads.vmware.com/d/

Chapter 6. IBM System x3850 X5 and x3950 X5 295

򐂰 Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE)

FCoE is the transport, or mapping, of encapsulated FC frames over the Ethernet. The

Ethernet provides the physical interface, and FC provides the transport protocol. System

setup for FCoE requires Converged Network Adapter (CNA) to pass both network and

storage data connected to 10Gb converged network infrastructure.

򐂰 Internet SCSI (iSCSI)

iSCSI is an Internet Protocol (IP)-based storage networking standard for linking data

storage facilities. The protocol allows clients (called

initiators) to send SCSI commands to

SCSI storage devices (targets). A hardware initiator might improve the performance of the

server. iSCSI is often seen as a low-cost alternative to Fibre Channel.

򐂰 serial-attached SCSI (SAS)

SAS uses point-to-point connection and the typical SAS throughput is 6 Gbps full duplex.

Where a complex SAN configuration is not necessary, SAS is a good choice, although

performance and distance will be limited compared to the other solutions.

Booting from SAN

This section provides useful guidelines for booting from SAN:

򐂰 See 6.1.1, “Verify that the components are securely installed” on page 220 to ensure that

all PCI adapters are seated properly.

򐂰 Check if UEFI recognizes the adapter. Select UEFI  System Settings  Adapters and

UEFI Drivers. The Adapters and UEFI Drivers panel displays, as shown in Figure 6-80.

You need to see Card - HBA. If not, reflash the UEFI, IMM, and Firmware of the HBA and

check again.

Figure 6-80 Adapters visible in UEFI