IBM eX5 Implementation Guide

Chapter 7. IBM System x3690 X5 327

Ensure that half of the power supplies of both units are plugged into one utility power source

and the remaining half are plugged into a separate utility power source. This approach

eliminates the possibility of a single breaker or circuit fault taking down the entire server.

Think of the power supplies in your server like shock absorbers in a car. They are designed to

absorb and overcome a wide variety of power conditions that can occur from an electric utility

company, but like shock absorbers on a car, they will eventually begin to fail when fed a

steady diet of unstable power. The times of their failures will most likely not coincide with a

planned maintenance window. Therefore, ensure that the two halves of power supplies are

plugged into two separate UPS sources to filter out all of the moderate to severe power

fluctuations that occur.

Figure 7-25 depicts the power supplies of the combined x3690 X5 and the MAX5 and to

which UPS power sources they must be attached to be fully redundant.

Figure 7-25 Recommended power cabling for the x3690 X5 and the MAX5

7.7 Using the Integrated Management Module

For any successful implementation of a server, there must be provisions set aside to provide

access to perform troubleshooting or routine maintenance. The x3690 X5 comes standard

with the Integrated Management Module (IMM). The IMM is a separate, independent

operating environment that activates and remains active while the server is plugged into a

good ac power source. The IMM monitors the hardware components of the server and the

environment in which the server operates, looking for a potential hardware fault.

You can access part of the information that is stored in the IMM by using F1-Setup by

selecting System Settings  Integrated Management Module. Figure 7-26 on page 328

shows the first panel of the Integrated Management Module configuration panel.

Two primary power

supplies for the x3690

X5.

Two optional power

supplies for the x3690

X5.

The two power supplies

of the attached eX5

MAX5.

Plug the left three power

supplies into UPS

source 1.

Plug the right three

power supplies into UPS

source 2.