Lenovo ThinkAgile MX Certified Node (Xeon SP Gen 1) with Hybrid Storage for Microsoft Azure Stack HCI

Lenovo ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes are designed for deploying highly available, highly scalable hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) and software-defined storage (SDS) from Microsoft on Lenovo enterprise platforms. The ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes deliver fully validated and integrated Lenovo hardware and firmware that is certified for Microsoft Azure Stack HCI solutions.

The ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes for hybrid storage are 2U rack-mount systems that support two processors, up to 1.5 TB of 2666 MHz TruDDR4 memory, 14x LFF hot-swap drive bays with an extensive choice of SAS and SATA SSDs for cache and NL SATA HDDs for capacity, and network connectivity with 10/25 GbE SFP28 ports or 100 GbE QSFP28 ports, and an option for 1 GbE RJ-45, 1/10 GbE RJ-45, or 10 GbE SFP+ ports.

The ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes can be optimized for various types of workloads, including general purpose workloads for small and medium businesses, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), server virtualization, private/hybrid clouds, enterprise applications, databases, and data analytics.

The ThinkAgile MX Certified Node is shown in the following figure.

Figure 1. Lenovo ThinkAgile MX Certified Node

The ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes are built on industry-leading Lenovo ThinkSystem servers that feature enterprise-class reliability, management, and security.

The ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes deliver fully validated and integrated hardware and firmware that is certified for Microsoft Azure Stack HCI solutions.

The ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes offer the following key features:

• Offer quick and convenient path to implement a hyperconverged solution powered by Windows Server 2016 or 2019 Datacenter with Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct (S2D) with a wide range of selection options for processors, memory, storage, and network connectivity.
• Built on proven and reliable Lenovo ThinkSystem servers featuring the first generation of the Intel Xeon Processor Scalable Family that provide compute power for a variety of workloads and applications.
• Meet various workload demands with cost-efficient hybrid storage configurations.
• Deliver fully validated and integrated hardware and firmware that is certified for Microsoft Azure Stack HCI solutions.
• Ready for out-of-box deployment with the optional Windows Server 2019 Datacenter preload.
• Provide flexibility in using the existing Microsoft Windows Server 2016 or 2019 enterprise license agreements or purchasing new software licenses from Microsoft or Lenovo.
• Offer optional Lenovo deployment services to get customers up and running quickly.

The Storage Spaces Direct software running on ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes delivers the following key features:

• Distributed architecture that allows "pay-as-you-grow", non-disruptive scaling by adding new nodes to the cluster (scale-out) to increase capacity and performance.
• Scalability from 2 to 16 nodes with up to 1 PB of storage capacity per cluster.
• Consistent, low latency performance with hypervisor-embedded architecture, built-in read and write cache, and support for NVMe PCIe drives.
• Built-in resiliency sustains drive, server, or component failures for continuous availability.
• Per-VM storage performance management with policy-driven storage Quality of Service (QoS).
• Continuous built-in monitoring and alerting with cluster-wide performance and capacity metrics.

The following table lists the system specifications of the ThinkAgile MX Certified Node.

Factory-integrated models of the ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes are configured by using the Lenovo Data Center Solution Configurator (DCSC):
http://dcsc.lenovo.com

During the configuration process, you are selecting the base Configure-to-Order (CTO) model first, and then you are selecting components (processors, memory, drives, network adapters, and software) for that model.

The MX Certified Nodes ship with the following items:

The ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes ship with two processors. The following table lists the processor options that are available for selection.

The following table lists the specifications of the processors for the certified nodes.

The ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes support Lenovo TruDDR4 memory. TruDDR4 memory uses the highest-quality components sourced from Tier 1 DRAM suppliers and only memory that meets strict requirements is selected. It is compatibility tested and tuned to maximize performance and reliability.

The MX Certified Nodes support up to 24 DIMMs with two processors. Each processor has six memory channels, and there are two DIMMs per channel. The following rules apply when selecting the memory configuration:

• The nodes support RDIMMs or LRDIMMs.
• Mixing different types of memory (RDIMMs and LRDIMMs) is not supported.
• Mixing RDIMMs and RDIMMs of different capacity is supported (see Table 6 for details).
• All DIMMs in the node operate at the same speed up to 2666 MHz, which is determined by the maximum memory speed supported by the specific processor.
  Note: Maximum memory speed can be achieved when Max performance mode is enabled in UEFI.
• The following maximum memory capacities supported by the node:
  • RDIMMs: 768 GB (384 GB per processor).
  • LRDIMMs: 1.5 TB (768 GB per processor).

The following table lists the memory options that are available for selection.

* The selection is available in India only.

The ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes support 14 hot-swap drive bays:

1. 12x 3.5" SAS/SATA (front) + 2x 3.5" SAS/SATA (rear)
2. 8x 3.5" SAS/SATA & 4x 3.5" AnyBay (front) + 2x 3.5" SAS/SATA (rear)

In addition, the MX Certified Nodes support two internal M.2 SATA SSDs for the Windows Server boot volume.

The following table lists the internal storage options for the MX Certified Nodes.

The following table lists the storage controllers for internal storage of the MX Certified Nodes.

Configuration notes:

• The 430-16i SAS/SATA HBA is connected to the front and rear drive bays, and it occupies the PCIe x8 slot 7 on the system board.
• The onboard NVMe interface provides 4x PCIe 3.0 x4 ports for JBOD (non-RAID) connectivity to NVMe PCIe SSDs in the AnyBay drive bays.

The following table lists internal storage configurations with the SAS/SATA and AnyBay backplanes.

* The number in brackets (x) specifies the quantity of drive bays connected to each of the controllers.

The following tables list drive options for the MX Certified Node.

Configuration notes:

• A minimum of four and a maximum of ten capacity HDDs must be selected. All HDDs in the certified node must be of the same type and capacity.
• A minimum of two and a maximum of four cache SSDs must be selected. All SSDs in the certified node must be of the same model and capacity.

The MX Certified Nodes for Hybrid Storage provide four PCIe slots: one slot on the system planar that is dedicated to an internal storage controller, one regular PCIe slot on the system planar, and two PCIe slots on the Riser Card 2.

The slot form factors are as follows:

• Slot 4 (Onboard): PCIe 3.0 x8; low profile (for the second10/25 GbE network adapter)
• Slot 5 (Riser Card 2): PCIe 3.0 x16; full-height, half-length (for the second 100 GbE network adapter)
• Slot 6 (Riser Card 2): PCIe 3.0 x16; full-height, half-length (for the first 10/25 GbE or 100 GbE network adapter)
• Slot 7 (Onboard): PCIe 3.0 x8 (dedicated to an internal storage controller)

The ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes provide two- or four-port 10/25 GbE SFP28 or 100 GbE QSFP28, or one- or two-port 10/40 GbE QSFP+ network connectivity with the PCIe Ethernet adapters. Optionally, a LOM card can be selected to provide two- or four-port 1 GbE RJ-45, or 1/10 GbE RJ-45, or 10 GbE SFP+ external network connectivity to the cluster.

The following table lists the network adapters available for selection.

The following table lists cables for the 10 GbE and 1 GbE RJ-45 ports.

The following table lists transceivers and cables for the 10 GbE SFP+ ports.

* Not supported with the Mellanox QSFP+ to SFP+ adapter (00D9676).

The following table lists transceivers and cables for the 25 GbE SFP28 ports.

The following table lists active optical cable options for the 100 GbE QSFP28 ports.

For more information, see the list of Product Guides in the Ethernet Adapters category:
http://lenovopress.com/servers/options/ethernet#rt=product-guide

Configuration notes:

• Two power supplies are required per node.
• The power supplies support AC (Worldwide) and HVDC (China only) power sources.

The MX Certified Nodes ship with two customer-configured power cords. The following table lists the rack power cables and line cords that can be ordered for the MX Certified Nodes.

Configuration note: If the 1100 W AC power supplies in the MX Certified Node are connected to a low-voltage power source (100 - 125 V), the only supported power cables are those that are rated above 10 A; cables that are rated at 10 A are not supported.

The MX Certified Nodes ship with a rail kit shown in the following table.

The following table summarizes the rail kit features and specifications.

* If a 0U PDU is used, the rack cabinet must be at least 1100 mm (43.31 in.) deep.
^ Measured when mounted on the rack, from the front surface of the front mounting flange to the rear most point of the rail.

The ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes support the Windows Server 2016 or 2019 Datacenter edition with Microsoft Storage Spaces Direct (S2D). Windows Server Datacenter is installed on the 2x 480 GB internal M.2 SSDs configured in a RAID-1 drive group.

Customers can use the existing Windows Server 2016 or 2019 Datacenter software licenses, or they can purchase new software licenses from Lenovo or Microsoft. If the licenses are purchased from Lenovo, Windows Server 2019 can be factory-installed or shipped in the box with the certified node for the installation at the customer site.

The following table lists the Windows Server software options that are available for selection from Lenovo.

Configuration notes:

• The selection of Windows Server software licenses is optional.
• The quantity of core-based licenses should be sufficient to cover all processor cores in the certified node.

The ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes support the following systems management tools:

• Lenovo XClarity Controller
• Light path diagnostics
• Lenovo XClarity Administrator and XClarity Pro
• Lenovo XClarity Integrator for Microsoft Admin Center
• Lenovo XClarity Integrator for Microsoft System Center
• Lenovo XClarity Energy Manager

Lenovo XClarity Controller

The ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes contain Lenovo XClarity Controller (XCC) Enterprise, which provides advanced service-processor control, monitoring, and alerting functions.

XClarity Controller Enterprise offers the following capabilities for the MX Certified Nodes:

• Gathering and viewing system information and inventory
• Monitoring system status and health
• Alerting and notifications
• Event logging
• Syslog alerting
• Configuring security
• Updating system firmware
• Real-time power usage monitoring
• Displaying graphics for real-time and historical power usage data and temperature
• Capping power usage
• Remotely controlling power (Power on, Power off, Restart)

Virtual Operator Panel provides quick access to system status, firmware, network, health, and alerts information. With proper authentication, it also allows to configure systems management and network settings and to control system power (Power on, Power off, Restart). The Virtual Operator Panel can be accessed from the XClarity Mobile App running on the Android or iOS mobile device that is connected to the front USB port with XClarity Controller access (See Components and connectors).

Lenovo XClarity Administrator and XClarity Pro

Lenovo XClarity Administrator is a centralized systems management solution that helps administrators deliver infrastructure faster. This solution integrates easily with Lenovo x86 servers, ThinkAgile MX certified nodes, RackSwitch switches, and DS Series storage, providing automated agent-less discovery, monitoring, firmware updates, and configuration management across multiple systems.

Lenovo XClarity Administrator is an optional software component for managing ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes which can be downloaded and used at no charge to discover and monitor the nodes and manage firmware upgrades for them.

If software support is required for XClarity Administrator and XClarity Integrator for System Center, Lenovo XClarity Pro software subscription should be ordered. Lenovo XClarity Pro is licensed on a per managed system basis, that is, each managed Lenovo system requires a license.

The following table lists the Lenovo XClarity Pro license options available for selection.

Lenovo XClarity Integrator for Microsoft Admin Center

Lenovo XClarity Integrator for Microsoft Admin Center is a software plug-in module for Lenovo XClarity Administrator that provides customers a smooth and seamless management experience across Windows Server hyperconverged and physical infrastructure in a single unified user interface.

Lenovo XClarity Integrator for Admin Center offers the following features:

• Monitoring health status of cluster hardware and generating alerts
• Collecting inventory, including available firmware updates
• Managing firmware updates for nodes and clusters
• Performing remote management, including remote power on/off and remote control.

Lenovo XClarity Integrator for Admin Center can be downloaded and used at no charge. For more information, refer to the Lenovo XClarity Integrator for Microsoft System Center web page:
http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht507549

Lenovo XClarity Integrator for Microsoft System Center

Lenovo XClarity Integrator for Microsoft System Center is a software plug-in module for Lenovo XClarity Administrator that allows customers to integrate the management features of the Lenovo x86 servers, appliances, and certified nodes with Microsoft System Center.

Lenovo XClarity Integrator for System Center offers the following features:

• Ability to discover, manage, and monitor Lenovo node hardware from the virtualization management tool
• Deployment of firmware updates and configuration patterns to MX Certified Nodes from the virtualization management tool
• Non-disruptive node maintenance in clustered environments that reduces workload downtime by dynamically migrating workloads from affected hosts during rolling node updates or reboots
• Greater service level uptime and assurance in clustered environments during unplanned hardware events by dynamically triggering workload migration from impacted hosts when impending hardware failures are predicted

Lenovo XClarity Integrator for System Center can be downloaded and used at no charge. For more information, refer to the Lenovo XClarity Integrator for Microsoft System Center web page:
http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/lnvo-msuim

Lenovo XClarity Energy Manager is an optional software component for MX Certified Nodes that is licensed on a per managed node basis, that is, each managed system requires a license. The 1-node Energy Manager license is included in the XClarity Controller Enterprise upgrade.

For more information, refer to the Lenovo XClarity Energy Manager web page:
http://datacentersupport.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/lnvo-lxem

The ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes have the following dimensions and weight (approximate):

• Height: 87 mm (3.4 in.)
• Width: 445 mm (17.5 in.)
• Depth: 720 mm (28.3 in.)
• Weight (maximum): 32 kg (70.5 lb)

The ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes comply with ASHRAE class A2 specifications. The node performance might be impacted when the operating temperature is outside the ASHRAE A2 specifications.

The ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes are supported in the following environment:

• Air temperature:
  • Operating: ASHRAE Class A2: 10 °C - 35 °C (50 °F - 95 °F); for altitudes above 900 m (2,953 ft), decrease the maximum ambient temperature by 1 °C for every 300-m (984-ft) increase in altitude
  • Non-operating: 5 °C - 45 °C (41 °F - 113 °F)
  • Storage: -40 °C - +60 °C (-40 °F - 140 °F)
• Maximum altitude: 3,050 m (10,000 ft)
• Humidity:
  • Operating: ASHRAE Class A2: 8% - 80% (non-condensing); maximum dew point: 21 °C (70 °F)
  • Storage: 8% - 90% (non-condensing)
• Electrical:
  • 100 - 127 (nominal) V AC; 50 Hz / 60 Hz
  • 200 - 240 (nominal) V AC; 50 Hz / 60 Hz
  • 180 - 300 V DC (supported in China only)
• Acoustics (maximum configuration, operating): 6.2 bels
• Vibration:
  • Operating: 0.21 G rms at 5 Hz to 500 Hz for 15 minutes across 3 axes
  • Non-operating: 1.04 G rms at 2 Hz to 200 Hz for 15 minutes across 6 surfaces
• Shock:
  • Operating: 15 G for 3 milliseconds in each direction (positive and negative X, Y, and Z axes)
  • Non-operating:
    • 12 kg - 22 kg: 50 G for 152 in./sec velocity change across 6 surfaces
    • 23 kg - 31 kg: 35 G for 152 in./sec velocity change across 6 surfaces

The following table lists the maximum system power load, rated inlet current, and system heat output based on the power supply and source voltage.

The ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes conform to the following regulations:

• United States FCC Part 15, Class A
• Canada ICES-003/NMB-03, Class A
• UL/CSA 60950-1
• Mexico NOM-019
• Argentina IEC60950-1
• Japan VCCI, Class A
• Australia/New Zealand AS/NZS CISPR 22, Class A
• China CCC GB4943.1, GB9254 Class A, GB17625.1
• Taiwan BSMI CNS13438, Class A; CNS14336-1
• Korea KN22, Class A; KN24
• Russia/GOST ME01; IEC-60950-1; GOST R 51318.22, 51318.24, 51317.3.2, and 51317.3.3
• IEC 60950-1 (CB Certificate and CB Test Report)
• Europe CE Mark (EN55022 Class A, EN60950-1, EN55024, EN61000-3-2, EN61000-3-3)
• CISPR 22, Class A
• Germany TUV-GS (EN60950-1/IEC60950-1, EK1-ITB2000)
• Reduction of Hazardous Substances (ROHS)
• Energy Star 3.0

The ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes can be configured with a three-, four-, or five-year hardware warranty and various levels of service coverage with a well-defined scope of services, including service hours, response time, term of service, and service agreement terms and conditions.

The base warranty provides 9x5 Next Business Day response with parts delivered. Lenovo’s additional support services provide a sophisticated, unified support structure for a customer's data center, with an experience consistently ranked number one in customer satisfaction worldwide.

The following Lenovo support services are available for selection:

• Warranty service level upgrades (Preconfigured Support) are available to meet the on-site response time targets that match the criticality of customer's systems:
  • 3, 4, or 5 years of service coverage.
  • 1-year or 2-year post-warranty extensions.
  • Foundation Service: 9x5 service coverage with next business day onsite response, with optional YourDrive YourData.
  • Essential Service: 24x7 service coverage with 4-hour onsite response or 24-hour committed repair (available only in select regions), bundled with YourDrive YourData.
  • Advanced Service: 24x7 service coverage with 2-hour onsite response or 6-hour committed repair (available only in select regions), bundled with YourDrive YourData.
• Managed Services

  Lenovo Managed Services provide continuous 24x7 remote monitoring (plus 24x7 call center availability) and proactive management of a customer's data center using state of the art tools, systems, and practices by a team of highly skilled and experienced Lenovo services professionals.

  Quarterly reviews check error logs, verify firmware and operating system device driver levels, and software as needed. Lenovo will also maintain records of latest patches, critical updates, and firmware levels, to ensure customer's systems are providing business value through optimized performance.

• Technical Account Management (TAM)

  A Lenovo Technical Account Manager helps customers optimize operations of their data centers based on a deep understanding of customer's business. Customers gain direct access to a Lenovo TAM, who serves as their single point of contact to expedite service requests, provide status updates, and furnish reports to track incidents over time. Also, a TAM helps proactively make service recommendations and manage service relationship with Lenovo to make certain that customer's needs are met.

• Enterprise Software Support

  Lenovo Enterprise Software Support is an additional support service that provides customers with software support on Microsoft, Red Hat, SUSE, and VMWare applications and systems. Around the clock availability for critical problems plus unlimited calls and incidents helps customers address challenges fast, without incremental costs. Support staff can answer troubleshooting and diagnostic questions, address product compatibility and interoperability issues, isolate causes of problems, report defects to software vendors, and more.

• YourDrive YourData

  Lenovo’s YourDrive YourData service is a multi-drive retention offering that ensures that customer's data is always under their control, regardless of the number of drives that are installed in their Lenovo server. In the unlikely event of a drive failure, customers retain possession of their drive while Lenovo replaces the failed drive part. Customer's data stays safely on customer premises, in their hands. The YourDrive YourData service can be purchased in convenient bundles with Foundation, Essential, or Advanced services.

• Health Check

  Having a trusted partner who can perform regular and detailed health checks is central to maintaining efficiency and ensuring that customer systems and business are always running at their best. Health Check supports Lenovo-branded server, storage, and networking devices, as well as select Lenovo-supported products from other vendors that are sold by Lenovo or a Lenovo-Authorized Reseller.

Some regions might have different warranty terms and conditions than the standard warranty. This is due to local business practices or laws in the specific region. Local service teams can assist in explaining region-specific terms when needed. Examples of region-specific warranty terms are second or longer business day parts delivery or parts-only base warranty.

If warranty terms and conditions include onsite labor for repair or replacement of parts, Lenovo will dispatch a service technician to the customer site to perform the replacement. Onsite labor under base warranty is limited to labor for replacement of parts that have been determined to be field-replaceable units (FRUs). Parts that are determined to be customer-replaceable units (CRUs) do not include onsite labor under base warranty.

If warranty terms include parts-only base warranty, Lenovo is responsible for delivering only replacement parts that are under base warranty (including FRUs) that will be sent to a requested location for self-service. Parts-only service does not include a service technician being dispatched onsite. Parts must be changed at customer’s own cost and labor and defective parts must be returned following the instructions supplied with the spare parts.

Lenovo support services are region-specific. Not all support services are available in every region. For information about Lenovo support services that are available in a specific region, refer to the following resources:

• Service part numbers in Data Center Solution Configurator (DCSC):
  http://dcsc.lenovo.com/#/services
• Lenovo Services Availability Locator
  https://lenovolocator.com/

The following table lists the Ethernet LAN switches that are offered by Lenovo that can be used with the ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes.

For more information, see the list of Product Guides in the Top-of-rack Switches category:
http://lenovopress.com/servers/options/switches#rt=product-guide

The following table lists the rack cabinets that are offered by Lenovo that can be used with the ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes.

For more information, see the list of Product Guides in the Rack Cabinets category:
http://lenovopress.com/servers/options/racks#rt=product-guide

The following table lists the power distribution units (PDUs) that are offered by Lenovo that can be used with the ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes.

For more information, see the list of Product Guides in the Power Distribution Units category:
http://lenovopress.com/servers/options/pdu#rt=product-guide

The following table list the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units that are currently offered by Lenovo that can be used with the ThinkAgile MX Certified Nodes.

For more information, see the list of Product Guides in the Uninterruptible Power Supply Units category:
http://lenovopress.com/servers/options/ups#rt=product-guide

Lenovo Financial Services reinforces Lenovo’s commitment to deliver pioneering products and services that are recognized for their quality, excellence, and trustworthiness. Lenovo Financial Services offers financing solutions and services that complement your technology solution anywhere in the world.

We are dedicated to delivering a positive finance experience for customers like you who want to maximize your purchase power by obtaining the technology you need today, protect against technology obsolescence, and preserve your capital for other uses.

We work with businesses, non-profit organizations, governments and educational institutions to finance their entire technology solution. We focus on making it easy to do business with us. Our highly experienced team of finance professionals operates in a work culture that emphasizes the importance of providing outstanding customer service. Our systems, processes and flexible policies support our goal of providing customers with a positive experience.

We finance your entire solution. Unlike others, we allow you to bundle everything you need from hardware and software to service contracts, installation costs, training fees, and sales tax. If you decide weeks or months later to add to your solution, we can consolidate everything into a single invoice.

Our Premier Client services provide large accounts with special handling services to ensure these complex transactions are serviced properly. As a premier client, you have a dedicated finance specialist who manages your account through its life, from first invoice through asset return or purchase. This specialist develops an in-depth understanding of your invoice and payment requirements. For you, this dedication provides a high-quality, easy, and positive financing experience.

For your region specific offers please ask your Lenovo sales representative or your technology provider about the use of Lenovo Financial Services. For more information, see the following Lenovo website:
http://www.lenovo.com/us/en/landingpage/lenovo-financial-services

For more information, see these resources:

• Lenovo ThinkAgile MX Certified Node product page
  http://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/WMD00000377
• Microsoft Azure Stack HCI documentation
  http://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure-stack/hci/overview
• Lenovo Data Center Solution Configurator (DCSC):
  http://dcsc.lenovo.com
• Lenovo ThinkAgile MX for Microsoft Azure Stack HCI Best Recipes
  http://datacentersupport.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht507406