Lenovo ThinkAgile VX655 V3 2U Certified Node (AMD EPYC 9004)

The Lenovo ThinkAgile VX655 V3 Certified Node is a 1-socket 2U systems that features the AMD EPYC 9004 Series "Genoa" family of processors. With up to 96 cores per processor and support for the new PCIe 5.0 standard for I/O, the VX systems offer the ultimate in one-socket performance in a 2U form factor. VMware offers a unique, software-defined approach to hyper convergence, leveraging the hypervisor to deliver compute, storage, networking and management in a tightly integrated software stack.

Suggested uses: Inference, virtualization, VDI, HPC, Hyperconverged infrastructure

Figure 1. Lenovo ThinkAgile VX with 2.5-inch drive bays

ThinkAgile features

The ThinkAgile VX655 V3 Certified Node offers the following key features:

• Factory-integrated, pre-configured certified node built on proven and reliable Lenovo ThinkSystem servers that provide compute power for a variety of workloads and applications and powered by industry-leading hyperconverged infrastructure software from VMware.
• Provides a quick and convenient path to implement a hyperconverged solution powered by VMware vSAN with "one stop shop" and a single point of contact provided by Lenovo for purchasing, deploying, and supporting the solution.
• Meet various workload demands with cost-efficient hybrid or performance-optimized all-flash storage configurations.
• Deliver fully validated  hardware and firmware that is certified with VMware software.
• Lenovo ThinkAgile Premier Support for quick 24/7 problem reporting and resolution.
• Optional Lenovo deployment services to get customers up and running quickly.

The VMware software running on ThinkAgile VX655 V3 Certified Node 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.
• Advanced capacity management, including deduplication, compression, and erasure coding (RAID 5/6), which helps deliver greater storage utilization with dramatically lower storage capacity and costs.
• Automation of VM storage provisioning and control of storage service levels (capacity, performance, availability) with VM-centric policies to load balance storage resources.
• Native HCI security solution with two-factor authentication (SecurID and CAC) and data-at-rest encryption that does not require self-encrypting drives (SEDs).
• Stretched cluster with local and site failure protection between two geographically dispersed sites for higher level of availability with near zero downtime.
• Centralized management with provisioning, administering, and monitoring virtual resources across multiple hosts and clusters from a centralized interface.
• Rapid workload provisioning, simplified data center operations, increased business efficiency, and decreased CAPEX and OPEX costs.
• VM and data protection with agent-less, image-level virtual machine backups and application-aware protection for business-critical Microsoft applications (Exchange, SQL Server, SharePoint) along with WAN-efficient, encrypted backup data replication.
• Reduced unplanned downtime and virtually eliminated planned downtime for server and storage maintenance with live workload migration, high availability, and fault tolerance.
• Enhanced application performance and availability with resource management, load balancing, and access prioritization.
• Intelligent operations management and automation to proactively monitor and manage compute, storage, and networking resources, identify performance bottlenecks, and re-balance workloads by leveraging predictive analytics.
• Capacity planning and optimization guidance to address future needs with performance trends, projections and extended forecasts.
• Managing remote offices and branch offices with rapid provisioning of servers through virtualization, minimization of host configuration drift, and enhanced visibility into regulatory compliance, across multiple sites.

Hardware features

The VX655 V3 are based on the SR655 V3 and have the following hardware features

Scalability and performance

The VX655 V3 offer numerous features to boost performance, improve scalability and reduce costs: 

• Supports the AMD EPYC 9004 family of processors
• Supports processors with up to 96 cores and 192 threads, core speeds of up to 3.6 GHz, and TDP ratings of up to 360W.
• Support for up to 12 TruDDR5 memory DIMMs with one processor. With 1 DIMM installed per channel (12 DIMMs total), memory operates at 4800 MHz. 
• Using 128GB 3DS RDIMMs, the server supports up to 1.5TB of system memory.
• Supports up to eight single-width GPUs, each up to 75W for substantial processing power in a 2U system.
• Supports up to 40x 2.5-inch hot-swap drive bays, by using combinations of front-accessible (up to 24 bays) and rear-accessible (8 bays).
• Supports 20x 3.5-inch drive bays for lower-cost high-capacity HDD storage. 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch drive bays can be mixed if desired.
• Supports 16x NVMe drives without oversubscription of PCIe lanes (1:1 connectivity) or up to 32 NVMe drives with a 1:2 oversubscription. The use of NVMe drives maximizes drive I/O performance, in terms of throughput, bandwidth, and latency.
• Supports up to two externally accessible 7mm hot-swap drives with RAID functionality for operating system boot functions
• Supports M.2 drives for convenient operating system boot functions. Available M.2 adapters support either one M.2 drive or two M.2 drives in a RAID 1 configuration for performance and reliability.
• The server has a dedicated industry-standard OCP 3.0 small form factor (SFF) slot, with a PCIe 5.0 x16 interface, supporting a variety of Ethernet network adapters. Simple-swap mechanism with thumbscrews and pull-tab enables tool-less installation and removal of the adapter. Supports shared BMC network sideband connectivity to enable out-of-band systems management.
• The server offers PCI Express 4.0 I/O expansion capabilities that doubles the theoretical maximum bandwidth of PCIe 3.0 (16GT/s in each direction for PCIe 4.0, compared to 8 GT/s with PCIe 3.0). A PCIe 4.0 x16 slot provides 64 GB/s bandwidth, enough to support a 200GbE network connection.
• Up to eight PCIe 5.0 slots, all with rear access, plus an internal bay for a cabled HBA, plus a slot dedicated to the OCP adapter.

Availability and serviceability

The VX655 V3 provide many features to simplify serviceability and increase system uptime:

• The server uses ECC memory and supports memory RAS features including Single Device Data Correction (SDDC, also known as Chipkill), Patrol/Demand Scrubbing, Bounded Fault, DRAM Address Command Parity with Replay, DRAM Uncorrected ECC Error Retry, On-die ECC, ECC Error Check and Scrub (ECS), and Post Package Repair.
• The server offers hot-swap drives for greater system uptime.
• The server has up to two hot-swap redundant power supplies and up to six hot-swap redundant fans to provide availability for business-critical applications.
• Optional front-accessible slots and drives so that most major components and cables (except power) are located at the front of the server.
• The power-source-independent light path diagnostics uses LEDs to lead the technician to failed (or failing) components, which simplifies servicing, speeds up problem resolution, and helps improve system availability.
• Solid-state drives (SSDs) offer more reliability than traditional mechanical HDDs for greater uptime.
• Proactive Platform Alerts (including PFA and SMART alerts): Processors, voltage regulators, memory, internal storage (SAS/SATA HDDs and SSDs, NVMe SSDs, M.2 storage, flash storage adapters), fans, power supplies, RAID controllers, server ambient and subcomponent temperatures. Alerts can be surfaced through the XClarity Controller to managers such as Lenovo XClarity Administrator and VMware vCenter. These proactive alerts let you take appropriate actions in advance of possible failure, thereby increasing server uptime and application availability.
• The built-in XClarity Controller 2 continuously monitors system parameters, triggers alerts, and performs recovery actions in case of failures to minimize downtime.
• Built-in diagnostics in UEFI, using Lenovo XClarity Provisioning Manager, speed up troubleshooting tasks to reduce service time.
• Lenovo XClarity Provisioning Manager supports diagnostics and can save service data to a USB key drive or remote CIFS share folder for troubleshooting and reduce service time.
• Auto restart in the event of a momentary loss of AC power (based on power policy setting in the XClarity Controller service processor)
• Offers a diagnostics port on the front of the server to allow you to attach an external diagnostics handset for enhanced systems management capabilities.
• Support for the XClarity Administrator Mobile app running on a supported smartphone and connected to the server through the service-enabled USB port, enables additional local systems management functions.
• Three-year or one-year customer-replaceable unit and onsite limited warranty, 9 x 5 next business day. Optional service upgrades are available.

Manageability and security

Systems management features simplify local and remote management of the VX655 V3:

• The server includes an XClarity Controller 2 (XCC2) to monitor server availability. Optional upgrade to XCC Platinum to provide remote control (keyboard video mouse) functions, support for the mounting of remote media files, FIPS 140-3 security, enhanced NIST 800-193 support, boot capture, power capping, and other management and security features.
• Lenovo XClarity Administrator offers comprehensive hardware management tools that help to increase uptime, reduce costs and improve productivity through advanced server management capabilities.
• UEFI-based Lenovo XClarity Provisioning Manager, accessible from F1 during boot, provides system inventory information, graphical UEFI Setup, platform update function, RAID Setup wizard, operating system installation function, and diagnostic functions.
• Support for Lenovo XClarity Energy Manager which captures real-time power and temperature data from the server and provides automated controls to lower energy costs.
• An integrated industry-standard Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) enables improved setup, configuration, and updates, and simplifies error handling.
• Support for industry standard management protocols, IPMI 2.0, SNMP 3.0, Redfish REST API, serial console via IPMI
• An integrated hardware Trusted Platform Module (TPM) supporting TPM 2.0 enables advanced cryptographic functionality, such as digital signatures and remote attestation.
• Administrator and power-on passwords help protect from unauthorized access to the server.
• Supports AMD Secure Root-of-Trust, Secure Run and Secure Move features to minimize potential attacks and protect data as the OS is booted, as applications are run and as applications are migrated from server to server.
• Supports Secure Boot to ensure only a digitally signed operating system can be used.
• Industry-standard Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) NI support for faster, stronger encryption.
• Additional physical security features are a chassis intrusion switch and a lockable front bezel.

Energy efficiency

The VX655 V3 offer the following energy-efficiency features to save energy, reduce operational costs, and increase energy availability:

• Energy-efficient planar components help lower operational costs.
• Carbon offset is available at click of button. You can project the carbon emissions per device for an average lifecycle (up to 5 years). That information is available here
• High-efficiency power supplies with 80 PLUS Platinum and Titanium certifications
• Low-voltage 1.1 V DDR5 memory offers energy savings compared to 1.2 V DDR4 DIMMs, an approximately 20% decrease in power consumption
• Solid-state drives (SSDs) consume as much as 80% less power than traditional spinning 2.5-inch HDDs.
• The server uses hexagonal ventilation holes, which can be grouped more densely than round holes, providing more efficient airflow through the system and thus keeping your system cooler.
• Optional Lenovo XClarity Energy Manager provides advanced data center power notification and analysis to help achieve lower heat output and reduced cooling needs.

The ThinkAgile VX655 V3 Certified Node are based on the ThinkSystem SR655 V3 server.

The following table provides an overview of the the VX systems.

The following table lists the standard specifications.

Factory-integrated models of the integrated systems and certified nodes are configured by using the Lenovo Data Center Solution Configurator (DCSC), http://dcsc.lenovo.com

To ensure that the controlled GPUs and accelerators are only sold in the supported markets, the following configure-to-order base machine-type models (CTO MTMs) are selectable in DCSC:

• Standard Open models are available in all markets worldwide. Controlled GPUs cannot be configured using these models. These are CTO1WW models.
• GPU Controlled models are used to order any of the controlled GPUs and accelerators. Controlled models are not available in affected markets. If you start from a controlled model, your configuration must include a controlled GPUs.

The following table lists the base CTO models.

Models of the VX systems are defined based on whether the systems have 2.5-inch drive bays at the front (called the 2.5-inch chassis) or whether they have 3.5-inch drive bays at the front (called the 3.5-inch chassis). For models, the feature codes for these chassis bases are as listed in the following table.

The ThinkAgile VX655 V3 Certified Node are based on the ThinkSystem SR655 V3 server, however there are key differences between the base model and the Certified Node:

• No onboard SATA controller support
• No SATA HDDs
• Fibre Channel support for data migration only
• InfiniBand adapters only support the Ethernet function
• Drives are categorized as Cache or Capacity drives and are formed as disk groups for OSA (Original Storage Architecture)and support up to 5 disk groups.

For details about the ThinkSystem SR655 V3, see the SR655 V3 product guide:
https://lenovopress.com/lp1610-thinksystem-sr655-v3-server

To verify what specific hardware components are supported with the VX655 V3, see the DCSC configurator:
https://dcsc.lenovo.com

The VX655 V3 systems support the following third-generation AMD EPYC processors.

For details about the ThinkSystem SR655 V3, see the SR655 V3 product guide:
https://lenovopress.com/lp1610-thinksystem-sr655-v3-server#processor-options

The VX655 V3 systems support the following memory options.

For details about the ThinkSystem SR655 V3, see the SR655 V3 product guide:
https://lenovopress.com/lp1610-thinksystem-sr655-v3-server#memory-options

Internal storage configurations of the VX655 V3 are as follows. All drives are hot-swap and are accessible from the front or rear of the system, or from the internals of the server with the cover removed (where mid drives are supported)

• VX655 V3 Certified Node:
  • Front drive bays:
    • Up to 24x 2.5-inch SAS/SATA or NVMe or 8x 2.5-inch Anybay
    • Up to 12x 3.5-inch SAS/SATA or Anybay
  • Mid drive bays:
    • Up to 8x 2.5-inch SAS/SATA or NVMe
    • Up to 4x 3.5-inch SAS/SATA
  • Rear drive bays:
    • Up to 8x 2.5-inch SAS/SATA
    • Up to 4x 2.5-inch Anybay
    • Up to 4x 3.5-inch SAS/SATA
    • Up to 2x (7mm) SATA/NVME

Specific choices of drive backplane are listed in the table below.

For details about these options, including configuration rules, see the SR655 V3 product guide:
https://lenovopress.com/lp1610-thinksystem-sr655-v3-server#internal-storage

For OS boot functions, the systems also support one or two 7mm hot-swap drives at the rear of the server, or one or two M.2 drives installed on an adapter internal to the server. The following table lists the supported controllers/enablement kits for M.2 boot drives.

For details about these options, including configuration rules, see the SR655 V3 product guide:
https://lenovopress.com/lp1610-thinksystem-sr655-v3-server#internal-storage

Configuration notes:

• If RAID support is not required, the M.2 adapter connects to an onboard port. No additional adapter is required
• The support of RAID-1 with the M.2 drives requires an additional RAID adapter that is installed in PCIe slot 2 or slot 3:
  • RAID support for 7MM/M.2 SATA drives requires a RAID 5350-8i adapter (feature BT7N) for Boot only
  • RAID support for 7MM/M.2 NVMe or SATA drives requires a RAID 540-8i adapter  (feature BT7P) for Boot Only
• The RAID adapter used for M.2 drive support cannot be configured for use with other drive bays for VSAN data

The following table lists the supported Disk Groups for each VX system.

The VX655 V3 systems support the following storage controller options.

For details about these components, including configuration rules, see the SR655 V3 product guide:
https://lenovopress.com/lp1610-thinksystem-sr655-v3-server#controllers-for-internal-storage

* Note: The use of PCIe Switch requires an addition cert. Will approve with CORE.

This section lists the supported drives:

• Boot drives
• Internal drives for VX655 V3 CN

Configuration Note:

• VMware will no longer support higher capacity hard drives greater than 8TB
• Express Storage Architecture (ESA) supports a minimum of 2 drives and a maximum of 24 drives.  Please reference the vSAN ESA ReadyNode Hardware Guidance for additional requirements.
• VMware vSAN certification for Generic NVMe drives: The drives are listed in the VMware Compatibility Guide (VCG) under the drive vendor company name instead of Lenovo. To check a drive for vSAN certification, search the VCG using the Supplier part number. Part numbers can be found using the Product Guide for the corresponding Drive Family on Lenovo Press https://lenovopress.lenovo.com/servers/options/drives#sort=last_update. 

Boot drives

The following table lists the supported 7mm and M.2 drives suitable for OS boot functions.

Internal drives for VX655 V3 CN

The following table lists the drives support in the VX655 V3 CN. For both All Flash Storage and Hybrid Storage configurations, drives are classified as either Cache drives, Capacity drives, or both.

Configuration Note:

• Maximum drive quantities depend on Disk Group configurations.
• Drive configurations over 32 require CORE.
• VMware will no longer support higher capacity drives greater than 8TB

Note: VX servers utilize generic drives and Firmware. VCG support will be listed under the drive vendor instead of Lenovo. Please check Lenovo Press for the Drive family to obtain Supplier PN if checking the VCG for compliance

The VX655 V3 systems support the following networking options.

For details about these options, including configuration rules, see the SR655 V3 product guide:
https://lenovopress.com/lp1610-thinksystem-sr655-v3-server##i-o-expansion
https://lenovopress.com/lp1610-thinksystem-sr655-v3-server#network-adapters

The VX655 V3 systems support the following GPU options.

For details about these options, including configuration rules, see the SR655 V3 product guide:
https://lenovopress.com/lp1610-thinksystem-sr655-v3-server#gpu-adapters

The ThinkAgile VX655 V3 IS supports the following operating systems:

Server: ThinkAgile VX655 V3 IS (7D9W, EPYC 9004)

• VMware ESXi 7.0 U3
• VMware ESXi 8

The ThinkAgile VX655 V3 CN supports the following operating systems:

Server: ThinkAgile VX655 V3 CN (7D9W, EPYC 9004)

• VMware ESXi 7.0 U3
• VMware ESXi 8

Configuration Note:

VMware vSAN certification for Generic NVMe drives: The drives are listed in the VMware Compatibility Guide (VCG) under the drive vendor company name instead of Lenovo. To check a drive for vSAN certification, search the VCG using the Supplier part number. Part numbers can be found using the Product Guide for the corresponding Drive Family on Lenovo Press https://lenovopress.lenovo.com/servers/options/drives#sort=last_update. 

For further details, including any restrictions, see the OS Interoperability Guide:
https://lenovopress.com/osig#term=vx%2520amd%25202u%25202s&support=all

VMware vSAN, vSphere, and vCenter Server software are required for ThinkAgile VX Series Integrated Systems and Certified Nodes. For Integrated Systems, you are required to purchase VMware vSAN licenses for VX Series from Lenovo. Customers have the option to transfer the license after it has initially landed on Lenovo VX Integrated System. For Certified Nodes, you can purchase the vSAN licenses from Lenovo or from VMware, or you can use your existing licenses. For vSphere and vCenter Server, you can use the existing VMware software licenses and active support contracts, or you can purchase software licenses and support from Lenovo or VMware.

Lenovo offers the following VMware software license and support options for ThinkAgile VX Series systems:

• VMware vSAN License and Subscription
• VMware vSphere License and Subscription
• VMware HCI Kit License and Subscription
• VMware Horizon License and Subscription
• VMware Cloud Foundation License and Subscription
• VMware vCenter Server License and Subscription

For details and ordering information, see the VMware Software Solution Product Guide:
https://lenovopress.com/lp1265-vmware-software-solution-product-guide

Configuration notes:

• The selection of vSAN licenses is required: Standalone licenses, HCI bundle licenses, VDI solution licenses, or VCF licenses.
• VMware software licenses that are available for selection include 1-year, 3-year, or 5-year software support (matches the duration of the selected solution-level warranty period).
• The quantity of processor-based licenses is derived by the configuration tool based on the number of processors selected.
• The quantity of VM-based licenses is specified based on VM requirements.
• The quantity of CCU-based licenses is specified based on the concurrent user requirements.

ThinkAgile VX Deployer Tool

The ThinkAgile VX Deployer tool is a web-based UI used to simplify and automate the deployment of Lenovo ThinkAgile VX systems within VMware vSAN clusters. The ThinkAgile VX Deployer tool can install and configure the following software:

VMware ESXi

VMware ESXi is a bare-metal hypervisor that the ThinkAgile VX Deployer tool installs on the hardware of each host in the cluster. ESXi translates requests between the physical and virtual resources, making virtualization possible.

VMware vCenter Server

VMware vCenter Server is a management console that provides a centralized platform for controlling VMware vSphere environments. One service that runs in VMware vCenter Server is VMware vLCM, which provides centralized and simplified management to install software, maintain that software through updates and upgrades, and decommission it.

Lenovo® XClarity Integrator

Lenovo XClarity Integrator is the hardware support manager (HSM) used by vCenter for firmware upgrades. Lenovo XClarity Integrator fully integrates with VMware vLCM to give the VMware vCenter Server software visibility into Lenovo hardware. The interface for the ThinkAgile VX Deployer tool is a straightforward web-based installation wizard with three top-level options:

• Install a new cluster (using the wizard).
• Add nodes to an existing cluster (using the wizard).
• Use a configuration file to install a new cluster or add nodes to an existing cluster.

Prowess testing included all three of these options, plus some key lifecycle-management features in VMware vCenter Server. To view the results of our testing please use the link https://www.lenovo.com/content/dam/lenovo/dcg/global/en/products/software-defined-infrastructure/Prowess_Measuring_the_Ease_of_Deployment_of_ThinkAgile_VX.pdf 

The VX655 V3 have a 3-year warranty based on the machine type:

• 7D9W - 3 year warranty

The ThinkAgile VX Series can be configured with a three- or five-year hardware warranty with 24x7 ThinkAgile Premier Support that provides Single Point of Support(Lenovo server hardware and VMware software; requires an active software support contract purchased either from VMware or Lenovo) and various levels of coverage with a well-defined scope of services, including service hours, response time, term of service, and service agreement terms and conditions.

The Lenovo local support centers perform problem determination and resolution for hardware-related issues and escalate to VMware, on behalf of the customer, for software-related problem determination. VMware will contact the customer and will own the software-related problem resolution until closure.

The standard warranty terms are customer-replaceable unit (CRU) and onsite (for field-replaceable units FRUs only) with standard call center support during normal business hours and 9x5 Next Business Day Parts Delivered.

Lenovo’s additional support services provide a sophisticated, unified support structure for your data center, with an experience consistently ranked number one in customer satisfaction worldwide. Available offerings include:

• Premier Support

  Premier Support provides a Lenovo-owned customer experience and delivers direct access to technicians skilled in hardware, software, and advanced troubleshooting, in addition to the following:

  • Direct technician-to-technician access through a dedicated phone line
  • 24x7x365 remote support
  • Single point of contact service
  • End to end case management
  • Third-party collaborative software support
  • Online case tools and live chat support
  • On-demand remote system analysis
• Warranty Upgrade (Preconfigured Support)

  Services are available to meet the on-site response time targets that match the criticality of your 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. YourDrive YourData is an optional extra (see below).
  • Essential Service: 24x7 service coverage with 4-hour onsite response or 24-hour committed repair (available only in select markets). Bundled with YourDrive YourData.
  • Advanced Service: 24x7 service coverage with 2-hour onsite response or 6-hour committed repair (available only in select markets). Bundled with YourDrive YourData.
• Managed Services

  Lenovo Managed Services provides continuous 24x7 remote monitoring (plus 24x7 call center availability) and proactive management of your 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 & OS device driver levels, and software as needed. We’ll also maintain records of latest patches, critical updates, and firmware levels, to ensure you systems are providing business value through optimized performance.

• Technical Account Management (TAM)

  A Lenovo Technical Account Manager helps you optimize the operation of your data center based on a deep understanding of your business. You gain direct access to your Lenovo TAM, who serves as your single point of contact to expedite service requests, provide status updates, and furnish reports to track incidents over time. In addition, your TAM will help proactively make service recommendations and manage your service relationship with Lenovo to make certain your needs are met.

• Enterprise Server Software Support

  Enterprise Software Support is an additional support service providing 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 comparability and interoperability issues, isolate causes of problems, report defects to software vendors, and more.

• YourDrive YourData

  Lenovo’s YourDrive YourData is a multi-drive retention offering that ensures your data is always under your control, regardless of the number of drives that are installed in your Lenovo server. In the unlikely event of a drive failure, you retain possession of your drive while Lenovo replaces the failed drive part. Your data stays safely on your premises, in your hands. The YourDrive YourData service can be purchased in convenient bundles and is optional with Foundation Service. It is bundled with Essential Service and Advanced Service.

• Health Check

  Having a trusted partner who can perform regular and detailed health checks is central to maintaining efficiency and ensuring that your 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.

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.

The ThinkAgile VX Series Integrated Systems (appliances) include one- (PRC only), three-, or five-year software support and subscription (matches the duration of the selected warranty period) that entitles customers to submit service requests to troubleshoot VMware software issues and receive code updates, including fixes, patches, and new software releases.

The Lenovo local support centers perform problem determination and resolution for hardware-related issues and escalate to VMware, on behalf of the customer, for software-related problem determination. VMware will contact the customer and will own the software-related problem resolution until closure.

For the VMware vSphere, vSAN, and vCenter Server software and subscription licenses purchased from Lenovo together with the ThinkAgile VX Series Integrated Systems, software support that is provided by VMware includes Production-level support with 24x7 phone and web coverage with the following target response times (priorities are defined by VMware based on the impact on productivity):

• Severity 1 (Critical: Substantial loss or disruption of service, significant risk of data loss): 30 minutes
• Severity 2 (Major: Operations are severely constrained, significant impact): 4 business hours
• Severity 3 (Minor: Non-critical loss of functionality, minimal impact): 8 business hours
• Severity 4 (Cosmetic: General questions): 12 business hours

For the VMware software and subscription licenses provided by the customer, software support that is provided by VMware is based on the support level included with these licenses.

For more information, refer to the Data Center Implementation Services web page:
https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/data-center/services/implementation-services/

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 more information, see these resources:

• Lenovo ThinkAgile VX Series
  https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/data-center/software-defined-infrastructure/ThinkAgile-VX-Series/p/WMD00000340
• ThinkAgile VX - Best Recipes
  http://datacentersupport.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/HT505302
• VMware documentation
  https://docs.vmware.com/
• ThinkSystem SR655 V3 product guide:
  https://lenovopress.com/lp1610-thinksystem-sr655-v3-server