IBM eX5 Portfolio Overview: IBM System x3850 X5, x3950 X5, x3690 X5, and BladeCenter HX5

High-end workloads drive ever-increasing and ever-changing constraints. In addition to requiring greater memory capacity, these workloads challenge you to do more with less and to find new ways to simplify deployment and ownership. Although higher system availability and comprehensive systems management have always been critical, they have become even more important in recent years.

Difficult challenges such as these create new opportunities for innovation. The IBM® eX5 portfolio delivers this innovation. This portfolio of high-end computing introduces the fifth generation of IBM X-Architecture® technology. The X5 portfolio is the culmination of more than a decade of x86 innovation and firsts that have changed the expectations of the industry. With this latest generation, eX5 is again leading the way as the shift toward virtualization, platform management, and energy efficiency accelerates.

This IBM Redpaper™ publication introduces the new IBM eX5 portfolio and describes the technical detail behind each server. This document is intended for potential users of eX5 products that are seeking more information about the portfolio.

May 2013 update: MAX5 V1 for x3850 X5 and x3690 X5 comes standard with one power supply; 2nd power supply is optional. MAX5 V2 has both power supplies standard.

Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. IBM eX5 technology
Chapter 3. IBM System x3850 X5 and x3950 X5
Chapter 4. IBM System x3690 X5
Chapter 5. IBM BladeCenter HX5
Chapter 6. Systems management

Related product families

Product families related to this document are the following:

• 4-Socket Rack Servers
• Blade Servers
• Mission Critical Servers