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Abstract
The new Lenovo Removable Disk EXchange (RDX) USB 3.0 removable disk backup solution for Lenovo servers is designed to address your increasing capacity and backup requirements, and reliably and cost-effectively protect your business valuable assets, while alleviating the deployment and management complexity of traditional tape drives. It uses a rugged removable disk cartridge and docking station to provide an easy-to-use, highly secure, fast, and portable answer to your data protection concerns.
Change History
Changes in the July 21, 2023 update:
- Updated the server support of the RDX cartridges - Server support - ThinkSystem section
Introduction
The new Lenovo Removable Disk EXchange (RDX) USB 3.0 removable disk backup solution for Lenovo servers is designed to address your increasing capacity and backup requirements, and reliably and cost-effectively protect your business valuable assets, while alleviating the deployment and management complexity of traditional tape drives. It uses a rugged removable disk cartridge and dock to provide an easy-to-use, highly secure, fast, and portable answer to your data protection concerns.
Figure 1. Lenovo RDX USB 3.0 internal and external docks and disk cartridges
Did you know?
The Lenovo RDX solution provides all the benefits of disk, with fast, random access to data and drag-and-drop functionality, in addition to the historic portability and durability benefits of tape. Designed for portability and longevity, the rugged RDX cartridges are engineered to be durable so you can safely transport them off-site while providing the shelf life required for archival requirements.
RDX features high-capacity shock-resistant disk cartridges with up to 2.0 TB capacity, making your storage options extremely flexible. Each cartridge is ruggedized to withstand a drop from up to 0.9 meters (36 in.) without damage. The RDX USB 3.0 docking stations are offered in external stand-alone and internal 5.25-inch half-height units to seamlessly integrate into your Lenovo server environment. The USB interface ensures a simple installation while providing high performance, with sustained transfer rates of up to 96 MBps.
Part number information
The following table provides the ordering part numbers and feature codes for the RDX USB 3.0 backup options.
The component that is installed in or attached to the server is called the "dock" and the disk media that is inserted into the dock is called the "disk cartridge".
The internal dock part numbers include the following items:
- One internal dock to fit into a 5.25-inch HH bay
- USB cable and power cable
- One data cartridge (some part numbers - see the table)
- Cables for part numbers 00D2786, 00D2787, 00D2788, and 00D2785:
- 12.5-inch USB cable with type B-1x6 connector
- 1 meter USB cable with type B-A connector
- Cables for part number 4XF0F28769:
- 0.7m USB cable with USB type B connector
- Documentation and mounting hardware
The external dock part numbers include the following items:
- One external dock
- One cartridge (some part numbers; see the above tables)
- External USB 3 cable: 4XF0G88929 includes a 0.8m cable, all others include a 3.0m cable
- Documentation
Note: The external docks do not require an AC adapter. Power is supplied via the USB 3 cable.
The part numbers for the RDX cartridges include the following item:
- One cartridge
Features
The RDX USB 3.0 offerings have the following features:
- Affordable capacity: Up to 4.0 TB disk cartridges.
- Simplicity: With only the native OS, RDX provides random access to data and the convenience of drag-and-drop functionality through persistent drive letter access. It can also be addressed like traditional removable tape media, when used in conjunction with any of the supported backup applications.
- Flexibility: Internal and external RDX installation alternatives.
- Plug-and-Play connectivity: USB 3.0 interface for increased ease of use.
- Inexpensive performance: USB sustained transfer rate of up to 96 MBps.
- Portability and durability: RDX disk cartridges are shock-resistant, rugged, and removable for safely transporting offsite. Each is ruggedized to withstand a drop from up to 0.9 meters (36 in.) without damage.
- Investment protection: The carrier supports next generation capacities of cartridges.
- Effortless ordering: Internal and external single-cartridge bundles by capacity; additional cartridges can be ordered separately.
- Secure: Cartridges can be password protected and software encrypted for extra security.
Specifications
The RDX offerings have the following specifications:
- Up to 96 MBps native USB transfer rate
- Up to 4.0 TB native capacity
- Hot-plug capability
- 5.25-inch Internal form factor, convertible to 3.5-inch form factor in certain configurations
- External USB stand-alone offering or internal docks can be used with external enclosure
Server support - ThinkSystem
The following tables list the ThinkSystem servers that are compatible.
Server support - System x
The RDX Internal and External USB 3.0 Docks are supported in the servers listed in the following tables.
Note: The RDX Internal Dock is also supported installed in the IBM Multimedia Enclosure for Lenovo, as described in the Lenovo Press product guide, available from:
https://lenovopress.com/tips1306-multimedia-enclosure
Support for System x and dense servers with Intel Xeon v4 & v5 processors
Support for System x servers with Intel Xeon v3 processors
Support for System x servers with Intel Xeon v2 processors
Support for System x servers with Intel Xeon v1 processors
For the latest information about the devices supported by System x servers, see ServerProven:
http://www.lenovo.com/us/en/serverproven/xseries/storage/tmatrix.shtml
Server support - ThinkServer
The following tables show the ThinkServer systems that support the RDX offerings.
Support for ThinkServer Generation 5 servers
Support for ThinkServer Generation 4 servers
For ThinkServer compatibility, see the Lenovo ThinkServer Options Compatibility Matrix at:
http://www.lenovo.com/accessoriesguide
System x Internal installation
For System x servers, the RDX Internal USB 3.0 Dock can be installed internally in specific servers, as listed in the Supported Servers section. The following table lists the cable needed to connect the dock. In the case of the x3650 M4, an enablement kit is required. For all other servers, the dock is installed with only the addition of a USB cable.
* This USB cable is included with option part numbers 00D2786, 00D2787, 00D2788, and 00D2785
Physical specifications
RDX Internal USB 3.0 Dock:
- Height: 41 mm (1.6 in.)
- Width: 146 mm (5.75 in.)
- Depth: 172 mm (6.8 in.), including bezel
- Weight: 635 g (1.4 lb)
RDX USB 3.0 Dock (external):
- Height: 52 mm (2.0 in)
- Width: 110 mm (4.3 in)
- Depth: 177 mm (7.0 in), including bezel
- Weight: 540 g (1.2 lb)
RDX cartridge:
- Height: 24 mm (0.9 in.)
- Width: 87 mm (3.4 in.)
- Depth: 119 mm (4.7 in.)
- Weight: 173 g (0.4 lb)
Operating environment
The RDX USB 3.0 docks and cartridges are supported in this environment:
- Temperature:
- Operating: 10° to 40°C (50° to 104°F)
- Non-operating: -40° to 65°C (-40° to 149°F)
- Relative humidity:
- Operating: 20% to 80% (non-condensing)
- Non-operating: 10% to 90% (non-condensing)
Supported software products
The RDX USB 3.0 docks and cartridges support the following software products:
- NetVault Backup
- ARCServe Backup
- EMC Networker Backup and Recovery (does not support removable disk)
- Symantec Backup Exec
- IBM Tivoli Storage Manager
- Barracuda Yosemite Server Backup
Supported operating systems
The RDX USB 3.0 docks and cartridges support the following operating systems.
Tip: This table is automatically generated based on data from Lenovo ServerProven.
1 The OS is not supported with EPYC 7003 processors.
2 ISG will not sell/preload this OS, but compatibility and cert only.
Not supported in guest OSes: The RDX offerings are supported when attached and run from these host operating system, however, in virtualization environments (for example, Hyper-V, Xen, KVM), the RDX offerings are not supported in the guest operating systems.
Note: VMware ESXi 4.x and 5.x are not supported as per RETAIN tip H206360:
http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-5091279
For the latest information about the specific versions and service packs supported, see ServerProven:
http://www.lenovo.com/us/en/serverproven/
Warranty
RDX offerings carry a one-year limited warranty. When installed in or connected to a supported Lenovo server, the RDX offerings assumes the server's base warranty and any Lenovo Services warranty upgrade.
The RDX cartridges are considered consumable media and are not covered by the RDX product warranty.
Related publications
For more information, refer to these documents:
- User's Guide for the Lenovo RDX USB 3.0 Solution:
https://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-5088910 - Lenovo SeverProven for System x options
https://static.lenovo.com/us/en/serverproven/options.shtml - Lenovo ThinkServer Options Compatibility Matrix (OCM)
http://www.lenovo.com/accessoriesguide
Trademarks
Lenovo and the Lenovo logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Lenovo in the United States, other countries, or both. A current list of Lenovo trademarks is available on the Web at https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/legal/copytrade/.
The following terms are trademarks of Lenovo in the United States, other countries, or both:
Lenovo®
ServerProven®
System x®
ThinkServer®
ThinkSystem®
The following terms are trademarks of other companies:
AMD is a trademark of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Intel® and Xeon® are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries.
Linux® is the trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries.
Microsoft®, Hyper-V®, Windows Server®, and Windows® are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both.
Other company, product, or service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.
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Full Change History
Changes in the July 27, 2022 update:
- Added an additional option part number for the internal dock:
- ThinkSystem Internal RDX USB 3.0 Dock v2, 4T27A80485
Changes in the May 4, 2022 update:
- Clarified that the component that is installed in or attached to the server is called the "dock" and the disk media that is inserted into the dock is called the "disk cartridge".
Changes in the June 30, 2021 update:
- Various System x part numbers are withdrawn from marketing
Changes in the June 1, 2021 update:
- Updated server support table - Server support section
- The external RDX dock is now supported with the ST50, ST250 and SR250 servers
Changes in the January 7, 2021 update:
- Support of the external RDX drive to some servers is by special bid only - Server support section
Changes in the October 13, 2020 update:
- Added the SR850 V2 and SR860 V2 servers - Server support section
Changes in the May 5, 2020 update:
- Added SR645 and SR665 to the server support table - Server support section
Changes in the January 7, 2020 update:
- Added SR850P to the server support table - Server support section
- Updated the operating system support
Changes in the October 9, 2018 update:
- Added SE350, SR635 and SR655 to the Server support table
Changes in the July 17, 2018 update:
- New external dock option for ThinkSystem:
- ThinkSystem RDX External USB 3.0 Dock, 4T27A10725
- Internal RDX docks for System x are withdrawn from marketing
Changes in the June 5, 2018 update:
- The RDX cartridges are considered consumable media and are not covered by the RDX product warranty
Changes in the October 9, 2017 update:
- Added ThinkSystem part numbers
- Added ThinkSystem server support
Changes in the June 19, 2017 update:
- Windows Server 2016 is supported
Changes in the February 8, 2017 update:
- New part numbers for the RDX external dock options - Part number information section
Changes in the February 2, 2017 update:
- The external docks do not include (nor require) an AC adapter. Power is supplied via the USB 3 cable.
Changes in the July 19, 2016 update:
- 320GB cartridge withdrawn from marketing
Changes in the April 25, 2016 update:
- Updated the Server support section with servers with Intel Xeon E5-2600 v4 processors
Changes in the April 25, 2016 update:
- Updated the Server support section with servers with Intel Xeon E5-2600 v4 processors
Changes in the March 15, 2016 update:
- New RDX drive option for System x without any cartridge
- Added ThinkServer tower systems, TS150 and TS450
Changes in the December 15, 2015 update:
- RDX Internal USB 3.0 Dock with 320GB Cartridge (00D2786) withdrawn from marketing
Changes in the September 27, 2015 update:
- Clarified that the RDX drive and cartridge options available with the IBM Multimedia Enclosure for Lenovo are different from those presented here.
Changes in the September 22 update:
- New ThinkServer External RDX Tape Drive part number
- New part numbers for use with the IBM Multimedia Enclosure for Lenovo
- New catridge options, now up to 2.0 TB native capacity
- Updated the server support tables
- Updated the list of supported software
- Updated the list of supported operating systems
- Updated the list of related links
Changes in the September 22, 2015 update:
- New ThinkServer External RDX Tape Drive part number
- New part numbers for use with the IBM Multimedia Enclosure for Lenovo
- New catridge options, now up to 2.0 TB native capacity
- Updated the server support tables
- Updated the list of supported software
- Updated the list of supported operating systems
- Updated the list of related links
First published: 3 July 2012
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