Lenovo System x3550 M5 (Machine Type 5463)

Designed in a compact, versatile 1U two-socket rack server, the Lenovo System x3550 M5 rack server fuels almost any workload from infrastructure to high-performance computing (HPC) to cloud or big data with leadership security, efficiency, and reliability. Integrated with up to two Intel Xeon processors of the E5-2600 v3 product family with faster, energy-efficient TruDDR4 Memory, the x3550 M5 delivers exceptional performance. Storage can include up to 12 drives in an impressive selection of sizes and types.

Suggested use: Database, virtualization and cloud computing, infrastructure security, systems management, enterprise applications, collaboration/email, streaming media, web, and HPC.

The following figure shows the System x3550 M5.


Figure 1. Lenovo System x3550 M5

The x3550 M5 incorporates energy smart features for minimized costs and efficient performance. Dual fan zones support operation in up to 40°C environments. 80 PLUS Titanium power supply units (PSUs) can deliver 96% efficiency at 50% load.

The x3550 M5 has outstanding memory performance that is achieved by supporting two-RDIMM-per-channel configurations at speeds up to 12% faster than the Intel specification, while still maintaining world-class reliability.

The x3550 M5 integrates leadership security and reliability. System x Trusted Platform Assurance, an exclusive set of System x features and practices, establishes a foolproof security foundation for your workloads. Enterprise-class data protection is provided with optional self-encrypting drives. Diagnostic tools facilitate reduced downtime and costs.

The System x3550 M5 is a cost- and density-balanced 1U, 2-socket business-critical server, offering improved performance and pay-as-you grow flexibility along with new features that improve server management capability. New, innovative, energy-smart design with powerful high-performance processors, a large capacity of high-performing DDR4 memory, and an improved feature set are ideal for business-critical applications and cloud deployments.

Combining balanced performance and flexibility, the x3550 M5 is a great choice for small and medium businesses and up to the large enterprise. It can provide outstanding uptime to keep business-critical applications and cloud deployments running safely. Ease-of-use and comprehensive systems management tools make it easy to deploy. Outstanding reliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS) and high-efficiency design improve your business environment and help save operational costs.

Scalability and performance

The x3550 M5 offers numerous features to boost performance, improve scalability, and reduce costs:

• Improves productivity by offering superior system performance with up to 18-core processors, up to 45 MB of L3 cache, and up to 9.6 GT/s QPI interconnect links.
• Supports up to two processors, 36 cores, and 72 threads to maximize the concurrent execution of multithreaded applications.
• Intelligent and adaptive system performance with energy efficient Intel Turbo Boost Technology allows CPU cores to run at maximum speeds during peak workloads by temporarily going beyond processor thermal design power (TDP).
• Intel Hyper-Threading Technology boosts performance for multithreaded applications by enabling simultaneous multithreading within each processor core, up to two threads per core.
• Intel Virtualization Technology integrates hardware-level virtualization hooks that allow operating system vendors to better utilize the hardware for virtualization workloads.
• Intel Advanced Vector Extensions 2.0 (AVX 2.0) enable acceleration of enterprise-class workloads, such as databases, enterprise resource planning, and others.
• Up to 2133 MHz memory speeds with two DIMMs per channel running at 2133 MHz to help maximize system performance.
• Up to 1.5 TB of memory capacity with 64 GB Load Reduced DIMMS (LRDIMMs)
• 12 Gbps serial-attached SCSI (SAS) internal storage connectivity doubles the data transfer rate compared to 6 Gb SAS solutions to maximize performance of storage I/O-intensive applications.
• Flexible and scalable internal storage configurations for up to 46 TB of storage capacity with 3.84 TB 2.5-inch solid-state drives (SSDs) or up to 40 TB with 10 TB 3.5-inch hard disk drives (HDDs) in a dense 1U rack form factor.
• The use of SSDs instead of or along with traditional spinning HDDs can significantly improve I/O performance. An SSD can support a significantly higher number of I/O operations per second (IOPS) than a typical HDD.
• The server has four integrated Gigabit Ethernet ports and optional 10 Gb Ethernet ports with mezzanine LOM (ML2) adapters.
• The server offers up to four PCI Express (PCIe) 3.0 I/O expansion slots in a dense 1U rack form factor.
• With Intel Integrated I/O Technology, the PCI Express 3.0 controller is integrated into the Intel Xeon processor E5 family. This helps to dramatically reduce I/O latency and increase overall system performance.

The x3550 M5 provides many features to simplify serviceability and increase system uptime:

• Tool-less cover removal provides easy access to upgrades and serviceable parts, such as processors, memory DIMMs, and adapter cards.
• The server offers hot-swap drives supporting RAID redundancy for data protection and greater system uptime.
• The server offers redundant hot-swap power supplies and hot-swap redundant fans to provide availability for business-critical applications.
• The new next-gen light path diagnostics LCD display panel simplifies servicing, speeds up problem resolution, and helps improve system availability.
• Proactive Platform Alerts (including PFA and SMART alerts): Processors, voltage regulators, memory, internal storage (SAS/SATA HDDs and SSDs, M.2 storage, flash storage adapters), fans, power supplies, RAID controllers, and server ambient and sub-component temperatures. Alerts can be surfaced through the system IMM to managers such as Lenovo XClarity Administrator, VMware vCenter, and Microsoft System Center. These proactive alerts let you take appropriate actions in advance of possible failure, thereby increasing server uptime and application availability.
• SSDs offer significantly better reliability than traditional mechanical HDDs for greater uptime.
• Built-in Integrated Management Module II (IMM2) continuously monitors system parameters, triggers alerts, and performs recovery actions in case of failure, to minimize downtime.
• Built-in diagnostics using Dynamic Systems Analysis (DSA) Preboot speed up troubleshooting to reduce service time.
• Three-year customer replaceable unit and onsite limited warranty, next business day 9x5. Optional service upgrades available.

Manageability and security

Powerful systems management features simplify local and remote management of the x3550 M5 and deliver enterprise-class data protection:

• The server includes an Integrated Management Module II (IMM2) to monitor server availability and perform remote management.
• An integrated industry-standard Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) enables improved setup, configuration, and updates, and simplifies error handling.
• XClarity Administrator offers comprehensive hardware management tools that help to increase uptime, reduce costs and improve productivity through advanced server management capabilities.
• An integrated Trusted Platform Module (TPM) supports the enablement of advanced cryptographic functionality, such as digital signatures and remote attestation.
• System x Trusted Platform Assurance, an exclusive set of System x security features and practices, establishes a foolproof security foundation for workloads by delivering firmware that is securely built, tested, digitally signed, and verified prior to execution.
• The server offers enterprise-class data protection with optional self-encrypting drives and simple, centralized key management through IBM Security Key Lifecycle Management.
• There is industry-standard AES NI support for faster, stronger encryption.
• Intel Execute Disable Bit functionality can help prevent certain classes of malicious buffer overflow attacks when combined with a supporting operating system.
• Intel Trusted Execution Technology provides enhanced security through hardware-based resistance to malicious software attacks, allowing an application to run in its own isolated space protected from all other software running on a system.

The x3550 M5 offers the following energy-efficiency features to save energy, reduce operational costs, increase energy availability, and contribute to a green environment:

• Energy-efficient planar components help lower operational costs.
• High-efficiency power supplies with 80 PLUS Platinum and Titanium certifications.
• Intel Intelligent Power Capability powers individual processor elements on and off as needed, to reduce power draw.
• Low-voltage Intel Xeon processors draw less energy to satisfy the demands of power and thermally constrained data centers and telecommunication environments.
• Low-voltage 1.2 V DDR4 memory DIMMs offer energy efficiency compared to 1.35 V and 1.5 V DDR3 DIMMs.
• The server uses hexagonal ventilation holes, a part of Calibrated Vectored Cooling™ technology. Hexagonal holes can be grouped more densely than round holes, providing more efficient airflow through the system.
• Intel Node Manager provide advanced data center power notification and management to help achieve lower heat output and reduced cooling needs.

The following figure shows the front of the server.

Figure 2. Front view of the System x3550 M5

The following figure shows the rear of the x3550 M5 server with three PCIe low profile slots.

Figure 3. Rear view of the System x3550 M5

Figure 4. Inside view of the System x3550 M5

The following table lists the system specifications.

The x3550 M5 supports the processor options listed in the following table. The server supports up to two processors. This table shows which server models have each processor standard. If there is no corresponding where used model for a particular processor, this processor is only available through Configure-to-order (CTO). The processor part numbers include a CPU, a heatsink, and two system fans.

* The first feature code is for the first processor; the second feature code is for the second processor.

System x3550 M5 supports TruDDR4 Memory. TruDDR Memory uses the highest-quality components sourced from Tier 1 DRAM suppliers and only memory that meets our strict requirements is selected. It is compatibility tested and tuned on every System x server to maximize performance and reliability.

TruDDR4 Memory will have a unique signature programmed into the DIMM, which will enable System x servers to verify whether the memory installed is qualified/supported. Because TruDDR4 Memory is authenticated, certain extended memory performance features can be enabled to extend performance over industry standards. From a service and support standpoint, System x memory automatically assumes the system's warranty, and service and support provided worldwide.

The server supports up to 12 DIMMs when one processor is installed and up to 24 DIMMs when two processors are installed. Each processor has four memory channels, and there are three DIMMs per channel.

The following rules apply when selecting the memory configuration:

• The server supports RDIMMs and LRDIMMs.
• Mixing different types of memory (RDIMMs and LRDIMMs) is not supported.
• The maximum quantity of DIMMs that can be installed in the server depends on the number of processors.
• All DIMMs in the server operate at the same speed, which is determined as the lowest value of the following speeds:
  • Memory speed that is supported by the specific processor.
  • Lowest of maximum operating speeds for selected memory configuration that depends on quantity of DIMMs per channel, as shown under "Maximum operating speed" in Table 5.

The following memory protection technologies are supported:

• ECC
• Chipkill (for x4-based memory DIMMs)

Chipkill works only in independent channel mode (the default operational mode) and supports only x4-based memory DIMMs.

The following table shows the characteristics of the supported DIMMs. Table cells highlighted with a gray background indicate when the number of DIMMs per channel still allows the DIMMs to operate at a rated speed.

** The maximum quantity that is supported is shown for two processors installed.

The following table lists memory options available for the x3550 M5 server.

* The maximum quantity shown is for one processor / two processors.

The System x3550 M5 server supports the following internal drive bay configurations:

1. 4x 2.5-inch SAS/SATA hot-swap drive bay server models that can be upgraded to 8x 2.5-inch SAS/SATA hot-swap drive bays
2. 10x 2.5-inch SAS/SATA hot-swap drive bay server models that can be upgraded to 12x 2.5-inch SAS/SATA hot-swap drive bays (10x front drive bays and 2x rear drive bays)
3. 4x 2.5-inch SATA Simple Swap drive bay server models that can be upgraded to 8x 2.5-inch SATA Simple Swap drive bays
4. 4x 3.5-inch SAS/SATA hot-swap drive bay server models
5. 4x 3.5-inch SATA Simple Swap drive bay server models

The following figure shows some of these configurations.

Figure 5. Internal drive configurations

Note: Four- and eight-drive bay models of the x3550 M5 support an optional internal optical drive.

The following table shows the internal storage options available for the x3550 M5 server.

* Available in standard or CTO models, or both.

Base drive kits are always factory installed in either standard or custom (CTO) models. Upgrade drive kits can be factory installed or can be installed as a field upgrade for supported standard or custom models.

The following table lists possible internal storage configurations.

* In the Storage controller column, RAID or HBA means any supported controller for internal storage: M1215, M5210, or N2215.
** Requires the selection of the second processor and a PCIe x16 riser card 2 (feature code A5AF or A5AD); if 145 W processors (E5-2697 v3 and E5-2699 v3) are selected, the ambient temperature cannot exceed 35 °C (95 °F).

Configuration notes:

• The HDD Rear Kit (00KA058) is installed in place of the PCIe slots 1 and 2 (see the "I/O expansion options" section), and it includes a special riser that provides PCIe 3.0 x16 slot 3. No other riser cards can be used when the HDD Rear Kit is installed.
• 145 W and 135 W processors cannot be used when the HDD Rear Kit is installed.
• The HDD Rear Kit is connected to the SAS expander on the 10-drive backplane.

The following table lists the RAID controllers and the additional options used for the internal storage of the x3550 M5 server. The internal storage controllers are installed into a dedicated PCIe slot 4.

* Requires cache memory upgrade (47C8656, 47C8660, 47C8664, or 47C8668).
** ServeRAID Feature on Demand upgrades are system-wide. One FoD upgrade part number will enable the feature on all ServeRAID M5200 Series adapters (M5210, M5210e, M5225) installed in the server.

The following table summarizes features of supported drive controllers.

For more information, see the list of Product Guides in the RAID adapters category:
https://lenovopress.com/servers/options/raid

The following table lists drive types and internal bays supported by the drive controllers.

# Rear drives are supported only for 10x 2.5" drive bay models and connected to the SAS expander on the 10-drive backplane.
* SEDs are supported with the RAID 5 FoD upgrade (00AE930).
** SEDs are supported with the RAID 5 FoD upgrade (47C8708) or any cache upgrade (47C8656, 47C8660, 47C8664, 47C8668).

The following tables list currently available drive options for internal storage of the x3550 M5 server.

The x3550 M5 server supports the optical drive options listed in the following table. Server models with ten 2.5-inch drive bays on the front do not support an internal optical drive; a supported external optical drive can be used instead.

Table 16. Optical drives

Ultraslim 9.5mm SATA DVD-ROM (part number 00AM066) supports the following media and speeds for reading:

• CD-ROM 24X
• CD-DA (DAE) 24X
• CD-R 24X
• CD-RW 24X
• DVD-ROM 8X
• DVD-R 8X
• DVD+R 8X
• DVD-R DL 6X
• DVD+R DL 8X
• DVD-RW 8X
• DVD+RW 8X

Ultraslim 9.5mm SATA Multi Burner (part number 00AM067) supports the same media and speeds for reading as DVD-ROM (part number 00AM066). This drive also supports the following media and speeds for writing:

• CD-R 24X
• CD-RW 4X
• High-Speed CD-RW 10X
• Ultra Speed CD-RW 24X
• DVD-R 8X
• DVD+R 8X
• DVD-R DL 6X
• DVD+R DL 6X
• DVD-RW 6X
• DVD+RW 8X

The x3550 M5 server supports up to four PCIe slots: one on the system planar that is dedicated for an internal RAID controller and up to three with different riser cards installed into two riser sockets on the system planar (one riser socket supports the installation of one riser card). The slot form factors are listed:

• Slot 1: PCIe 3.0 x16 or ML2; low profile, half-length (not present if the HDD Rear Kit is installed)
• Slot 2: PCIe 3.0 x16 or PCIe 3.0 x8; low profile or full-height, half-length (PCIe 3.0 x16 slot requires the second processor to be installed) (not present if the HDD Rear Kit is installed)
• Slot 3: PCIe 3.0 x16 or PCIe 3.0 x8; low profile, half-length
• Slot 4: PCIe 3.0 x8 (dedicated for an internal RAID controller)

The locations of the PCIe slots are shown in the following figure.

Figure 6. PCIe slot locations

Configuration notes:

• The 1 CPU Riser 2 options (feature codes A5AC and A5AE) are supported only in configurations with one processor. If two processors are selected, these options cannot be used.
• If the FHHL x16 Riser 2 option (feature code A5AD) is selected, the x16 Riser 1 option (feature code A5AG) cannot be used.
• If both ML2 Riser 1 (feature code A5AH) and FHHL x16 Riser 2 option (feature code A5AD) are selected, only one of the following ML2 network adapters can be selected:
  • Broadcom NetXtreme II ML2 Dual Port 10GbaseT (part number 00D2026)
  • Broadcom NetXtreme II ML2 Dual Port 10GbE SFP+ (part number 00D2028)
  • Emulex VFA5 ML2 Dual Port 10GbE SFP+ Adapter (part number 00D1996)
  • Intel X540 ML2 Dual Port 10GbaseT Adapter (part number 00D1994)
  • Intel I350-T4 ML2 Quad Port GbE Adapter (part number 00D1998)
• The HDD Rear Kit (00KA058; see the "Internal storage" section) is installed in place of the PCIe slots 1 and 2, and it includes a special riser that provides PCIe 3.0 x16 slot 3. No other riser cards can be used when the HDD Rear Kit is installed.

Miscellaneous options for I/O expansion

The x3550 M5 Thermal Kit, part number 00KA059, contains two fans. It provides the seventh and eighth system fans needed for the following options when only one processor is installed:

• Intel X540 ML2 Dual Port 10GbaseT Adapter
• QLogic 8200 Dual Port 10GbE SFP+ VFA
• io3 Enterprise Flash Adapters
• io3 Enterprise Value Flash Adapters
• io3 Enterprise Mainstream Flash Adapters
• P3700 NVMe Enterprise Performance Flash Adapters

The x3550 M5 Thermal Kit is not needed if two processors are installed, because the second processor includes these fans.

The COM Port Bracket, part number 00KA161, is used for mounting the external serial port on the rear of the x3550 M5. This option includes the bracket and the cable. The COM Port option is mounted in place of the PCIe slot 3, and only PCIe slots 1 and 2 remain available.

The following table lists the x3550 M5 Thermal Kit and COM Port Bracket part numbers.

The x3550 M5 supports four integrated Gigabit Ethernet ports.

The integrated network interface controller (NIC) has the following features:

• A Broadcom BCM5719 chip
• Four Gigabit Ethernet ports
• NIC Teaming (load balancing and failover)
• Ethernet features:
  • Compliant with 1 Gb Ethernet IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, and 802.3ab PHY specifications
  • Integrated PHY for 10/100/1000 Mbps for multispeed, full, and half-duplex auto-negotiation
  • Automatic MDI crossover
  • IEEE 802.3x-compliant flow control support
  • IEEE 1588 protocol and 802.1AS time synchronization implementation
  • IEEE802.3az - Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE)
• I/O Virtualization features:
  • I/O Virtualization support for VMware NetQueue and Microsoft virtual machine queue (VMQ)
  • Function Level Reset (FLR)
  • IEEE 802.1q Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) tagging support
• Stateless offload and performance features:
  • TCP, IP, and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) checksum offload
  • TCP segmentation offload (TCO)
  • Large Send Offload (LSO)
  • Receive Side Scaling (RSS) and Transmit Side Scaling (TSS)
  • Message Signal Interrupt (MSI) and Message Signal Interrupt Extension (MSI-X) support
  • Support for jumbo frames up to 9600 bytes

Optionally, the x3550 M5 server supports ML2 adapters that are installed in the custom ML2 slot provided by the PCIe ML2 riser card (part number 00KA063). This slot supports adapters with either two 10 Gb ports or four Gigabit ports and supports direct connectivity to the IMM2.1 service processor for out-of-band systems management.

The following table lists additional supported network adapters.

^ Transceivers and DAC cables are available only from Mellanox or as a part of a Lenovo Intelligent Cluster solution.
† Supported only in the PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (PCIe x16 riser cards 00KA061, 00KA066, and feature A5AD).
* SFP+ and QSFP+ based adapters require supported transceivers or DAC cables that must be purchased for the adapter (See "40 Gb QSFP+ transceivers and DAC cables" and "10 Gb SFP+ transceivers and DAC cables" in the table above).
# Transceivers and DAC cables are available only from Mellanox.
** The maximum number of transceivers or cables that are supported per adapter equals the quantity of the adapter ports. All adapter ports must have the same type of transceiver or DAC cable selected.

For more information, see the list of Product Guides in the Ethernet adapters category:
https://lenovopress.com/servers/options/ethernet

The following table lists SAS RAID controllers and HBAs for external storage attachments that are supported by the x3550 M5 server.

* One FoD upgrade for the M5225 activates the feature on all M5200 series controllers installed in a server.
** Requires the second processor and the FHHL x16 Riser Card 2 (feature code A5AD).

The following table summarizes features of supported RAID controllers and HBAs.

The following table lists Fibre Channel HBAs supported by the x3550 M5 server.

For more information, see the list of Product Guides in the Host bus adapters category:
https://lenovopress.com/servers/options/hba

The x3550 M5 server supports graphics processing units (GPUs) listed in the following table.

* Available only through CTO or special bid. 

Configuration notes:

• The NVIDIA Quadro adapters are full-high adapters that are supported only in the PCIe slot 2.
• The PCIe Riser 2, 1-2 CPU (FHHL x16 CPU1 + LP x16 CPU0) (feature code A5AD) is required.
• The second processor is required.
• The maximum memory that can be installed is 1 TB.
• Further restrictions may apply depending on the power supplies installed (see "Power supplies").

The x3550 M5 server supports up to two redundant power supplies, and is capable of N+N redundancy depending on the configuration. Standard models come with one power supply. The following table lists the power supplies.

Important: The Standalone Solution Configuration Tool (SSCT) and Lenovo Data Center Advisor and Configurator Tool (DCACT) power supply selection rules allow a subset of possible configurations due to power restrictions. Configurations that cannot be built in SSCT or DCACT due to power restrictions may still be supported. To verify support and ensure that the right power supply is chosen for optimal performance, you should always validate your server configuration using the latest version of the System x Power Configurator:
https://support.lenovo.com/documents/LNVO-PWRCONF

A hot-swap power supply option ships standard with one 2.8m, 10A/100-250V, IEC 320-C13 to IEC 320-C14 rack power cable. Other country-specific and rack cables can be ordered if needed (see the following table).

The server supports VMware ESXi installed on a USB memory key or one or two SD cards in the SD Media Adapter for System x. The USB memory key is installed in a USB socket inside the server. The SD Media Adapter is installed in a dedicated slot inside the server.

When only one SD card is installed in the SD Media Adapter, you can create up to 16 volumes, each of which is presented to UEFI as a bootable device. When two SD Media cards are inserted, volumes can be mirrored (RAID 1) across both cards, up to a total of eight mirrored volumes. The use of mirrored volumes improves system availability because the server remains operational, even if one SD card fails. The RAID functionality is handled internally by the SD Media Adapter.

The following table lists virtualization options.

* Option 00ML706 includes two 32GB SD cards; however, for CTO orders, feature code A5TJ does not include SD media and the 32 GB cards and VMware vSphere preload must be selected separately.
** CTO only.

The System x3550 M5 supports the following systems management tools:

• Integrated Management Module 2.1
• Light path diagnostics
• Lenovo ToolsCenter
• Lenovo XClarity Administrator
• Lenovo XClarity Energy Manager

Integrated Management Module 2.1

The server contains Integrated Management Module II (IMM2.1), which provides advanced service-processor control, monitoring, and an alerting function. If an environmental condition exceeds a threshold or if a system component fails, the IMM lights LEDs to help you diagnose the problem, records the error in the event log, and alerts you to the problem. Optionally, the IMM also provides a virtual presence capability for remote server management capabilities.

The blue-screen capture feature captures the video display contents before the IMM restarts the server when the IMM detects an operating system hang condition. A system administrator can use the blue-screen capture to assist in determining the cause of the hang condition. The following table lists the remote management option.

Light path diagnostics

All models come standard with basic light path diagnostics, which include the system LEDs on the front of the server (See Figure 2) and the LEDs near the monitored components (for example, the DIMM error LED on the system board).

Models with 4x or 8x 2.5-inch drive bays support a next-gen light path LCD display panel. The LCD display enables you to have quick access to system status, firmware, network, and health information. Models with 4x 3.5-inch or 10x 2.5-inch front drive bays do not support an LCD display panel.

The following table shows the LCD display panel ordering information.

The following table lists the geo-specific Lenovo XClarity software license options.

* NA = North America; AP = Asia Pacific
** EMEA = Europe, Middle East, Africa; LA = Latin America

Lenovo XClarity Integrators allow administrators to manage physical infrastructure from leading external virtualization management software tools from Microsoft and VMware. Lenovo XClarity Integrators offer the following additional features:

Lenovo XClarity Energy Manager is an optional software component for the System x3550 M5 that is licensed on a per managed node basis, that is, each managed server requires a license.

The following table lists the rack installation options that are available for the x3550 M5 server.

Note: The System x3550 M5 Slide Kit G4, part number 00KA606, is included with the standard models that are listed in Table 2 and Express and TopSeller models that are listed in Table 3.

The following table summarizes the rail kit features and specifications.

* The rack must be at least 1100 mm (43.31 in.) deep if no CMA is used, or at least 1200 mm (47.24 in.) deep if a CMA is used.
** The rack must be at least 1000 mm (39.37 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 x3550 M5 server supports the following operating systems:

• Microsoft:
  • Microsoft Windows Server, version 1709
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2016
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2012
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
• Red Hat:
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.6
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.5
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.3
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.1
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.10 Server x64 Edition
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.8 Server x64 Edition
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.7 Server x64 Edition
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.6 Server x64 Edition
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.5 Server x64 Edition
• SUSE:
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP4
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server with Xen 12 SP4
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP3
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server with Xen 12 SP3
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP2
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server with Xen 12 SP2
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP1
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server with Xen 12 SP1
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server with Xen 12
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 for AMD64/EM64T SP4
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 with Xen for AMD64/EM64T SP4
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 for AMD64/EM64T SP3
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 with Xen for AMD64/EM64T SP3
• VMware:
  • VMware vSphere 6.5 (ESXi) Update 2
  • VMware vSphere 6.5 (ESXi) Update 1
  • VMware vSphere 6.5 (ESXi)
  • VMware vSphere 6.0 (ESXi) Update 3
  • VMware vSphere 6.0 (ESXi) Update 2
  • VMware vSphere 6.0 (ESXi) Update 1
  • VMware vSphere 6.0 (ESXi)
  • VMware vSphere 5.5 (ESXi) Update 3
  • VMware vSphere 5.5 (ESXi) Update 2
  • VMware vSphere 5.1 (ESXi) Update 3
  • VMware vSphere 5.1 (ESXi) Update 2
  • VMware vSphere 5.1 (ESXi) Update 1

For the latest information about the specific versions and service levels that are supported and any other prerequisites, see the Operating System Interoperability Guide: http://lenovopress.com/redposig.

The x3550 M5 server has the following dimensions and weight (approximate):

• Height: 43 mm (1.7 in)
• Width: 429 mm (16.9 in)
• Depth: 734 mm (28.9 in)
• Weight:
  • Minimum configuration: 13.8 kg (30.5 lb)
  • Maximum configuration: 19.3 kg (42.7 lb)

The x3550 M5 server is supported in the following environment:

• Air temperature:
  • Server on: 5 °C to 40 °C (41 °F to 104 °F); altitude: 0 to 950 m (3,117 ft); decrease the maximum system temperature by 1 °C for every 175-m increase in altitude above 950 m.
  • Server off: 5 °C to 45 °C (41 °F to 113 °F)
  • Maximum altitude: 3,050 m (10,000 ft), 5 °C to 28 °C (41 °F to 82 °F)
  • Shipment: -40 °C to +60 °C (-40 °F to 140 °F) at up to 10,700 m (35,105 ft)

• Humidity:
  • Server on: 8% to 85% (non-condensing), max dew point 24 °C, max rate of change 5 °C/hr
  • Server off: 8% to 85% (non-condensing), max dew point 27 °C

• Design to ASHRAE Class A3, ambient of 40 °C (104 °F), with relaxed support:
  • Supports cloud-like workload with no performance degradation acceptable (Turbo-Off).
  • Under no circumstance can any combination of worst case workload and configuration result in system shutdown or design exposure at 40 °C.

• Electrical:
  • Models with 1500 W AC Platinum power supplies:
    • 200 - 240 (nominal) V ac; 50 Hz or 60 Hz; 8.35 A
    • Input kilovolt-amperes (kVA) (approximately):
      • Minimum configuration: 0.14 kVA
      • Maximum configuration: 1.967 kVA
  • Models with 900 W AC Platinum power supplies:
    • 100 to 127 (nominal) V ac; 50 Hz or 60 Hz; 10.3 A
    • 200 to 240 (nominal) V ac; 50 Hz or 60 Hz; 5.0 A
    • Input kilovolt-amperes (kVA) (approximately):
      • Minimum configuration: 0.14 kVA
      • Maximum configuration: 1.194 kVA
  • Models with 750 W Platinum AC power supplies:
    • 100 to 127 (nominal) V ac; 50 Hz or 60 Hz; 8.6 A
    • 200 to 240 (nominal) V ac; 50 Hz or 60 Hz; 4.2 A
    • Input kilovolt-amperes (kVA) (approximately):
      • Minimum configuration: 0.14 kVA
      • Maximum configuration: 1.015 kVA
  • Models with 750 W Titanium AC power supplies:
    • 200 to 240 (nominal) V ac; 50 Hz or 60 Hz; 4.2 A
    • Input kilovolt-amperes (kVA) (approximately):
      • Minimum configuration: 0.14 kVA
      • Maximum configuration: 0.965 kVA
  • Models with 550 W AC power supplies:
    • 100 to 127 (nominal) V ac; 50 Hz or 60 Hz; 6.5 A
    • 200 to 240 (nominal) V ac; 50 Hz or 60 Hz; 3.3 A
    • Input kilovolt-amperes (kVA) (approximately):
      • Minimum configuration: 0.14 kVA
      • Maximum configuration: 0.732 kVA
  • Models with -48Vdc 900 W power supplies:
    • -48 - -60 (nominal) V dc; 25.8 A
    • Input kilovolt-amperes (kVA) (approximately):
      • Minimum configuration: 0.14 kVA
      • Maximum configuration: 1.237 kVA
• BTU output:
  • Minimum configuration: 461 Btu/hr (135 watts)
  • Maximum configuration: 6667 Btu/hr (1954 watts)

• Noise level:
  • 6.6 bels (operating)
  • 6.4 bels (idle)

The System x3550 M5 has a three-year customer-replaceable unit (CRU) and onsite (for field-replaceable units [FRUs] only) limited warranty with standard call center support during normal business hours and 9x5 Next Business Day Parts Delivered.

Some countries might have different warranty terms and conditions than the standard warranty. This is due to local business practices or laws in the specific country. Local service teams can assist in explaining country-specific terms when needed. Examples of country-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 spares parts.

Also available are Lenovo Services warranty maintenance upgrades and post-warranty maintenance agreements, with a well-defined scope of services, including service hours, response time, term of service, and service agreement terms and conditions.

Lenovo warranty service upgrade offerings are country-specific. Not all warranty service upgrades are available in every country. For information about Lenovo warranty service upgrade offerings that are available in your country or area, 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/

In general, the following Lenovo warranty service upgrades are available:

• Warranty and maintenance service upgrades:
  • 3, 4, or 5 years of warranty service coverage
  • 1-year or 2-year post-warranty extensions
  • Foundation Service: 9x5 service coverage with next business day onsite response
  • Essential Service: 24x7 service coverage with 4-hour onsite response or 24-hour committed repair (available only in select countries)
  • Advanced Service: 24x7 service coverage with 2-hour onsite response or 6-hour committed repair (available only in select countries)
• Premier Support

  Premier Support service offers direct access to Lenovo’s most advanced technicians for faster troubleshooting with single point of contact for end-to-end problem resolution and collaborative third-party software support.

• YourDrive YourData

  Lenovo’s YourDrive YourData service 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 with Foundation, Essential, or Advanced Service upgrades and extensions.

• Enterprise Server Software Support

  Lenovo Enterprise Server Software Support can help you troubleshoot your entire server software stack. Choose support for server operating systems from Microsoft, Red Hat, SUSE, and VMware; Microsoft server applications; or both operating systems and applications. Support staff can help answer troubleshooting and diagnostic questions, address product compatibility and interoperability issues, isolate causes of problems, report defects to software vendors, and more.

• Basic Hardware Installation Services

  Lenovo experts can seamlessly manage the physical installation of your server, storage, or networking hardware. Working at a time convenient for you (business hours or off shift), the technician will unpack and inspect the systems on your site, install options, mount in a rack cabinet, connect to power and network, check and update firmware to the latest levels, verify operation, and dispose of the packaging, allowing your team to focus on other priorities.

• Microcode Support

  Keeping microcode current helps prevent hardware failures and security exposure. There are two levels of service: analysis of the installed base and analysis and update where required. Offerings vary by country and can be bundled with other warranty upgrades and extensions.

The server conforms to the following regulations:

• FCC - Verified to comply with Part 15 of the FCC Rules, Class A
• Canada ICES-003, issue 5, Class A
• UL/IEC 60950-1
• CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1
• NOM-019
• Argentina IEC60950-1
• Japan VCCI, Class A
• Australia/New Zealand AS/NZS CISPR 22, Class A; AS/NZS 60950.1
• China CCC GB4943.1, GB9254 Class A, GB17625.1
• Taiwan BSMI CNS13438, Class A; CNS14336-1
• Korea KN22, Class A; KN24
• Russia, Belorussia and Kazakhstan, TR CU 020/2011 (for EMC) and TR CU 004/2011 (for safety)
• IEC 60950-1 (CB Certificate and CB Test Report)
• CE Mark (EN55022 Class A, EN60950-1, EN55024, EN61000-3-2, EN61000-3-3)
• CISPR 22, Class A
• TUV-GS (EN60950-1/IEC60950-1,EK1-ITB2000)
• RoHS Directive
• Energy Star 2.0

The following tables list the SAS external drive enclosures that are offered by Lenovo that can be used with the System x3550 M5 for storage expansion.

Note: Information provided in this section is for ordering reference purposes only. For the operating system and adapter support details, refer to the interoperability matrix for a particular storage enclosure that can be found on the Lenovo Data Center Support web site:
http://datacentersupport.lenovo.com

For details about supported drives, adapters, and cables, see the following Lenovo Press Product Guides:

• Lenovo Storage E1012 and E1024
  http://lenovopress.com/lp0043
• Lenovo Storage D1212 and D1224
  http://lenovopress.com/lp0512
• Lenovo Storage D3284
  http://lenovopress.com/lp0513

The following table lists the external storage systems that are currently offered by Lenovo that can be used with the System x3550 M5 in IT solutions.

Note: Information provided in this section is for ordering reference purposes only. End-to-end storage configuration support must be verified through the interoperability matrix for a particular storage system that can be found on the Lenovo Data Center Support web site:
http://datacentersupport.lenovo.com

* Available only in EMEA.

^ Available only in PRC.
† Available worldwide except Latin America.
‡ Available only in Latin America.

For more information, see the list of Product Guides in the following categories:

• Lenovo DE Series, DM Series, DS Series, and V Series storage:
  http://lenovopress.com/storage/san/lenovo#rt=product-guide
• IBM Storwize for Lenovo storage:
  http://lenovopress.com/storage/san/ibm#rt=product-guide

The following table lists the external backup options that are offered by Lenovo that can be used with the System x3550 M5 in backup solutions.

Note: Information provided in this section is for ordering reference purposes only. End-to-end LTO Ultrium configuration support for a particular tape backup unit must be verified through the System Storage Interoperation Center (SSIC):
http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/storage/ssic

For more information, see the list of Product Guides in the Backup units category:
https://lenovopress.com/servers/options/backup

The following table lists the Ethernet LAN switches that are offered by Lenovo that can be used with the System x3550 M5 server in IT solutions.

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 currently available Fibre Channel SAN switches that are offered by Lenovo that can be used with the System x3550 M5 in IT solutions.

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

The following table lists the rack cabinets that are offered by Lenovo that can be used in System x3550 M5 solutions.

For more information, see the list of Product Guides in the Rack cabinets category:
https://lenovopress.com/servers/options/racks

The following table lists the KVM switches and consoles that are offered by Lenovo that can be used in System x3550 M5 solutions.

For more information, see the list of Product Guides in the KVM Switches and Consoles category:
http://lenovopress.com/servers/options/kvm

The following table lists the power distribution units (PDUs) that are offered by Lenovo that can be used in System x3550 M5 solutions.

For more information, see the list of Product Guides in the Power infrastructure category:
https://lenovopress.com/servers/options/pdu

The following table lists the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units that are offered by Lenovo that can be used in System x3550 M5 solutions.

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.lenovofs.com
 

For more information, see these resources:

• Lenovo servers product page
  http://www.lenovo.com/systems/servers
• System x3550 M5 Type 5463 documentation
  http://systemx.lenovofiles.com/help/topic/com.lenovo.sysx.5463.doc/c_product_page.html
• ServerProven hardware compatibility page for the x3550 M5
  http://www.lenovo.com/us/en/serverproven/xseries/5463.shtml
• xREF - System x Reference Sheets
  http://lenovopress.com/xref
• Lenovo Support - System x3550 M5
  https://datacentersupport.lenovo.com/us/en/products/servers/system-x/system-x3550-m5/5463