IBM i integration
with BladeCenter and System x

1) Follow the latest IXS hardware install instructions

Use the latest IBM System i™ PCI adapter installation instructions to install the IXS in the IBM i platform.

• For IBM® System i5™ models or eServer™ i5 models, use the PCI adapter topic in the System p5 and i5, eServer p5 and i5 and OpenPower™ PCI adapters document.
• For pre-eServer i5 models, use the iSeries PCI Card (3.4 MB) document.

2) Load required IBM i PTFs

Several IBM i PTFs are required when using the IXS. See IBM i PTFs. Also see http://www-912.ibm.com/e_dir/eserverprereq.nsf for a list of the software prerequisites which are required to use the IXS card.

3) Review Windows Server support information

If you are installing Windows Server on your IXS, see Windows on integrated servers for more information.

If you plan to install Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 on your IXS, see Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 for more information.

Note that you can use install media that contains service pack 1 already integrated with the Windows Server 2003 install image. Here are a few of the options available to do this:

• Obtain a Windows Server 2003 R2 CD, which has Service Pack 1 built-in.
   
• Obtain a Windows Server 2003 CD with Service Pack 1 already integrated. This can be obtained through various channels such as Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN®).
   
• Create an integrated install image. To do this, follow the instructions on the Integrating a service pack with Windows Server 2003 web page.

You can also copy the Windows Server install image to an i5/OS Integrated File System (IFS) directory. See Creating a Windows Server install CD image in IFS. The IFS directory is used on the Windows source directory (WNTSRCDIR) parameter when running the INSWNTSVR command.

4) Review Linux support information

If you are installing Linux on your IXS, see the Linux on integrated servers page for more information.

5) Follow the Windows or Linux server installation documenation

For more information on installing Windows or Linux on the IXS, see one of the following:

For Windows servers:

• The Windows installation section in the Information Center for i 6.1, i 5.4 or V5R3.
• If you will install Windows Server 2003 Release 2 (R2), note that R2 licensing uses “per user/per device” terminology, rather than the equivalent “per seat” terminology that was used for base Windows Server 2003 licensing. If you are using “per user/per device” licensing for R2, then you should specify the “per seat” (*PERSEAT) option on the License mode (LICMODE) parameter of the INSWNTSVR command.

• For i 5.4: The installation-related sections of the Linux on an integrated xSeries solution topic in the Information Center.
• For V5R3: Chapter 3: Installation and configuration in Redbook Implementing Linux on Integrated xSeries Solutions for iSeries.
• Note: In i 6.1, installation of Linux on IXS servers is not supported

6) Verify 2892 10/100 Mbps Ethernet adapter compatibility with your network

The 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port on the 2892 Integrated xSeries Server does not support direct connection to certain 10 Mbps hubs and routers that lack "auto-polarity" functionality. If you are having difficulty getting your 2892 10/100 port to work at all with a 10 Mbps hub or router, check its specifications for "auto-polarity" support. Also, see if your 2892 10/100 port works with other devices.

7) Additional video setup required for 2892-002 and 4812-001 IXS

If you are installing Windows on a 2892-002 (2.0 GHz Xeon™) or 4812-001 (2.0 GHz Pentium® M) IXS, the following setup is required for optimal video functionality:

• If you are installing Windows Server 2003, adjust the display properties hardware acceleration.
• If you are installing Windows 2000 Server, install the ATI video drivers.

8) Disable "Turn off Monitor" setting on 2892-001 IXS

If you are installing Windows 2000 on a 2892-001 (1.6 GHz) IXS, see 1.6 GHz IXS video alert for more information.

9) Check if Windows is reporting all of the installed memory

If your server has 4 GB of memory installed, but not all of it is being reported by Windows, see FAQ When 4 GB or more of memory is installed, why does Windows report less memory than is actually installed?

10) Keep the IBM i integration code up to date

The IBM i integration code on the Windows or Linux server needs to be updated periodically to provide the latest fixes. In addition, after the Linux operating system is updated using any distrubution update method, the IBM i integration code needs to be refreshed. Fixes are provided via IBM i service pack PTFs that are installed on the server. See the Service packs page for the latest IBM i integration service pack PTFs that are available as well as information on how to install service packs (or refresh the IBM i integration code) on your integrated Windows or Linux server.