IBM System x™ can scale to 16 sockets on an Intel® Xeon®-based platform – for a total of 64 cores. Dell, HP and Sun cannot.
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How does your system stack up against IBM System x?
Intel Xeon processor-based server scalable above 4-sockets
IBM
With a balanced focus on providing breakthrough performance and high availability, the IBM System x3850 M2 and System x3950 M2 allow scalability from 4- to 8- to 16- socket configurations with a unique pay-as-you-grow design for your changing business needs. Ideal applications for these systems include virtualization, ERP, CRM and database.
HP
HP does not offer an Intel Xeon processor-based server scalable to 16 sockets.
Dell
Dell does not offer an Intel Xeon processor-based server scalable to 16 sockets.
Sun
Sun does not offer an Intel Xeon processor-based server scalable to 16 sockets.
Three levels of memory protection with IBM Active Memory
IBM
Your client data and intellectual property are vital to your business' success. To help keep your system up and running, IBM System x enterprise servers are designed with a collection of memory technologies called IBM Active Memory™.
- IBM Chipkill™ helps effectively recover from a double-bit memory error. Originally created by IBM, Chipkill memory is now a standard for many memory vendors.
- IBM Memory ProteXion™ works at the DIMM level to recover from multi-bit memory errors and further prevent data loss.
- Memory mirroring with hot-swap support provides the ultimate level of data protection by simultaneously writing to, and reading from, independent and redundant memory cards.
HP
HP does not offer three levels of memory protection.
Dell
Dell does not offer three levels of memory protection.
Sun
Sun does not offer three levels of memory protection.
AMD processor-based 4-socket server able to support a 3-CPU configuration
IBM
IBM's unique design of the CPU Pass Thru card on the System x3755 delivers near linear performance as you upgrade the number of processors in your system. With this feature, a 3-processor configuration will outperform a 4-processor configuration in certain applications, providing the optimal price-performance solution. Better performance for 25 percent less cost.
A study 1 of relative performance conducted by VeriTest compared the x3755 server to a similarly equipped HP DL585 G2 server. When the x3755 was configured with only three processors and the CPU Pass Thru card in the fourth socket, it outperformed the DL585 with four processors 2 by an amazing 27.7%. Not only does eliminating the fourth processor result in higher performance than the HP can offer, it also affords a 25% hardware cost savings with a 35% performance-per-watt advantage, and possibly lower per-CPU software licensing costs.
HP
HP does not offer an AMD processor-based 4-socket server able to support a 3-CPU configuration.
Dell
Dell does not offer an AMD processor-based 4-socket server able to support a 3-CPU configuration.
Sun
Sun does not offer an AMD processor-based 4-socket server able to support a 3-CPU configuration.
IBM Xcelerated Memory technology
IBM
The current implementation of the AMD™ Opteron™ processor supports DRAM speeds of up to 667MHz. Due to the way the Opteron processor is designed, however, when more than four DIMM slots are populated per processor, the speed of all system memory drops to only 533MHz. The IBM System x3455 and x3755 avoid this limitation through an IBM patented feature called IBM Xcelerated Memory Technology™. Because of this innovation, all 64GB of RAM in the x3455 and x3755 run at the full 667MHz, using inexpensive industry-standard DIMMs.
A study 3 of relative performance conducted by VeriTest compared the x3755 server to a similarly equipped HP DL585 G2 server. The results clearly show the design advantages of the x3755 with Xcelerated Memory Technology 4 . Using identical processor, memory and software configurations 5 , the x3755 with Xcelerated Memory Technology outperformed the DL585 by 10.4%.
HP
HP does not offer similar functionality.
Dell
Dell does not offer similar functionality.
Sun
Sun does not offer similar functionality.
IBM eXtended I/O
IBM
Another innovative feature used in several System x servers is IBM eXtended I/O™ technology. To achieve balanced system performance, you must match your I/O throughput to the performance of the rest of your system. There isn't much point in having ultra-fast processors and memory if your I/O lags behind. Although tower servers have plenty of room to accommodate different types of adapter slots, 1U and 2U rack servers are another story. Should you buy a 1U server with two PCI-X slots to accommodate your current adapters, or one with two PCI-E slots to accommodate your future needs? Or maybe compromise on a server with one of each?
With eXtended I/O, you needn't worry about getting stuck with the wrong configuration. eXtended I/O provides adapter slots on replaceable riser cards. This means you can start out with PCI-X slots today and later replace some or all of them with PCI-E slots as your performance requirements increase. Or start with PCI-E and switch if your needs change. Found on the AMD Opteron processor-based IBM System x3455 and x3655, eXtended I/O even includes an HTX riser option. HTX adapters offer similar throughput to x16 PCI-E adapters, but with even lower latency.
HP
HP does not offer eXtended I/O.
Dell
Dell does not offer eXtended I/O.
Sun
Sun does not offer eXtended I/O.
IBM Predictive Failure Analysis
IBM
Extensive IBM Predictive Failure Analysis® (PFA) support provides up to 48 hours warning that a component may fail. PFA illuminates the appropriate light path diagnostics indicator and optionally can send a message to the system administrator. On specific servers, PFA support is enabled for hard disk drives, memory, processors, fans, voltage regulator modules and power supplies. By comparison, many competitive systems offer PFA only for hard disk drives, memory and in some cases processors.
HP and Dell
| PFA Comparison | IBM System x | HP ProLiant | Dell PowerEdge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard disk drives | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Memory | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Processors | Yes | Yes | No |
| Fans | Yes | No | No |
| VRMs | Yes | No | No |
| Power supplies | Yes | No | No |
Light path diagnostics
IBM
Light path diagnostics is a pop-out/drop-down panel with an LED for each major component — processor, memory, hard disk drives, adapter slots, etc. When the system cover is opened, another LED beside the specific component — such as DIMM Slot 12 — identifies the failed part. There is no fumbling about, trying to determine which of the DIMMs needs replacement. And light path diagnostics works even when the server is unplugged. Consider the amount of time light path diagnostics could save your technicians over the life spans of dozens or hundreds of servers. Plus, shorter servicing time can mean less downtime for your servers.
HP
HP Insight Display provides similar functionality to light path diagnostics on their ProLiant DL585 M2, but Insight Display doesn't function when the power is turned off. Additionally, on uni, 2-socket servers and blades, Insight Display is not as comprehensive as light path diagnostics.
Dell
Dell has diagnostic lights covering only a limited number of components and it does not function when the power is turned off.
Sun
Sun does not offer similar functionality.
IBM Virtualization Manager
IBM
IBM Virtualization Manager is an optional extension for IBM Director. Virtualization Manager allows you to manage physical and virtual machines from a single console. Combining IBM Director and Virtualization Manager, simplifies management of VMware ESX Server, Microsoft Virtual Server, Xen and IBM POWER™-based virtual server environments. Virtualization Manager also integrates VMware VirtualCenter and IBM Director for advanced virtual machine management including invoking VMware VMotion directly from user interface or through automated policies.
HP
HP offers similar functionality but charges for it. 6
Dell
Dell does not offer this functionality.
Sun
Sun does not offer similar functionality.
IBM Electronic Service Agent
IBM
IBM Electronic Services integrates the IBM support community with your company to ensure that your IT environment is running with minimal disruption and maximum efficiency. The two components of this strategy are IBM Electronic Service Agent™ and the IBM Electronic Services Web site.
HP
HP does not offer this functionality.
Dell
Dell does not offer this functionality.
Sun
Sun does not offer similar functionality.
1 IBM x3755 AMD Opteron Server CPU Performance and Xcelerated Memory Technology Study, VeriTest, January 2007.
2 Each server was configured with 24GB of RAM, and Windows Server 2003 EE with SP1, running SPECjbb2005. Results available at http://veritest.com.
3 IBM x3755 AMD Opteron Server CPU Performance and Xcelerated Memory Technology Study, VeriTest, January 2007.
4 Although the design of the Opteron allows for 1- and 3-processor configurations, it generally does so with significant performance degradation. The CPU Pass Thru card, which plugs into the second or fourth processor socket, avoids the performance loss, making odd-number processor configurations not only feasible but desirable.
5 Each server was configured with 4 processors, 32GB of RAM, and Windows Server 2003 EE with SP1, running SPECjbb2005. Results available at http://veritest.com.
6 http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/proliantessentials/valuepack/vms/
Information based on competitor Web sites as of January 2008.
IBM, Active Energy Manager, Active Memory, ClusterProven, Electronic Service Agent, eXtended I/O, Memory ProteXion, POWER, ServerProven, System x, X-Architecture and Xcelerated Memory Technology are trademarks of the International Business Machines Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. For a complete list of IBM trademarks, see www.ibm.com/legal/copytrade.shtml.
AMD and Opteron are trademarks or registered trademark of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., in the United States, other countries, or both. Intel and Xeon are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the United States or other countries. Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both.
All other products may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
© 2008 International Business Machines Corporation. All rights reserved. IBM hardware products are manufactured from new parts, or new and serviceable used parts. Regardless, our warranty terms apply. For a copy of applicable product warranties, write to: Warranty Information, P.O. Box 12195, RTP, NC 27709, Attn: Dept. JDJA/B203. IBM makes no representation or warranty regarding third-party products or services including those designated as ServerProven® or ClusterProven®.
IBM may not offer the products, services or features discussed in this document in other countries, and the information may be subject to change without notice. Consult your local IBM business contact for information on the product or services available in your area. Information about non-IBM products is obtained from the manufacturers of those products or their published announcements. IBM has not tested those products and cannot confirm the performance, compatibility, or any other claims related to non-IBM products. Questions on the capabilities of non-IBM products should be addressed to the suppliers of those products.
All statements regarding IBM's future direction and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice, and represent goals and objectives only.
The information could include technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Changes are periodically made to the information herein; these changes will be incorporated in new editions of the publication. IBM may make improvements and/or changes in the product(s) and/or the program(s) described in this publication at any time without notice.
Any references in this information to non-IBM Web sites are provided for convenience only and do not in any manner serve as an endorsement of those Web sites. The materials at those Web sites are not part of the materials for this IBM product and use of those Web sites is at your own risk.
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