IBM Systems and Technology System x
Solution Brief
IBM System x Private
Cloud Offering
The comprehensive, usable cloud for midmarket
clients from System x, Microsoft and Brocade
IBM® System x® Private Cloud offering (PCO) is the result of an
Highlights evolution that brings a ready-to-use, high-performance, ultra-reliable
datacenter to businesses looking to benefit from the promise that cloud
● Robust and ready private cloud computing offers. IBM brings a sophisticated, powerful platform that
– Leading edge technology from IBM, can be rapidly virtualized into multiple, secure, completely segregated
Microsoft® and Brocade
environments so that each environment acts as if it has complete own-
● Modular for secure scalability ership of the entire platform and all its resources. The resources incor-
– Seamlessly add resources to meet porated into IBM System x PCO solutions are leading edge—from
demand
10 Gb Brocade® Network products to the latest Microsoft Self Service
● Designed for elasticity and flexibility Portal. IBM System x, Microsoft and Brocade continue a tradition of
– Service demand management is delivering simple, easy-to-use solutions.
fully automated and can be securely
reallocated
PCO combines high-quality servers and networking hardware with
● Economies of scale enhances value
the robust tools and software to create an innovative, comprehensive,
– Pooled resources yield higher utiliza-
usable cloud-computing offering. PCO maximizes client value and
tion and lower overall costs
performance per square foot of datacenter space, lowering the barrier
● Automated web-based access
of entry for a cloud solution, so now midmarket businesses can reap
– Powerful management tools and
cloud-computing benefits without a large IT staff or deep pockets.
self-service portal
IBM System x rack servers form the reliable foundation, Microsoft
software Hyper-V™ Cloud Fast Track provides the latest in virtualiza-
tion and cloud management software and Brocade Top-of-Rack
switches and adapters complete the datacenter connectivity. PCO is a
pre-tested, end-to-end cloud solution that is ready to deploy and run.
PCO alleviates key IT private cloud deployment inhibitors by central-
izing compute power, pooling resources, maximizing utilization and
seamlessly responding to and measuring fluctuating demand for server
features. Integrated virtualization with Windows® Server 2008 R2
IBM Systems and Technology System x
Solution Brief
Hyper-V Server virtualization promises cost savings by Hyper-V, the Microsoft hypervisor-based server virtualization
reducing hardware, power, cooling and space requirements, technology, and flexible licensing policies make it easier than
and increasing operational efficiencies. Capacity needs can be ever to take advantage of the cost savings of virtualization
predefined within the integrated management tools simplify- through Windows Server 2008 R2. Windows Server 2008 R2
ing planning of the private cloud and for virtual machine and with Hyper-V offers a complete, integrated virtualization
infrastructure deployment. The self-service portal allows for solution that features Live Migration and Cluster Shared
rapid and automated VM deployment. Volumes out-of-the-box. Key Microsoft software components
are shown in the figure below:
Software Hardware
• Windows Server 2008 R2 • (1) 1 Gb Enet Switch IBM 48Y
Datacenter – Hyper -V – PN 0563022
• System Center Virtual Machine • (2) 10 Gb Enet Switch IBM B24X
Manager – PN 0563012
• Systems Center Operations • (8) x3650 M3 Physical Host
Manager Servers
• (1) x3650 M3 Management
• Brocade DCFM Server
• (1) x3650 M3 Active Directory
• IBM Systems Director Upward Server
Integration Module
• (1) IBM N3600 System Storage
– PN 0563912
• (20) Brocade 10 Gb CNA – Dual
Port,
– PN 42C1820
2
IBM Systems and Technology System x
Solution Brief
Comprehensive, robust and ready design these servers include performance, reliability, and simplified
for rapid private cloud deployment management. System x servers provide a robust, reliable plat-
IBM System x offers an architecture that is sized to fit the form that clients can trust to run their business.
small and midmarket business needs. Each configuration is a
predefined, robust solution with out-of-the-box usability. Brocade networking components
PCO is a tested, end-to-end solution that comprises all parts The Brocade 10 Gb Network Adapter and B24X 10 Gb
of a future-ready data center in a modular, extensible, flexible Ethernet switches team together to create the comprehensive
and scalable rack server format. This format optimizes value network fabric that interconnect the PCO for storage, data
both in terms of ease of deployment as well as administration, and management traffic flows. Low Latency and high per-
support and expansion. formance tied to a non-blocking architecture yield a design
that supports rapid movement of Virtual Machines with mini-
Part and parcel of business agility is the ability to scale the mum delay. The use of an iSCSI SAN solution and the
delivery of services to match the demand. PCO does just that 10 GbE Brocade adapters provide a high-performance,
thanks to the hardware that powers this cloud architecture. lower-cost solution.
IBM System x3550 M3 and x3650 M3 servers are optimized
to meet the virtualization management and advanced work- Built on the latest six-core Intel® Xeon® processor
load demands of private cloud data centers. Brocade 10 Gb 5600 series, IBM System x3650 M3 2U, two-socket servers
Ethernet components form the backbone for data and net- offer a highly available, high-performance platform for
work connectivity. The combination of high-performance Windows Server 2008 R2 with Hyper-V. With integrated
adapters and low latency, cut-through switches enables the 6 Gbps RAID adapters and double the I/O performance, the
high-speed infrastructure that is critical for resource x3650 M3 provides a resilient architecture ideal for virtualiza-
utilization and load balancing within the cloud. The tion environments.
IBM N series N3600 Storage System was selected to bring
high-performance SAN and NAS features in a unified system Innovative, energy-smart 2U design helps to lower
with efficiency features like deduplication, thin replication operational costs
and no-performance-impact snapshots.
Eighteen DIMMs of ultra-fast registered 1333 MHz DDR3
IBM System x rack servers are built for memory with Chipkill ECC protection provide speed, high
availability, and memory capacity of up to 192 GB.
virtualization performance
IBM is a leader in technology and innovation and has a deep
Up to sixteen 2.5-inch hot-swap SAS/SATA hard disk drives
understanding of virtual environments. With substantial
offer high performance with high availability—SSDs offer
investments in green initiatives and energy-smart designs,
even higher availability, with extremely high IOPS rates
IBM can not only provide high-performing, easy-to-manage
servers, but can also help minimize costs on power and cool-
Better serviceability with a highly scalable, flexible design that
ing. The IBM System x3650 M3 and x3550 M3 rack servers
is easy to deploy, integrate, service, and manage
address current business requirements while delivering the
scalability to manage future requirements. Key capabilities of
3
IBM Systems and Technology System x
Solution Brief
What we offer
The PCO reference architecture for the components currently defined is as follows:
Required: Microsoft
• SCVMM • Guidance & Best Practices
• Validation of Partner solution
• Ops Manager • Solution requirements checklist
Recommended:
• Self-Service Portal 2.0
• Configuration Manager Reference
• DPM Architecture
Windows Server 2008 R2 Server Partner
Hyper-V Must provide functionality but does
not have to be Microsoft products:
• Self-Service Portal
• Backup
•…
Compute
Network
Storage
Management and infrastructure servers
Management Server Quantity
Offering a single management platform with integrated
management of both virtual and physical servers, Microsoft IBM System x 3650 M3 1
System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM) enables 16 GB RAM 4 x 4 GB
increased physical server utilization, centralized management ServeRAID M5014 SAS/SATA 1
of virtual infrastructure and rapid provisioning of new virtual Controller (Battery not included)
machines. Plus, there’s no need to rip-and-replace current 2
IBM 73 GB 15K 6 Gbps SAS 2.5”
VMware investments. SCVMM allows you to manage your SFF Slim-HS HDD
Hyper-V environments as well as your Virtual Server and
IBM 146 GB 15K 6 Gbps SAS 2.5” 4
VMware environments—all from a centralized platform SFF Slim-HS HDD
Intel Xeon Processor X5650 6C 2
2.66 GHz 12 MB Cache 1333 MHz
4
IBM Systems and Technology System x
Solution Brief
System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2: Compute node (host) servers
Achieve outstanding mission-critical performance and
● Live migration reliability and reduce operational costs with innovative 2U
● Clustered shared volumes design Centralize and streamline management of the virtual
● Hot addition/removal of storage environment with Microsoft System Center Virtual
● Maintenance mode Machine Manager
● Expanded support for iSCSI SANs
● SAN migrations in and out of clustered hosts IBM System x3650 M3 servers with Intel Xeon processors
● Support for third-party CFS 5600 series deliver a high-performance platform for
● Support for quick storage migration Microsoft Windows Server® 2008 R2 with Hyper-V
virtual environments
Active Directory Server Quantity
IBM System x 3550 M3 1 Host Server (8 Node Cluster) Quantity
4 GB RAM 2 x 2 GB IBM System x 3650 M3 1
ServeRAID M5014 SAS/SATA 1 96 GB RAM 12 x 8 GB
Controller (Battery not included) ServeRAID M5014 SAS/SATA Controller 1
(Battery not included)
IBM 73 GB 15K 6 Gbps SAS 2.5” 2
SFF Slim-HS HDD IBM 73 GB 15K 6 Gbps SAS 2.5” SFF 2
Slim-HS HDD
Intel Xeon Processor X5650 6C 2
2.66 GHz 12 MB Cache 1333 MHz Brocade DP 10 Gb CNA for IBM System x 2
Intel Xeon Processor X5670 6C 2.93 GHz 2
12 MB Cache 1333 MHz 95w
Management Server Quantity Active Directory Server Quantity Host Server (8 Node Cluster) Per Server
IBM System x 3650 M3 2 IBM System x 3550 M3 1 IBM System x 3650 M3 1
24GB RAM 6x4GB 4GB RAM 2x2GB 96GB RAM 12x8GB
ServeRAID M5014 SAS/SATA ServeRAID M5014 SAS/SATA ServeRAID M5014 SAS/SATA
Controller (Battery not included) 1 Controller (Battery not included) 1 Controller (Battery not included) 1
IBM 73GB 15K 6Gbps SAS 2.5” IBM 73GB 15K 6Gbps SAS 2.5” IBM 73GB 15K 6Gbps SAS 2.5”
SFF Slims-HS HDD 2 SFF Slims-HS HDD 2 SFF Slims-HS HDD 2
Brocade 10Gb Dual Port Intel Xeon Processor X5650 6C Brocade DP 10Gb CNA for IBM
Converged Network Adapter for 2 2.66GHz 12MB Cache 1333MHz 2 System x 2
IBM System x
Intel Xeon Processor X5650 6C
Intel Xeon Processor X5650 6C 2.66GHz 12MB Cache 2
2.66GHz 12MB Cache 2
5
IBM Systems and Technology System x
Solution Brief
IBM System x Virtual Private Cloud Topology
IBM/Brocade B24X Storage Network 10GbE
Separate VLANs would be created for the
Storage, Cluster Public/VM/Management/Live
Migrations, Cluster Private.
IBM/Brocade B24X Cluster Public/VM Network/Live
Migr 10GbE
IBM/Brocade B48Y would be uplinked into IBM/
Brocade B24X Switches
Cluster Private Network 1GbE
Management Network 1GbE
IBM/Brocade B48Y
10 GbE Link
10 GbE Link
IBM N3600
IBM System x3550 M3
1 - 1GbE - Management
6 - EXN3000 Expansion
IBM System x3650 M3
System Center Mgmnt Server
SQL/SCOM/SCVMM
1 - FT Pair 10GbE Storage
1 - 1GbE - Cluster Public
1 - 1GbE - Cluster Private
8 - IBM System x3650 M3
Variety of configuration options
Windows Server 2008 R2 available to maximize IOPS &
Datacenter running Hyper-V space - 104 Disks Max
Snap Manager for Hyper-V for
1 - FT Pair 10GbE - Storage Backup to disk
1 - FT Pair 10GbE - Cluster Public/VM
Network/Live Migration
1 - 1GbE - Cluster Private
1 - 1GbE - Management
The modular design provides extensibility and scale out ● Wire-speed performance with an ultra-low-latency,
features that enhance performance and security with a cut-through, non-blocking architecture ideal for
well-designed network architecture that includes: VM migration and scale-out expansion
● Highly efficient power and cooling with front-to-back
● A 1U, high-density top-of-rack data center switch for airflow and automatic fan speed adjustment
10 GbE server access and aggregation with twenty-four
10 GbE/1 GbE dual-speed SFP+ ports
● Flexibility to mix 10 GbE and 1 GbE servers, protecting
investments and streamlining migration to 10 GbE capable
server farms
6
Notes
For more information
To learn more about the IBM System x Private Cloud
offering, please contact your IBM marketing representative
or IBM Business Partner, or visit the following website:
[Link]/systems/x/os/windows/
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