+--------------------------------------+ | IBM xSeries Rack Configurator v3 | | User Information | +--------------------------------------+ (updated January 18, 2005) The IBM xSeries Rack Configurator v3 is the latest version of the xSeries Rack Configurator program. It is based on a new Rules Engine design and a new Database subsystem. Key new functions include solution support, sub-component support, new PDU arrangements, AutoArrange and AutoConnect enhancements, and more. Solution Support: There are two types of solutions supported by this configurator: 1) general purpose xSeries and BladeCenter rack-based solutions 2) e1350 Linux Cluster (release 4B) Each type of solution includes its own component catalog and configuration rules. The previously separate xSeries Rack Configurator and the special e1350 Linux Cluster racking tools have been converged. The general purpose (GP) solution support cover the currently available rack-optimized and rack-accomodated products. Most of the key version 2 functions have been included. The catalog and the configurator function will be expanded over time. To select the type of solution you want to build, select Configuration from the command menu at the top of the screen. Then select Solution. And then select either Linux Cluster or General Purpose. This will be set automatically when loading previously saved topology files. Sub-component Support: This connectivity function has been added that allows the user to select PCI Cards to extend the external connection capability of the xSeries servers. This same support addresses GBIC and Line Card options for the Ethernet switches, tape drive options for tape enclosures, and BladeCenter modules. Sub-components can be added to specific units in the Connection Window to allow expansion of the unit's connection port capacity. The user is responsible to assure that the unit does support the sub-components selected in the locations identified. A simplified set of placement rules have been implemented that do not cover all possible configurations. PDU Arrangements: Power Distribution Units (PDUs) can be placed in the side-wall compartments in any of three arrangements: 2-bays, 3-bays, 4-bays. The default is 2-bays per side-wall compartment. You can change this setting at any time by selecting Configuration from the command menu at the top of the screen. Then select Rack Preferences. And then select the arrangement required. This will only effect the currently empty compartments. AutoArrange: The default setting for AutoArrange is ON. When set to ON, AutoArrange will place components in each rack according to internal placement rules, including density. Components that are required to be grouped with other components are kept together. And quantity limits are maintained. To place components in other locations, select AutoArrange OFF. .........1.........2.........3.........4.........5.........6.........7.........8 AutoConnect: Connections can be made automatically for power, console, and RIO devices. AutoConnect will make connections to components using existing power and console devices. Optionally, AutoConnect can be set to add power distribution devices and console switches. Power support - The following table shows what support is provided based on the country selection. +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ |Country| Power devices | AutoConnect fuction | AutoConnect function when | | | in the Component | when 'Use existing' | 'Add PDU or Add FE PDU' | | | Catalog | is selected | is selected [1] | |-------+-------------------+---------------------+---------------------------| | WW | all PDUs and UPSs | connects any | adds US PDUs only [2] | |-------|-------------------+ PDUs or UPSs +---------------------------| | USA | US only | that are in | adds US PDUs only [2] | |-------|-------------------+ the +---------------------------| | LA | US and some EMEA | configuration | adds US PDUs only [2] | |-------|-------------------+ +---------------------------| | EMEA | EMEA only | |adds 'Europe' PDUs only [3]| +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ NOTES: [1] When needed, AutoConnect will add DPI Rack PDUs and DPI FE PDUs. DPI Enterprise PDUs and DPI High-density PDUs or other three-phase PDUs can not be added automatically. [2] US PDUs are usable in the USA, Canada, much of Latin America, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and some other countries. Be aware that not all of the US PDUs are appropriate for all of these countries. The user has to verify that the PDU and UPS selections are appropriate. AutoConnect will add the following: Rack PDU = 32P1736 DPI Universal Rack PDU (US) - uses NEMA line cords. 30A FE PDU = 32P1766 DPI Single-phase 30A Front-end PDU high voltage (US) 60A FE PDU = 32P1767 DPI Single-phase 60A Front-end PDU high voltage (US) [3] The 'Europe' PDUs that will be added by AutoConnect are: Rack PDU = 32P1737 DPI Universal Rack PDU (Europe) - CEE7-VII line cord - usable in many EMEA countries, not all, unless attaching these to a FE PDU. 30A FE PDU = 32P1752 DPI Single-phase 32A Front-end PDU high voltage (International) - usable in most countries, except the ones needing the 'US' PDUs. 60A FE PDU = 32P1754 DPI Single-phase 63A Front-end PDU high voltage (International) - usable in most countires, except the ones needing the 'US' PDUs. There is no 'undo' function. So, you should save the topology file before running AutoConnect in case you want to return to the original configuration layout. IBM eServer BladeCenter(tm): This release includes basic support for the IBM BladeCenter server enclosure. You may select and place in a rack cabinet either a BladeCenter with two power supply modules or a BladeCenter with four power supply modules. A BladeCenter with two power supplies is capable of containing up to six blades and two switch modules. BladeCenter with four power supplies is capable of containing up to fourteen blades and four switch modules. Switch modules may be selected using the sub-component support in the Connection Window. Advanced Connectivity Technology products: The NetBAY Advanced Connectivity Technology (ACT) family of console switching products are supported in the Component Catalog for adding to configurations and in the Component Connections window for making connections. They are also supported by AutoConnect. Keep in mind, while very large configurations are possible, the number of servers managed by a single console should be kept to a reasonable number. Also, while KVM Console Switches with C2T chains attached may be connected to an LCM or RCM, management of C2T chains will be easier if the KVM Console Switch is removed and the C2T chain is connected directly to the LCM or RCM. Handling BladeCenter with two Management Modules: When there are two Management Modules in each BladeCenter, you can connect them all in either a non-redundant single path to the console switch or in two separate chains to create dual redundant paths to the console switch. To create a non-redundant ACT chain of up to three BCs: 1) Connect MM1 to MM2 inside of each BladeCenter (BC) 2) Connect the BC at the 'head' end of the chain to the console switch 3) Connect the second BC to the head BC 4) Connect the last BC to the second. To create dual redundant ACT chains across up to three BCs: 1) Start with the BC at the 'head' end of the chain. Make two connections to the console switch(s). 2) Select the middle BC and make two connections between the middle BC and the head BC. 3) Select the last BC and make two connections between the last BC and the middle BC. Max of three BCs per chain. Fibre Channel Connections: FC connections involve connecting host servers with FC adapters, optional FC switches, FC controllers, and optional storage expansion units. For working with controllers other than the DS400, you should: 1) select the host server and add the required number of FC host adapter cards; 2) with the host server in the FROM window, select the FC controller or FC switch in the TO window; 3) make the connection (double click on the TO device, or use the CONNECT button); 4) repeat steps 2 and 3 for all of the FC connections for this server. 5) Next, select the next host server, and repeat steps 1 through 4. 6) Then, select the FC controller to place it in the FROM window; 7) with the FC controller in the FROM window, select the first storage expansion unit for the first storage loop; 8) make the connection (double-click the TO device or use the CONNECT button). 9) Next, select the first storage expansion unit to place it in the FROM window; 10) with the storage expansion unit in the FROM window, select the next storage expansion unit in the chain in the TO window and make two connections; 11) repeat steps 9 and 10 until the last storage expansion unit in the chain is in the FROM window; 12) with the last storage expansion unit in the FROM window, select the FC controller again in the TO window, make the last connection; 13) if there is a second storage loop, repeat steps 6 through 12. Use the following steps for working with the DS400: 1) After selecting the host server and adding the required FC host adapter cards, select the first controller sub-component contained within the DS400 from the Configuration Tree; 2) With the controller sub-component in the FROM window, select the host server or FC switch in the FC TO window and make the upstream host connection; 3) optionally, select the storage expansion unit in the SCSI TO window and make a connection (make one or two connections depending on the desired layout). 4) Next, select the second controller sub-component to put it in the FROM window; 5) repeat steps 1 through 3. Power Connections: For most components the sequence of power connections is PS1, PS2, etc. However, for the BladeCenter, the sequence is PS1, PS3, PS2, PS4. When making the connections, connect PS1 and PS3 to the primary power distribution path. Connect PS2 and PS4 to the backup power distribution path. View Connections: Connections for a selected component can be seen on the Configuration Workspace color coded by type of connection. Select View, then select the connection types you want to be able to see. Reserved Space: EIA space can be reserved by pointing at the U position and using the right mouse button. Select 'Reserve location'. xSCA Data Linkage feature: This feature provides a private data link between the xSeries Rack Configurator (version 3.6.5 or later) and the IBM eServer xSeries and Intellistation Sales Configurator Aid (xSCA) version 8.24 or later. The data contains all needed information for either an xSCA quote to be generated or a rack configurator output report to be generated. The new linking data file will have an '.etp' file extension. It must be explicitly exported or imported per each application by the user in order to use the shared data via a new Import/Export command. The existing functionality of each tool will remain the same. The xSeries Rack Configurator must be set to Solution = 'General Purpose' and Country = 'Worldwide'. Accessibility: Accessibility has been improved by adding display screen controls to automatically inherit the system setting for High Contrast and by adding Keyboard Equivalents for application functions and features to eliminate the need to use a pointing device. See the Accessibility Information file (AccessInfo.txt) for additional information. Enhancement Plan: This move to the new Database structure is a major step in our enhancement plan. This significantly improves the flexibility and maintainability of the xSeries Rack Configurator and will allow a single configurator to handle both e1350 and general purpose xSeries solutions. Once complete, we will continue enhancements to the basic connections, AutoConnect, AutoArrange, and Report functions. Version 2 : Version 3 Comparison +=============================================================================+ | | Version 2 | Version 3 | |=============================================================================| | Solution support | general purpose xSeries | general purpose xSeries, | | | & BladeCenter only | BladeCenter, & eServer 32x | | | | e1350 Linux Cluster | |-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Rack Preferences | not available | user settable: | | | | - number of bays per | | | | side-wall compartment | | | | - side to add expansion | | | | cabinets | | | | - distance between cabinets | | | | in a suite | | | | - distance to inter-rack | | | | cable channel | |-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | AutoArrange | default = AutoArrange ON | default = AutoArrange ON | | | places components based | places components based | | | on weight at the | on density (weight/U) at | | | lowest position in the | their 'default' position, | | | range vvvvvvv | if possible | |-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | AutoConnect | Power | Power - with enhanced options| | | Console - KVM and C2T only| Console - KVM, C2T, and ACT | | | RIO | RIO | |-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | BUILD | enabled | disabled (this will be added | | | | at a later date) | |-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Component | general purpose xSeries, | currently available general | | Catalog | Netfinity, and PC Server| purpose xSeries products, | | | products as of September| e325, BladeCenter, some | | | 2003. | withdrawn products; | | | | e1350 release 4B products | | | | missing: | | | | - standalone monitors | | | | - older withdrawn products | |-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Component | basic set of product data | disabled (will be redesigned | | Information | provided using a bitmap | at a later date) | | Window | | | |-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Configuration | running total of some key | improved and expanded | | Resources | configuration parameters| implementation | |-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Sub-Component | not available | PCI cards having external | | support | | connections | | | | BC modules having external | | | | connections | | | | Tape drives for NetBAY Tape | | | | Enclosure | | | | e1350 Networking GBICs and | | | | line cards | +=============================================================================+ Version 3 - General Purpose solution: ------------------------------------ Includes support for the following xSeries products: - 9306 Standard Rack family, new 9307 S2 standard rack family, and 9308 Enterprise Rack family - rack-optimized xSeries servers - x305, x306, x335, x336, x345, x346, x360, x365, x382, x440, x445, x455 - rack-accommodated xSeries servers - x205, x206, x225, x226, x235, x255 - eServer e325 and e326 servers - BladeCenter (models 1XX, 2XX, and 3XX) - FAStT Fibre Channel Storage products - including FAStT100, EXP100, DS400 - EXP300 and EXP400 SCSI Storage Expansion Units - DS300 iSCSI Storage Subsystem - Tape Enclosure, Autoloader, and Library products - NetBAY Console Switching products - DPI Power Distribution products (including Enterprise PDUs) - IBM and APC UPSs - Withdrawn from Marketing products are included to support existing configurations (xSeries servers, BladeCenter 1XX, FAStT and SCSI storage, NetBAY PDUs) Version 3 - Linux Cluster solution: ---------------------------------- Includes support for the following e1350 LC products: - new 1410-42X eServer Enterprise Rack and the new 1410-25X and 1417-11X eServer Cluster Mini-Racks - 1410-42L eServer Enterprise Rack - xSeries 335 and 336 servers - xSeries 345 and 346 servers - eServer 325 and 326 servers - BladeCenter (model 2XX and 3XX) - FAStT Fibre Channel Storage products - EXP400 SCSI Storage Expansion Unit - DS300 iSCSI Storage Subsystem - NetBAY Console Switching products - DPI Power Distribution products (including Enterprise PDUs) - Selected OEM equipment available only with the e1350 offering (Cisco, SMC, Force10 Ethernet switches; Myricom Myrinet switches; Topspin, Voltaire InfiniBand switches; MRV terminal server switches; APC MasterSwitch) - multi-colored Ethernet Cat5 cables - Withdrawn from Marketing products are included to support existing configurations (xSeries servers, BladeCenter 1XX, FAStT and SCSI storage, OEM networking devices, NetBAY PDUs) In addition, includes some common 'Special Bid' products from the general purpose catalog (eg. some xSeries server models, UPSs, etc) Version 3 - Common Function: --------------------------- - allows multiple-rack suites, up to eight rack cabinets per suite. - user control over distance between cabinets, distance outside of the cabinet to the cable channel, and the number of power distribution units that can be installed in each side-wall compartment. - capability to add sub-components, such as PCI cards to servers, switch modules to BladeCenters, and GBICs and Line Cards to networking switches. - view cable connections color coded by type - select View, then select connection types that you want to be able to view. - new Cable Overview format (on screen and print report) as requested by IBM Manufacturing. - allow defining of the side-wall compartment for 2-bay, 3-bay, or 4-bay PDU arrangements. - allow up to four Front-end PDUs per cabinet. - control of RESERVED space using right mouse button. - AutoConnect of existing power and console devices with ability to automatically add PDUs and Console Switches, if required, based on user defined preferences. - new Configuration Resources Window and Print Report - provides running totals for key resource capacities and usage - select View from the command menu, then select Configuration Resources; or select the Configuration Resources button from the icon tool bar (fourth button from the right). Getting Started: --------------- The program comes as a self-installing .exe file. Detach and open the Rackcfg-v3.x.exe file (or a later version) to begin the installation process. Follow the prompts. The program and its associated files will be place in the file directory: C:\Program Files\IBM xSeries Rack Configurator v3 The README file will provide a history of changes to the program and the latest information on known problems. Start the program from the Windows Start menu or set up a program icon to initiate the program. The first time this program is run, a Solution Preferences window will open. Select the solution (General Purpose or Linux Cluster) and the country (Worldwide, EMEA, LA, or USA) you want to use initially. You can later switch between solutions and countries by selecting the Configuration item in the command menu. This version includes support for four 'Countries': - Worldwide -- useable for configurations worldwide, xSeries servers are shown using their standard Machine Type and Model numbers. - EMEA -- tailored for use in EMEA, xSeries servers are shown using the EMEA order number with 'xx' for the country designator. - USA -- tailored for use in North America. - LA -- tailored for use in Latin America. WARNING: 1) Topology files built with the e1350 Stage 1 version (2.15LC) are NOT supported by this Stage 3 release (3.x). 2) Topology files built with the general purpose xSeries Rack Configurator (v2.22) are NOT supported by this v3 configurator. 3) If you have multiple versions of the xSeries Rack Configurator installed on your workstation, trying to launch the program from the topology file may not start the correct version. Start the application first and then use the File Open command to open the topology file. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- END OF FILE Jan 18, 2005