IDataPlex

System x

Company type	Product line
Industry	Computer servers
Predecessor	IBM PS/2 Server, IBM PC Server, IBM Netfinity, IBM eServer xSeries
Founder	IBM
Fate	Sold to Lenovo in 2014; product line phased out in favor of Lenovo ThinkSystem
Successor	Lenovo ThinkSystem
Owner	Lenovo (since 2014)
Parent	IBM (until 2014)

System x represents a series of x86 servers originally created by IBM and subsequently managed by Lenovo. This line forms part of IBM's broader System portfolio, which also includes IBM Power Systems, IBM System z, and IBM System Storage. The System x servers played a significant role within the IBM System Cluster 1350 configuration.

In January 2014, IBM finalized the sale of its x86 server division to Lenovo for $2.3 billion, with the deal concluding on October 1, 2014.

History

The evolution of this server family began with the PS/2 Server, transitioned through the IBM PC Server, Netfinity, and eServer xSeries phases, before ultimately adopting the System x name. These servers utilize commercially available x86 processors and were positioned by IBM as their entry-level hardware option, contrasting with their POWER and Mainframe product lines. Initially, servers powered by AMD Opteron processors were categorized outside the xSeries brand under the wider eServer classification; however, later iterations were incorporated into the System x lineup.

IBM PS/2 Server

• IBM PS/2 Server 85 (Type 9585), released in 1992
• IBM PS/2 Server 95 (Types 8595, 9595, 9595A), produced between 1990 and 1992
• IBM PS/2 Server 195, launched in 1993
• IBM PS/2 Server 295, introduced in 1992

PC Server models

• IBM PC Server 300, debuted in 1994
• IBM PC Server 310 (PCI/ISA), from 1996
• IBM PC Server 315 (PCI/ISA), also from 1996
• IBM PC Server 320 (PCI/EISA), introduced in 1996
• IBM PC Server 325 (PCI/EISA), released in 1996
• IBM PC Server 330 (PCI/EISA), launched in 1997
• IBM PC Server 500 (MCA), from 1994
• IBM PC Server 520 (PCI/EISA or PCI/MCA), produced between 1995 and 1996
• IBM PC Server 704 (PCI/EISA), dated to 1996
• IBM PC Server 720 (PCI/MCA), available between 1995 and 1996

Numbering conventions

• The '300' series targeted high-volume entry-level servers
• The '500' series was designed for midrange applications
• The '700' series represented high-end systems

IBM Netfinity

The Netfinity server range was active from 1998 to 2001 and should not be confused with the similarly named IBM software product, NetFinity.

Netfinity models

• IBM Netfinity 1000
• IBM Netfinity 3000 and 3500
• IBM Netfinity 4000R and 4500R
• IBM Netfinity series including 5000, 5100, various configurations of the 5500 model (5500-M10, 5500-M20), and the 5600
• IBM Netfinity 6000R
• IBM Netfinity models such as the 7000, its variant 7000-M10, along with the 7100 and the high-end 7600
• IBM Netfinity rack-mounted unit: the 8500R

Numbering conventions

Initially reflecting the numbering system used by IBM PC Servers, the Netfinity line later expanded to include an entry-level '1000' series. Models with an "R" suffix indicate rack-mountable configurations.

KVM connectivity

Certain Netfinity servers incorporated IBM's proprietary C2T cabling technology for Keyboard/Video/Mouse connections.

eServer lineup

IBM unified its server families under the eServer brand: AS/400 systems became IBM eServer iSeries, RS/6000 transitioned into IBM eServer pSeries, S/390 mainframes were rebranded as IBM eServer zSeries, while Intel-based Netfinity servers were renamed as IBM eServer xSeries.

Exceptions to this branding included:

• AMD-powered systems such as the eServer models 325, 326, and 326m
• Servers within the IBM eServer BladeCenter family (models T, H, HT)

Numbering approach

To distinguish AMD-based servers from Intel-based xSeries products, models like e325 and e326 as well as BladeCenter units carried the eServer label. Their numbering corresponded closely with comparable xSeries models (for example, x335 and x336) but avoided duplication to prevent any confusion.

IBM eServer xSeries

The majority of xSeries models utilized Intel x86 processors; nonetheless, the x380, x382, x450, and x455 variants incorporated Intel Itanium (IA64) CPUs.

xSeries lineup

• IBM eServer xSeries 100, 130, 135, 150
• IBM eServer xSeries 200–260 series, including versions such as 205 and 206m
• IBM eServer xSeries 300–382 series, with variants like 305, 306m, and AMD-compatible models (335, 336)
• IBM eServer xSeries 440–460 series

Model numbering system

• 100 series: entry-level tower configurations
• 200 series: tower-class servers
• 300 series: rack-mounted servers
• 400 series: scalable rack-mounted servers

KVM connection standard

A significant number of xSeries servers employed IBM’s C2T cabling method for Keyboard/Video/Mouse connectivity.

IBM System x portfolio

• IBM System x3105, x3100 series (M3, M4, M5)
• IBM System x3200 series (M2 through M6), x3250 series (M2 through M6)
• IBM System x3300 M3, M4
• IBM System x3350
• IBM System x3400 series (M2, M3), along with the x3450 and x3455 models
• IBM System x3500 series (M2 to M4)
• IBM System x3530 M3, M4
• IBM System x3550 series (M2 to M5)
• IBM System x3620 M3
• IBM System x3630 M3, M4
• IBM System x3650 series (including T and HD/BD versions) up to M5
• IBM System x3690 X5
• IBM System x3750 M4 and the x3755 lineup (including M3)
• IBM System x3800 and x3850 series (M2, X5, X6)
• IBM System x3950 series (M2, X5, X6)

Lenovo System x portfolio

These systems replicate earlier IBM designs but are branded under Lenovo.

• Lenovo System x3100 M5
• Lenovo System x3250 M5, M6
• Lenovo System x3500 M5
• Lenovo System x3550 M4, M5
• Lenovo System x3650 M4, M5
• Lenovo System x3850 X6
• Lenovo System x3950 X6
• Lenovo NextScale
• Lenovo FlexSystem

Lenovo also marketed the ThinkServer line of Intel-based servers positioned below the System x tier in terms of features. The System x range is currently being phased out in favor of the Lenovo ThinkSystem product family.

Model numbering details

- The second digit represents the performance tier - The third digit: '0' denotes tower units; '5' signifies rack-mount units - The fourth digit: '0' indicates Intel processors; '5' designates AMD Opteron CPUs - Units bearing a 'T' suffix are designed for telecommunications uses

IBM iDataPlex

Launched in 2008, the IBM System x iDataPlex was extensively utilized in TOP500 supercomputers such as SuperMUC, Yellowstone, and Stampede. It also served smaller-scale clusters like the SciNet Consortium's General Purpose Cluster.

Its design consisted of dual columns of shallow-depth 19" rack servers arranged side-by-side within a single rack to maximize data center space efficiency. This compact form factor necessitated custom server designs and was frequently combined with Rear Door Heat Exchangers (RDHx) for effective water-cooling solutions.

The iDataPlex product line was discontinued in 2014 and replaced by IBM NeXtScale.

Configuration options

iDataPlex was offered either as a preassembled rack tower system (System x iDataPlex Rack with an optional Rack management appliance) or as standalone server nodes.

Rack

The iDataPlex 100U rack was designed with a compact dual-rack configuration, measuring 1200x600mm in footprint, which is smaller compared to the conventional 1280x1050mm size of a typical 2x 42U rack.

Chassis

• System x iDataPlex 2U Flex chassis
• System x iDataPlex 3U Flex chassis — closely resembling the 2U version but equipped with extra cooling units and expanded storage capacity.

Both chassis models could be installed in standard racks by utilizing different rail kits.

Nodes

The lineup of 1U blade servers comprised:

• System x iDataPlex dx320
• System x iDataPlex dx340
• System x iDataPlex dx360 M1 — introduced in 2008
• System x iDataPlex dx360 M2 — introduced in 2009
• System x iDataPlex dx360 M3
• System x iDataPlex dx360 M4 — released in 2013, powered by Intel Xeon processors

See also

• List of IBM products
• iDataCool — the water-cooled version of the iDataPlex system

References

eServer xSeriesTemplate:Br2000

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