190 IBM eX5 Implementation Guide
Figure 5-9 shows the block diagram of a 2-node HX5 and the location of the HX5 2-node
scalability card.
Figure 5-9 Block diagram of a 2-node HX5
Ensure that all firmware is up-to-date before attaching the blades together. For the minimum
firmware requirements, see 8.2.3, “Required firmware of each blade and the AMM” on
page 379.
For configuring software when using a 2-node for creating the partition in a scalable complex,
using Flexnode to toggle between a single blade and a 2-node, and deleting the partition, see
8.6, “Creating an HX5 scalable complex” on page 402.
5.8.3 HX5 with MAX5
In the HX5 and MAX5 configuration, the HX5 and MAX5 units connect through a 1-node
MAX5 scalability card, which provides QPI scaling. See Figure 5-10 on page 191.
Important: When a blade is attached, it does not automatically become a 2-node
single-image system. You must create the 2-node single-image system by using the
scalable complex in the Advanced Management Module (AMM) in the chassis. See 8.6,
“Creating an HX5 scalable complex” on page 402 for more information.
HX5
2-node
scalability kit
HX5
QPI
links
SMI
links
SMI
links
16 DIMMs
(1 DPC)
QPI
links
SMI
links
SMI
links
16 DIMMs
(1 DPC)
CPU
1
CPU
2
CPU
1
CPU
2
HX5
Chapter 5. IBM BladeCenter HX5 191
Figure 5-10 Single-node HX5 + MAX5
The card that is used to connect the MAX5 to the HX5 is the IBM HX5 MAX5 1-Node
Scalability Kit, which is extremely similar in physical appearance to the 2-Node Scalability Kit
that was shown in Figure 5-8 on page 189. Table 5-10 lists the ordering information.
Table 5-10 HX5 1-Node Scalability Kit
Figure 5-11 shows the block diagram of the single-node HX5 with MAX5.
Figure 5-11 HX5 1-node with MAX5 block diagram
Part number Feature code Description
59Y5877 1742 IBM HX5 MAX5 1-Node Scalability Kit
Important: The MAX5 can be connected only to a single HX5 server. A configuration of
two MAX5 units connected to a 2-node HX5 is not supported.
QPI
links
MAX5
EXA
EXA EXA EXA
24 DIMMs
(2 DPC)
HX5 MAX5
1-node
scalability kit
HX5
QPI
QPI
SMI
links
CPU
1
SMI
links
CPU
2
16 DIMMs
(1 DPC)
Get IBM eX5 Implementation Guide now with the O’Reilly learning platform.
O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.
