xseries.org - xSeries Server install tips
Firefox users -- just reload the page if it looks screwy. The page was built in Excel and Firefox sometimes chokes a little on it.
This is site is neither sponsored by nor supported by any equipment or software manufacturers.
Any suggestions or submissions for content, as well as broken link reports, should be sent to admin@xseries.org
Understand the technology before deciding to deploy it.
Just because you CAN do something, doesn't always mean you should.
NEWS -- updated Aug 2007 comments from the webmaster
Most Frequently Requested Links
               
  IBM Support - Main page IBM Forums IBM System x Literature Site  
  IBM System x Support Site IBM BladeCenter literature site  
  IBM BladeCenter Support Site Consolidated driver and firmware list    
    IBM Storage Support Site ServerGuide 7.4.16 cd  
    IBM System p Support Site Current UpdateXpress CDs  
  IBM Systems Mgmt Software Support IBM xSeries Configuration Tools  
         
Planning tools
               
  IBM ServerProven (xSeries centric) IBM xRef sheets (chipset details)  
  IBM xSeries ServerProven NOS pages xSeries install tips  
  IBM BladeCenter ServerProven NOS pages IBM Redbooks  
  Performance comparison info  
  Solutions Assurance Review & associated goodness  
  IBM eSAR site IBM Director & management tools DS4000 interoperability matrix  
  Generic Customer Support Plan (CSP)  
  IBM SAR site IBM's Daylight Saving Time Page IBM xSeries Configuration Tools  
   
  Support Repository - tech sheets & sims <-- I must confess to not knowing where to put this one… the name is deceiving and the uses mixed
               
All things power (as in electricity)
               
  BladeCenter H power planning - pdf Pictures and names of commonly used Power connectors IBM PDU Handout - North America - pdf  
  BladeCenter (orig) power planning - pdf  
  BladeCenter 20amp power planning - pdf IBM PDU Details - ppt download dated
  BC-H UPS suggestions - pdf  
  Places to buy IEC 309 receptacles IBM PDU Decision Tree - NA  
  BC and System x Power Calculator IBM PDU Decision Tree - EMEA  
  Wiring for IBM/APC 10kva UPS - pdf  
  IBM's rack options site IBM PDU Power Planning Templates  
               
Install and support tools
               
  ServerGuide 7.4.16 cd IBM Support - Main page  
  ServerGuide 7.4 cd  
  ServerGuide 7.3 cd ServeRaid 3.50C Diskettes  
  ServerGuide 7.2.06 cd IBM Forums  
  ServerGuide 7.2.05 cd Management SW download site  
  ServerGuide 7.2.03 cd  
  ServerGuide Scripting Kit Hardware Maint Manuals  
   
  IBM Support - Main page  
  IBM System x Support Site Consolidated driver and firmware list  
  IBM BladeCenter Support Site Current UpdateXpress CDs  
  IBM Storage Support Site UpdateXpress upgrade whitepaper  
  IBM System p Support Site UpdateXpress automation whitepaper  
    IBM Systems Mgmt Software Support UpdateXpress server updating whitepaper WinImage - disk image extraction tool  
               
All things IBM BladeCenter
               
  see all thing power (above) BladeCenter InterOp Guide BladeCenter mgmt tool  
   
  IBM BladeCenter literature site Blade Exp Unit compability Matrix (pdf) Mounting a BC in the APC AR3100 Rack  
   
  IBM BladeCenter page Chassis & switch interop Matrix (pdf) HS21 firmware update process (pdf)  
     
  cute pictoral tour of the blade products Ports for Mgmt Module (and RSA) JS21 firmware update process (pdf)  
   
  HP vs IBM blade - RAM thermals BladeCenter Products & Tech Redpiece BladeCenter Cisco Switch guideline docs  
  gigE Switch (CIGESM) setup (pdf)  
  FC  SAN Switch licensing config (pdf)  
               
Sales related sites
               
  IBM System x Page IBM System x Literature Site Announcement letters and other goodies  
     
  IBM BladeCenter page IBM BladeCenter literature site  
   
  IBM ServicePack info & activation IBM ServicePack part numbers IBM out of production equipment purchase  
  includes warranty, post-warranty, RTS, and education ITXchange  
               
Other useful Sites
               
  IBM Linux Portal IBM Lab Services (billable people) IBM Storage Website  
               
   
Education and training
               
  IBM Online Systems Training IBM Online xSeries training - Technical  
               
   
   
Support & Maintenance (break/fix)
               
  IBM phone support Buy parts  
  800 IBM-SERV  
  Boulder parts center  
  IBM electronic repair ticket system IBM ServicePack info & activation 800-388-7080   
   
  Electronic Service Agent (eSA) IBM ServicePack part numbers ITXchange  
  includes warranty, post-warranty, RTS, and education IBM Options Continuation Program  
  IBM Warranty Status  
  IBM DSA Tool Check ITXchange before ordering from Boulder Parts. Items are often less expensive and in stock.  
  Lenovo Warranty Status problem determination tool  
               
   
IBM PartnerWorld Links
               
  IBM Partnerworld xSeries.org PartnerWorld Link Page There are simply too many specialized links, so they have been moved to their own page.  
             
   
Associated products sites
               
  vmWare Website Aurema Website RackSolution Website (3rd party rails)  
               
 
Other grassroots sites
               
  xAnalisys.com  IBM Quicklinks rainsux.dyndns.org  
  xSeries pSeries  
               
all orange buttons are bookmarks to IBM pages
all purple buttons are bookmarks to IBM PartnerWorld pages and require a userid and password
all yellow buttons are links to xseries.org user community supplied pages
all green buttons are bookmarks to other related websites
Disclaimer:
The sole intent of this site is to be a community supported website for enthusiasts and users of IBM's Intel Architecture based servers.
This is not a for profit site in any way, shape or form. No advertising or consideration of any type is accepted.
This is a grassroots, user community sponsored site. All content is developed by the user community or the site admin.
Any opinions expressed are solely those of the contributors. 
All content should be considered to be the opinion of the site administrator and contributors rather than any manufacturer 
and is not guaranteed accurate or useful.
It is not the intent of this site to in any way replace the manufacturers' support sites or their content, 
but rather to make things easier for the users of this site.
Hits since fixing the counter on July 11, 2007