IBM xSeries Rack Configurator v3 Version 3.6 CONTENTS -------- 1.0 Important Information about using the IBM xSeries Rack Configurator v3 2.0 Change History 3.0 Minimum System Requirements 4.0 Installation and Setup Instructions 5.0 Trademarks and Notices 1.0 Important Information about using the IBM xSeries Rack Configurator v3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- NetBAY Standard and S2 Rack Cabinets: Lightly loaded rack configurations (load less than 90kg/200lb), may not pass the '20% push test' defined in IEC 950 section 4.1. Stability can be improved by adding more weight at the bottom of the cabinet, installing the stabilizer plates that come with the cabinet, and bolting the cabinet to the floor. If you need more information, send a note with your Topology File (.top) to the e-mail address below. Known Problems: -------------- The code is not allowing chained ACT console connections to be made to the BladeCenter Redundant Management Module. Each connection requires a port on the switch. This will be fixed in a future release. The x336's Y-cable is not yet supported for making power connections. The Monitor Shelf (pn 94G7444), stand-alone monitors, and the placing of a console on top of the smaller racks are not yet supported by this version. When doing power connections to UPS's, the Rack Configurator does not verify the number of server communication ports required. The APC 1400 is limited to one. The APC 3000 and 5000 support three. The IBM UPS3000X can have one using a serial or USB port or more using an ethernet LAN. Topology files created by this version are not supported by the older xSeries Rack Configurator version 2 program. Also, topology files created by version 2 are not supported by this version. Functions: --------- See the User Information file (UserInfo.txt) for information about the available functions. xSCA Data Linkage feature: When enabled, this feature provides a private data link between the xSeries Rack Configurator (version 3.5.4SP or later) and the IBM eServer xSeries and Intellistation Sales Configurator Aid (xSCA) version 8.12 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. This feature is currently being tested and is not generally available. 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. 2.0 Change History -------------------- As updates and improvements are made to the IBM xSeries Rack Configurator v3, updated versions of the program will be available on the World Wide Web. To obtain the latest version, visit our Web site at the appropriate address below: http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/eserver/xseries/library/configtools.html or send a request to the address below: cfgtools@us.ibm.com If you need product support, please send e-mail to the address below: cfgtools@us.ibm.com If you send e-mail, please include: - in the subject of the mail: Rack Configurator version x.x (where x.x is the version you are using) - your name - your job title - your e-mail address - type of report, select one: "How to Use", "Problem Reporting", "Feedback", "Other" - your comments - your topology file - any other pertinent files Version 3.6 -------------- General Purpose: - Added to Component Catalog BladeCenter model 3XX x206 models x226 x306 models x336 x346 RXE-100 model 2RX FAStT100 Storage Server large Keyboards - Enabled AutoArrange ON (default mode) Places components based on density Linux Cluster: - no change Common: - Allow two Rack PDUs with HD-PDU - Allow public distribution and use Version 3.5.6SP ----------------------- General Purpose: - xSCA Data Linkage feature updated Common: - Fixed AutoConnect use of C13/C20 power cable option - Fixed Print problem when multiple x455 8-ways are included Version 3.5.5SP ----------------------- General Purpose: - no change Linux Cluster: - Added support for e1350 release 4B new 11U, 25U, and 42U rack cabinets e325 models x335 models x345 models FAStT EXP100 new Myrinet card Cisco 3750G Ethernet Switch Cisco 6503 and 6509 Ethernet Switches Topspin 120 InfiniBand Switch - Out-of-date Sample Files have been removed Common: - ACT console support for x335 with RSA2 card Version 3.5.4SP ----------------------- General Purpose: - Added xSCA Data Linkage (Import/Export) feature Version 3.5.3SP ----------------------- General Purpose: - Added products to the Component Catalog: new 9307 NetBAY S2 Standard Rack Cabinet family e325 models x235 models x445 models x455 models FAStT EXP100 BladeCenter - Redundant Managment Module Linux Cluster: - no change Common: - Extended AutoConnect to Add Console Switches when required Version 3.5.2SP ----------------------- General Purpose: - Added products to the Component Catalog: x206 x305, x306 x445 new models APC1400, APC3000 UPSs - Added 'customer-provide' CAT5 cables for ACT connections Linux Cluster: - Added x455 to Special Bid list - Added Multi-color Ethernet Cable Kit option Common: - Added Country/Geography selection: Latin America (LA) - Added Configuration Resources Window & Print Report - Fixed HD-PDU AutoConnect problem Version 3.5.1SP ----------------------- General Purpose: - Added products: x205, x225, x235, x255 x335 model J1X x345 model J1X x365 models 4RX, 5RX, 6RX APC5000 UPS - Added RIO connections for RXE-100 Linux Cluster: - no change Common: - Added Country/Geography selection - USA Version 3.5SP ----------------------- General Purpose: - Added new servers x335 models L1X, L2X, M1X, M2X x345 models F1X, K1X, L1X, M1L x365 models 1RX, 2RX, 3RX x455 multi-node servers e325 models 61X, 62X - Added 1U 17in Console Kit and Travel Keyboard Linux Cluster: - Added support for e1350 release 4A x335 model G1X, G2X x345 model 91X e325 model 61X, 62X BladeCenter 2XX with 1800W Optical Passthru Module for Myrinet EXP400 SMC 8624T Ethernet Switch MRV LX-4032, LX-4048 Terminal Servers Common: - Extended AutoConnect to Add PDUs when required Version 3.4.2SP ----------------------- General Purpose: - Added FC Switches Linux Cluster: - Added Special Bid items to catalog Version 3.4.1aSP ----------------------- Common: - Corrected three-phase FE-PDU data Version 3.4.1SP ----------------------- Common: - Fixed Customer Information load problem - Improved FC connection support General Purpose: - Added new x335 and x345 models - Added DPI High Density PDUs Linux Cluster: - no change Version 3.4SP ----------------------- General Purpose: - Added selected GP xSeries products BladeCenter (versions with 1200W, 1400W, and 1800W power supplies) eServer 325 x382 new model EXP400 3607 Tape Autoloader Linux Cluster: - Added support for e1350 release 3B x345 model 71X x360 model 2RQ, 3RQ e325 New Myrinet card ServeRAID 6M, 6i cards FT600, FT900 Version 3.3.1SP ----------------------- - Fixed RSA and APC MS power connection problem. - Fixed SCSI tape connection problem. Version 3.3SP ----------------------- Support two types of solutions: General Purpose or Linux Cluster General Purpose: - Added selected GP xSeries products x335, x345, x382, x440, x445 FT200, FT600, FT700, FT900 EXP300, FT EXP700 0034, 4560 tape - Improved PDU placement -- 2-bay, 3-bay, and 4-bay support - New default position for console tray Linux Cluster: - Added connection support for RSA card and APC MasterSwitch - Added BladeCenter switch module support - Removed BladeCenter with two non-redundant power supplies Version 3.2.2SP ----------------------- - Fixed internal indexing problem that affected connections. - Internal Customer information comments buffer was increased. Version 3.2.1SP ----------------------- - Fixed 2U console connection problem. - Fixed Comments formatting problem. Version 3.2SP ----------------------- - New internal Database subsystem with enhanced function and performance. - Addition of new Distributed Power Interconnect PDU family for e1350 solutions. - New PCI Card support in Connection Window. Version 3.1.2LC ----------------------- - Flagged NetBAY PDUs with order numbers for replacement with new DPI PDUs. NOTE: User action required -- order DPI PDUs in place of the NetBAY PDUs. Version 3.1.1LC --------------- Updated Network Connection support: - Copper and fiber GBIC used with the Cisco 3508, 3550, 4006 - SP adapter on the x360 server - Myrinet adapter card on the x335, x345, x360 servers Version 3.1LC --------------- Added support for the following new products: - BladeCenter - xSeries 360 - 2U Flat Panel Monitor Console Kit Added cable connection capability for: - Ethernet ports - Myrinet ports - Serial Ports Version 3.0.2LC --------------- - Added AutoConnect chaining of KCO servers - Modified sample configuration LC10 and LC40 Version 3.0.1LC --------------- - Modified WW sample topology files LC27 and LC57 - Added sample topology files for EMEA - Fixed several small problems Version 3.0LC ------------- Enhanced 'stage 2' racking configurator for the IBM e1350 Linux Cluster. Includes support for the following products: - 1410-42L eServer Enterprise Rack - xSeries 335 server - xSeries 345 server - FAStT Fibre Channel Storage products - EXP300 SCSI Storage Expansion Unit - NetBAY Console Switching and Power Distribution products - Selected OEM equipment available only with the e1350 offering This version has a new Rules Engine. And supports: -- rack suites of up to 8 rack cabinets. -- Rack Preference dialog to set distance between cabinets and distance of cable channel below the cabinets. -- up to four Front-end PDUs per rack cabinet. -- mounting two, three, or four PDUs per side-wall compartment. -- view cable connections color coded by type -- control of RESERVED space using right mouse button 3.0 Minimum System Requirements --------------------------------- Pentium class processor (733 MHz preferred minimum) 128MB of memory 60MB of disk storage Op Sys: Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows XP 4.0 Installation and Setup Instructions ----------------------------------------- To install the IBM xSeries Rack Configurator v3 on Windows platforms: 1. Copy the file Rackcfg.exe to a temporary directory on your hard drive. 2. Exit all other Windows applications before continuing. 3. In the windows start menu click Run. 4. In the Run dialog box type ?:\XXX\Rackcfg.exe where "?" is the drive letter and "XXX" is the name of the directory where you copied Rackcfg.exe. Click OK. 5. The installation process will begin. The Setup program will display information screens and option prompts as the IBM xSeries Rack Configurator program is installed. Follow the installation instructions displayed on the screen. 6. When the installation is complete, you may delete the file Rackcfg.exe. You should be aware of these important considerations when installing the IBM xSeries Rack Configurator: 1. If you have installed the IBM xSeries Rack Configurator v3 and decide to reinstall it, or install a later version, uninstall it first. Otherwise, a later uninstallation might not remove all files. 5.0 Trademarks and Notices ---------------------------- The following terms are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States, or other countries, or both: IBM xSeries, Netfinity, eServer, BladeCenter Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others. See the Notices.txt file for THIRD PARTY LICENSE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, NOTICES AND INFORMATION.