IBM 88553RX, Installation Manual

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Chapter 2. Positioning
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Do your applications support 64-bit hardware?
Will you application migrate to provide true 64-bit performance?
How long will it take to migrate your applications and how complex will it be?
Will you 64-bit platform integrate seamlessly with your existing 32-bit
platforms?
2.2 Scalable system partitioning
With the power of Enterprise X-Architecture, the x455 sets the pace in the market
for 8-way and 16-way multi-node partitions. It blends XpandOnDemand
processor and I/O scalability with OnForever™ availability for mission-critical
applications.
The x455 has a modular and flexible design, which allows you to start with a
configuration that meets your current needs and expand when your needs
increase. This forms part of IBM’s pay-as-you-grow strategy that allows
customers to only pay for what they need. With the x455 you can start with a
minimum configuration and scale up though several stages up to the maximum
configuration, which is designed to meet the most demanding needs. These are
listed below.
Minimum configuration:
1 x server chassis
1 x Itanium 2 processor
1 GB RAM
6 x PCI-X slots
1 x 18.2 GB internal hard disk
Maximum configuration:
4 x server chassis
16 x Itanium 2 processors
224 GB RAM
48 x PCI-X slots with the use of two RXE-100
8 x 146.8 GB internal hard disk = 1175 GB (587 GB in RAID-1 configuration)
With the 64-bit architecture, IBM’s X-Architecture, and its scalability options, the
x455 has moved into territory that was traditionally the preserve of mini and
mainframe systems. This offers the following advantages:
Customers who have invested in Microsoft technologies can now scale up
their applications.