Integrated virtualization
The server supports the VMware vSphere (ESXi) hypervisor on one or two SD cards with the optional SD
Media Adapter for System x. This adapter is in a dedicated connector on the system board.
Figure 12. SD Media Adapter with one SD Card installed
When only one SD card is installed in the adapter, you can create up to 16 volumes, each of which is
presented to UEFI as a bootable device. When two SD Media cards are inserted, volumes can be mirrored
(RAID 1) across both cards, up to a total of eight mirrored volumes. The use of mirrored volumes improves
system availability because the server remains operational, even if one SD card fails. The RAID
functionality is handled internally by the SD Media Adapter.
The following table shows the available options. The table also indicates whether the option includes the
SD Media RAID Adapter and how many SD cards are included.
Table 33. Virtualization options
Part
number
Feature
code
Description
Includes
Adapter
SD
Cards
Included
00ML706
A5TJ
SD Media Adapter for Systems x
(Option 00ML706 includes 2 blank 32GB SD cards)
Yes
2*
00ML700
AS2V
Blank 32GB SD Media for System x
No
1
None**
AS4B
RAID Adapter for SD Media w/ VMware ESXi 5.1 U2 (2 SD Media,
RAIDed)
Yes
2
None**
AS4C
RAID Adapter for SD Media w/ VMware ESXi 5.5 U2 (2 SD Media,
RAIDed)
Yes
2
None**
ASCG
RAID Adapter for SD Media w/ VMware ESXi 5.1 U2 (1 SD Media)
Yes
1
None**
ASCH
RAID Adapter for SD Media w/ VMware ESXi 5.5 U2 (1 SD Media)
Yes
1
* Option 00ML706 includes two 32GB SD cards; however, for CTO orders, feature code A5TJ does not
include SD media and the 32GB cards and VMware vSphere preload must be selected separately.
** CTO only.
Lenovo System x3500 M5
37