IBM System x3550 M2 review

To install an OS locally you still need to boot the x3550 with IBM's ServerGuide disc - Dell's Lifecycle Controller has all these integrated. IBM doesn't supply ServerGuide as standard anymore so it must be downloaded first. We recommend doing this in the early hours as IBM's support site is slow during normal working hours.

Nevertheless, we found ServerGuide easy enough to work with. It provides access to the RAID controller for array setup and, once you've added all your user details, it will get on with installing your chosen OS.

For full remote server access, IBM takes a leaf out of HP's book. It's dumped its optional RSA (remote supervisor adapter) card and replaced it with an embedded IMM (integrated management module), with a dedicated network port at the rear. It has essentially the same web interface as the RSA, along with an enhanced feature set, and it can be upgraded to a premium version, which adds remote control, virtual boot media and OS failure screen capture.

For general systems management, IBM's Director also gets its marching orders. It's been replaced with Systems Director 6.1, which provides a much smarter browser interface and starts with a network discovery routine. Agents are provided for IBM and non-IBM systems, and you can collect inventory data, set up an alerting system, run file transfers and fire up remote control sessions using RDP or RealVNC.

Power management doesn't get off lightly either, as the new Active Energy Manager plugin replaces the PowerExecutive utility. This interacts with the server's BMC, and provides power capping along with trend graphs of power consumption and system temperatures over time.

The x3550 M2 delivers a good overall package for the price, and IBM's new server management software is far superior to its predecessor, offering much better power monitoring options. However, it's short on innovative features and isn't as good value as Dell's PowerEdge R610.

Author: Dave Mitchell