IXS Installation overview

This topic discusses an overview of the IXS installation.

Attention: Only recent models of the Integrated xSeries^® Server can be used with Linux^®. Refer to the Web site mentioned in Reviewing the planning documentation to verify that your Integrated xSeries Server is valid.

The Integrated xSeries Server card installs into slots in the iSeries™ or one of its towers. It is basically an xSeries motherboard that can be inserted into an iSeries PCI slot. However, it lacks an integrated diskette drive, tape drive, optical drive, and hard drive. Virtual disk, tape, and optical drives can be made available to Linux running on the Integrated xSeries Server by the Linux integration support. Although there is no virtual diskette drive capability, you can connect a USB diskette drive to one of the USB ports on the Integrated xSeries Server.

It is important to understand that the Integrated xSeries Server must be installed in pre-defined PCI slots in the iSeries. Additionally, because it is a double-wide card, it takes up two slots, although it only plugs into one of them. To determine the possible slots that the Integrated xSeries Server can use, refer to one of the following documents:

IBM^® eServer™ for i5, iSeries, and AS/400e™ System Builder, SG24-2155
PCI Card Placement Rules for the IBM eServer iSeries Server, REDP-3638

You can download these publications from the following Web site:

http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/ Link outside information center

Each iSeries model has a maximum number of Integrated xSeries Server cards it supports based on the number and type of towers installed:

http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/iseries/integratedxseries/ixs_model_support.html Link outside information center

Connectors for peripheral devices are on the card itself. You can connect the following devices:

A 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet adapter is built into the card. Some models of the Integrated xSeries Server can also control up to three additional LAN adapters installed in adjacent slots. These can be 4/16/100 Mbps token ring, or 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet.
An SVGA compatible monitor plugs directly into the card.
A keyboard and mouse can be connected to the Integrated xSeries Server card using the supplied splitter cable, which plugs into a single port on the card. It is a relatively common misconception that you can only plug one of these devices directly into the port. In this case you would be unable to locate a port for the second device. You might conclude that you need to obtain a USB keyboard or mouse as the second device, but this is not the case.
The keyboard, mouse, and monitor can be connected to a KVM switch so they can be shared between multiple computers, but be aware that there can be compatibility problems with some switches.
There are two USB ports that are available for you to connect peripheral devices.

Important: The installation of Linux on the Integrated xSeries Server requires a diskette drive. This is so that drivers can be loaded in order for Linux to be able to access iSeries virtual devices including the optical drive. Most xSeries servers have an onboard diskette drive, but the Integrated xSeries Server does not. Therefore a USB port must be used to plug in a USB diskette drive.