External disk storage expansion
The x3100 M5 supports attachment to external storage expansion enclosures, such as the EXP2500
series, by using the ServeRAID M5120 SAS/SATA Controller. The server can also be attached to
supported external storage systems, such as the IBM System Storage® DS3500 series, by using a
supported HBA.
Table 21. RAID controllers and options for external disk storage expansion
Part number
Feature
code
81Y4478
A1WX
Hardware upgrades for the M5120
81Y4508
A22E
00J6455
A3SE
81Y4484
A1J3
81Y4487
A1J4
81Y4559
A1WY
Feature on Demand upgrades for the M5120
81Y4544
A1X2
90Y4318
A2MD
90Y4273
A2MC
81Y4546
A1X3
* The ServeRAID M5100 Series Battery Kit (81Y4508) is supported only with ServeRAID M5100 Series 512MB
Cache/RAID 5 Upgrade (81Y4484).
† The ServeRAID M5100 Series RAID 6 Upgrade (81Y4546) requires a cache upgrade (either 81Y4484, 81Y4487, or
81Y4559).
** For the standard tower chassis only (hot-swap power supplies). Not supported in the compact tower chassis.
The ServeRAID M5120 SAS/SATA Controller has the following specifications:
Eight external 6 Gbps SAS/SATA ports
Two external x4 mini-SAS connectors (SFF-8088)
Supports RAID levels 0, 1, and 10
Supports RAID levels 5 and 50 with optional M5100 Series RAID 5 upgrades
Supports RAID 6 and 60 with the optional M5100 Series RAID 6 Upgrade
Supports 512 MB battery-backed cache or 512 MB or 1 GB flash-backed cache
6 Gbps throughput per port
PCIe x8 Gen 3 host interface
Based on the LSI SAS2208 6 Gbps ROC controller
Supports connectivity to the EXP2512 and EXP2524 storage expansion enclosures
For more information, see the IBM Redbooks Product Guide ServeRAID M5120 SAS/SATA Controller for
IBM System x at:
http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/tips0858.html?Open
IBM System x3100 M5 Product Guide
Description
ServeRAID M5120 SAS/SATA Controller
ServeRAID M5100 Series Battery Kit**
(Supported only with 512MB cache option, 81Y4484)
System x3100 Hardware RAID Remote Battery/Cap Mechanical kit**
ServeRAID M5100 Series 512MB Cache/RAID 5 Upgrade
ServeRAID M5100 Series 512MB Flash/RAID 5 Upgrade**
ServeRAID M5100 Series 1GB Flash/RAID 5 Upgrade**
ServeRAID M5100 Series Zero Cache/RAID 5 Upgrade
ServeRAID M5100 Series SSD Caching Enabler
ServeRAID M5100 Series SSD Performance Key
ServeRAID M5100 Series RAID 6 Upgrade
Maximum
supported
3
1*
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
1†
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