iDirect Product Change Notification Q0000132

Change: IBM System x3550 to Dell PowerEdge 1950 III

Date of PCN: May 3, 2010
Type of Change: New NMS and Protocol Processor Server Introduction

What is Changing?

iDirect is introducing the Dell PowerEdge (PE) 1950 III servers for use as the iDirect Hub NMS
and Protocol Processor servers.

Note: Existing IBM x3550 servers that are installed in your network remain fully supported by
iDirect, within the hardware warranty period.

Why the Change?

iDirect is making this change because the IBM System x3550 servers have reached “end of life”
status.

What are the Server Part Numbers and Specifications?

The table that follows defines the old (IBM x3550) and new (Dell 1950) part numbers and the
Dell 1950 specifications.
Table 1. Old (IBM x3550) and New (Dell 1950) Part Numbers

IBM x3550 Server Information Dell PE 1950 III Information

Old Part Description New Part Description Specifications
Number Number
K0000006-0001 NMS, Dual K0000078- NMS, Dual Processor, RoHS 2 x 146 GB SAS
K0000006-0002 Processor, RoHS 0002 15krpm 2.5in Hot-
Replaces the single and dual Swap, SCSI HDDs
K0000007-0001 NMS, Single processor NMS servers.
2 x Intel Xeon
K0000007-0002 Processor, RoHS
E5430 2.66 GHz
Quad-Core
Processors Server
4 GB RAM, 2x2GB
DDR2 Dual Ranked
DIMMS, 667 MHz
K0000008-0001 Protocol Processor, K0000077- Protocol Processor, Dual 2 x 73 GB SAS
Single Processor, 0002 Processor, RoHS 15krpm 2.5in Hot-
RoHS Swap, SCSI HDDs
Replaces the single and dual
2 x Intel Xeon
processor Protocol Processor
E5430 2 x 6MB,
servers.
K0000034-0001 Protocol Processor, 2.66 GHz, 1333
K0000034-0002 Dual Processor, MHz Quad-Core
RoHS Processors Server
4 GB RAM, 2x2GB
DDR2 Dual Ranked
DIMMS, 667 MHz

PCN_Q0000132_Dell1950_RevA_102209.doc 1
What Else Do I Need to Know?

The new Dell servers have been tested and verified to perform equal to or better than the
IBM System x3550 servers.
You can add Dell PE 1950 servers to your existing compliment of IBM System x3550 servers.
There is no version change on the operating system version that is installed on the Dell PE
1950 servers. Just like the IBM System x3550, the Dell PE 1950 server comes with RedHat
Enterprise Linux (RHEL) Version 3, Update 8 installed.
The Dell servers do not support the Hifn Encryption card on the Protocol Processor. If you
are employing Link Encryption or TRANSEC on your network and you need to use Dell
servers, refer to the chart on page 3 to see which iDirect software versions support Link
Encryption and TRANSEC without a Hifn card.
The eth0 and eth1 ports on the Dell NIC card are opposite of those on the IBM servers.

On an NMS server, the Gb 1 port is eth0. An example is shown in Figure 1:

Figure 1. NMS Server eth0 Port Location

Unlike the NMS server, ports Gb 1 and Gb 2 of the Protocol Processor cannot be used.
Instead, an Intel Pro add-in NIC card is installed where eth0 is the left port and eth1 is the
right port. An example is shown in Figure 2:

Figure 2. Protocol Processor Server eth0 and eth1 Port Locations

PCN_Q0000132_Dell1950_RevA_102209.doc 2
Is the New Dell Server Compatible with My iDS/iDX Network?
The Dell PE 1950 server is compatible with most existing iDS/iDX versions that are running on
customer networks. Since the Dell servers do not support Hifn cards, the iDirect Software version
compatibility depends on whether you are using Link Encryption or TRANSEC on your network. The
chart that follows defines iDirect software version compatibility.
Table 2. Supported Releases on Dell Servers
If you are not using Link If you are using Link If you are using Transec
Encryption or TRANSEC Encryption

Supported Releases on Dell Supported Releases on Dell Servers Supported Releases on Dell Servers
Servers
iDX 2.0.x.x iDX 2.0.x iDX 2.0.x

iDX 1.1.0.x iDX 1.1.0.2 iDX 1.1.0.2

iDX 1.0.x.x iDS 8.3.1 iDS 8.3.12.1

iDS 8.3.x.x iDS 8.0.2.7 iDS 7.1.3.x (FUTURE)

iDS 8.2.x.x iDS 8.0.2.5 iDS 7.0.8.x (FUTURE)

iDS 8.0.2.x iDS 7.1.3.x (FUTURE)

iDS 7.1.2.x iDS 7.0.8.x (FUTURE)

iDS 7.0.8.x

iDS 7.0.7.x

iDS 7.0.5.x

Information in this document is provided in connection with iDirect products. No license, expressed, implied, or otherwise,
to any intellectual property rights is granted by this document. Except as provided in the iDirect Terms and Conditions of
Sale for such products, iDirect assumes no liability whatsoever, and iDirect disclaims any expressed or implied warranty,
relating to sale and/or use of products including liability or warranties relating to fitness for a particular purpose,
merchantability, or infringement of any patent, copyright or other intellectual property right. iDirect may make changes to
specifications and product descriptions at any time, without notice.
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