Products

Lenovo ThinkSystem SN550 Server (Xeon SP Gen 2)

The Lenovo ThinkSystem SN550 is a high-performance server that offers enhanced security, efficiency, and reliability features to handle business-critical workloads. The blade server incorporates up to two second-generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors. The processors feature up to 28 cores each and use Lenovo TruDDR4 memory, which runs at speeds up to 2933 MHz. Key features The ThinkSystem SN550 is […]

Description

The Lenovo ThinkSystem SN550 is a high-performance server that offers enhanced security, efficiency, and reliability features to handle business-critical workloads. The blade server incorporates up to two second-generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors. The processors feature up to 28 cores each and use Lenovo TruDDR4 memory, which runs at speeds up to 2933 MHz.

Key features

The ThinkSystem SN550 is a high-availability, scalable blade server that is optimized to support the next-generation microprocessor technology. It is ideally suited for medium and large businesses. This section describes the key features of the server.

Scalability and performance

The SN550 offers the following features to boost performance, improve scalability, and reduce costs:

  • Up to 14 SN550 servers can be installed in one Flex System Enterprise chassis.
  • Supports second-generation Intel Xeon Processor Scalable processors
  • Improves productivity by offering superior system performance with two processors, each up to 28 cores or up to 3.8 GHz core frequency, and supporting a processor Thermal Design Power (TDP) rating of up to 165W.
  • Supports up to two processors, 52 cores, and 104 threads, which maximizes the concurrent execution of multi-threaded applications.
  • Intelligent and adaptive system performance with energy-efficient Intel Turbo Boost Technology allows CPU cores to run at maximum speeds during peak workloads by temporarily going beyond processor TDP.
  • Intel Hyper-Threading Technology boosts performance for multithreaded applications by enabling simultaneous multithreading within each processor core, up to two threads per core.
  • Intel Virtualization Technology integrates hardware-level virtualization hooks that allow operating system vendors to better use the hardware for virtualization workloads.
  • Intel Speed Select Technology provides improvements in server utilization and guaranteed per-core performance service levels with more granular control over processor performance.
  • Intel Deep Learning Boost (Vector Neural Network Instruction set or VNNI) is designed to deliver significant, more efficient Deep Learning (Inference) acceleration for high-performance Artificial Intelligence (AI) workloads.
  • Intel Advanced Vector Extensions 512 (AVX-512) enable acceleration of enterprise-class workloads, such as databases and enterprise resource planning.
  • Each processor has 6 memory channels with up 2 two DIMMs per channel. Up to 3 TB of memory capacity using 128GB 3DS RDIMMs. Higher memory capacity by using Persistent Memory.
  • Supports 2933 MHz and 2666 MHz memory DIMMs
  • Supports the new Intel Optane DC Persistent Memory; up to 12 Data Center Persistent Memory Modules (DCPMMs) can be installed in conjunction with regular memory DIMMs. DCPMMs are up to 512 GB each, for a total of up to 6 TB of Persistent Memory.
  • Optional support for high-performance PCIe-attached NVMe Flash Storage solid-state drives (SSDs) can significantly improve I/O performance.
  • Embedded 4-port 10Gb Intel adapter built into the system board is based on the Intel Ethernet Connection X722 network controller.
  • With Intel Integrated I/O Technology, the PCI Express 3.0 controller is integrated into the Intel Xeon processor Scalable family. This integration helps to dramatically reduce I/O latency and increase overall system performance.
  • Support for high-bandwidth I/O adapters; up to two in each SN550 server.
  • Support for up to 40 Gb Ethernet, 16 Gb Fibre Channel, and FDR InfiniBand.
  • High-speed USB 3.0 port for connectivity to external devices.

Availability and serviceability

The SN550 provides the following features to simplify serviceability and increase system up-time:

  • The server offers Single Device Data Correction (SDDC, also known as Chipkill), Adaptive Double-Device Data Correction (ADDDC, also known as Redundant Bit Steering or RBS), memory mirroring, and memory rank sparing for redundancy in the event of a non-correctable memory failure.
  • Tool-less cover removal provides easy access to upgrades and serviceable parts, such as CPU, memory, and adapter cards.
  • The Dual M.2 Boot Adapter supports RAID-1 which enables two installed M.2 drives to be configured as a redundant pair.
  • Hot-swap drives support integrated RAID-1 redundancy for data protection and greater system up-time.
  • Solid-state drives (SSDs), which offer significantly better reliability than mechanical HDDs for greater uptime.
  • The power source independent light path diagnostics functionality provides individual LEDs that lead the technician to failed (or failing) components, which simplifies servicing, speeds up problem resolution, and helps improve system availability.
  • The built-in XClarity Controller continuously monitors system parameters, triggers alerts, and performs recovery actions in case of failures to minimize downtime.
  • Proactive Platform Alerts (including PFA and SMART alerts): Processors, voltage regulators, memory, internal storage (SAS/SATA HDDs and SSDs, NVMe SSDs, flash storage adapters), RAID controllers, and server ambient and sub-component temperatures. Alerts can be surfaced through the system XClarity Controller to managers such as Lenovo XClarity Administrator, VMware vCenter, and Microsoft System Center. These proactive alerts let you take appropriate actions in advance of possible failure, thereby increasing server uptime and application availability.
  • Built-in diagnostics in UEFI with Lenovo XClarity Provisioning Manager that supports the collection of service data to USB key drive or remote CIFS share folder for troubleshooting and reduced service time.
  • Auto-restart in the event of a momentary loss of AC power (based on power policy setting in the XClarity Controller service processor).
  • Support for the XClarity Administrator Mobile app running on a supported smartphone and connected to the server through the service-enabled USB port, enables additional local systems management functions.
  • Three-year customer replaceable unit and on-site limited warranty; next business day 9×5. Optional service upgrades are available.

Manageability and security

The following powerful systems management features simplify the local and remote management of the SN550:

  • Support for Lenovo XClarity Administrator, providing auto-discovery, inventory tracking, monitoring, policy-based firmware updates, address pool management, configuration patterns and operating system installation.
  • The server includes an XClarity Controller (XCC) management processor to monitor server availability and perform remote management. XCC Enterprise is supported as standard, which enables remote KVM, mounting of remote media files (ISO and IMG image files), boot capture, and power capping.
  • UEFI-based Lenovo XClarity Provisioning Manager, accessible from F1 during boot, provides system inventory information, graphical UEFI Setup, platform update function, RAID Setup wizard, operating system installation function, and diagnostic functions
  • Integrated Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 support enables advanced cryptographic functionality, such as digital signatures and remote attestation.
  • Supports Secure Boot to ensure only a digitally signed operating system can be used. Supported with HDDs and SSDs as well as M.2 SSD.
  • Support for Lenovo XClarity Energy Manager which captures real-time power and temperature data from the server and provides automated controls to lower energy costs.
  • Industry-standard Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) NI support for faster, stronger encryption.
  • Intel Execute Disable Bit functionality can help prevent certain classes of malicious buffer overflow attacks when combined with a supporting operating system.
  • Intel Trusted Execution Technology provides enhanced security through hardware-based resistance to malicious software attacks, which allows an application to run in its own isolated space that is protected from all other software that is running on a system.

Energy efficiency

The SN550 offers the following energy-efficiency features to save energy, reduce operational costs, increase energy availability, and contribute to a green environment:

  • The component-sharing design of the Flex System chassis provides ultimate power and cooling savings.
  • The Intel Xeon Processor Scalable Family of processors offer significantly better performance than previous generations of processors, while fitting into the same TDP limits.
  • Intel Intelligent Power Capability powers individual processor elements on and off as needed, which reduces power draw.
  • Solid state drives (SSDs) use as much as 80% less power than traditional spinning 2.5-inch HDDs.
  • The SN550 uses hexagonal ventilation holes, which can be grouped more densely than round holes providing more efficient airflow through the system.

Standard specifications

The following table lists the standard specifications.

Components Specification
Machine Type 7X16
Form factor Standard-width Flex System compute node.
Chassis support Flex System Enterprise Chassis with CMM2.
Processor One or two second-generation Intel Xeon Processor Scalable Family of processors (formerly codename “Cascade Lake”). Supports processors with up to 28 cores, core speeds up to 3.8 GHz, and TDP ratings up to 165W.
Chipset Intel C624
Memory Up to 24 DIMM sockets (12 DIMMs on 6 channels per processor). DIMM slots are shared between standard system memory and persistent memory. Supports Lenovo TruDDR4 DIMMs at 2933 MHz or 2666 MHz. RDIMMs, LRDIMMs and 3DS RDIMMs are supported (RDIMMs currently only available), but memory types cannot be intermixed.
Persistent memory Supports up to 12 Intel Optane DC Persistent Memory modules (DCPMMs) installed in the DIMM slots. Persistent memory is installed in combination with system memory DIMMs.
Memory maximums
  • With system memory DIMMs: Up to 3.0 TB with 24x 128GB 3DS RDIMMs and two processors (1.5 TB per processor)
  • With Persistent Memory in Memory Mode: Up to 6TB of Persistent Memory with 12x 512GB Intel Optane DC Persistent Memory modules and two processors (3TB per processor)
  • With Persistent Memory in App Direct mode (App Direct mode is only supported under Special Bid conditions): Up to 7.5 TB total memory (6TB of Persistent Memory using 12x 512GB DCPMMs + 1.5 TB of system memory using 12x 128GB RDIMMs) with two processors (3.75 TB per processor)

Note: Support of more than 1TB per processor requires M-suffix or L-suffix processors with 2TB or 4.5TB memory support respectively. These calculations include any Persistent Memory installed. See the Processor options section for information.

Memory protection ECC, SDDC (for x4-based memory DIMMs), ADDDC (for x4-based memory DIMMs, requires Intel Xeon Gold or Platinum processors), memory mirroring, and memory sparing.
Disk drives Two 2.5-inch hot-swap drive bays supporting SSDs or HDDs. Drive bay can be either SATA only, SAS/SATA or NVMe/SATA, depending on the model. Optional support for up to two M.2 SSD.
Maximum internal storage
  • With two 2.5-inch hot-swap drives: Up to 30.72 TB using 2x 15.36 TB 2.5-inch SAS SSDs or up to 4 TB using 2x 2 TB NL SAS HDDs.
  • With two 2.5-inch NVMe SSDs: Up to 7.68 TB using 2x 3.84 TB PCIe 2.5-inch SSDs.
  • With two internal Non-Hot-Swap M.2: Up to 256 GB using 2x 128 GB SATA SSDs.

No support for the Flex System Storage Expansion Node.

RAID support RAID-0 and RAID-1
Network
interfaces
Embedded Intel X722 10 GbE (model specific); optional 1, 10, 25, 40, 50 GbE adapters.
PCI Expansion
slots
Two I/O connectors for adapters. PCI Express 3.0 x16 interface. No support for the Flex System PCIe Expansion Node.
Ports Front: One USB 3.0 port and one console breakout cable port that provides local KVM and serial ports (cable standard with chassis; more cables optional).
Systems management UEFI, Lenovo XClarity Provisioning Manager, Lenovo XClarity Controller with Pilot4 XE401 baseboard management controller (BMC), Predictive Failure Analysis, light path diagnostics panel, automatic server restart, remote presence. Support for Lenovo XClarity Administrator and Lenovo XClarity Energy Manager.
Security features Power-on password, administrator’s password, Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 and 2.0, Trusted Cryptographic Module (TCM) – China only.
Video G200 graphics with 16 MB memory and 2D hardware accelerator, integrated into the XClarity Controller. Maximum resolution is 1920×1200 32bpp at 60Hz.
Limited warranty Three-year customer-replaceable unit and on-site limited warranty with 9×5/NBD (upgrades available).
Operating systems supported Microsoft Windows Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, VMware ESXi. See the Operating system support section for specifics.
Service and support Optional service upgrades are available through Lenovo Services: 4-hour or 2-hour response time, 6-hour fix time, 1-year or 2-year warranty extension, software support for Lenovo hardware and some third-party applications.
Dimensions Width: 215 mm (8.5 inches), height 51 mm (2.0 inches), depth 493 mm (19.4 inches).
Weight Maximum configuration: 7.1 kg (15.6 lb).