You can install up to four I/O modules in the BladeCenter S chassis, including Ethernet switch modules, Fibre Channel switch modules, pass-thru modules (optical and copper), SAS connectivity modules, and SAS RAID controller modules.
Note:
For more information about I/O modules, see the I/O module documentation. To determine which I/O modules are compatible with the BladeCenter S chassis, see the IBM ServerProven Web site.
I/O module bay 1
I/O module bay 1 supports
any standard Ethernet or pass-thru module that
connects to the two integrated Ethernet controllers in each of the
blade servers.
Note: This I/O module bay is wired differently from
I/O module bay 1 in a BladeCenter E or BladeCenter H chassis.
I/O module bay 2
I/O module bay 2 supports an optional I/O module, such
as an Ethernet switch or a pass-thru module,
that connects to the two integrated Ethernet controllers in each of
the blade servers.
Note: If you install an I/O module
in I/O module bay 2, you will also need to install an expansion card
option, such as the 2/4 Port Ethernet Expansion Card, in each blade
server that will access the external Ethernet network through the
switch module in I/O module bay 2.
I/O module bays 3 and 4
I/O module bays 3 and 4 support SAS connectivity modules or SAS RAID controller modules.
- If you are using the RAID storage solution, you must install two SAS RAID controller modules, one in I/O module bay 3 and one in I/O module bay 4. SAS RAID controller modules require a SAS expansion card option in each blade server that will access the integrated shared storage.
- If you are using only one SAS connectivity module, install the module in I/O module bay 3. You can install an additional SAS connectivity module in bay 4. A SAS connectivity module requires a SAS expansion card option in each blade server that will access the integrated shared storage.
The two bays also support Ethernet switch modules, Fibre Channel switch modules, and pass-thru modules (optical and copper) if the disk storage modules are not being used.
Important: I/O module bays 3 and
4 must both contain the same type of switch (either SAS connectivity modules, SAS RAID controller modules,
Ethernet switch modules, pass-thru modules,
or Fibre Channel switch modules).