Assembling a scalable blade complex

Use this information to assemble a scalable blade complex.

To assemble a scalable blade complex, you need the following parts:
  • Two BladeCenter HX5 blade servers
  • 2-node scalability kit, which includes the 2-node scalability card, the scalability tray, and the 3/16" hex driver.

To assemble a scalable blade complex, complete the following steps:

  1. Before you begin, read Safety and Installation guidelines.
  2. Remove the covers for both blade servers (see Removing the blade server cover).
  3. Install all optional components, such as DIMMs and SSDs in each of the blade servers.
  4. Optional: Install a hypervisor key, if required, to use the scalable blade complex as a single hardware partition in a virtualized environment.
    To determine whether you have to install a hypervisor key, see the documentation that comes with your virtualization software. For more information about virtualization, see http://www.ibm.com/itsolutions/virtualization/.
    Note: If you are using a scalable blade complex that is configured as a single hardware partition, install the hypervisor key in the primary blade server in the complex. If the blade servers in a scalable blade complex are operating independently, install a hypervisor key in each blade server, if required.
  5. Install the scalability tray in the topmost blade server (see Installing the scalability tray for instructions).
  6. Attach the blade server with the scalability tray to the bottom blade server.

    Graphic illustrating the assembly of a scalable blade complex
    1. Lower the topmost blade server so that the slots at the rear slide down onto the pins at the rear of the bottom blade server, as shown in the illustration.
    2. Pivot the topmost blade server to the closed position, as shown in the illustration, until it clicks into place.
  7. Install the 2-node scalability card (see Installing the 2-node Scalability card).
  8. Install the blade cover on the topmost blade server (see Installing the blade server cover for instructions).
  9. Install the scalable blade complex into the chassis (see Installing a blade server in a BladeCenter chassis for instructions).