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Lenovo System x3550 M5

End of saleServers1U rack
Lenovo System x3550 M51U rack12 × SFF 2.5" bays2 sockets

The Lenovo System x3550 M5 (machine type 8869) is a 1U, two socket rack server built on the Intel Xeon E5-2600 v4 family, with E5-2600 v3 processors on CTO builds. It has 24 DIMM sockets with up to 1.5 TB of LRDIMM memory, up to 12 hot-swap 2.5 inch drive bays or four 3.5 inch bays, and four onboard gigabit Ethernet ports with an optional ML2 slot for 10 GbE. Lenovo has withdrawn the product guide. The server was inherited from IBM System x and is common on the used market.

Also written as: x3550 M5, System x3550 M5, 8869

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Specifications

BrandLenovo
FamilySystem x
Form factor1U rack
Cpu sockets2
Cpu platformIntel Xeon E5-2600 v4 (E5-2600 v3 on CTO only)
Memory slots24
Memory typeTruDDR4 RDIMM and LRDIMM, up to 2400 MHz
Memory max (GB)1,536
ChipsetIntel C612
Drive baysUp to 12x 2.5" hot-swap SAS/SATA, or 4x 3.5" hot-swap
Storage controllerServeRAID M1215, M5210 or N2215 HBA

Compatible parts

Risers

Power supplies

Other parts

Network adapters

Hard drives

HBAs

Memory

RAID controllers

Works together

How the Lenovo System x3550 M5 connects to servers, storage and the network: 4 ways, with the parts and products on each path.

Fibre Channel SANiSCSI and NVMe/TCP over EthernetDirect-attached SASFile storage (NFS and SMB)

Fibre Channel SAN

Match the speed: 16Gb and 32Gb FC HBAs, switches and array ports work together, and each generation also runs one or two speeds below its own (a 32Gb port runs at 16Gb and 8Gb).

Adapters for the server

Switches

Storage

Optics

Fibre Channel SAN: how it fits together

iSCSI and NVMe/TCP over Ethernet

Keep the speed the same at all three points: a 25GbE server, a 25GbE switch port and a 25GbE array port. Mixed speeds work but the slowest link sets the pace.

Adapters for the server

Switches

Storage

Optics

iSCSI and NVMe/TCP over Ethernet: how it fits together

Direct-attached SAS

12Gb SAS uses Mini-SAS HD (SFF-8644) connectors; older 6Gb gear uses Mini-SAS (SFF-8088). Adapter cables exist, but the link runs at the slower speed.

Adapters for the server (check the fit list)

Storage

Direct-attached SAS: how it fits together

File storage (NFS and SMB)

Front-end ports face the clients; back-end ports (on scale-out systems) connect the nodes to each other and need their own switch pair.

Adapters for the server (check the fit list)

Switches

Storage

Optics

File storage (NFS and SMB): how it fits together

Plan and size it

Check compatibility with Lenovo

Before you buy, confirm the exact configuration against the vendor's own lists: firmware levels, operating systems, adapters and optics that Lenovo has tested with the Lenovo System x3550 M5.

Buying a used System x3550 M5: what to check

The guide is marked withdrawn by Lenovo. Check whether the unit is a v3 or v4 processor build, which RAID or HBA card is fitted (M1215, M5210 or N2215), and which drive cage the chassis has, since cages differ between the 8, 10 and 12 bay builds. Confirm the IMM2 firmware is current and that the server is not locked to a retired licence.

FAQ

How many DIMM sockets does it have?

24 sockets, 12 per processor, with RDIMM and LRDIMM support and memory up to 2400 MHz.

Which processors does it take?

Up to two Intel Xeon E5-2600 v4 processors with up to 22 cores; E5-2600 v3 processors are listed for CTO builds only.

Buying or selling System x3550 M5?

New, refurbished or used. Tell us the quantity and condition and we connect you with a vetted reseller in your region, usually within one working day.

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Sources