IBM® BladeCenter® remains an innovative solution to running business solutions. IBM BladeCenter builds on the IBM commitment to integrating server, storage, and networking functionality with technology exchange and heterogeneous management. IBM BladeCenter offers the ease, density, availability, affordability, and scalability that are central to the blade technology promise.

Blade servers have captured industry focus because of their modular design, which can reduce cost with a more efficient use of valuable floor space, and its simplified management, which can help to speed up such tasks as deploying, reprovisioning, updating, and troubleshooting hundreds of blade servers. In addition, blade servers provide improved performance by doubling current rack density. By integrating resources and sharing key components, not only will costs be reduced but also availability will be increased.

This IBM Redbooks® publication describes IBM BladeCenter and discusses the technology and features of the different chassis, blade server models, and connectivity options. We go into detail about every major component and provide guidance as to networking and storage connectivity. This sixth edition includes new products that were announced in the second half of 2009 and first quarter 2010. This book is for customers, Business Partners, and IBM employees who want to know the details about IBM BladeCenter chassis, servers, and options. We assume that you have a basic understanding of blade server concepts and IT knowledge in general.