ThinkSystem SR860 V2

The Lenovo ThinkSystem SR860 V2 is a 4-socket server that features a 4U rack design with support for high-performance GPUs. The server offers technology advances, including third-generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors with Intel Optane Persistent Memory 200 Series, and scale-up capacity with up to 12TB of system memory, up to 14x PCIe slots, and up to 48x 2.5-inch drive bays.

Suggested uses: Mission critical workloads such as SAP HANA in-memory computing, transactional databases, deep learning, analytics, big data, and virtual machine density.

The flexible ThinkSystem SR860 V2 server supports third-generation Intel Xeon Scalable Gold or Platinum processors and can scale from two to four processors. Built for standard workloads like general business applications and server consolidation, it can also accommodate high-growth areas such as databases and virtualization. The ThinkSystem SR860 V2’s agile design permits rapid upgrades for processors and memory, and its large, flexible storage capacity helps to keep pace with data growth.

With the capability to support up to 48 DIMMs, four sockets, up to 48 drives for internal storage, support for up to eight high-performance NVIDIA Tesla T4 GPUs or four NVIDIA V100S GPUs, and a dedicated OCP 3.0 slot for 1, 10 or 25 GbE networking, the SR860 V2 provides unmatched features and capabilities in a 4U rack-mount design.

Scalability and performance

The SR860 V2 offers numerous features to boost performance, improve scalability and reduce costs:

   Supports two or four 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Processor Scalable processors, allowing you to start with two processors and then upgrade to four when you need it.

   Supports Gold and Platinum level H and HL processors in the Intel Xeon Processor Scalable Family. Processors supported have up to 28 cores, core speeds of up to 3.9 GHz, and TDP ratings of up to 250W.

   The SR860 V2's processor expansion tray design enables you to start with two processors and 24 DIMM sockets and upgrade to four processors and 48 DIMM sockets when you need it, helping lower initial costs and manage growth.

   Up to four processors, 112 cores, and 224 threads maximize the concurrent execution of multithreaded applications.

   Enhanced inter-processor communications with six UPI connections between adjacent processors ensures increased CPU I/O throughput.

   Supports the new bfloat16 instruction set for Enhanced Deep Learning Boost

   Intelligent and adaptive system performance with Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 allows processor 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 supported on some processor models, enables increased core Turbo Boost frequency on specific individual cores to maximize application performance.

   Enhanced Intel Deep Learning Boost provides built-in acceleration with the Vector Neural Network Instruction set (VNNI) and new bloat16 instructions. These are 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, including databases and enterprise resource planning (ERP).

   Support for up to 48 TruDDR4 memory DIMMs operating at up to 3200 MHz means you have the fastest available memory subsystem and memory capacity of up to 12 TB with 48x 256 GB 3DS RDIMMs.

   Supports configurations of 2 DIMMs per channel to operate at the 3200 MHz rated speed of the memory DIMMs.

   Supports the new Intel Optane Persistent Memory 200 Series for advanced in-memory database applications, dense-virtualization; up to 24 PMem Modules can be installed in conjunction with regular system memory. PMem modules are up to 512 GB each, for a total of up to 12 TB of Persistent Memory (3 TB per processor).

   The use of solid-state drives (SSDs) instead of, or along with, traditional spinning drives (HDDs), can improve I/O performance. An SSD can support up to 100 times more I/O operations per second (IOPS) than a typical HDD.

   Up to 48x 2.5-inch drive bays -- supporting combinations of SAS or SATA HDDs, SAS or SATA SSDs, and NVMe PCIe SSDs -- provide a flexible and scalable all-in-one platform to meet your increasing demands. Up to 24x NVMe drives are supported, maximizing drive I/O performance in terms of throughput, bandwidth, and latency.

   The server has a dedicated industry-standard OCP 3.0 small form factor (SFF) slot, with a PCIe 3.0 x16 interface, supporting a variety of Ethernet network adapters. Simple-swap mechanism with thumbscrews and pull-tab enables tool-less installation and removal of the adapter. Supports shared BMC network sideband connectivity to enable out-of-band systems management.

   Up to 14 PCIe 3.0 slots in addition to the OCP 3.0 Ethernet slot to maximize I/O capabilities.

   New high-speed RAID controllers from Broadcom provide 12 Gb SAS connectivity to the drive backplanes. A variety of RAID adapters are available, with cache up to 8 GB and support for 32 drives on a single controller. The RAID 940-16i 8GB Flash adapter supports RAID volumes with NVMe, SAS or SATA drives.

   Support for four high-performance double-wide GPUs such as the NVIDIA Tesla V100S, or eight single-wide GPUs such as the NVIDIA T4 GPU. GPUs adds additional processing power to the server.

   Supports up to two externally accessible 7mm hot-swap drives with RAID functionality, in addition to the 48 front drive bays. These 7mm drives are ideal for operating system boot functions.

   As an alternative to the 7mm drives, the server supports the Lenovo patented-design M.2 adapter for convenient operating system boot functions. Available M.2 adapters support either one M.2 drive or two M.2 drives in a RAID 1 configuration for boot drive performance and reliability.

   Integrated SATA controller with Software RAID (Intel RSTe) support for up to 8x drives with basic RAID functionality with no additional adapter needed.

   Supports Intel VROC (Virtual RAID on CPU) which enables basic RAID functionality on the onboard NVMe ports of the server, with no additional adapter needed. This feature enables RAID on NVMe drives without the need for a separate RAID adapter.

Availability and serviceability

The SR860 V2 provides many features to simplify serviceability and increase system uptime:

   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) and memory mirroring for redundancy in the event of a non-correctable memory failure.

   The server offers hot-swap drives, supporting RAID redundancy for data protection and greater system uptime.

   Available M.2 RAID Boot Adapter supports RAID-1 which can enable two SATA M.2 drives to be configured as a redundant pair.

   Available pair of 7mm hot-swap drives support RAID-1 which can enable two SATA or two NVMe drive to be configured as a redundant pair.

   The server has up to four hot-swap redundant power supplies and eight N+1 redundant fans to provide availability for business-critical applications.

   The power-source-independent light path diagnostics uses LEDs to lead the technician to failed (or failing) components, which simplifies servicing, speeds up problem resolution, and helps improve system availability.

   An integrated diagnostics panel with LCD display (optional in China, standard in other markets) provides more detailed diagnostics by displaying all error messages and VPD data needed for a service call, thereby aiding with problem resolution and system uptime.

   Proactive Platform Alerts (including PFA and SMART alerts): Processors, voltage regulators, memory, internal storage (SAS/SATA HDDs and SSDs, NVMe SSDs, M.2 storage, flash storage adapters), fans, power supplies, RAID controllers, server ambient and subcomponent temperatures. Alerts can be surfaced through the 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.

   Solid-state drives (SSDs) offer more reliability than traditional mechanical HDDs for greater uptime.

   The built-in XClarity Controller continuously monitors system parameters, triggers alerts, and performs recovery actions in case of failures, to minimize downtime.

   Built-in diagnostics in UEFI, using Lenovo XClarity Provisioning Manager, speed up troubleshooting tasks to reduce service time.

   Lenovo XClarity Provisioning Manager collects and saves service data to USB key drive or remote CIFS share folder, for troubleshooting and to reduce service time.

   Auto restart in the event of a momentary loss of AC power (based on the power policy setting in the XClarity Controller service processor)

   Support for the XClarity Administrator Mobile app running on a supported smartphone or tablet and connected to the server through the front USB 2.0 port, enables additional local systems management functions.

   Three-year or one-year customer-replaceable unit and onsite limited warranty, 9 x 5 next business day. Optional service upgrades are available.

Manageability and security

Powerful systems management features simplify local and remote management of the SR860 V2:

   Lenovo XClarity Controller (XCC) monitors server availability and performs remote management. XCC Enterprise is standard, which enables remote KVM, the mounting of remote media files (ISO and IMG image files), boot capture, and power capping.

   Lenovo XClarity Administrator offers comprehensive hardware management tools that help to increase uptime, reduce costs and improve productivity through advanced server management capabilities.

   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.

   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.

   Integrated Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 support enables advanced cryptographic methods, 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 7mm and M.2 drives.

   Industry-standard Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) NI support for faster, stronger encryption.

   Intel Execute Disable Bit functionality can prevent certain classes of malicious buffer overflow attacks when combined with a supported operating system.

   Intel Trusted Execution Technology provides enhanced security through hardware-based resistance to malicious software attacks, allowing an application to run in its own isolated space, protected from all other software running on a system.

Energy efficiency

The SR860 V2 offers the following energy-efficiency features to save energy, reduce operational costs, and increase energy availability:

   Energy-efficient planar components help lower operational costs.

   High-efficiency power supplies with 80 PLUS Platinum and Titanium certifications

   Intel Intelligent Power Capability turns individual processor elements on and off as needed to reduce power draw.

   Low-voltage 1.2 V DDR4 memory offers energy savings compared to 1.35 V and 1.5 V DDR3 DIMMs.

   Solid-state drives (SSDs) consume as much as 80% less power than traditional spinning 2.5-inch HDDs.

   The server uses hexagonal ventilation holes, which can be grouped more densely than round holes, providing more efficient airflow through the system and thus keeping your system cooler.

   Optional Lenovo XClarity Energy Manager provides advanced data center power notification, analysis, and policy-based management to help achieve lower heat output and reduced cooling needs.