IBM iSeries Model 520
| Introduced: | August 1, 1997 |
|---|---|
| Discontinued: | August 2, 2002 |
| Architecture: | POWER5 |
| Bus: | PCI |
| Minimum OS: | IBM i5/OS V5R3, IBM i5/OS V5R4 (POWER5+ only) |
| Maximum OS: | IBM i 7.1 |
The iSeries Model 520 is a 9406-class machine. It is the final hardware platform sold where the platform was split between the AS/400 platform and the RS/6000. The iSeries and pSeries variants of this machines feature identical hardware, but use differing Vital Product Data to enforce AIX or i5/OS compatibility and hardware functionality.
Software Compatibility
The Model 520 is compatible with i5/OS V5R3 (when using a POWER5 processor) or V5R4 (when using a POWER5+ processor) through IBM i 7.1. When using Logical Partitions, the Model 520 can also run AIX and Red Hat Linux in text mode only; graphics cards are not usable in an iSeries. The equivalent pSeries is capable of running AIX and Red Hat Linux only.
The system can be managed with a Hardware Management Controller. The last version of the HMC software to support the Model 520 was (version). An HMC is required to make use of logical partitions.
The system can utilize a LAN Console instead of a hardware twinaxial console. This requires an appropriate version of Client Access.
Hardware
The Model 520 comes with 128 MB of Main Storage in its base configuration, and can be expanded to a maximum of 16 GB [cite this]. It can support a maximum of 1 TB of disk storage (unprotected) across a maximum of eight DASD, with support for a RAID controller. It can also support more DASD when connected to an Expansion cabinet.
Model 520s were typically optioned with either an MLR/SLR QIC drive, or an LTO drive. The CD-ROM drive is a slimline laptop style drive using a contemporary ThinkPad Ultrabay connector.
An 8-port twinaxial option was available, and this is the final machine in which the twinaxial controller can be used as the system console.
The machine features six hot-swappable PCI-X slots, but it is recommended to install two IOP cards into the system as several expansion cards do not function or function with limited capabilities when no IOP is present. For example, serial communication adapters cannot be used to create an Advanced Peer-to-Peer Network over SNA without an IOP, and the 10/100 Mbit Ethernet adapter (FC xxxx) cannot be used at all without an IOP.
The Model 520 can be optioned with a System Power Control Network and RIO Loop to make use of expansion cabinets.
The planar board is equipped with dual gigabit Ethernet interfaces. However, SNA (and therefore APPN) is not supported on gigabit interfaces and so a 10/100 Mbit Ethernet adapter must be installed to make use of SNA.
External Links
Archive: iSeries Model 520 Redbook
