IBM Flex System x240 Compute Node Express 8737K1G User Manual
Product codes
8737K1G
IBM Flex System x240 Compute Node
19
I/O expansion options
The x240 has two I/O expansion connectors for attaching I/O adapter cards. There is a third expansion
connector designed to connect an expansion node such as the PCIe Expansion Node. The I/O expansion
connectors are a very high-density 216-pin PCIe connector. Installing I/O adapter cards allows the server
to connect with switch modules in the IBM Flex System Enterprise Chassis. Each slot has a PCI Express
3.0 x16 host interface and both slots support the same form-factor adapters.
connector designed to connect an expansion node such as the PCIe Expansion Node. The I/O expansion
connectors are a very high-density 216-pin PCIe connector. Installing I/O adapter cards allows the server
to connect with switch modules in the IBM Flex System Enterprise Chassis. Each slot has a PCI Express
3.0 x16 host interface and both slots support the same form-factor adapters.
The following figure shows the location of the I/O expansion connectors.
Figure 7. Location of the I/O adapter slots in the IBM Flex System x240 Compute Node
All I/O adapters are the same shape and can be used in any available slot.. A compatible switch or
pass-through module must be installed in the corresponding I/O bays in the chassis, as indicated in the
following table. Installing two switches means that all ports of the adapter are enabled, which improves
performance and network availability.
pass-through module must be installed in the corresponding I/O bays in the chassis, as indicated in the
following table. Installing two switches means that all ports of the adapter are enabled, which improves
performance and network availability.
Table 12. Adapter to I/O bay correspondence
I/O adapter slot in the server
Port on the adapter
Corresponding I/O module bay in the chassis
Port 1
Module bay 1
Port 2
Module bay 2
Port 3 (for 4-port cards)
Module bay 1
Slot 1
Port 4 (for 4-port cards)
Module bay 2
Port 1
Module bay 3
Port 2
Module bay 4
Port 3 (for 4-port cards)
Module bay 3
Slot 2
Port 4 (for 4-port cards)
Module bay 4