2014 LENOVO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Session objectives
 Discover some exciting x86 Pre-Sales tools
 Learn the value of the discussed x86 Pre-Sales tools
 Hear about more x86 Pre-Sales tools as shown in the XLS spread sheet
 Demos of the x86 Pre-Sales tools
 Find out where you can find additional training
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Lectures & Primary Tool
 Web Lectures
- XTW83 – Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool (SSCT)
- XTW230b - x-config General Purpose Configuration
- XTW280t9b - IBM Flex System Pre-Sales Tools: x-config (ltu38757)
- XTW280t9b - IBM Flex System Pre-Sales Tools: e-config (ltu37511)
 Primary Tools for System x & Flex Pre-Sales (TOP TOOLS)
– SSCT - includes Flex System
– COG - includes Flex System
– xREF - includes Flex System
– IBM Power Configurator Tool - includes Flex System x & Flex Power nodes
– ServerProven - includes Flex System
– Flex System Interoperability Guide
– IBM System x Competitive Sales Tool
– IBM PureSystems Techline Repository
– Lenovo Systemx Techline Repository ( Including Link to Announce Letters)
– IBM Systems College - includes Flex System and PureFlex System education
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2014 LENOVO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Standalone Solutions Configuration Tool - SSCT
Screenshot demo
http://www-947.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?brand=5000008&lndocid=MIGR-62168
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2014 LENOVO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
x-config
Screenshot demo
https://www-01.ibm.com/products/hardware/configurator/americas/bhui/asit
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x-config – Cluster On vs Cluster Off
With Cluster support ON (Intelligent Cluster):
– Lenovo users and authorized Business Partners can configure the following Intelligent Cluster solution groups:
– NeXtScale
– System x
– iDataplex
...in either of two modes:
– Express: Start with a single screen displaying configuration options for templated solutions, and modify as needed
– Custom: Create a new cluster from scratch
With Cluster support OFF (General Purpose)
– Allows for simple-to-complex configuration of System x, BladeCenter, PureFlex products and solutions:
– Racked configurations or standalone products to be fulfilled by IBM
– Configurable products with options integrated by IBM (CTO – configure to order)
– Rules based configurations
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2014 LENOVO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Configuration and Options Guide - COG
http://www-947.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?brand=5000008&lndocid=SCOD-3ZVQ5W
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IBM x86 Server Reference - xREF
http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/redpxref.html
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IBM x86 Server Reference – xREF – Flex System Chassis
http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/redpxref.html
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IBM Power Configurator Tool
http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/bladecenter/resources/powerconfig.html
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2014 LENOVO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
IBM ServerProven
http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/info/x86servers/serverproven/compat/us/
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2014 LENOVO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
IBM Flex System Interoperability Guide
http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/redpfsig.html
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IBM System x and BladeCenter Competitive Sales Tool
https://www-304.ibm.com/partnerworld/wps/servlet/mem/ContentHandler/comp_866349302F36EA6A872571D000760F0C
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Techline System x Repository
http://www-304.ibm.com/partnerworld/wps/servlet/ContentHandler/stg_com_sys_techline_repository
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2014 LENOVO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
IBM Systems College - BP
https://www-304.ibm.com/services/weblectures/dlv/Gate.wss?handler=Login&action=index&customer=partnerworld&offering=camp
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2014 LENOVO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Webinars on System College
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STG Tools Spreadsheet
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Sales Configurators URL’s
 SSCT
– http://www-947.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?brand=5000008&lndocid=MIGR-62168
 PSAT
– http://presalesadvisor.com/login.aspx (registered version)
– http://www.presalesadvisor.net/ (public version)
 x-config
– https://www-01.ibm.com/products/hardware/configurator/americas/bhui/asit/
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2014 LENOVO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
SSCT – Installation
 Download SSCT package from IBM Site
– http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/x/hardware/configtools.html
 Please note:
– SSCT has been developed with Microsoft .NET Framework, which must be installed prior to
installing SSCT for the application to function properly. SSCT is compatible with Microsoft .NET
Framework v1.1, v2.0 and v3.5 (recommended).
– Microsoft .NET Framwork can be downloaded from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/
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SSCT – Preferences
 Upon launching the program, the preferences window will be displayed, prompting the user
to define the initial settings for the tool.
 The Mode may be defined as either a server system configuration, a racking solution
configuration or a configuration Wizard mode:
– In Configuration Mode, single server configurations or multiple configurations may be built and added to a
quote.
– In Solution Mode, simple or complex rack solutions containing multiple servers may be configured.
– In Wizard Mode, the user may create guided configurations step-by-step.
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SSCT – Preferences
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SSCT – Configuration Wizard
Select Brand: System x
Select Family
Select Model
Click Configure
button
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SSCT – Configuration Wizard
Options selection
Click Click
to select
DrivesHBA’s
to select
Installed options
Click to select DIMMs
Add to server
Shows config
rulings, errors
and warnings
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Remove from server
Memory
Configuration
These
options
are not
Type Model exclusive
and ruling is not
enforced. Check
compatibility before
selecting these options
Click
Move to
to add
nextto
config
option and
typego to
Configuration
Suite
SSCT – Configuration Mode
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SSCT – Common Toolbar Icon Buttons
These Toolbar icons are available in both Solution mode and Configuration mode.
Menu Option
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Icon
Description
Add
Adds the component selected in the
Component Catalog to the
Configuration.
Add by
Quantity
Menu Option Icon Description
Wizard
Configurator
Launches the Wizard
Configurator.
Adds the component selected in the
Component Catalog to the
Configuration in the amount specified
by the end-user.
Validate
Performs
Configuration
validation.
Delete
Deletes a selected component from
the Configuration.
Database
Window
Opens the Database
window.
Configure with
Wizard
Launches the Configuration Wizard
for the selected component.
Find a part
Opens the Find a part
window.
Set Status New
Sets status of selected component in
configuration to ‘New.’
Export Prices
Set status
Existing
Sets the status of the selected
component in the configuration to
‘Existing.’
Export Prices to a
XLS spreadsheet file.
Set status
Installed
Sets the status of the selected
component in the configuration to
‘Installed,’ (may be combined with the
‘New’ or ‘Existing’ status).
Expand/
Collapse
Components
Expands/Collapses
the components in the
Component Catalog
Tree.
2014 LENOVO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Expand/
Collapse
Section
Expands/Collapses
components Catalog
Section
SSCT – Update pricing
 Old configs can be reloaded into SSCT with the .tp3 file and re-priced if the pricing
changes before loading the order
1.
2.
Items with an arrow
next to it, requires a
price refresh
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SSCT - Exporting
 Clicking on the export toolbar button
will launch the export dialog.
 The end-user will be prompted to
save the file in one of the available
formats
 Upon selecting a format, the file is
saved to the defined path
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Select export format
SSCT - Exporting

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The .xls is the most common export format in SSCT and .tp3 is the format used
for saving the configuration file
2014 LENOVO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
2014 LENOVO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
x-config – Installation
 Download x-config java applet from IBM Site
– https://www-01.ibm.com/products/hardware/configurator/americas/bhui/asit/install.html
 Please note:
– x-config has been developed in Java which must be installed in order to run the java applet. xconfig is compatible with IBM or Oracle SDN JRE Version 6 or higher.
– The Java Runtime Environment can be downloaded from
– For IBM employees: IBM Standard Software Installer
– For others: Oracle SDN Java SE Runtime Environment 6
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2014 LENOVO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
x-config – Configurator Types
 Upon launching the program, the starter
window will be displayed, prompting the
user to define the initial configuration type
for the tool.
 The type may be defined as either a cluster
solution, a general solution configuration
or a Pureflex solution:
– Intelligent Cluster, turns custer support ON
when creating, or adding products to, Intelligent
Cluster and iDataplex solutions
– General Purpose, select for solutions that do
not require manufacturing to connect cables for
products in racks ( cluster support OFF)
– Pureflex System, select for template solutions
featuring PureFlex System chassis and
components
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x-config – Configuration Wizard
 First step is to select the country in which the order originated
 Select initiall rack (if required)
 Select Rack Power (if rack is selected)
 Review Selection
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x-config – General Purpose Configuration
Add product to rack by
hovering over empty
slot and pressing the +
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x-config – General Purpose Configuration
Label Server
Click drop down
Select server
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x-config – General Purpose Configuration
Standard features and services
- Configure Servicepac’s
- Processors
Select how many items of this
config is required and press ok.
Software
- IBM Software
- Virtualization software
- Flash Storage Memory (eXFlash)
- Memory DIMMs
Cable
- Network Cables
Storage Options
- HDD Kits
- HDD’s
Power
- Power Supplies
- ServeRAID & Options
- Power Cables
- Memory DIMMs
Press continue to add to rack
Expansion Options
- Mezzanine Cards
- Riser Cards
- PCI Cards
- Optical Drives
- IMM Upgrade
- Base Server & Planar
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Review config in the power
configurator to ensure sufficient
power is supplied to the server.
Original Selection vs Currently
Selected Products
- Shows difference between original
config and current changes
x-config – General Purpose configuration
 Server has been added at bottom rather than in RU 22 as rack will not pass the
center of gravity.
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x-config – General Purpose Configuration
Manually moving the server to RU 22 by holding Ctrl then clicking & dragging the
server up will confirm this
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x-config – Adding Non-racked Item
Select Non-racked Items
Click extra Item
Select Item Type and
press continue
Configurable Product –
CTO config
Individual part – option
classified by part
Search for Option –
search for option using
part number or
description
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2014 LENOVO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
x-config – General Purpose Configuration
Individual
Configurable
Products
Search
forParts
option
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x-config - Exporting
 Clicking on the export button will
launch the export dialog.
 The end-user will asked if they
requires config to be exported to
HVEC and if a SOVA test is required
 Use requested to select a folder to
save the HVEC to as well as a
meaningful name for the file
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x-config – Exporting
HVEC file
Select reference tab
to see the config.
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2014 LENOVO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.