IBM Power System S814 (Machine Type Model: 8286-41A) Technical Specifications

The IBM Power System S814 (8286-41A) is a single-socket 4U rack-mount or tower server powered by IBM POWER8 processor technology. Designed for small-to-midsize business infrastructure, database workloads, and transaction processing, it supports IBM AIX, IBM i, and Linux environments.

1. System Summary & Core Architecture

Parameter	Specification
System Model	IBM Power System S814 (8286-41A)
Form Factor	4U Rack-mount or Desk-side Tower
Processor Sockets	1 Processor Socket
Processor Architecture	IBM POWER8 Processor Modules with SMT8 (8 threads/core)
Maximum Memory	Up to 1 TB DDR3 Memory
System Slots	Up to 7 PCIe Gen3 Slots (CAPI enabled)
Storage Bays	Up to 18 SFF-3 (2.5-inch) SAS HDD/SSD Bays
Supported OS	IBM AIX, IBM i, Linux (RHEL, SLES, Ubuntu), PowerVM

2. Processor Configurations

The 8286-41A supports three distinct single-socket processor module configurations:

• 4-Core 3.02 GHz POWER8 Processor (#EPXE): Available in rack configuration only; ideal for entry-level licensing constraints.

• 6-Core 3.02 GHz POWER8 Processor (#EPXF): Balanced performance for general enterprise workloads and IBM i applications.

• 8-Core 3.72 GHz POWER8 Processor (#EPXH): High-frequency configuration for intensive database and OLTP tasks.

3. Memory Subsystem

• Memory Type: High-bandwidth DDR3 CDIMMs (Custom DIMMs with integrated Centaur buffer chips and L4 cache).

• Memory Slots: 16 CDIMM slots total.

• CDIMM Capacities: 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB module options.

• Maximum Capacity:

  • 128 GB (using 8 GB CDIMMs)

  • 256 GB (using 16 GB CDIMMs)

  • 512 GB (using 32 GB CDIMMs)

  • 1024 GB / 1 TB (using 16x 64 GB CDIMMs)

4. Storage & Backplane Options

The system supports multiple internal disk backplane options with integrated dual-controller RAID:

• Standard Storage Backplane Options:

  • 12 SFF Bay Backplane (#EJ0N): 12x 2.5-inch SFF-3 SAS drives with single or dual RAID controller option.

  • 18 SFF Bay Expanded Backplane (#EJ0P): 18x 2.5-inch SFF-3 SAS drive bays with dual RAID controllers, 1.75 GB write cache, and split-backplane capabilities.

  • 8 SFF Bay + 1.8″ SSD Cage (#EJ0E): Optimized for low-latency solid-state storage arrays.

• Supported Drive Media: 12Gb/s SAS HDDs (10K/15K RPM) and Enterprise SAS SSDs.

• Media Bays: Slimline DVD-RAM slot and optional internal SAS tape drive support.

5. I/O Expansion & Adapter Options

• Integrated Slots:

  • Up to 7 PCIe Gen3 full-height or low-profile slots (1x x16 slot, 6x x8 slots).

  • Select slots support CAPI (Coherent Accelerator Processor Interface) for FPGA acceleration.

• Network & Fibre Channel Adapters:

  • Quad-port 1GbE / Dual-port 10GbE / 25GbE / 100GbE PCIe adapters.

  • 8 Gb, 16 Gb, and 32 Gb Fibre Channel HBAs for SAN connectivity.

• External Expansion: Supports optional external PCIe Gen3 I/O Expansion Drawers (#EMX0).

6. Operating System & Hypervisor Support

• IBM AIX: AIX 6.1, AIX 7.1, AIX 7.2, and AIX 7.3.

• IBM i: IBM i 7.1 (TR8 or later), IBM i 7.2, IBM i 7.3, and IBM i 7.4.

• Linux: Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL 6.5 / 7.0+), SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES 11 SP3 / 12+), Ubuntu Server for Power.

• Virtualization: Native PowerVM Enterprise Edition (Virtual I/O Server / VIOS).

7. Physical Dimensions, Electrical & Power

• Rack Unit Dimensions (4U):

  • Height: 173 mm (6.8 in)

  • Width: 442 mm (17.4 in)

  • Depth: 728 mm (28.6 in)

  • Weight: 38.6 kg to 42.2 kg (85 to 93 lbs) depending on drive and power supply load.

• Power Supplies: Dual 900W or 1400W AC Hot-Swap Redundant Power Supplies (100–240V AC).

• RAS Features: Chipkill Memory, Active Memory Mirroring for Hypervisor, First Failure Data Capture (FFDC), Hot-plug PCI slots, Hot-swappable fans, redundant power, and Service Processor (FSP) diagnostics.