IBM System Board (Motherboard) for BladeCenter HS21

The IBM 46M0600 is a replacement system board for the IBM BladeCenter HS21 blade server, providing the core processing, memory, and I/O infrastructure of the HS21 blade — essential for restoring failed blade server motherboard functionality in IBM BladeCenter environments running legacy enterprise workloads.

Key Features

• IBM-genuine replacement system board for BladeCenter HS21 blade server
• Restores full blade server processing and memory functionality after motherboard failure
• Supports dual Intel Xeon 5000-series (Woodcrest/Clovertown) processor sockets
• Compatible with DDR2 FB-DIMM server memory installed in the original HS21 blade
• IBM-validated component ensuring BladeCenter chassis and management compatibility

Product Specifications

• Part Number: 46M0600
• Manufacturer: IBM
• Component Type: System Board (Motherboard)
• Compatible System: IBM BladeCenter HS21
• Processor Socket: Dual LGA771 (Intel Xeon 5000-series)
• Memory Type: DDR2 FB-DIMM
• Chipset: Intel 5000-series server chipset

Component Specifications

• Memory Slots: 8 x DDR2 FB-DIMM (up to 32GB with 4GB modules)
• Integrated I/O: 2 x Gigabit Ethernet (via BladeCenter midplane)
• Expansion: 2 x mezzanine card slots for I/O expansion
• Management: IBM Integrated Management Module (IMM) / BIOS
• Form Factor: IBM BladeCenter blade (half-height)

Use Cases

• Replacing a failed HS21 system board to restore blade server operation without chassis replacement
• Maintaining IBM BladeCenter HS21 infrastructure for legacy enterprise application hosting
• Cost-effective blade server repair vs. full blade replacement for budget-constrained IT environments
• Spare system board stocking for IBM BladeCenter HS21 fleets with extended lifecycle requirements

Compatibility

• IBM BladeCenter HS21 only (Type 7995 / 8853)
• Compatible with IBM BladeCenter H, E, and T chassis supporting HS21 blades
• Works with existing HS21 processors, memory, and mezzanine cards
• Managed via IBM Director and BladeCenter Advanced Management Module (AMM)

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 46M0600 come with processors or memory installed?

No — the 46M0600 is a bare system board. Processors, memory DIMMs, and mezzanine cards from the original HS21 blade are transferred to the replacement board during installation.

What processors are compatible with the BladeCenter HS21 system board?

The HS21 supports dual Intel Xeon 5100 (Woodcrest) and 5300 (Clovertown) series processors in LGA771 sockets. Processor compatibility depends on the HS21 machine type and BIOS level — verify via IBM's ServerProven compatibility tool.

Is the IBM BladeCenter HS21 still supported by IBM?

The IBM BladeCenter HS21 is an end-of-life product no longer under active IBM support. The 46M0600 system board supports organizations maintaining HS21 infrastructure beyond IBM's standard support lifecycle through self-maintained or third-party support arrangements.

The IBM 46M0600 system board provides the essential repair component for extending IBM BladeCenter HS21 blade server operational life — enabling cost-effective motherboard-level repair for organizations running legacy HS21 infrastructure where blade replacement or platform migration is not yet feasible.