Add Options to a Sun Blade Server Module

The Sun Blade Server Module (blade) is available in multiple configurations and is shipped as ordered. In addition to the standard blade configuration ordered, you can order separate customer-installable options for the blade such as additional memory or hard disk drives (HDD).

The following sections describe how to install customer-ordered blade options.

Caution

The following sections describe procedures for new installation of disk drives and memory modules. If you want to remove a disk drive using a hot-plug operation or replace a memory module on an existing installed blade, see the service procedures.

Increase Memory on Sun Blade Server Module

The Sun Blade Server Modules are shipped with standard memory configurations. If you ordered additional memory, a kit for the additional memory is shipped separately.

About Memory Modules

The X8400 Sun Blade Server Module uses 2.5V error-correcting (ECC) high-capacity dual inline memory modules (DIMMs). The DIMMs are built with double-data-rate synchronous dynamic access memory (DDR SDRAM) that operates at a 200-MHz clock frequency.

The X8420 and X8440 Sun Blade Server Modules use 1.8V error-correcting (ECC) high-capacity dual inline memory modules (DIMMs). The DIMMs are built with double-data-rate-two synchronous dynamic access memory (DDR2 SDRAM) that operates at a 333-MHz clock frequency.

The X8400 and X8420 Server Modules support up to 16 DIMMs, four per CPU. The X8440 Server Module supports up to 32 DIMMs, eight per CPU. The memory capacities available for all blades include:

  • 1-Gbtye

  • 2-Gbyte

  • 4-Gbyte

The maximum memory capacity for the X8400, X8420, and X8440 Server Modules is 64 Gbytes (4 CPUs x 4DIMMs per CPU x 4G DIMMs = 64 GB total).

X8400 and X8420 CPU Locations

The figure below identifies the X8400 and X8420 Server Module CPU DIMM pairs (4 DIMMs maximum per CPU)

Illustration Key

Item

Description

1

DIMM Slot 0 location for CPU1

X8440 CPU Locations

The figure below identifies the X8440 Server Module CPU DIMM pairs (8 DIMMS maximum per CPU).

Note that in a two socket X8440 Server Module configuration, the physical location for the processors include socket 2 and 3 (physical socket locations 0 and 1 are empty). At boot time, the first processor that activates is automatically viewed by the BIOS and OS as processor 0 and the second processor that activates is automatically viewed as processor 1. Therefore, when troubleshooting issues pertaining to a two socket processor configuration on an X8440 Server Module it is important that you properly correspond the logical processor numbers (0 and 1) with the physical locations of the processors (2 and 3). A breakdown of this correspondence is as follows:

  • Logical view of processor 0 (by BIOS and OS) corresponds with physical processor socket location 2.

  • Logical view of processor 1 (by BIOS and OS) corresponds with physical processor socket location 3.

DIMM Configuration Rules

  • The X8400 and X8420 Server Modules can support a maximum of four DIMMs per CPU.

  • The X8440 Server Module can support a maximum of eight DIMMs per CPU.

  • The DIMMs must be installed in pairs, for example:

    • X8400 DIMMs

      Each CPU supports up to 4 DIMMs

      DIMM pair 0 = DIMM slots 0 and 1. These DIMM slots are the farthest slots from the respective CPU.

      DIMM pair 1 = DIMM slots 2 and 3. These DIMM slots are the nearest slots to the respective CPU.

    • X8420 DIMMs

      Each CPU supports up to 4 DIMMs

      DIMM pair 0 = DIMM slots 0 and 1. These DIMM slots are the nearest slots to the respective CPU

      DIMM pair 1 = DIMM slots 2 and 3. These DIMM slots are the farthest slots to the respective CPU.

    • X8440 DIMMs

      Each CPU supports up to 8 DIMMs

      DIMM pair 0 = DIMM slots 0 and 1. These DIMM slots are the nearest slots to the respective CPU

      DIMM pair 1 = DIMM slots 2 and 3.

      DIMM pair 2 = DIMM slots 4 and 5.

      DIMM pair 3 = DIMM slots 6 and 7. These DIMM slots are the farthest slots to the respective CPU.

    X8440 Cofiguration

    Description

     

    2-DIMM

    DIMM pair 3 (DIMM slots 6 and 7 installed).

     

    4-DIMM

    DIMM pair 2 and 3 (DIMM slots 4, 5, 6, and 7 installed).

     

    6-DIMM

    DIMM pairs 1, 2, and 3 (CIMM slots 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 installed).

     

    8-DIMM

    DIMM pairs 0, 1, 2, and 3 (DIMM slots 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7).

     
  • The DIMM pairs must be identical in the following ways:

    • Same manufacturer

    • Same size

    • Same speed

  • If the CPU has only a single DIMM pair, then you must install that single DIMM pair into the farthest slot locations from the respective CPU. For example:

    • The farthest slot locations on an X8400 Sun Blade Server Module are slot locations 0 and 1.

    • The farthest slot locations on an X8420 Sun Blade Server Module are slot locations are 2 and 3.

  • The farthest slot locations on an X8440 Sun Blade Server Module are slot locations are 6 and 7.

Tools and Supplies Needed

Before installing additional memory on a blade, you will need to gather the following items:

  • No. 2 Phillips screwdriver (to remove blade cover)

  • Antistatic wrist strap and mat

  • Sun Blade Server Module (blade)

  • Memory kit

Use the following procedure to install additional DIMMs on a blade.

Install DIMMs on a Sun Blade Server Module

  1. Locate and unpack the blade from its antistatic packaging.

    Caution

    Do not use the ejector levers to carry the blade. The ejector levers should only be used to seat the blade in the chassis. The ejector levers are not designed to support the weight of the blade.

  2. Remove the blade cover by performing the following steps:

    1. Place the blade on a stable work surface.

      For example, place the blade on top of an antistatic mat; or place the blade on top of the blad's plastic packaging.

    2. Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the four middle cover screws and fully loosen the four captive screws.

    3. Slide the cover toward the back of the blade until the cover clears the two tabs at the front of the blade, then remove the cover.

  3. Locate and attach the antistatic wrist strap.

    Follow instructions provided with wrist strap.

  4. Locate and unpack the new DIMM from its antistatic container.

  5. Ensure that the DIMM ejector levers are open (angled outward) then align the DIMM notch to the DIMM connector key.

  6. Using both thumbs, press the DIMM straight down into the DIMM connector slot until both ejector levers close, locking the DIMM in the DIMM connector slot.

    Note

    The DIMMs must be inserted evenly, straight down into the DIMM connector slot, until the ejector levers lock into place.

    Illustration Key

    Item

    Description

    1

    DIMM Connector Slot

    2

    DIMM Connector Key

    3

    DIMM Lever

  7. Verify that the DIMM ejector levers are upright, seated, and tight. Press on ejector levers to ensure that they are engaged properly.

  8. To install the second DIMM, repeat Steps 4 through 7.

  9. To reinstall the blade cover, slide the cover under the tabs at the front of the blade, then reinstall and tighten the four captive screws.

Add Hard Disk Drives to Sun Blade Server Module

The Sun Blade Server Module is shipped without hard disk drives (HDD). As an option, you can order and install up to two HDDs per blade. HDDs are easily installed in the HDD bays (labeled HDD0-1) located on the front panel of the blade (see figure below.

Note

Installation of a hard disk drive is not necessary if you are configuring the blade to boot from a network device such as an FC SAN device.

Tools and Supplies Needed

Before installing a hard disk into a blade, you will need to gather the following items:

  • Installed Sun Blade Server Module (blade)

  • Supported hard disk drive (HDD)

    • 73-Gbyte (10K RPM) SFF SAS Drive

    • 73-GB (15K RPM) SFF SAS Drive

    • 80-Gbyte SFF SATA Drive

    • 146-Gbyte SFF SAS Drive

The Sun Blade Server Modules are shipped with two HDD filler panels in slots labeled HDD0 and HDD1.

Use the following procedures to remove the HDD filler panel from the blade and to install a HDD into the vacant HDD slot on the blade.

Caution

If you are not installing a hard drive, do not remove the HDD filler panel from the blade. The HDD filler panels are required to meet FCC standards for electromagnetic interference.

Caution

The following procedures describe a new installation of a blade in a powered-down chassis. The procedure is different if you are adding or replacing a blade using a hot-plug operation. For more information about blade hot plug operations, see the Service and Upgrade topics in the Online Information System.

Remove HDD Filler Panel

  1. Install the Sun Blade Server Module into a vacant blade slot within the system chassis.

    For details, see Adding a Sun Blade Server Module.

  2. In the front of the blade, locate the HDD filler panel that you want to remove.

    Note that the HDD filler panel ejector lever is in the closed position.

  3. Push the HDD ejector lever button to unlatch the lever, then tilt the lever down to release the filler panel.

  4. Holding the opened ejector lever, pull the ejector lever toward you to slide the filler panel from the HDD slot.

Install HDD Into Sun Blade Server Module

  1. Install the Sun Blade into a vacant chassis slot.

    For details, see Adding a Sun Blade Server Module.

  2. Locate and unpack the new HDD from its antistatic container.

  3. Locate the vacant HDD slot on the blade.

  4. On the new HDD, push the disk drive ejector lever button on the front to unlatch the lever, then tilt down the lever.

  5. Align the HDD with the vacant HDD slot in the blade. Ensure the ejector lever is completely open and the three LEDs appear at the top.

  6. Slide the new HDD into the vacant HDD slot by pressing on the middle of the HDD faceplate with your thumb or finger.

  7. Ensure that the HDD ejector lever is two-thirds open (approximately 60 degrees with respect to the faceplate) when sliding in the HDD into the slot. Do not slide the HDD in all the way. Leave the HDD out approximately 0.25 to 0.50 inch from the opening.

    Illustration Key

    Item

    Description

    1

    Leave 0.25 to 0.50 inch from the slot opening.

    2

    Ejector lever should be two-thirds of the way open.

  8. Using your thumb or finger, press on the middle of the HDD front faceplate until the ejector lever engages with the blade. Pivot the ejector lever up until clicks into place and the lever becomes flush with the HDD faceplate.

    Note

    If you are installing a single configuration HDD that has a factory-installed version of the Solaris 10 Operating System, you must install that factory-installed Solaris HDD in Slot 0 (labeled HDD0). All factory-installed Solaris HDDs are preconfigured as disk 0.

  9. To install a second hard disk drive, repeat Steps 2 through 8.