JavaScript must be enabled to correctly display this content

Chapter 7 Extending Oracle Private Cloud Appliance - Server Memory Kits

Table of Contents

Extending the Oracle Private Cloud Appliance by installing additional physical RAM can enhance the product by providing more resources for virtual machines performing memory-intensive tasks beyond the capacity already available in the default compute node configuration. This process requires the server to be powered down, but virtual machines can be migrated to other compute nodes temporarily to avoid unnecessary downtime.

There are different memory kits available for the different generations of server hardware that may be installed in an Oracle Private Cloud Appliance environment. Be sure to select the RAM that matches your server model.

7.1 Extending Server Memory Task Map

Table 7.1 describes the steps for extending the Oracle Private Cloud Appliance at your site by installing additional RAM to upgrade the compute nodes.

Table 7.1 Steps for Extending Oracle Private Cloud Appliance By Installing Additional Memory

Step	Description	Links
1	Review safety guidelines and site checklists.	Section 6.2, “Review Safety Guidelines”
2	Identify the servers to upgrade. Depending on the base memory configuration and the desired amount of RAM, select the memory kit to install.	Section 7.2, “Selecting a Server Memory Kit”
3	Install the memory upgrade kit. This involves migrating running virtual machines to avoid service interruptions, and powering down the compute node.	Section 7.3, “Installing the Memory Upgrade Kit”
4	When the upgraded compute nodes are back online, verify in Oracle VM Manager that the amount of RAM is correct. When the compute node reboots after a memory upgrade, `dom0` memory settings are adjusted automatically to the new total amount of RAM. The settings are persistent across future (re-)provisioning and controller software updates.	No manual reconfiguration required.

7.2 Selecting a Server Memory Kit

Any Oracle Private Cloud Appliance may contain more than one generation of server hardware. This depends on when the system was purchased and installed, and whether it has since been extended with additional compute nodes. These server hardware generations may be part of your installation:

Table 7.2 Oracle Private Cloud Appliance Server Hardware Generations

Server Hardware	Memory Configuration
Oracle Server X8-2 Oracle Server X7-2	Default configuration orderable in three memory configurations: 384GB – 12x 32GB DDR4-2666 DIMMs 768GB – 12x 64GB DDR4-2666 DIMMs 1.5TB – 24x 64GB DDR4-2666 DIMMs Expansion options The default memory configuration can be extended up to the maximum of 1.5TB. Consult your Oracle representative for the latest information about available memory kits.
Oracle Server X6-2	Default configuration 256GB – 8x 32GB DDR4-2400 DIMMs, 16 free slots Expansion options add 8x or 16x 32GB DDR4-2400 DIMMs in the free slots, for a total of 512GB or 768GB
Oracle Server X5-2	Default configuration 256GB – 8x 32GB DDR4-2133 DIMMs, 16 free slots Expansion options add 8x or 16x 32GB DDR4-2133 DIMMs in the free slots, for a total of 512GB or 768GB
Sun Server X4-2 Sun Server X3-2	Default configuration 256GB – 16x 16GB DDR3-1600 DIMMs, no free slots Expansion options replace with 16x 32GB DDR3-1600 DIMMs, for a total of 512GB

Server Hardware

Memory Configuration

Oracle Server X8-2

Oracle Server X7-2

Default configuration

orderable in three memory configurations:

384GB – 12x 32GB DDR4-2666 DIMMs
768GB – 12x 64GB DDR4-2666 DIMMs
1.5TB – 24x 64GB DDR4-2666 DIMMs

Expansion options

The default memory configuration can be extended up to the maximum of 1.5TB. Consult your Oracle representative for the latest information about available memory kits.

Oracle Server X6-2

Default configuration

256GB – 8x 32GB DDR4-2400 DIMMs, 16 free slots

Expansion options

add 8x or 16x 32GB DDR4-2400 DIMMs in the free slots, for a total of 512GB or 768GB

Oracle Server X5-2

Default configuration

256GB – 8x 32GB DDR4-2133 DIMMs, 16 free slots

Expansion options

add 8x or 16x 32GB DDR4-2133 DIMMs in the free slots, for a total of 512GB or 768GB

Sun Server X4-2

Sun Server X3-2

Default configuration

256GB – 16x 16GB DDR3-1600 DIMMs, no free slots

Expansion options

replace with 16x 32GB DDR3-1600 DIMMs, for a total of 512GB

Caution

Be sure to select the RAM modules with the correct speed rating that matches your server model.

7.3 Installing the Memory Upgrade Kit

In general, installing or replacing memory modules are tasks performed by an Oracle-qualified service technician. DIMMs are not hot-swappable parts, so the server must be powered down for this procedure. This section provides a high-level overview of the steps required for a server memory extension.

Detailed information is available in the chapter Servicing Oracle Private Cloud Appliance Components Oracle Private Cloud Appliance Administrator's Guide and the Service Manual for the server model in question.

Table 7.3 Summary of the Compute Node Memory Extension Procedure

Step	Description	Detailed Instructions
1	Read and follow the safety considerations and prerequisites for component replacement procedures.	Refer to the section Preparing Oracle Private Cloud Appliance for Service in the “Servicing Oracle Private Cloud Appliance Components” chapter of the Oracle Private Cloud Appliance Administrator's Guide.
2	Migrate virtual machines to another compute node and place the server in maintenance mode.	In the Service chapter of the Oracle Private Cloud Appliance Administrator's Guide, refer to the power-down instructions section for the server model in question.
3	Power down the server, disconnect all power cords and data cables, and then extend the server to the maintenance position.	Consult the Service Manual for your server model. Instructions are provided in the chapter "Preparing for Service".
4	Open the server fan door, and then remove the server top cover.	Consult the Service Manual for your server model. These specific instructions are part of the section “Preparing the Server for Component Replacement” in the chapter referenced in step 3.
5	Install the new DIMMs.	For these detailed steps, you must navigate to a particular section in the Service Manual of your server model. In the Service chapter of the Oracle Private Cloud Appliance Administrator's Guide, refer to the Service Procedures section for the server model in question. Click the URL for the service procedures for DIMMs. This opens the Service Manual. Follow the steps in the section entitled “Install a DIMM”.
6	Install the server top cover, and then close the server fan door.	Consult the Service Manual for your server model. Follow the steps in the section “Install the Server Top Cover”, which is near the start of the chapter referenced in step 7.
7	Return the server to its normal rack position, and then reconnect all data cables and power cords.	Consult the Service Manual for your server model. Refer to the chapter “Returning the Server to Operation”.
8	Power on the server. When it comes back online, take the compute node out of maintenance mode and verify that it resumes all normal operations in the server pool.	In the Service chapter of the Oracle Private Cloud Appliance Administrator's Guide, refer to the power-down instructions section for the server model in question. The steps in this procedure are identical to placing the compute node in maintenance mode, except that you must clear the check box you selected previously.