Acer Altos G5450 User Manual

Acer Altos G5450 Series

User’s Guide

Copyright © 2007 Acer Incorporated
All Rights Reserved.

Acer Altos G5450 Series
User’s Guide

Changes may be made periodically to the information in this publication without obligation
to notify any person of such revision or changes. Such changes will be incorporated in new
editions of this manual or supplementary documents and publications. This company makes
no representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the contents
hereof and specifically disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a
particular purpose.

Record the model number, serial number, purchase date, and place of purchase information in
the space provided below. The serial number and model number are recorded on the label
affixed to the unit. All correspondence concerning the unit should include these information.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise,
without the prior written permission of Acer Incorporated.

Acer Altos G5450 Series

Model Name : G5450

Part Number: MU.R2700.001

Purchase Date:

Place of Purchase:

Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks of Acer Inc. Other company’s product names
or trademarks are used herein for identification purposes only and belong to their respective
companies.

Notices

FCC declaration of conformity

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.

The following local manufacturer/importer is responsible for this declaration:

iii

Product:
Model number:
Name of responsible party:
Address of responsible party:

Contact person:
Phone number:
Fax number:

Server
G5450
Acer America Corporation
2641 Orchard Parkway, San Jose

CA 95134, U. S. A.
Mr. Young Kim
408-922-2909
408-922-2606

FCC notice

Class A devices do not have an FCC logo or FCC IDE on the label. Class B devices
have an FCC logo or FCC IDE on the label. Once the class of the device is
determined, refer to the following corresponding statement.

Class A equipment

This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the
equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy, and if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is
likely to cause harmful interference, in which case the user will be required to
correct the interference at personal expense.

Notice: Shielded cables

All connections to other computing devices must be made using shielded cables
to maintain compliance with FCC regulations.

iv

Notice: Peripheral devices

Only peripherals (input/output devices, terminals, printers, etc.) certified to
comply with the Class A limits may be attached to this equipment. Operation
with noncertified peripherals is likely to result in interference to radio and TV
reception.

Caution: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the
manufacturer could void the user’s authority, which is granted by
the Federal Communications Commission, to operate this server.

Use conditions

This part complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.

Notice: Canadian users

This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.

Remarque à l'intention des utilisateurs canadiens

Cet appareil numérique de la classe A est conforme a la norme NMB-003 du
Canada.

Laser compliance statement

The CD or DVD drive used with this computer is a laser product. The CD or DVD
drive's classification label (shown below) is located on the drive.

CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT
CAUTION: INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION WHEN OPEN. AVOID EXPOSURE TO
BEAM.

APPAREIL A LASER DE CLASSE 1 PRODUIT
LASERATTENTION: RADIATION DU FAISCEAU LASER INVISIBLE EN CAS
D'OUVERTURE. EVITTER TOUTE EXPOSITION AUX RAYONS.

LUOKAN 1 LASERLAITE LASER KLASSE 1
VORSICHT: UNSICHTBARE LASERSTRAHLUNG, WENN ABDECKUNG GEÖFFNET
NICHT DEM STRAHLL AUSSETZEN.

PRODUCTO LÁSER DE LA CLASE I
ADVERTENCIA: RADIACIÓN LÁSER INVISIBLE AL SER ABIERTO. EVITE
EXPONERSE A LOS RAYOS.

ADVARSEL: LASERSTRÅLING VEDÅBNING SE IKKE IND I STRÅLEN.

VARO: LAVATTAESSA OLET ALTTINA LASERSÅTEILYLLE.

VARNING: LASERSTRÅLNING NÅR DENNA DEL ÅR ÖPPNAD ÅLÅ TUIJOTA

SÅTEESEENSTIRRA EJ IN I STRÅLEN.

VARNING: LASERSTRÅLNING NAR DENNA DEL ÅR ÖPPNADSTIRRA EJ IN I
STRÅLEN.

ADVARSEL: LASERSTRÅLING NAR DEKSEL ÅPNESSTIRR IKKE INN I STRÅLEN.

Macrovision copyright protection notice

"U.S Patent Nos. 4,631,603; 4,819,098; 4,907,093; 5,315,448; and 6,516,132."

This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by
U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights. Use of this copyright
protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision, and is intended for
home and other limited viewing uses only unless otherwise authorized by
Macrovision. Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited.

v

vi

CE Declaration of conformity

We,

Acer Computer (Shanghai) Limited

3F, No. 168 Xizang Medium Road, Huangpu District,
Shanghai, China

Contact Person: Mr. Easy Lai
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Hereby declare that:

Product:
Trade name:
Model number:
SKU number:

Is compliant with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of
the following EC directives, and that all the necessary steps have been taken
and are in force to assure that production units of the same product will
continue to comply with these requirements.

• EMC Directive 89/336/EEC, amended by 92/31/EEC and 93/68/EEC as
attested by conformity with the following harmonized standards:

• EN55022:1998 + A1:2000 + A2:2003, AS/NZS CISPR22:2002, Class B

• EN55024:1998 + A1:2001 + A2:2003

• EN61000-3-2:2000, Class D

• EN61000-3-3:1995 + A1:2001

• Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC as attested by conformity with the
following harmonized standard:

• EN60950-1:2001

• RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC on the Restriction of the Use of certain
Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Director, Acer Computer (Shanghai) Limited
November 20, 2007

Server
Acer
G5450
G54xx ("x" = 0~9, a~z, A~Z or blank)

Declaration of conformity for EU countries

Hereby, Acer, declares that this PC series is in compliance with the essential
requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC.

Russian regulatory certification compliance

vii

viii

Information for your safety and comfort

Safety instructions

Read these instructions carefully. Keep this document for future reference.
Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product.

Turning the product off before cleaning

Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid
cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.

CAUTION for plug as disconnecting device

Observe the following guidelines when connecting and disconnecting power to
the power supply unit:

• Install the power supply unit before connecting the power cord to the AC
power outlet.

• Unplug the power cord before removing the power supply unit from the
server.

• If the system has multiple sources of power, disconnect power from the
system by unplugging all power cords from the power supplies.

CAUTION for accessibility

Be sure that the power outlet you plug the power cord into is easily accessible
and located as close to the equipment operator as possible. When you need to
disconnect power to the equipment, be sure to unplug the power cord from the
electrical outlet.

Usage warnings

• Do not use this product near water. Never spill liquid of any kind onto or
into the product.

• Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand or table. If the
product falls, it could be seriously damaged.

• Slots and openings are provided for ventilation to ensure reliable
operation of the product and to protect it from overheating. These
openings must not be blocked or covered. The openings should never be
blocked by placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug or other similar surface.
This product should never be placed near or over a radiator or heat
register, or in a built-in installation unless proper ventilation is provided.

• Never push objects of any kind into this product through cabinet slots as
they may touch dangerous voltage points or short-out parts that could
result in a fire or electric shock.

• To avoid damage of internal components and to prevent battery leakage,
do not place the product on a vibrating surface.

• Never use it under sporting, exercising, or any vibrating environment
which will probably cause unexpected short current or damage rotor
devices, hard drives, optical drives, and even exposure risk from lithium
battery pack.

Using electrical power

• This product should be operated from the type of power indicated on the
marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power available, consult
your dealer or local power company.

• Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord. Do not locate this
product where people will walk on the cord.

• If an extension cord is used with this product, make sure that the total
ampere rating of the equipment plugged into the extension cord does not
exceed the extension cord ampere rating. Also, make sure that the total
rating of all products plugged into the wall outlet does not exceed the fuse
rating.

• Do not overload a power outlet, strip or receptacle by plugging in too
many devices. The overall system load must not exceed 80% of the branch
circuit rating. If power strips are used, the load should not exceed 80% of
the power strip's input rating.

• This product's power supply is equipped with a three-wire grounded plug.
The plug only fits in a grounded power outlet. Make sure the power
outlet is properly grounded before inserting the power supply plug. Do
not insert the plug into a non-grounded power outlet. Contact your
electrician for details.

ix

x

Warning! The grounding pin is a safety feature. Using a
power outlet that is not properly grounded may result in
electric shock and/or injury.

Note: The grounding pin also provides good protection from

unexpected noise produced by other nearby electrical devices that
may interfere with the performance of this product.

• Use the product only with the supplied power supply cord set. If you need
to replace the power cord set, make sure that the new power cord meets
the following requirements: detachable type, UL listed/CSA certified, type
SPT-2, rated 7 A 125 V minimum, VDE approved or its equivalent, 4.6
meters (15 feet) maximum length.

Safe listening

Follow these instructions, suggested by hearing experts,to protect your hearing.

• Gradually increase the volume until you can hear it clearly and comfortably
and without distortion.

• After setting the volume level, do not increase it after your ears adjust.

• Limit the amount of time listening to music at high volume.

• Avoid turning up the volume to block out noisy surroundings.

• Turn the volume down if you can't hear people speaking near you.

Product servicing

Do not attempt to service this product yourself, as opening or removing covers
may expose you to dangerous voltage points or other risks. Refer all servicing
to qualified service personnel.

Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service
personnel when:

• the power cord or plug is damaged, cut or frayed

• liquid was spilled into the product

• the product was exposed to rain or water

• the product has been dropped or the case has been damaged

• the product exhibits a distinct change in performance, indicating a need
for service

• the product does not operate normally after following the operating
instructions

Note: Adjust only those controls that are covered by the
operating instructions, since improper adjustment of other
controls may result in damage and will often require extensive
work by a qualified technician to restore the product to normal
condition.

Disposal instructions

Do not throw this electronic device into the trash when discarding. To minimize
pollution and ensure utmost protection of the global environment, please
recycle. For more information on the Waste from Electrical and Electronics
Equipment (WEEE) regulations, visit http://global.acer.com/about/
sustainability.htm.

xi

Mercury advisory

For projectors or electronic products containing an LCD/CRT monitor or display:
Lamp(s) inside this product contain mercury and must be recycled or disposed of
according to local, state or federal laws. For more information, contact the
Electronic Industries Alliance at http://www.eiae.org. For lamp-specific disposal
information, check http://www.lamprecycle.org.

xii

Tips and information for comfortable use

Computer users may complain of eyestrain and headaches after prolonged use.
Users are also at risk of physical injury after long hours of working in front of a
computer. Long work periods, bad posture, poor work habits, stress,
inadequate working conditions, personal health and other factors greatly
increase the risk of physical injury.

Incorrect computer usage may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis,
tenosynovitis or other musculoskeletal disorders. The following symptoms may
appear in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck or back:

• numbness, or a burning or tingling sensation

• aching, soreness or tenderness

• pain, swelling or throbbing

• stiffness or tightness

• coldness or weakness

If you have these symptoms, or any other recurring or persistent discomfort
and/or pain related to computer use, consult a physician immediately and
inform your company's health and safety department.

The following sections provide tips for more comfortable computer use.

Finding your comfort zone

Find your comfort zone by adjusting the viewing angle of the monitor, using a
footrest, or raising your sitting height to achieve maximum comfort. Observe
the following tips:

• Refrain from staying too long in one fixed posture.

• Avoid slouching forward and/or leaning backward.

• Stand up and walk around regularly to remove the strain on your leg
muscles.

• Take short rests to relax your neck and shoulders.

• Avoid tensing your muscles or shrugging your shoulders.

• Install the external display, keyboard and mouse properly and within
comfortable reach.

• If you view your monitor more than your documents, place the display at
the center of your desk to minimize neck strain.

xiii

Taking care of your vision

Long viewing hours, wearing incorrect glasses or contact lenses, glare, excessive
room lighting, poorly focused screens, very small typefaces and low-contrast
displays could stress your eyes. The following items provide suggestions on how
to reduce eyestrain.

•Eyes

• Rest your eyes frequently.

• Give your eyes regular breaks by looking away from the monitor and
focusing on a distant point.

• Blink frequently to keep your eyes from drying out.

•Display

• Keep your display clean.

• Keep your head at a higher level than the top edge of the display so
your eyes point downward when looking at the middle of the display.

• Adjust the display brightness and/or contrast to a comfortable level
for enhanced text readability and graphics clarity.

• Eliminate glare and reflections by:
– placing your display in such a way that the side faces the window or

any light source
– minimizing room light by using drapes, shades or blinds
– using a task light
– changing the display's viewing angle
– using a glare-reduction filter
– using a display visor, such as a piece of cardboard extended from

the display's top front edge

• Avoid adjusting your display to an awkward viewing angle.

• Avoid looking at bright light sources, such as open windows, for
extended periods of time.

xiv

Developing good work habits

Develop the following work habits to make your computer use more relaxing
and productive:

• Take short breaks regularly and often.

• Perform some stretching exercises.

• Breathe fresh air as often as possible.

• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body.

Warning! We do not recommend using the computer on a
couch or bed. If this is unavoidable, work for only short
periods, take breaks regularly, and do some stretching
exercises.

1 System tour 1

System specifications 3

Performance 3
Mechanical 6
Environmental 6
Hardware options 7

External and internal structure 8

Front bezel 8
Front panel 9
Rear panel 11
Internal components 13

System boards 14

Mainboard 14
Backplane board 17
BMC module 18
ARMC/3 module 19

System LED indicators 20

Front panel LED indicators 20
Hot-plug HDD LED indicator 21
LAN port LED indicators 21
Power supply module LED indicators 22

2 System setup 23

Setting up the system 25

Pre-installation requirements 25
Connecting peripherals 26
Turning on the system 27

Power-on problems 28
Configuring the system OS 29
Rack mount configuration 30
Turning off the system 31

Contents

3 System upgrade 33

Installation precautions 35

ESD precautions 35

Pre-installation instructions 36

Post-installation instructions 36
Opening the server 37

Removing the side panel 37

Removing the front bezel 38
Configuring the hard drive 39

Installing a HDD cage 39

xvi

Removing a HDD cage 42

Installing an additional hard drive 43
Configuring a 5-25 inch storage device 46
Upgrading the processor 48
Upgrading the system memory 52

DIMM population guidelines 53

Removing a DIMM 56

Installing a DIMM 57
Installing an expansion card 58
Installing the BMC module 60
Installing the ARMC/3 module 61
Installing a redundant power supply module 65

4 System BIOS 67

BIOS overview 70
Entering BIOS setup 71

BIOS setup primary menus 71

BIOS setup navigation keys 72
Main menu 73
Advanced menu 74

Advanced Processor Options 74

Memory Configuration 76

Advanced Chipset Control 77

PCI Configuration 78

I/O Device Configuration 79

IDE Configuration 80

Floppy Configuration 82

Boot Configuration 83

DMI Event Logging 84
Security menu 86

Setting a system password 87

Changing a system password 88

Removing a system password 88
Server menu 89

System Management 90

Console Redirection 90

Event Log Configuration 92
Boot menu 93
Exit menu 94

5 System

troubleshooting 95

Resetting the system 97

Initial system startup problems 98
Initial troubleshooting checklist 99
Hardware diagnostic testing 100

Checking the boot-up status 100
Verifying the condition of the storage devices 101
Confirming loading of the operating system 101

Specific problems and corrective actions 102

Appendix A: Server management tools 107

Server management overview 109
RAID configuration utilities 110

Configuring Onboard SATA RAID 110
Configuring LSI MegaRAID SAS 8708ELP 111
Configuring LSI MegaRAID SAS 8204ELP 112

Appendix B: Rack mount configuration 115

Rack installation information 117

Rack installation precautions 117
Rack mount kit 118
Vertical mounting hole pattern 120

Rack installation procedures 121

Preparing the server for rack installation 121
Preparing the rack for server installation 123
Installing the server in the system rack 125
Installing the cable arm option 126

xvii

Index 129

xviii

1 System tour

The Acer Altos G5450 server is a fully modular

dual-processor system featuring the latest in

computing technology. It hosts a range of

powerful and flexible features designed to

meet the needs of various network

environments. From simple networking

functions to computing intensive applications,

the Altos G5450 delivers.

System specifications

This section lists down the impressive computing features of the
Altos G5450 system.

Performance

Processor

• Two socket F (1207-pin) AMD processor sockets supporting Dual­Core / Quad-Core AMD Opteron™ processor

• Up to 2x 1 MB L2 cache for dual-core processor

• Up to 4x 512 KB L2 cache and 2MB L3 cache for quad-core
processor

• Support for the following AMD technologies:

• HyperTransport™ technology

•AMD64 technology

• AMD virtualization™ technology (AMD-V)

• AMD PowerNow!™ technology

• Enhanced virus pretection

1

2

3

Chipset

• NVIDIA nForce Professional 3600 media and communication
processors (MCPs)

Memory

• Supports DDR2-667 registered ECC modules

• Eight DIMM slots per processor

• Single-processor supports memory capacity of 32 GB

• Dual-processor supports memory capacity of 64 GB

• Supports dual-channel DDR2 memory per processor

• Support Memory Sparing technology

1

support depends on quad-core CPU available

2

For more information on these AMD technologies, visit the AMD Opteron™
web site at http://www.amd.com/

3

support depends on 4 GB DIMM available

.

3

3

4

1 System tour

PCI interface

• Five PCI bus slots

• Two PCI Express x16 bus slots with, one x16 throughput and
one x8 throughput

• One PCI Express x8 bus slot with x4 throughput

• Two 32-bit/33 MHz PCI bus slot

Video controller

• Integrated XGI Z9s chipset with 16 MB DDR SDRAM

• Optional add-on graphic card support

SATA Controller

• Integrated six-ports SATA2 controller onboard

• Integrated SATA S/W RAID 0, 1, 5 & 10

Networking

• Two Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports (RJ-45)

• TCP Offload Engine (TOE) support

Baseboard Management Controller (optional)

• Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) module (optional)

• Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) 2.0 compliant

Media storage

• Three 5.25-inch device bays support:

• DVD-ROM, DVD-RW drive

• DAT tape drive

• AIT tape drive

• LTO half-height tape drive

• 3.5” floppy disk drive (FDD) with FDD conversion kit

• Two hard disk drive (HDD) cage bays support:

• Hot-swap or easy-swap HDD cages

• Up to eight SAS/SATA2 drive support (four drives per HDD
cage)

I/O ports

5

• Two front USB 2.0 ports

• PS/2 keyboard port

• PS/2 mouse port

• Two rear USB 2.0 ports

• Two Gigabit LAN ports
(RJ-45)

• Serial port

• Monitor port

Power supply and system fan

• 610-watts power supply with hot-swap redundant option

• System fan with redundant or hot-swap redundant option

Hardware monitoring and server management

• Winbond W83792G hardware monitoring IC for voltage,
temperature, and fan speed detection

• LED indicators for constant monitoring of basic system function

• Acer Server Management (ASM) monitors potential problem spots
in the network environment

Server Management Utilities and Applications

• Acer EasyBuild™

• Acer Server Management (ASM) 7.1

• Acer eBusiness Value Pack (optional)

• Acer eBusiness ValueSTOR (optional)

Operating system

• Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003

• Microsoft

•Red Hat

•Red Hat

•SUSE

•SUSE

®

Windows® Server 2003 x64 Editions

®

Enterprise Linux® 4.0

®

Enterprise Linux® 4.0, x86-64

Linux® Enterprise Server 10.0

Linux® Enterprise Server 10.0, x86-64

6

Mechanical

•Chassis

• Tool-less chassis design for easy hardware access and
configuration

• Tower and rack-mount (5U, tray-less) setup options

•Dimensions

– Height: 445 mm (17.5 in)
– Depth: 212 mm (8.3 in)
– Width: 550 mm (21.6 in)

• Mainboard

• Dimensions (length x width): 304.8 x 330.2 mm (12 x 13 in)

• Platform: Extended ATX (EATX)

Environmental

• Temperature

• Operating: +10° to +35°C with the maximum rate of change
not to exceed 10° per hour.

• Non-operating: -40° to +70°C

• Humidity, non-operating : 90%, non-condensing @ 35°C

• Vibration, operating: Half sine, 2g peak, 11 m/sec

• System cooling: 2081.5 BTU/hour

1 System tour

Hardware options

Note: To purchase the any of the following hardware options,
contact your local Acer representative.

• Media storage

• LSI SAS controller board supports:
– SAS and SATA2
– Software RAID controller 0, 1, 5, 10, and 50 levels

• LSI MegaRAID SAS RAID controller board supports:

– Hardware RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and 50 levels
– Backup battery unit (BBU) option

• Ultra 320 SCSI HBA (for backup devices only)

• Redundant modules

• Hot-swap redundant power supply

• Redundant or hot-swap redundant system fan

• Server management

• Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) module

– Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) 2.0

compliant

– In-band and out-band server management

• Acer Remote Management Card/3 (ARMC/3) module

– High performance Keyboard VGA Mouse (KVM) redirection
– Includes a dedicated Network Interface Controller (NIC) port

– USB mouse, keyboard, and media redirection

7

8

External and internal structure

Front bezel

1 System tour

No. Component

1 Side panel release button

2 Security keylock

This lock secures the bezel door to protect the server unit from
unauthorized access.

3 LED indicator panel

For more information on the LED indicators description, go to page

20.

4 Bezel door

Front panel

No. Icon Component Description

9

1 DVD-ROM drive Eject

button

2 DVD-ROM drive

activity indicator

3 DVD-ROM drive

mechanical eject hole

4 DVD-ROM drive Disk drive for reading CD, VCD, and

5 5.25-inch drive bay Allows installation of additional

6 Power indicator Indicates the system power status

7 HDD activity

indicator

Press this button to open the DVD
drive tray.

When the LED indicator is lit, there
is an ongoing DVD drive activity.

When the DVD drive tray get
stucked, insert a paperclip to this
hole to manually eject the tray.

DVD contents.

storage devices. Go to page 4 for a
list of supported devices.

(green).

Indicates the status of a system
hard drive (green/amber).

10

No. Icon Component Description

8 Status/fault indicator Indicates the status of the system

operations (green/amber).

1 System tour

9 LAN port 1/2 status

indicators

10 Hot-plug HDD

activity indicator

11 HDD cage Supports four hot-plug or

12 HDD cage bay Supports an optional four-bay HDD

13 USB 2.0 ports Connects to USB devices.

14 Power button Press to turn the server on/off, or to

Indicate the system network
connection status.

Indicates the status of a hot-plug
HDD installed in the system (green
/amber).

easy-swap SAS or SATA2 HDDs.

cage (hot-plug or easy-swap).

put it in standby mode.

Rear panel

No. Icon Component Description

11

1 Power supply

module
release latch

2 Power supply

module cord
socket

3 Main power

supply module

4 PS/2 mouse

port

5 PS/2 keyboard

port

6 Serial port Connects to serial devices.

7 Monitor port Connects to monitors.

Push down the latch to disengage the
module from the chassis.

Connect the system power cord here.

Provides the system’s main power
supply.

Connects to a PS/2 mouse.

Connects to a PS/2 keyboard.

12

No. Icon Component Description

8 USB 2.0 ports Connects to USB devices.

1 System tour

9 Gigabit LAN

ports 1/2

10 Unit

identification
(UID) switch/
indicator

11 PCI slot covers Protects the vacant expansion slots.

12 System fan Regulates the system airflow.

13 Redundant

power supply
module bay

14 Power supply

module fault
indicator

15 Power supply

module status
indicator

Connects to an Internet or intranet
network.

Press to mark a particular server unit
within a server group (when
rack-mounted) for purpose of
identification during servicing or
maintenance procedures. (blue)

Accommodates an optional hot-swap
redundant power supply module.

Indicates the occurrence of a fault
condition in the power supply
module. (green/amber)

Indicates the status of the power
supply module. (green)

Internal components

No. Component

1 Redundant power supply module bay

13

2 Heat sink fan (HSF) assemblies

3 Release sliders for the 5.25-inch devices

4 Release sliders for the HDD cages

5 Mainboard

6 PCI slot lock levers

7 System fan

Users have the option to purchase a redundant system fan unit or
hot-swap redundant system fan unit.

14

System boards

Mainboard

1 System tour

No. Code Description

1 KB_MS1 TOP: PS/2 Mouse Port

Bottom: PS/2 Keyboard Port

2 COMA1 Serial Port

3 VGA1 Monitor Port

4 R_USB1 USB2.0 Port

5 GLAN1 Gigabit LAN port1

6 GLAN2 Gigabit LAN port2

7 SW1 ID Switch

15

8 DIMMC1-C4

DIMMD1-D4

9 CPU2 Processor2 Socket

10 SYS_FAN1 System Fan1 cable connector

11 SYS_FAN2 System Fan2 cable connector

12 ATX_12V1 8-pin ATX power connector

13 CPU2_FAN Processor2 HSF cable connector

14 ATX _L1 24 -pin ATX pow e r connector

15 DIMMA1-A4

DIMMB1-B4

16 CPU1 Processor1 Socket

17 CPU1_FAN Processor1 HSF cable connector

18 CLR_CMOS Clear CMOS jumper

19 BATTERY1 CMOS Battery

20 U46 Winbond W83792G hardware monitor IC

DDR2 Sockets for Processor2

DDR2 Sockets for Processor1

Close 1-2: Normal CMOS settings (default)
Close 2-3: Clear CMOS

16

No. Code Description

21 IDE1 IDE Cable connector

22 SATA 1-6 SATA Data cable connector

23 F_USB1 Front USB cable connector

24 F_USB2 Internal USB cable connector

25 U24 NVIDIA nForce Professional 3600 MCPs

26 U5 BIOS Flash ROM

27 U23 ITE IT8716F-S I/O controller

28 FDD1 FDD Cable connector

29 COMB1 Serial Port connector

1 System tour

30

IPMB_1 I
IPMB_2 I

2

2

C_1
C_2

IPMB Connector

2

I

C connector

31 F_PANEL1 Front panel LED connector

32 IPMI1 BMC Module slot

33 CI1 Intrusion cable connector

34 PCI_5 32bit/ 33MHz PCI slot #5

35 U41 XGI Volari Z9s VGA controller

36 U42 Video Memory

37 PCI_4 32bit/ 33MHz PCI slot #4

38 PCIE_3

PCI Express x16 slot #3 (w/ x8 throughput)

39 U3 Gigabit LAN controller

40 PCIE_2

PCI Express x8 slot #2 (w/ x4 throughput)

41 U4 Gigabit LAN controller

42 PCIE_1 PCI Express x16 slot #1 (w/ x16 throughput)

No. Code Description

17

43 BP1

2

C connector for SAS Backplane

I

Backplane board

The backplane board attached to rear of the hot-plug HDD cage is
what differentiate it from the easy-swap HDD cage model.

No. Code Description

1 J7 to J10 SAS/SATA2 HDD access LED control jumpers

Close 2-3 – HDD LED control via pin 11(default)

2 SGIO_JP Debug/diagnostic connector

3 JP2 SAF-TE firmware flash connector

4 J4 Backplane board peering cable connector

5 CN1 and CN2 Power cable connectors for the SAS/SATA2 HDD

6 792D_ID1 HDD cage ID setting jumper

Close 1-2 – 5C (default for top HDD cage)
Close 2-3 – 58 (default for bottom HDD cage)

7 SAS/CON SAS/SATA2 HDD data cable connector

8 J5 Backplane board management cable connector

9 SATA/SAS_1-4 SAS/SATA2 HDD connectors

18

1 System tour

BMC module

The optional BMC module is the meeting point between the server
hardware and the system management software. In conjunction with
the mainboard hardware monitor, it allows system administrators to
manage the system remotely over a network.

No. Code Description

1 SODIMM1 ARMC/3 module connector

2 DIMM1 BMC module mainboard connector

3 U3 SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory)

4 U1 H85/216x BMC chipset

19

ARMC/3 module

The optional ARMC/3 module expands the server’s remote
management function through its own dedicated NIC port. System
administrators can now have full remote access to the server regardless
of its condition. Options to access server configuration, performance
and storage; view a summary of key components; and monitor system
health events are readily access using a simple browser.

No. Code Description

1 LAN1 Dedicated NIC port cable connector

2 U6 SRAM (Static Random Access Memory)

3U9 SDRAM

4 SODIMM1 ARMC/3 module mainboard connector

5 U8 Flash ROM

6U5 SRAM

7 U1 Peppercon KIRA 100 chipset

20

1 System tour

System LED indicators

This section discusses the different LED indicators located on the:

• Front panel

• Hot-plug HDD carrier

• LAN port

• Power supply module

Knowing what each LED indicator signifies can aid in problem
diagnosis and troubleshooting.

Front panel LED indicators

The five LED indicators mounted on the front panel allow the constant
monitoring of basic system functions. These indicators remain visible
even when the bezel door is closed.

Indicator Color Status Description

Power Green On The system has AC power and is

Blinking The system is in standby mode.

HDD activity Green Blinking There is an ongoing HDD activity.

Amber On A system hard drive is failed.

1

Status/fault

LAN port 1/2
connection

1 The status/fault LED indicator is only enabled when the optional BMC module is installed
on the mainboard. To purchase this option, contact your local Acer representative.

Green On System is in normal mode.

Amber On Critical system threshold breach

Green On Network connection is established.

Blinking Network connection is established

Off Network connection is not

powered on.

Access the Setup utility and view the
system event log for details.

and is running at supported speed.

established.

Hot-plug HDD LED indicator

A drive activity LED indicator is mounted on the hot-plug HDD carrier.
The table below lists the possible drive states.

Status Green Amber Description

HDD access Blinking — Ongoing hot-plug HDD activity

HDD failure — On Hot-plug HDD failure

HDD rebuild Flashing green/amber HDD is rebuilding data.

LAN port LED indicators

Indicator Color Status Description

21

Network
speed
(top)

Network
connection
(bottom)

Amber On GbE link network access

Green On 100 Mbps link network access

Off 10 Mbps link network access

Green On Active network link

Blinking Ongoing network data activity

Off Off-line network

22

1 System tour

Power supply module LED indicators

Indicator Color Status Description

Status (top) Green On Output requirements are met.

Off AC power is disconnected from the

Fault (bottom) Green On Input voltage requirements are met.

Amber On • Overvoltage

Off AC power is disconnected from the

module.

•Overcurrent

• Output short circuit

module.

2 System setup

This chapter gives you instructions on how to
prepare the system for operation. Procedures for
connecting peripherals are also explained.

Setting up the system

Pre-installation requirements

Selecting a site

Before unpacking and installing the system, select a suitable site for
the system for maximum efficiency. Consider the following factors
when choosing a site for the system:

• Near a grounded power outlet

• Clean and dust-free

• Stable surface free from vibration

• Well-ventilated and away from sources of heat

• Secluded from electromagnetic fields produced by electrical
devices such as air conditioners, radio and TV transmitters, etc.

Checking the package contents

Check the following items from the package:

• Acer Altos G5450 system

• Acer EasyBUILDTM DVD Pack

• Acer Altos G5450 accessory box

• System keys (attached to the rear of the bezel door)

25

If any of the above items are damaged or missing, contact your dealer
immediately.

Save the boxes and packing materials for future use.

26

2 System setup

Connecting peripherals

The color-coded I/O port panel on the system rear accepts a variety of
compatible peripherals. Refer to the figure below for specific
connection instructions for each port.

Note: Consult the operating system manual for information on
how to configure the network setup.

Caution: Do not route the power cord where it will be walked on
or pinched by items placed against it. The server is designed to be
electrically grounded (earthed). To ensure proper operation, plug
the power cord into a properly grounded AC outlet only.

Turning on the system

After making sure that you have properly set up the system, applied
power, and connected all the necessary peripherals, you can now
power on the system. Follow the procedure below.

1 Open the bezel door.

2 Press the power button.

27

The system starts up and displays a welcome message on the
monitor. After that, a series of power-on self-test (POST) messages
appear. The POST messages indicate if the system is running well
or not.

28

Note: If the system does not turn on or boot after pressing the
power button, go to the next section for the possible causes of the
boot failure.

2 System setup

Aside from the POST messages, you can determine if the system is in
good condition by checking if the following occurred.

• The power status indicator on the front panel lights up green.

• The Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock indicators on the
keyboard light up.

Power-on problems

If the system fails to boot after you have applied power, check the
following factors that might have caused the boot failure.

• The external power cord may be loosely connected.
Check the power cord connection from the power outlet to the

power cord socket on the rear panel. Make sure that the cord is
properly connected to the power outlet and to the power cord
socket.

• No power comes from the grounded power outlet.
Have an electrician check your power outlet.

• Loosely or improperly connected internal power cables.
Check the internal cable connections. If you are not confident to

perform this step, ask a qualified technician to assist you.

Warning! Make sure all power cords are disconnected from
the electrical outlet before performing this task.

Note: If you have gone through the preceding actions and the

system still fails to boot, ask your dealer or a qualified technician
for assistance.

29

Configuring the system OS

The Altos G5450 comes with Acer EasyBUILD that allows users to
conveniently install the preferred operating system. To start using
EasyBUILD, follow the steps below.

1 Locate the EasyBUILD DVD included in the system package.
2 With the system turned on, press the DVD-ROM drive eject button.
3 When the disc tray slides open, insert the EasyBUILD DVD with the

label side of the disc facing upward.

Note: When handling the disc, hold it by the edges to avoid
smudges or fingerprints.

4 Gently press the disc down to make sure that it is properly

inserted.

Caution: While pressing the disc, be careful not to bend the disc
tray. Make sure that the disc is properly inserted before closing
the disc tray. Improper insertion may damage both the disc and
the DVD-ROM drive.

5 Press the drive Eject button again to close the disc tray.
6 The Acer EasyBUILD sequence begins. Follow all onscreen

instructions.

For more information, refer to the EasyBUILD Installation guide.

Note: EasyBUILD only supports the Microsoft and Red Hat Linux
operating systems. The Windows or Red Hat installation disc(s) is
required to install the OS.

30

2 System setup

Rack mount configuration

The Altos G5450 server is a dual-platform system that can be set up in
both tower and rack-mount configurations. A rack mount kit is
available for customers who prefer to mount the server in a system
rack. To purchase a rack mount kit, contact your local Acer
representative or order directly from http://www.acer.com/

The figure below shows the Altos G5450 server in a rack-mount
position.

.

For instructions on tower-to-rack configuration, refer to “Appendix B:
Rack mount configuration” on page 115.

31

Turning off the system

There are two ways to turn off the server—via software or via
hardware. The software procedure below applies to a system running
on a Windows OS. For other OS shutdown procedures, refer to the
related user documentation.

To turn off the system via software:

1 Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete on the attached keyboard or click the Start

on the Windows taskbar.
2 Select Shut Down.
3 Select Shut down from the drop-down menu, then click OK.

To turn off the system via hardware:

If you cannot shut down the server via software, press the power
button for at least four seconds. Quickly pressing the button may put
the server in a Suspend mode only.

32

2 System setup

3 System upgrade

This chapter discusses the precautionary
measures and installation procedures you
need to know when upgrading the system.

Installation precautions

Before you install any server component, it is recommended that you
read the following sections first. These sections contain important ESD
precautions along with pre-installation and post-installation
procedures.

ESD precautions

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage static-sensitive hardware
components, such as the processor, disk drives, and the system boards.
Always observe the following precautions before you install a server
component:

• Do not remove a component from its protective packaging until
you are ready to install it.

• Do not touch the component pins, leads, or circuitry.

• Components with a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly should
always be laid with the assembly-side down.

• Wear a wrist grounding strap and attach it to a metal part of the
server before handling components. If a wrist strap is not
available, maintain contact with the server throughout any
procedure requiring ESD protection.

• Keep the work area free of nonconductive materials, such as
ordinary plastic assembly aids and foam packing.

35

36

3 System upgrade

Pre-installation instructions

Perform the steps below before you open the server or before your
remove or replace any component.

Warning! Failure to properly turn off the server before you
start perform any hardware configuration may cause
serious damage and bodily harm. Do not attempt the
procedures described in the following sections unless you
are a qualified service technician.

1 Turn off the server and all connected peripherals.
2 Unplug all power cables from their outlets.
3 Disconnect all telecommunication cables from their ports.
4 Place the server on a flat, stable surface.
5 Open the server according to the instructions on page 37.
6 Follow the ESD precautions described in the previous section when

handling a server component.

Post-installation instructions

Perform the steps below after installing a server component.
1 See to it that all components are installed according to the

described step-by-step instructions.

2 Reinstall any expansion board(s), peripheral(s), bracket(s) and

system cable(s) that have previously been removed.
3 Reinstall the side panel.
4 Reconnect the power, peripheral, and telecommunication cables.
5 Turn on the system.

37

Opening the server

Caution: Before you proceed, make sure that you have turned off
the system and all peripherals connected to it. Read the
“Pre-installation instructions” section on page 36.

You need to open the server before you can install upgrade
components. The front bezel and (left) side panel are removable to
allow access to the server’s internal components. Refer to the following
sections for instructions.

Removing the side panel

1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 35.
2 Remove the side panel.

(1) Remove the two screws located on the rear edge of the

side panel.
(2) Press the side panel release button.
(3) Slide the side panel toward the rear of the chassis to

disengage it.

38

3 System upgrade

Removing the front bezel

1 Remove the side panel.

Refer to the previous section for instructions.

2 Remove the front bezel.

(1) Release the bezel door retention tabs from the chassis interior.
(2) Pull the bezel away from the chassis.

Configuring the hard drive

The two HDD cage bays of the Altos G5450 accommodates both
hot-plug and easy-swap HDD cage models. The main difference
between these two cage models is the presence of a backplane board
on the rear side of the hot-plug HDD cage. Both cage models support
up to four SATA2 or SAS hard disk drives.

The system ships out with only a single HDD cage occupying the top
cage bay. You have the option to purchase an extra HDD cage to
provide the system with additional storage capacity and scalability.
Contact your local Acer representative for more information.

Note: The HDD cage comes with HDD dummy covers. You need to
purchase a blank HDD carrier to install a hard drive.

Installing a HDD cage

1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 35.
2 Remove the HDD cage bay metal cover from the front chassis.

(1) Remove the one screw that secures the cover.
(2) Detach the cover from chassis.

Store this cover for future reinstallation.

39

40

3 System upgrade

3 Install the HDD cage.

(1) Slide the cage into the lower bay with the HDD carriers facing

front.
The cage locked to the chassis with an audible click.

If you have installed a hot-plug HDD cage, proceed to next
step for related drive cable connections.

Drive cable connections for an easy-swap HDD can be found
on page page 45.

(2) Connect the following cables to the hot-plug HDD cage

backplane board.
(1) Connect the hard drive power cables to the CN1 and CN2

connectors of the backplane board.

(2) Connect the SAS/SATA2 cable to the SAS/CON connector

of the backplane board.

(3) Connect the other end of the SAS/SATA2 cable to the SAS

connector of the add-on SAS controller board.

4 Remove the HDD cage bay plastic cover from the front bezel.

(1) Use a flat-blade screwdriver to disengage the tabs on the top

edge of the cover from its bezel slots.
(2) Detach the cover from the bezel.

Store this cover for future reinstallation.

41

5 Observe the post-installation instructions described on page 36.

For instructions on how to install a hard drive in an easy-swap HDD
cage, go to page 45.

For instructions on how to install a hard drive in a hot-plug HDD
cage, go to page 43.

42

3 System upgrade

Removing a HDD cage

1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 35.
2 Prepare the HDD cage for removal.

• For a hot-plug HDD cage, disconnect the data and power
cables from the backplane board, then remove all HDDs from
the cage.

• For an easy-swap HDD cage, disconnect the data and power
cables from their HDD connectors, then remove all HDDs from
the cage.

3 Remove the HDD cage.

(1) Move the release slider all the way up to eject the hot-plug

HDD cage.

(2) Remove the cage from the HDD bay.

4 Observe the post-installation instructions described on page 36.

Installing an additional hard drive

The Altos G5450 HDD cage models supports both SATA2 and SAS hard
drives in different capacities.

Note: If you intend to install a SAS hard drive model, you first
need to install the add-on SAS controller card option. For related
instructions, go to page 60.

To install a hot-plug hard drive:

1 If necessary, unlock the front bezel, then pull it open.
2 Remove the HDD dummy cover from the cage.

43

3 Prepare the blank HDD carrier for installation.

(1) Remove the four screws that secures the blank frame.

You will use these screws to secure the hard disk later.

(2) Detach the plastic frame from the HDD carrier.

44

3 System upgrade

4 Align the new hard disk with the HDD carrier, then secure it with

the four screws you removed in step 3-1.

5 Install the new hard drive into the cage.

(1) Slide the drive into the cage with the carrier handle still

extended.

(2) Make sure that the drive is properly inserted before pushing

the handle back until it clicks into place.

6 Set up the new hard drive’s RAID configuration.

For related instructions, go to the “RAID configuration utilities”
section on page 110.

To install an easy-swap hard drive:

1 Remove the side panel from the chassis.

Go to page 37 for instructions.
2 Observe steps 2 through 5 of the previous section.
3 Connect the easy-swap HDD cables.

(1) Connect the power connectors of the SAS/SATA2 cable to the

power supply module HDD power cables.

(2) Connect the data connectors of the SAS/SATA2 cable to the

signal connectors of the of the easy-swap HDDs.

(3) Connect the other end of the SAS/SATA2 power cable to the

add-on SAS controller card.

45

4 Observe the post-installation instructions described on page 36.
5 Set up the new hard drive’s RAID configuration.

For related instructions, go to the “RAID configuration utilities”

section on page 110.

46

3 System upgrade

Configuring a 5-25 inch storage device

The three 5.25-inch device bays support a variety of storage devices for
additional storage capacity and scalability. Go to page 4 for a list of
supported storage devices.

The system ships with a DVD-ROM drive installed on the topmost
device bay. You can choose to replace the default drive, or you can
install a new storage device on the middle or bottom-most device bay.

To install an optional storage device:

1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 35.
2 If you intend to replace a default storage device—the DVD drive—

go to the next step.
If you intend to install a new storage device on the middle or

bottm-most device bay, go to step 5.

3 Disconnect the power and data cable (IDE data cable) from rear of

the old drive.

4 Remove the default drive you intend to replace.

(1) Move the release slider of the selected drive to the unlock

position .

(2) Pull the drive out of the device bay.

The figure below shows how to uninstall the DVD-ROM drive.

Proceed to step 6 for instructions on how to install a new
storage device.

5 Remove the two screws that secure the cover of the empty

5.25-inch drive bay (1), then detach the cover (2).

Keep this cover for future reinstallation.

6 Install the new 5.25-inch storage device.

The instructions given below apply to a regular 5.25-inch storage

device. If you intend to replace or install a floppy drive, refer to

the documentation that came with the new drive for instructions

on how to set up the FDD conversion kit.

(1) Install the new 5.25-inch drive into the drive bay.

(2) Move the release slider into the lock position .

47

(3) Connect the power and IDE cables to the new 5.25-inch drive.
7 Observe the post-installation instructions described on page 36.

48

3 System upgrade

Upgrading the processor

This section explains the procedures for removing and installing the
processor and heat sink fan (HSF) assembly.

Processor configuration guidelines

The mainboard has two Socket F (1207-pin) processor sockets
supporting Dual-Core or Quad-Core AMD Opteron™ processors. You
have the option to upgrade the default processor or install a second
one for a dual-processor configuration.

Observe the following guidelines when replacing or installing a
processor.

• The CPU 1 socket must always be populated. If no processor is
installed in this socket, the system will fail to boot.

• Before removing a processor, make sure to back up all important
system files.

• When installing a second processor, make sure it has same
stepping and frequency specifications as the default processor.

• Handle the processor and the HSF assembly carefully. Damage to
either may prevent the system from functioning properly.

To upgrade the default processor:

1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 35.
2 Lay the server on its side (components showing).

3 Remove the HSF assembly.

Important: Before removing a CPU from the mainboard, make
sure to create a backup file of all important data.

(1) Observe the ESD precautions and pre-installation instructions

described on page 35.

Warning! The heat sink becomes very hot when the system
is on. NEVER touch the heat sink with any metal or with
your hands.

(2) Disconnect the CPU fan cable from its mainboard connector.
(3) Disengage the retaining clip from the heat sink base (1).
(4) Release the clips from the tab on the heat sink base (2).
(5) Pull the HSF assembly away from the CPU (3).

49

(6) Lay down the HSF in an upright position—with the thermal

patch facing upward. Do not let the thermal patch touch the
work surface.

(7) Use an alcohol pad to wipe off the thermal grease from both

the HSF assembly and the processor socket retention plate.

4 Remove the default processor.

Warning! The processor becomes very hot when the system
is on. Allow it to cool off first before handling.

(1) Release then lift up the load lever.
(2) Open the retention plate to expose the socket body.

50

3 System upgrade

(3) Grasp the processor by its edges and lift it out of its socket.

(4) Store the old processor inside an anti-static bag.
(5) Remove the new processor from its protective packaging.

5 Install the new processor.

(1) Hold the processor by its edges, then insert it in the socket.

Make sure that the alignment tabs on the socket fit the two
notch located on the edge of the processor. The pins are keyed
in such a way that you cannot install the processor in the

wrong orientation without bending the pins.
(2) Close the retention plate.
(3) Engage the load lever back into place.

6 Apply the thermal interface material.

(1) Use an alcohol pad to wipe off the old thermal grease from

both the HSF assembly and the processor socket retention

plate.
(2) Apply a thin layer of an Acer-approved thermal interface

material before installing the HSF.

Make sure that only a very thin layer is applied so that both

contact surfaces are still visible.

7 Reinstall the HSF assembly.

(1) Apply thermal grease.

Apply approximately 0.1ml of the thermal grease compound
to the top of the CPU.

(2) Install the HSF assembly

(1) Move the handle of the retaining clip slightly in a

direction away from the heat sink.

(2) Align the heat sink fan assembly to the heat sink base (1).

Note: Make sure to install both sides of the retaining clips.

(3) Secure the retaining clip to the tabs in the heat sink base

by aligning the clip holes over the tabs (2).

(4) Secure the retaining clip back toward the heat sink base

(3).

51

(3) Connect the CPU fan cable to its mainboard connector. Refer

to “Mainboard layout” on page 14 for the location of the CPU
fan connector.

8 Observe the post-installation instructions described on page 36.

To install a second processor:

(1) Prepare the processor socket 2 for installation.
(2) Install the new processor.

Refer to steps 6 to 9 of the previous section.

52

3 System upgrade

Upgrading the system memory

This section includes instructions for removing and installing a DIMM
(dual in-line memory module).

Altos G5450 has sixteen DIMM slots. Each CPU controls eight DIMM
slots. The DIMM slots support dual channel DDR2 -667 registered ECC
memory modules.

Important: When you are using a single-processor server, you
should install a pair of identical modules into the DIMM A1 and
B1, DIMM A2 and B2, DIMM A3 and B3, DIMM A4 and B4 slots.

The DIMM C1 to DIMM D4 slots are enabled when a second CPU is
installed on the mainboard. For instructions on how to install an
additional CPU, see “To install a second processor:” on page 51.

When you are using a dual-processor server, you should employ a
paired DIMM configuration by installing modules in the DIMM A,B
and DIMM C,D slots.

DIMM population guidelines

Important: For the system to function, DIMM modules must be
installed or removed in matched pairs, following the slot sequence
listed below. DIMM modules of the same type, size and
manufacturer must be installed in the same colored DIMM slots.

• CPU 1 — Populate DIMM slots A1 and B1 first, followed by
slots A2 and B2.

• CPU 2 — Populate DIMM slots C1 and D1 first, followed by
slots C2 and D2.

DIMMC4
DIMMD4

DIMMC2
DIMMD2

DIMMC1
DIMMD1

DIMMC3
DIMMD3

CPU2

CPU1

3

3
4
4

53

Note: Refer to “Mainboard layout” on page 14 for the location of
the DIMM slots for each processor.

54

3 System upgrade

The table below lists the supported memory installation based on the
processor configuration:

Single processor configuration

CPU 1 (Single Processor Installed)

DIMM A1/B1 DIMM A2/B2 DIMM A3/B3 DIMM A4/B4

2x512MB 1GB
2x512MB 2x512MB 2GB
2x512MB 2x512MB 2x512MB 3GB
2x512MB 2x512MB 2x512MB 2x512MB 4GB
2x1GB 2GB
2x1GB 2x1GB 4GB
2x1GB 2x1GB 2x1GB 6GB
2x1GB 2x1GB 2x1GB 2x1GB 8GB
2x2GB 4GB
2x2GB 2x2GB 8GB
2x2GB 2x2GB 2x2GB 12GB
2x2GB 2x2GB 2x2GB 2x2GB 16GB
2x4GB* 8GB*
2x4GB* 2x4GB* 16GB*
2x4GB* 2x4GB* 2x4GB* 24GB*
2x4GB* 2x4GB* 2x4GB* 2x4GB* 32GB*

Tot al
Capacity

* support depends on 4 GB DIMM available

Dual-processors configuration

55

DIMM B1/A1
DIMM C1/D1

2x512MB
2x512MB

2x512MB
2x512MB

2x512MB
2x512MB

2x512MB
2x512MB

2x1GB
2x1GB

2x1GB
2x1GB

2x1GB
2x1GB

2x1GB
2x1GB

2x2GB
2x2GB

2x2GB
2x2GB

2x2GB
2x2GB

2x2GB
2x2GB

2x4GB*
2x4GB*

2x4GB*
2x4GB*

2x4GB*
2x4GB*

2x4GB*
2x4GB*

CPU 1 / CPU 2 (Dual Processors Installed)

DIMM B2/A2
DIMM C2/D2

2x512MB
2x512MB

2x512MB
2x512MB

2x512MB
2x512MB

2x1GB
2x1GB

2x1GB
2x1GB

2x1GB
2x1GBB

2x2GB
2x2GB

2x2GB
2x2GB

2x2GB
2x2GB

2x4GB*
2x4GB*

2x4GB*
2x4GB*

2x4GB*
2x4GB*

DIMM B3/A3
DIMM C3/D3

2x512MB
2x512MB

2x512MB
2x512MB

2x1GB
2x1GB

2x1GB
2x1GB

2x2GB
2x2GB

2x2GB
2x2GB

2x4GB*
2x4GB*

2x4GB*
2x4GB*

DIMM B4/A4
DIMM C4/D4

2x512MB
2x512MB

2x1GB
2x1GB

2x2GB
2x2GB

2x4GB*
2x4GB*

Tot al
Capacity

2GB

4GB

6GB

8GB

4GB

8GB

12GB

16GB

8GB

16GB

24GB

32GB

16GB*

32GB*

48GB*

64GB*

* support depends on 4 GB DIMM available

56

3 System upgrade

Removing a DIMM

Before you can install a new pair DIMMs in the sockets, remove first
any previously installed DIMM from that sockets.

Important: Before removing DIMMs from the mainboard, make
sure to create a backup file of all important data.

1 Observe the ESD precautions and pre-installation instructions

described on page 35.

2 Locate the DIMM slot on the mainboard.

Important: Refer to DIMM population guidelines for important
information about requirements for removing DIMM modules.

3 Press the holding clips on both sides of the socket outward to

release the DIMM.

4 Gently pull the DIMM upward to remove it from the socket .

CPU2

CPU1

Installing a DIMM

Warning! DIMM of the same type, size and manufacturer
must be installed into the same colored DIMM slots.

1 Observe the ESD precautions and pre-installation instructions

described on page 35.
2 Locate the DIMM slots on the mainboard.
3 Open the clips on the socket.
4 Align then insert the DIMM into the socket.
5 Press the holding clips inward to lock the DIMM in place.

CPU2

57

CPU1

Memory should be installed in pairs.

Note: The DIMM slot is slotted to ensure proper installation.
If you insert a DIMM but it does not fit easily into the socket, you
may have inserted it incorrectly. Reverse the orientation of the
DIMM and insert it again.

6 Observe the post-installation instructions described on page 36.

To reconfigure the system memory:

The system automatically detects the amount of memory installed. Run
the BIOS setup to view the new value for total system memory and
make a note of it.

58

3 System upgrade

Installing an expansion card

This section explains how to install an expansion card.

I/O interface

Altos G5450 has five PCI bus slots:

• PCI1--32bit/ 33MHz PCI slot

• PCI2--32bit/ 33MHz PCI slot

• PCIE_1--PCI Express x16 slot (w/ x8 throughput)

• PCIE_2--PCI Express x8 slot (w/ x4 throughput)

• PCIE_3--PCI Express x16 slot (w/ x16 throughput)

To install an expansion card:

1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 35.
2 If necessary, remove any cables that prevent access to the

processor sockets.

3 Locate an empty expansion slot that is compatible with the

specification of the card you intend to install.

4 Install the expansion card.

(1) Press the release latch of the slot cover opposite the selected

expansion slot.

(2) Pull out the slot cover and store it for reassembly later.

Caution: Do not discard the slot cover. If the expansion card is
removed in the future, the slot cover must be reinstalled to
maintain proper system cooling.

Remove the expansion card from its protective packaging,
handling it by the edges.

(3) Insert the card into the selected slot.

Make sure that the card is properly seated.

(4) Press the release latch to secure the card in place.

59

(5) Connect the necessary cables to the expansion card as

required.

5 Observe the post-installation instructions described on page 36.

When you turn on the system, the BIOS setup automatically

detects and assigns resources to the new device (applicable only to

Plug-and-Play expansion card).

60

3 System upgrade

Installing the BMC module

The optional BMC module allows system administrators to manage the
Altos G5450 system remotely over a network.

To install the BMC module:

1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 35.
2 Locate the IPMI1 slot. If necessary, remove any boards or cables

that prevent access to it.
3 If necessary, open the holding clips of the IPMI1 slot.
4 Remove the BMC module from its protective packaging, handling

it by the edges.
5 Install the BMC module.

(1) Align the module so that the notch on the IPMI1 slot fits the

keyed edge of the module, then press the module at both
ends to seat it fully into the slot.

When the module is properly installed, the holding clips will
automatically lock in place.

(2) Secure the module with the one screw.

6 Observe the post-installation instructions described on page 36.

Installing the ARMC/3 module

Remote system management just got easier with the new ARMC/3
module. The module provides high performance KVM (keyboard­video-mouse) redirection and features a dedicated NIC port for faster
network access.

To install the ARMC/3 module on system board:

1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 35.
2 Locate the IPMI1 slot. If necessary, remove any boards or cables

that prevent access to it.
3 If necessary, open the holding clips of the IPMI1 slot.
4 Remove the ARMC/3 module from its protective packaging,

handling it by the edges.
5 Install the ARMC/3 module.

(1) Align the module so that the notch on the IPMI1 slot fits the

keyed edge of the module, then press the module at both
ends to seat it fully into the slot.

When the module is properly installed, the holding clips will
automatically lock in place.

61

To install the ARMC/3 module on the BMC module:

1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 35.

62

3 System upgrade

2 Locate the SODIMM1 slot on the BMC module board. If necessary,

remove any boards or cables that prevent access to it.
3 If necessary, open the holding clips of the SODIMM1 slot.
4 Remove the ARMC/3 module from its protective packaging,

handling it by the edges.
5 Install the ARMC/3 module.

(1) Align the module so that the notch on the SODIMM1 slot fits

the keyed edge of the module, then press the module at both
ends to seat it fully into the slot.

(2) When the module is properly installed, the holding clips will

automatically lock in place.

6 Install the dedicated NIC port card.

(1) Press the release latch of the slot cover opposite the IPMI1 slot.

The release latch highlighted in the figure below is for
illustration purpose only.

(2) Pull out the slot cover and store it for reassembly later.

Caution: Do not discard the slot cover. If the expansion card is
removed in the future, the slot cover must be reinstalled to
maintain proper system cooling.

63

(3) Insert the dedicated NIC port card into the selected slot.

Make sure that the card is properly seated.

(4) Press the release latch to secure the card in place.

64

3 System upgrade

(5) Connect the card’s LAN cable to the LAN1 connector of the

ARMC/3 module.

7 Observe the post-installation instructions described on page 36.

65

Installing a redundant power supply module

The Altos G5450 supports two 610-watts hot-swap power supply
modules. The system ships out with only one power supply module
installed. You have the option to install a second module to provide
the system with a redundant power source. A redundant power
configuration enables a fully-configured system to continue running
even if one of the power supply module fails.

WARNING! To reduce the risk of personal injury or
damage to the equipment, the installation of power
supply modules should be referred to individuals who are
qualified to serve server systems and are trained to deal
with equipment capable of generating hazardous energy
levels.

WARNING! To reduce the risk of personal injury from
hot surfaces, observe the thermal labels on each power
supply modules. You can also consider wearing protective
gloves.

WARNING! To reduce the risk of personal injury from
electric shock hazards, do not open the power supply
module. There are no serviceable parts inside the
module.

Caution! Electrostatic discharge can damage electronic
components. Make sure that you are properly grounded
before handling a power supply module.

66

3 System upgrade

To install a hot-swap power supply module:

1 Detach the cover from the chassis.

Keep the cover for future reassembly.

2 Slide the module into the empty bay until you feel resistance, and

it locks into place.

3 Verify that the power status indicators on the main power supply

and on the newly installed redundant power supply are

illuminated green.

4 System BIOS

68

4 System BIOS

This chapter gives information about the
system BIOS and discusses how to configure
the system by changing the settings of the
BIOS parameters.

70

4 System BIOS

BIOS overview

BIOS setup is a hardware configuration program built into the system's
Basic Input/Output System (BIOS). Since most systems are already
properly configured and optimized, there is no need to run this utility.
You will need to run this utility under the following conditions.

• When changing the system configuration settings

• When redefining the communication ports to prevent any conflicts

• When modifying the power management configuration

• When changing the password or making other changes to the

security setup

• When a configuration error is detected by the system and you are

prompted ("Run Setup" message) to make changes to the BIOS

setup

Note: If you repeatedly receive Run Setup messages, the battery
may be bad. In this case, the system cannot retain configuration
values in CMOS. Ask a qualified technician for assistance.

BIOS setup loads the configuration values in a battery-backed
nonvolatile memory called CMOS RAM. This memory area is not part of
the system RAM which allows configuration data to be retained when
power is turned off.

Before you run the PhoenixBIOS Setup Utility, make sure that you have
saved all open files. The system reboots immediately after you close the
Setup.

Note: PhoenixBIOS Setup Utility will be simply referred to as

"Setup" or "Setup utility" in this guide.

The screenshots used in this guide display default system values.
These values may not be the same those found in your system.

Entering BIOS setup

1 Turn on the server and the monitor.

If the server is already turned on, close all open applications, then
restart the server.

2 During POST, press F2.

If you fail to press F2 before POST is completed, you will need to
restart the server.

The Setup Main menu will be displayed showing the Setup’s menu
bar. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between selections
on the menu bar.

BIOS setup primary menus

The tabs on the Setup menu bar correspond to the six primary BIOS
Setup menus, namely:

•Main

•Advanced

•Security

• Server

•Boot

• Exit

71

In the descriptive table following each of the menu screenshots,
settings in boldface are the default and suggested settings.

72

4 System BIOS

BIOS setup navigation keys

Use the following keys to move around the Setup utility.

• Left and Right arrow keys – Move between selections on the

menu bar.

• Up and Down arrow keys – Move the cursor to the field you want.

• PgUp and PgDn keys – Move the cursor to the previous and next

page of a multiple page menu.

•Home – Move the cursor to the first page of a multiple page

menu.

•End – Move the cursor to the last page of a multiple page menu.

• + and - keys – Select a value for the currently selected field (only if

it is user-configurable). Press these keys repeatedly to display each

possible entry, or the Enter key to choose from a pop-up menu.

Note: Grayed-out fields are not user-configurable.

• Enter key – Display a submenu screen.

Note: Availability of submenu screen is indicated by a (>).

•Esc – If you press this key:

• On one of the primary menu screens, the Exit menu displays.

• On a submenu screen, the previous screen displays.

• When you are making selections from a pop-up menu, closes
the pop-up without making a selection.

• F1 – Display the BIOS setup General Help panel.

•F9 – Press to load default system values.

• F10 – Save changes made the Setup and close the utility.

Main menu

Parameter Description

System Time Set the system time following the hour-minute-second

format.

73

System Date Set the date following the month-day-year format.

BIOS Version Version number of the BIOS setup utility

BIOS Date Date when the BIOS setup utility was created

Processor

CPU Type
CPU Speed
CPU Count

Total Memory
Size

Technical specifications for the installed processor

Total size of system memory detected during POST

74

4 System BIOS

Advanced menu

The Advanced menu display submenu options for configuring the
function of various hardware components. Select a submenu item,
then press Enter to access the related submenu screen.

Advanced Processor Options

Parameter Description Option

CPU Type Processor model name

Parameter Description Option

CPU Speed The processor speed is the speed at which a

microprocessor executes instructions. Clock speeds are
expressed in megahertz (MHz), with 1 MHz being equal
to 1 million cycles per second. The faster the clock, the
more instructions the CPU can execute per second.

Processor CPUID Processor ID number

75

Processor L2
Cache

AMD
Virtualization
Technology

Execute Disable
Bit

PowerNow!
Technology

Node Interleave Select whether to disable the Node

ACPI SRAT Table Select whether to enable the ACPI SRAT

Online Spare Select whether to disable the Online Spare

Processor second-level cache size detected during POST
Note: This field is not shown on the above screenshot.

Select whether to enable the AMD
Virtualization Technology function. VT
allows a single platform to run multiple
operating systems in independent
partitions.

Select whether to enable the Execute
Disable Bit function.

Select whether to enable the PowerNow!
Technology function.

Interleave function.

Table function.

function.

Enabled

Disabled

Enabled

Disabled

Enabled

Disabled

Disabled

Enabled

Enabled

Disabled

Disabled

Enabled

76

Memory Configuration

Parameter Description Option

4 System BIOS

Extended
Memory

DIMM Group
#1 - 16 Status

Unlock Disabled
Banks

Total size of extended memory detected during POST

The size of memory installed on each of the memory
slots.

Press Enter key to configure.

Advanced Chipset Control

Parameter Description Option

77

Wake on
Keyboard/
Mouse

Wake On Ring Select whether to wake up the system

Wake On RTC
Alarm

Select whether to enable the Wake on
Keyboard/Mouse function.

when an incoming call is detected on
the modem.

Select whether to wake up the system
when an RTC alarm is detected.

Enabled

Disabled

Enabled

Disabled

Enabled

Disabled

78

4 System BIOS

PCI Configuration

Parameter Description Option

PCI Slot 1 - 5
Option ROM

LAN 1/2
Option ROM
Scan

Onboard LAN
1/2 Control

When enabled, this setting will initialize
the device expansion ROM for the related
PCI slot.

Select whether to enable the selected
onboard LAN device. When enabled,
device expansion ROM will be initialized.

Select whether to enable the selected
Onboard LAN 1/2 Control.

Enabled

Disabled

Enabled

Disabled

Enabled

Disabled

I/O Device Configuration

Parameter Description Option

79

Serial Port A/B When enabled, it allows you to

configure the serial port settings.
When set to Auto, it allows the server’s

BIOS or OS to select a configuration.
When set to Disabled, it displays no

configuration for the serial port.

Base I/O address Base I/O address and IRQ setting for the

PS/2 Mouse Enables this parameter if you intend to

USB Control Enables or disables the onboard USB

Legacy USB
Support

selected serial port

use a mouse or trackball with a PS/2
interface.

controller.

Enables or disables support for legacy
USB devices.

Enabled

Disabled
Auto

3F8/IRQ4

2F8/IRQ3
3E8/IRQ4
2E8/IRQ3

Enabled

Disabled

USB1.1+USB2

USB1.1
Disabled

Enabled

Disabled

80

Parameter Description Option

4 System BIOS

SATA0
Controllor

SATA1
Controllor

SATA2
Controllor

NV RAID
Configuration

Select whether to enable support for
SATA devices.

Select whether to enable support for
SATA devices.

Select whether to enable support for
SATA devices.

Press Enter to configure onboard SATA
RAID.

Enabled

Disabled

Enabled

Disabled

Enabled

Disabled

IDE Configuration

The IDE Configuration submenu lets you define the parameter settings
related to the system hard drive(s).

I/O Channel 0/Secondary Master/Slave

Parameter Description Option

Type Selects the drive type. Auto

None
CD-ROM
ATAPI Removable
IDE Removable
User

81

Total Sectors Total number of sectors available in the selected hard drive.

Maximum
Capacity

Multi-Sector
Transfers

LBA Mode
Control

32-bit I/O Enable or disable the 32-bit data

Maximum capacity of the selected hard drive.

Set the multi-Sector transfer mode. 16 Sectors

Disabled
2 Sectors
4 Sectors
8 Sectors

Selects the hard disk drive translation
method. For drivers with more than
504 MB, LBA mode is necessary.

transfer function

Enabled

Disabled

Enabled

Disabled

82

Parameter Description Option

4 System BIOS

Transfer
Mode

Ultra DMA
Mode

Select a transfer mode to enhance hard
disk performance.

Selects DMA (Direct Memory Access)
mode.

Fast PIO 4

Standard
Fast PIO 1
Fast PIO 2
Fast PIO 3
FPIO 3/DMA 1
FPIO 4/DMA 2

Mode 6

Disabled
Mode 0
Mode 1
Mode 2
Mode 3
Mode 4
Mode 5

Floppy Configuration

The Floppy Configuration submenu displays the type of floppy disk
drive installed in the server.