ASUS AK35 User Manual

AK35

5U Tower Chassis Kit

User Guide

Disclaimer/Copyrights

Copyright © 2003 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.

No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be
reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any
language in any form or by any means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for
backup purposes, without the express written permission of ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.
(“ASUS”).

ASUS provides this manual “as is” without warranty of any kind, either express or implied,
including but not limited to the implied warranties or conditions of merchantability or fitness
for a particular purpose. In no event shall ASUS, its directors, officers, employees, or agents
be liable for any indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages (including damages
for loss of profits, loss of business, loss of use or data, interruption of business and the like),
even if ASUS has been advised of the possibility of such damages arising from any defect or
error in this manual or product.

Specifications and information contained in this manual ae furnished for informational use
only, and are subject to change at any time without notice, and should not be construed as a
commitment by ASUS. ASUS assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or
inaccuracies that may appear in this manual, including the products and software described
in it.

Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modified or
altered, unless such repair, modification of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2)
the serial number of the product is defaced or missing.

Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered
trademarks or copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identification or
explanation and to the owners’ benefit, without intent to infringe.

Product Name: ASUS AK35
Manual Edition: Revised edition V2 (E1235)
Release Date: May 2003

ii

Contents

Disclaimer/Copyrights .....................................................................ii

Contents ......................................................................................... iii

Notices ............................................................................................v

Safety information ..........................................................................vi

About this guide............................................................................. vii

ASUS Contact Information ........................................................... viii

Chapter 1: Product introduction ......................................... 1-1

1.1 Package contents............................................................... 1-2

1.1.1 ASUS AK35 chassis kit .......................................... 1-2

1.1.2 Standard items....................................................... 1-2

1.1.3 Optional items........................................................ 1-2

1.2 System overview ................................................................ 1-3

1.3 Front panel features ........................................................... 1-4

1.4 Rear panel features............................................................ 1-5

1.5 Internal features ................................................................. 1-6

1.6 LED information.................................................................. 1-7

Chapter 2: Hardware setup.................................................. 2-1

2.1 Preparation......................................................................... 2-2

2.1.1 Tools to use............................................................ 2-2

2.1.2 System components and devices to install............ 2-2

2.2 Removing and installing the side cover.............................. 2-3

2.2.1 Removing the cover ............................................... 2-3

2.2.2 Installing the cover ................................................. 2-3

2.3 Motherboard installation ..................................................... 2-4

2.3.1 Motherboard dimensions ....................................... 2-4

2.3.2 Placement direction and screw holes .................... 2-5

2.3.3 Installing the motherboard ..................................... 2-6

2.4 Installing 5.25-inch drives................................................... 2-7

2.4.1 Removing the front panel assembly ...................... 2-7

2.4.2 Installing a 5.25-inch drive ..................................... 2-8

2.5 Installing hard disk drives ................................................. 2-12

2.5.1 SCSI hard disk ..................................................... 2-12

2.5.2 IDE hard disk ....................................................... 2-14

iii

Contents

2.6 Installing or removing an expansion card......................... 2-16

2.6.1 Installing a standard size expansion card ............ 2-16

2.6.2 Installing a long expansion card .......................... 2-18

2.6.3 Removing an expansion card .............................. 2-19

2.7 Removable components................................................... 2-20

2.7.1 HDD blower ......................................................... 2-20

2.7.2 Chassis fan .......................................................... 2-21

2.7.3 Roller wheels ....................................................... 2-22

2.7.4 Power supply modules......................................... 2-23

2.8 Connecting the cables...................................................... 2-24

2.8.1 Motherboard connections .................................... 2-24

2.8.2 SCSI backplane connections ............................... 2-25

Appendix: Troubleshooting..................................................A-1

A.1 Simple fixes ........................................................................ A-2

iv

Notices

Federal Communications Commission Statement

This device complies with FCC Rules Part 15. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:

• This device may not cause harmful interference, and

• This device must accept any interference received including interference
that may cause undesired operation.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to
try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

WARNING! The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor
to the graphics card is required to assure compliance with FCC
regulations. Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly
approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s
authority to operate this equipment.

Canadian Department of Communications Statement

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise
emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference
Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.

This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

v

Safety information

Electrical Safety

IMPORTANT

•

Before installing or removing signal cables, ensure that the power
cables for the system unit and all attached devices are unplugged.

• T o prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from
the electrical outlet before relocating the system.

• When adding or removing any additional devices to or from the
system, ensure that the power cables for the devices are unplugged
before the signal cables are connected. If possible, disconnect all
power cables from the existing system before you add a device.

• If the power supply is broken, do not try to fix it by yourself. Contact
a qualified service technician or your dealer.

CAUTION

This product is equipped with a three-wire power cable and
plug for the user’s safety. Use the power cable with a properly
grounded electrical outlet to avoid electrical shock.

Operation Safety

IMPORTANT

• Any mechanical operation on this server must be conducted by
certified or experienced engineers.

• Before operating the server, carefully read all the manuals
included with the server package.

• Before using the server, make sure all cables are correctly
connected and the power cables are not damaged. If any
damage is detected, contact your dealer as soon as possible.

vi

• To avoid short circuits, keep paper clips, screws, and staples
away from connectors, slots, sockets and circuitry.

• Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Place the
server on a stable surface.

About this guide

Audience

This user guide is intended for system integrators, and experienced users
with at least basic knowledge of configuring a server.

Contents

This guide contains the following parts:

1. Chapter 1: System overview

This chapter describes the general features of the AK35 barebone
server. It includes sections on front panel and rear panel specifications.

2. Chapter 2: Hardware setup

This chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to
perform when installing system components.

3. Appendix: Troubleshooting

This appendix lists the common problems that you may encounter
while using the AK35 barebone server. It lists the possible causes of
the problems and offers solutions. You may refer to this part and try to
solve simple problems before calling customer support.

Conventions

To make sure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the
following symbols used throughout this manual.

WARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself when trying to
complete a task.

CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components when
trying to complete a task.

IMPORTANT: Information that you MUST follow to complete a task.
NOTE: Tips and information to aid in completing a task.

vii

ASUS Contact Information

ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (Asia-Pacific)

Address: 150 Li-Te Road, Peitou, Taipei, Taiwan 112
General Tel: [phone]
General Fax: [phone]
General Email: [e-mail]

Technical Support

MB/Others (Tel): [phone] (English)
Notebook (Tel): [phone] (English)
Desktop/Server (Tel): [phone] (English)
Support Fax: [phone]
Web Site: www.asus.com.tw

ASUS COMPUTER INTERNATIONAL (America)

Address: 44370 Nobel Drive, Fremont, CA 94538, USA
General Fax: [phone]
General Email: [e-mail]

Technical Support

Support Fax: [phone]
General Support: [phone]
Web Site: www.asus.com
Support Email: [e-mail]

ASUS COMPUTER GmbH (Germany and Austria)

Address: Harkortstr. 25, 40880 Ratingen, BRD, Germany
General Email: [e-mail] (for marketing requests only)
General Fax: [phone]

Technical Support

Support Hotline: Components: [phone]

Notebook PC: [phone]
Support (Email): www.asuscom.de/kontakt (for online support)
Web Site: www.asuscom.de
Support Fax: [phone]

viii

Chapter 1

This chapter describes the general features
of the AK35 chassis kit. It includes sections
on front panel, rear panel, and internal
features.

ASUS AK35 chassis kit

Product introduction

1-1

1.1 Package contents

1.1.1 ASUS AK35 chassis kit

The AK35 models are distinguished by the type of bundled HDD tray and
power supply. Refer to the following table to check the items that came
with the model you purchased.

Model HDD tray type Power supply unit(s)

AK35-SR5 SCSI 500W redundant (2 units)
AK35-SS4 SCSI 450W single
AK35-SS3 SCSI 320W single
AK35-AR5 ATA 500W redundant (2 units)
AK35-AR4 ATA 450W single
AK35-AR3 ATA 320W single

1.1.2 Standard items

1. Chassis kit including:

• power supply unit(s)

• SCSI backplane board

• CD-ROM drive

• floppy disk drive

• hot-swap HDD trays (6 units)

• SCSI-IDE HDD bridge board (6 units)

• chassis fan

• chassis roller wheels

2. Cables

• 6-pin SMBus cable

• BP-LED cable

• internal SCSI cable

• external SCSI cable

• chassis intrusion cable

• power cable

3. Component screws

4. ASUS AK35 Chassis Kit User Guide

1.1.3 Optional item

• ASUS AK35 5U Rackmount Rail Kit

If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.

1-2

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.2 Overview

The AK35 chassis kit is designed for easy configuration, flexibility, and
high reliability. The chassis may be set up as standalone or rack-mount.

Flexible expansion

Inside the stylish front bezel secured by a lock, the
front panel features easily accessible drives bays:

• a floppy drive bay
(floppy drive already installed)

• three 5.25-inch bays
(one occupied by a CD-ROM drive)

• six 3.5-inch hard disk drive bays with externally
removable trays

On the rear panel are slots for seven full-length
expansion cards, a slot for the motherboard rear
panel I/O, and a bay for two redundant power supply
modules or a standard power supply module.

A slot for an external SCSI interface is also available.

Front panel

Rear panel

Strategic interior

Inside the chassis, the SCSI
backplane is installed and the
appropriate cables routed. The drive
and fan cages are strategically placed
to ensure proper system ventilation
and easy installation of components.

A plastic long-card support is provided
to stabilize and hold long expansion
cards in place.

The chassis supports an extended ATX form factor ASUS motherboards.
See the motherboard dimension requirements on page 2-4.

Refer to the succeeding sections for a brief description of the basic
components that are pre-installed in the chassis.

ASUS AK35 chassis kit

1-3

1.3 Front panel features

The AK35 chassis kit displays a stylish front bezel with lock. The bezel
covers the system components on the front panel and serves as security.
Open the bezel to access the front panel components.

The front panel is designed to
allow convenient access to the
hard disk drives and other
external features. The power and
reset buttons, LED indicators,
CD-ROM drive, floppy drive, and
two USB ports are also located
on the front panel. For future
installation of 5.25 devices, two
drive bays are available.

Security lock

USB ports

CD-ROM drive

Floppy disk drive

2 empty 5.25-inch bays
Reset button

Power button
Power LED

HDD access LED
Message LED

6 HDD Hot-swap trays

Detachable front panel cover

1-4

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.4 Rear panel features

The rear panel includes a slot for the motherboard rear I/O ports, seven
full-length expansion slots, a chassis lock and intrusion switch, a vent for
the system fan, and either two redundant power supply modules or a
standard power supply module.

System with redundant power supply modules

AC IN socket

(110V/220V autoswitching)

Redundant power
supply modules

AC Power LED

Slot for motherboard
rear panel I/O

Expansion slots

12cm fan vent

Chassis lock
Chassis intrusion

switch (underneath)

High density 68-pin
SCSI connector

System with standard power supply module

Standard power
supply module

AC IN socket

(110V/220V autoswitching)

ASUS AK35 chassis kit

1-5

1.5 Internal features

The chassis kit includes the basic components as shown in the picture
below.

The power supply area differs depending on the power supply module
that came with the server you purchased.

System with standard power supply module

1

8

7

1. Power supply module

2. 5.25-inch drive cage

3. SCSI backplane board

4. 3.5-inch external drive cage

5. 12-cm hard drive blower

6. Plastic long-card support

7. Motherboard metal plate

8. Chassis fan

2

3

4

5

6

System with redundant power supply modules

The picture below shows a system redundant power supply modules. All
other basic system components are the same as the above picture.

1

1-6

Chapter 1: Product introduction