ASUS RS300-E7PS4 User Manual

RS300-E7/PS4

1U Rackmount Server
User Guide

E6289

First Edition

January 2011

Copyright © 2011 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 tness for a particular purpose. In no
event shall ASUS, its directors, ofcers, employees, or agents be liable for any indirect, special, incidental,
or consequential damages (including damages for loss of prots, 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.

Specications 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, modied or altered, unless
such repair, modication 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 identication or explanation and to the
owners’ benet, without intent to infringe.

ii

Contents

Notices ........................................................................................................ vii

Safety information .................................................................................... viii

About this guide ......................................................................................... ix

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.1 System package contents ........................................................... 1-2

1.2 Serial number label ...................................................................... 1-2

1.3 Systemspecications ................................................................. 1-3

1.4 Front panel features ..................................................................... 1-5

1.5 Rear panel features ...................................................................... 1-5

1.6 Internal features ........................................................................... 1-6

1.7 LED information ........................................................................... 1-7

1.7.1 Front panel LEDs ............................................................ 1-7

1.7.2 LAN (RJ-45) LEDs .......................................................... 1-8

1.7.3 HDD status LED .............................................................. 1-8

Chapter 2: Hardware setup

2.1 Chassis cover ............................................................................... 2-2

2.2 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 2-3

2.2.1 Installing the CPU ........................................................... 2-3

2.2.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and airduct .......................... 2-6

2.3 System memory ........................................................................... 2-8

2.3.1 Overview ......................................................................... 2-8

2.3.2 Memory Congurations ................................................... 2-8

2.3.3 Installing a DIMM ............................................................ 2-9

2.3.4 Removing a DIMM .......................................................... 2-9

2.4 Hard disk drives ......................................................................... 2-10

2.5 Expansion slot ............................................................................ 2-12

2.5.1 Installing an expansion card to the riser card bracket ... 2-12

2.5.2 Conguring an expansion card ..................................... 2-14

2.6 Cable connections ..................................................................... 2-15

2.7 SATA/SAS backplane cabling ................................................... 2-16

2.8 Removable/optional components ............................................. 2-17

2.8.1 System fans .................................................................. 2-17

2.8.2 Installing ASUS PIKE RAID card (optional) .................. 2-18

2.8.3 Installing ASMB5 series management board (optional) 2-20

iii

Contents

Chapter 3: Installation options

3.1 Installing friction rail kit items .................................................... 3-2

3.1.1 Attaching the xing latches to the server ........................ 3-2

3.1.2 Attaching the rack rails .................................................... 3-3

3.1.3 Mounting the server to the rack ...................................... 3-4

3.2 Installing optional ball-bearing rail kit items ............................. 3-5

3.2.1 Attaching the rails to the server ...................................... 3-5

3.2.2 Attaching the rack rails .................................................... 3-6

3.2.3 Mounting the server to the rack ...................................... 3-7

Chapter 4: Motherboard Info

4.1 Motherboard layout ...................................................................... 4-2

4.2 Jumpers ........................................................................................ 4-4

4.3 Internal connectors ...................................................................... 4-9

4.4 Internal LEDs .............................................................................. 4-18

Chapter 5: BIOS setup

5.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 5-2

5.1.1 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility ...................................... 5-2

5.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash Utility ..................................................... 5-3

5.1.3 BUPDATER utility............................................................ 5-4

5.2 BIOS setup program .................................................................... 5-6

5.2.1 BIOS menu screen .......................................................... 5-7

5.2.2 Menu bar ......................................................................... 5-7

5.2.3 Menu items ..................................................................... 5-8

5.2.4 Submenu items ............................................................... 5-8

5.2.5 Navigation keys ............................................................... 5-8

5.2.6 General help ................................................................... 5-8

5.2.7 Conguration elds ......................................................... 5-8

5.2.8 Pop-up window ............................................................... 5-8

5.2.9 Scroll bar ......................................................................... 5-8

5.3 Main menu .................................................................................... 5-9

5.3.1 System Date ................................................................... 5-9

5.3.2 System Time ................................................................... 5-9

5.3.3 Security ........................................................................... 5-9

5.4 Event Logs menu ....................................................................... 5-11

iv

Contents

5.5 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 5-13

5.5.1 ACPI Settings ................................................................ 5-13

5.5.2 Trusted Computing ........................................................ 5-14

5.5.3 WHEA Conguration ..................................................... 5-14

5.5.4 CPU Conguration ........................................................ 5-15

5.5.5 North Bridge .................................................................. 5-17

5.5.6 South Bridge ................................................................. 5-17

5.5.7 SATA Conguration ....................................................... 5-18

5.5.8 Intel TXT(LT) Conguration ........................................... 5-19

5.5.9 USB Conguration ........................................................ 5-19

5.5.10 ME Subsystem .............................................................. 5-20

5.5.11 Onboard Devices Conguration .................................... 5-20

5.5.12 APM .............................................................................. 5-22

5.5.13 Serial Port Console Redirection .................................... 5-23

5.5.14 Network Stack ............................................................... 5-24

5.6 Monitor menu ............................................................................. 5-25

5.7 Boot menu .................................................................................. 5-26

5.8 Tool menu ................................................................................... 5-28

5.9 Exit menu .................................................................................... 5-28

Chapter6: RAIDconguration

6.1 Setting up RAID ............................................................................ 6-2

6.1.1 RAID denitions .............................................................. 6-2

6.1.2 Installing hard disk drives ................................................ 6-2

6.1.3 RAID controller selection ................................................ 6-3

6.1.4 Setting the RAID item in BIOS ........................................ 6-3

6.2 LSISoftwareRAIDCongurationUtility .................................... 6-4

6.2.1 Creating a RAID set ........................................................ 6-5

6.2.2 Adding or viewing a RAID conguration ........................6-11

6.2.3 Initializing the virtual drives ........................................... 6-12

6.2.4 Rebuilding failed drives ................................................. 6-16

6.2.5 Checking the drives for data consistency ..................... 6-18

6.2.6 Deleting a RAID conguration ....................................... 6-21

6.2.7 Selecting the boot drive from a RAID set ...................... 6-22

6.2.8 Enabling WriteCache .................................................... 6-23

v

Contents

6.3 Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM Utility ............. 6-24

6.3.1 Creating a RAID set ...................................................... 6-25

6.3.2 Creating a Recovery set ............................................... 6-26

6.3.3 Deleting a RAID set ...................................................... 6-28

6.3.4 Resetting disks to Non-RAID ........................................ 6-29

6.3.5 Recovery Volume Options ............................................ 6-30

6.3.6 Exiting the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology utility ........ 6-31

6.3.7 Rebuilding the RAID ..................................................... 6-31

6.3.8 Setting the Boot array in the BIOS Setup Utility ............ 6-33

Chapter 7: Driver installation

7.1 RAID driver installation ............................................................... 7-2

7.1.1 Creating a RAID driver disk ............................................ 7-2

7.1.2 Installing the RAID controller driver ................................ 7-5

7.2 Intel® chipset device software installation ............................... 7-13

7.3 LAN driver installation ............................................................... 7-15

7.4 VGA driver installation............................................................... 7-18

7.5 Management applications and utilities installation ................ 7-21

7.5.1 Running the support DVD ............................................. 7-21

7.5.2 Drivers menu ................................................................. 7-21

7.5.3 Utilities menu ................................................................ 7-22

7.5.4 Make disk menu ............................................................ 7-22

7.5.5 Contact information ....................................................... 7-22

vi

Notices

Federal Communications Commission Statement

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. 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 modications 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 A limits for radio noise emissions
from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian
Department of Communications.

This Class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

DO NOT throw the motherboard in municipal waste. This product has been designed to
enable proper reuse of parts and recycling. This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin
indicates that the product (electrical and electronic equipment) should not be placed in
municipal waste. Check local regulations for disposal of electronic products.

DO NOT throw the mercury-containing button cell battery in municipal waste. This
symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the battery should not be
placed in municipal waste.

vii

Safety information

Electrical Safety

• Before installing or removing signal cables, ensure that the power cables for the

system unit and all attached devices are unplugged.

• To 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 x it by yourself. Contact a qualied

service technician or your dealer.

Operation Safety

• Any mechanical operation on this server must be conducted by certied or

experienced engineers.

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

package.

• Before using the server, ensure all cables are correctly connected and the power

cables are not damaged. If any damage is detected, contact your dealer as soon
as possible.

• 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.

viii

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.

Lithium-Ion Battery Warning

CAUTION! Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace

only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer.
Dispose of used batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

CD-ROM Drive Safety Warning

CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT

Heavy System

CAUTION! This server system is heavy. Ask for assistance when moving or

carrying the system.

About this guide

Audience

This user guide is intended for system integrators, and experienced users with at

least basic knowledge of conguring a server.

Contents

This guide contains the following parts:

1. Chapter 1: Product introduction

This chapter describes the general features of the server, including sections

on front panel and rear panel specications.

2. Chapter 2: Hardware setup

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

3. Chapter 3: Installation options

This chapter describes how to install optional components into the barebone
server.

4. Chapter 4: Motherboard information

This chapter gives information about the motherboard that comes with the
server. This chapter includes the motherboard layout, jumper settings, and
connector locations.

5. Chapter 5: BIOS information

This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS Setup
menus and describes the BIOS parameters.

6. Chapter6:RAIDconguration

This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS Setup
menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided.

7 Chapter 7: Driver installation

This chapter provides instructions for installing the necessary drivers for
different system components.

ix

Conventions

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

DANGER/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: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a task.

NOTE: Tips and additional information to help you complete a task.

Typography

Bold text

Italics

<Key> Keys enclosed in the less-than and greater-than
sign means that you must press the enclosed key.

Example: <Enter> means that you must press
the Enter or Return key.

<Key1+Key2+Key3> If you must press two or more keys simultaneously,

the key names are linked with a plus sign (+).

Example: <Ctrl+Alt+Del>

Command

exactly as shown, then supply the required
item or value enclosed in brackets.

Example: At the DOS prompt, type the
command line:

Indicates a menu or an item to select.

Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.

Means that you must type the command

format A:/S

References

Refer to the following sources for additional information, and for product and
software updates.

1. ASUS Server Web-based Management (ASWM) user guide

This manual tells how to set up and use the proprietary ASUS server
management utility.

2. ASUS websites

The ASUS websites worldwide provide updated information for all ASUS
hardware and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information.

x

Chapter 1

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

specications.

ASUS RS300-E7/PS4

Product introduction

1-

1.1 System package contents

Check your system package for the following items.

Model Name RS300-E7/PS4
Chassis ASUS R10E 1U Rackmount Chassis
Motherboard ASUS P8B-E/4L Server Board
Component 1 x 350W Single Power Supply

Accessories 1 x RS300-E7/PS4 Series User’s Guide

Optional
Items

*ASUS System Web-based Management

4 x Hot-swap 3.5” HDD trays
1 x SAS/SATA Backplane (BP4LX-R10A)
1 x PCI Riser Card (RE16LE8R-R10A)
1 x Front I/O Board (FPB-AR14)
4 x System Fans (40mm x 28mm)

1 x ASUS ASWM 2.0 User’s Guide
1 x ASUS Auto Installation CD Guide
1 x RS300-E7/PS4 Series Support CD (including ASWM*)
1 x Bag of Screws

1 x AC Power Cable
1 x Fix Rail Kit

CPU Heatsink
ASUS ASMB5-iKVM Remote management card
Slim-type Optical Device

Semi-ball Bearing Rail Kit

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

1.2 Serial number label

Before requesting support from the ASUS Technical Support team, you must
take note of the product’s serial number containing 14 characters such as
xxS0xxxxxxxxxx shown as the gure below. With the correct serial number of the

product, ASUS Technical Support team members can then offer a quicker and
satisfying solution to your problems.

RS300-E7/PS4

xxS0xxxxxxxxxx

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-2

1.3 Systemspecications

The ASUS RS300-E7/PS4 Series is a 1U barebone server system featuring the
ASUS P8B-E/4L server board. The server supports Intel® LGA1155 Sandy-bridge

processors, plus other latest technologies through the chipsets onboard.

Model Name RS300-E7/PS4

1 x Socket LGA1155

Processor / System Bus

Core Logic

ASUS Features

Memory

Expansion Slots

Storage

HDD Bays

Smart Fan
ASWM2.0
Total Slots
Capacity
Memory Type
Memory Size
Total PCI/PCI-X/

PCI-E Slots

Slot Type

Additional Slot 1

SATA Controller

SAS Controller

I = internal
A or S = hot­swappable

- Intel® Xeon® E3-1200 Processor Family

- Intel® Core™ i3-2100 Processor Family
Intel® C204 chipset

√
√
4 (2 Channels)
Maximum up to 32GB
DDR3 1333 / 1066 ECC UDIMM
1GB, 2GB, 4GB and 8GB

2

1 x PCI-E 2.0 x16 slot (x8 link) (Full-Height/HL)
1 x PCI-E 2.0 x8 slot (x8 link) (Full-Height/HL)

1 x PIKE slot for storage enhancement
Intel® C204:

2 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
2 x SATA 3Gb/s ports
Intel Rapid Storage Technology (for Windows only)

- Supports software RAID 0, 1, 10 & 5

LSI® MegaRAID (for Linux / Windows)

- Supports software RAID 0, 1 & 10

Optional:

- ASUS PIKE 1068E 8-port SAS RAID card

- ASUS PIKE 6480 8-port SAS RAID card

- ASUS PIKE 2008 8-port SAS2 6G RAID card

- ASUS PIKE 2008/IMR 8-port SAS2 6G RAID

card

- ASUS PIKE 2108 8-port SAS2 6G H/W RAID
card

4 x Hot-swap 3.5” SAS Gen2 / SATA HDD Bays

(continued on the next page)

ASUS RS300-E7/PS4 1-3

Model Name RS300-E7/PS4
Networking LAN
Graphic VGA
Auxiliary Storage Device Bay

(Floppy / Optical Device)

4 x Intel 82574L + 1 x Mgmt LAN
Aspeed AST2050 16MB
1 x Slim-type optical Device Bay

Options: No Device / DVD-RW

1 x External Serial Port
5 x RJ-45 ports (1 for ASMB5-iKVM)

Onboard I/O

4 x USB 2.0 ports (Front x 2, Rear x 2)
1 x VGA port
1 x PS/2 keyboard port
1 x PS/2 mouse port

Windows® Server 2008 R2
Windows® Server 2008 Enterprise 32/64-bit

OS Support

Windows® Server 2003 R2 Enterprise 32/64-bit
RedHat® Enterprise Linux AS5.5/6.0 32/64-bit
SuSE® Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP3/11 32/64-bit
(Subject to change without any notice)

Out of Band
Management
Solution

Remote

Hardware

Software
Dimension (HH x WW x DD)
Net Weight Kg (CPU, DRAM &

HDD not inclu ded)
Power Supply
Power Rating

Optional ASMB5-iKVM for KVM-over-IP support

ASUS ASWM 2.0
615mm x 444mm x 43.4mm

15 Kg

350W (80+) Single Power Supply
Input: 100–240V, 7–3.5A, 50–60Hz, Class I
Operation temperature: 10°C–35°C / Non operation

Environment

temperature: -40°C–70°C
Non operation humidity: 20%–90% ( Non-

condensing)

*Specicationsaresubjecttochangewithoutnotice.

®

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-4

1.4 Front panel features

The barebone server displays a simple yet stylish front panel with easily accessible

features. The power and reset buttons, LED indicators, and USB port for each

Node are located on the front panel.

Refer to section

Rack screw Rack screw

Hot-swap SATA 6Gb/s HDD bays

Slim-type optical drive

1.7.1 Front panel LEDs

for the LED descriptions.

Hot-swap SATA 3Gb/s HDD bays

USB ports

HDD Access LED

LAN2 LED
LAN1 LED

Message LED

Reset button

Location LED

Location switch

Power
button

Power
LED

Turn off the system power and detach the power supply before removing or
replacing any system component.

1.5 Rear panel features

The rear panel includes the expansion slots, system power sockets, and rear fans.
The I/O shields with openings for the rear panel connectors on the motherboard
are also placed in the real panel.

The ports for the USB, VGA, and Gigabit LANs do not appear on the rear panel

if the motherboards are not present.

Power cord connector

Power supply fan

PS/2 mouse port

Serial port

LAN port 5*

PS/2 keyboard port

USB ports

Gigabit LAN port 1

VGA port

Gigabit LAN port 2

Gigabit LAN port 3

Gigabit LAN port 4

* This port is for ASUS ASMB5-iKVM controller card only.

ASUS RS300-E7/PS4 1-5

1.6 Internal features

The barebone server includes the basic components as shown.

2

1

3

4 4 4 4

5

8

11

Turn off the system power and detach the power supply before removing or
replacing any system component.

The barebone server does not include a oppy disk drive drive. Connect a USB
oppy disk drive to any of the USB ports on the front or rear panel if you need to
use a oppy disk.

96 7

10

1. Power supply and power
fan

2. PCI Express slot Riser Card

3. ASUS P8B-E/4L server

boards

4. System fans

5. SAS / SATA backplane

(hidden)

6. HDD tray 1—Connect to

SATA1 port (SATA 6Gb/s)

7. HDD tray 2—Connect to
SATA2 port (SATA 6Gb/s)

8. HDD tray 3—Connect to

SATA3 port

9. HDD tray 4—Connect to
SATA4 port

10. Front I/O boards (hidden)

11. Slim-type optical drive

*WARNING

HAZARDOUS MOVING PARTS

KEEP FINGERS AND OTHER BODY PARTS AWAY

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-6

1.7 LED information

1.7.1 Front panel LEDs

HDD Access LED

LAN2 LED

LAN1 LED

LED Icon

Power LED ON System power ON

HDD
Access
LED

Message
LED

Location
LED

LAN LEDs

Message LED

Display

Description

status

OFF No activity

Blinking Read/write data into the HDD

OFF System is normal; no incoming event

1. Without ASMB5-iKVM installed: CPU over-heated

ON

2. With ASMB5-iKVM installed: a hardware monitor event is

indicated

OFF Normal status

Location switch is pressed (Press the location switch again to

ON

turn off)

OFF No LAN connection

Blinking LAN is transmitting or receiving data

ON LAN connection is present

Power LED

Location LED

ASUS RS300-E7/PS4 1-7

1.7.2 LAN (RJ-45) LEDs

SPEED LED

ACT/LINK LED

ACT/LINK LED SPEED LED

Status Description Status Description

OFF No link OFF 10 Mbps connection

GREEN Linked ORANGE 100 Mbps connection

BLINKING Data activity GREEN 1 Gbps connection

1.7.3 HDD status LED

HDD status LED

SATA HDD LED Description

GREEN This installed Serial ATA HDD is in good condition
OFF HDD failure or no HDD is installed

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-8

Chapter 2

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

ASUS RS300-E7/PS4

Hardware setup

2-

2.1 Chassis cover

Removing the rear cover

1. Locate and remove the front side screws.

Front side screw

2. Loosen the two thumbscrews on the rear panel to release the rear cover from

the chassis.

Thumbscrews

3. Firmly hold the cover and slide it
toward the rear panel for about half
an inch until it is disengaged from
the chassis.

4. Lift the cover from the chassis.

5. To recover the rear cover, reverse
step 1 to 4.

A protection lm is pre-attached

to the system cover before
shipping. Please remove the

protection lm before turning

on the system for proper heat
dissipation.

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-2

2.2 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

A

B

The motherboard comes with a surface mount LGA 1155 Socket designed for the

Intel® Sandy Bridge series processors.

Ensure that all power cables are unplugged before installing the CPU.

• Upon purchase of the motherboard, ensure that the PnP cap is on
the socket and the socket contacts are not bent. Contact your retailer
immediately if the PnP cap is missing, or if you see any damage to the PnP
cap/socket contacts/motherboard components. ASUS shoulders the repair
cost only if the damage is shipment/transit-related.

• Keep the cap after installing the motherboard. ASUS will process Return

Merchandise Authorization (RMA) requests only if the motherboard comes
with the cap on the LGA1155 socket.

• The product warranty does not cover damage to the socket contacts
resulting from incorrect CPU installation/removal, or misplacement/loss/
incorrect removal of the PnP cap.

2.2.1 Installing the CPU

To install a CPU

1. Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard.

2. Press the load lever with your

thumb (A), and then move it to the

right (B) until it is released from the

retention tab.

To prevent damage to the socket
pins, do not remove the PnP cap
unless you are installing a CPU.

Load lever

Retention tab

2-3ASUS RS300-E7/PS4

3. Lift the load lever in the direction
of the arrow until the load plate is
completely lifted.

4. Remove the PnP cap from the CPU

socket by lifting the tab only.

Load plate

PnP cap

5. Position the CPU over the socket,

ensuring that the gold triangle is on
the bottom-left corner of the socket,

and then t the socket alignment

keys into the CPU notches.

The CPU ts in only one correct

orientation. DO NOT force the
CPU into the socket to prevent
bending the connectors on the

socket and damaging the CPU!

Cap tab

CPU notches

Gold

triangle

mark

Alignment keys

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-4

C

B

A

6. Apply some Thermal Interface
Material to the exposed area of
the CPU that the heatsink will be
in contact with, ensuring that it is
spread in an even thin layer.

Some heatsinks come with pre­applied thermal paste. If so, skip
this step.

The Thermal Interface Material is
toxic and inedible. DO NOT eat it.
If it gets into your eyes or touches
your skin, wash it off immediately,
and seek professional medical
help.

7. Close the load plate (A), and then

push down the load lever (B),

ensuring that the front edge of the
load plate slides under the retention
lock (C).

8. Insert the load lever under the

retention tab.

2-5ASUS RS300-E7/PS4

2.2.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and airduct

To install the CPU heatsink

1. Remove the protection sticker on
the back of the CPU heatsink.

2. Place the heatsink on top of the

installed CPU, ensuring that the
four fasteners match the holes on
the motherboard.

Protection sticker

3. Twist each of the four screws with
a Philips (cross) screwdriver just
enough to attach the heatsink to

the motherboard. When the four

screws are attached, tighten them
one by one to completely secure
the heatsink.

A

B

B

• Tighten the four heatsink screws in a diagonal
sequence.

A

• Do not remove the mylar on the heatsink.

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-6

4. Secure the heat pipe and air duct

to the server with two screws.

5. Insert the two tips of the system

fan mylar into the CPU heatsink, as

shown in the right gure.

2-7ASUS RS300-E7/PS4

2.3 System memory

2.3.1 Overview

The motherboard comes with six (6) Double Data Rate 3 (DDR3) Dual Inline
Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets.

The gure illustrates the location of the DDR3 DIMM sockets:

2.3.2 MemoryCongurations

You may install 1GB, 2GB, 4GB and 8GB Unbuffered with ECC DDR3 DIMMs into
the DIMM sockets using the memory congurations in this section.

UDIMM
DIMM Slot

Per Channel

2 1 Unbuffered DDR3 ECC 1066/1333

2 2 Unbuffered DDR3 ECC 1066/1333

DIMM Populated
per Channel

DIMM Type Speed Rank per DIMM

Single Rank,
Dual Rank

Single Rank,
Dual Rank

• Start installing the DIMMs from slot A2 and B2 (orange).

• Always install DIMMs with the same CAS latency. For optimum
compatibility, it is recommended that you obtain memory modules from the
same vendor.

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-8

2.3.3 Installing a DIMM

Ensure to unplug the power supply before adding or removing DIMMs or other
system components. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to both the
motherboard and the components.

1. Unlock a DIMM socket by
pressing the retaining clips
outward.

2. Align a DIMM on the socket

such that the notch on the DIMM
matches the DIMM slot key on the
socket.

A DIMM is keyed with a notch so that it ts in only one direction. DO NOT force

a DIMM into a socket in the wrong direction to avoid damaging the DIMM.

3. Hold the DIMM by both of its
ends, then insert the DIMM
vertically into the socket. Apply
force to both ends of the DIMM
simultaneously until the retaining
clips snap back into place, and
the DIMM cannot be pushed
in any further to ensure proper
sitting of the DIMM.

Always insert the DIMM into the socket VERTICALLY to prevent DIMM notch

damage.

DIMM notch

1

3

2

DIMM slot key

Locked Retaining Clip

1

Unlocked retaining clip

3

2.3.4 Removing a DIMM

1. Simultaneously press the
retaining clips outward to unlock
the DIMM.

2. Remove the DIMM from the

socket.

Support the DIMM lightly with your ngers when pressing the retaining clips.
The DIMM might get damaged when it ips out with extra force.

2

1

1

2-9ASUS RS300-E7/PS4

2.4 Hard disk drives

The system supports four hot-swap SATAII/SAS hard disk drives and two SATAIII

hard disk drives*. The hard disk drive installed on the drive tray connects to the

motherboard SATA/SAS ports via the SATA/SAS backplane.

*Install the two SATAIII hard disk drives to HDD tray 1 and 2. Refer to page 1-6

for details.

To install a hot-swap SATA/SAS HDD

1. Release a drive tray by pushing the
spring lock to the right, then pulling
the tray lever outward. The drive
tray ejects slightly after you pull out
the lever.

2. Firmly hold the tray lever and pull

the drive tray out of the bay.

3. Take note of the drive tray holes.

Each side has three holes to t

different types of hard disk drives.
Use two screws on each side to
secure the hard disk drive.

spring lock

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-10

4. Place a SATA/SAS hard disk drive

on the tray, then secure it with four
screws.

5. Carefully insert the drive tray and

push it all the way to the depth of
the bay until just a small fraction of
the tray edge protrudes.

When installed, the SATA/SAS connector on the drive connects to the SATA/

SAS interface on the backplane.

6. Push the tray lever until it clicks,
and secures the drive tray in place.
The drive tray is correctly placed
when its front edge aligns with the
bay edge.

7. Repeat steps 1 to 6 if you wish to
install a second SATA/SAS drive.

2-11ASUS RS300-E7/PS4

2.5 Expansion slot

2.5.1 Installing an expansion card to the riser card bracket

The barebone server comes with a riser card bracket. You need to remove the
bracket if you want to install PCI Express x8 or x16 expansion cards.

To install a PCI Express x8 or x16 card:

1. Firmly hold the riser card bracket,
then pull it up to detach it from
the PCI Express x16 slot on the
motherboard.

2. Place the riser card bracket on a
at and stable surface, then remove

the screw from the slot bay.

3. Install a PCI Express x8 or x16

card to the bracket as shown, then
secure the card with a screw.

4. Repeat the previous steps to Install another PCI Express x8 or x16 card if

needed.

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-12