Asus RS320Q-E7/RS12 User Manual

RS320Q-E7/RS12

2U Rackmount Server
User Guide

E7400

First Edition

May 2012

Copyright © 2012 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 ......................................................................

1.3 Systemspecications .................................................................

1.4 Front panel features .....................................................................

1.5 Rear panel features ......................................................................

1.6 Internal features ...........................................................................

1.7 LED information ...........................................................................

1.7.1 Front panel LEDs ............................................................

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

1.7.3 HDD status LED ............................................................

Chapter 2: Hardware setup

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

2.2 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ...................................................

2.2.1 Installing the CPU ...........................................................

2.2.2 Installing the CPU heatsink .............................................

2.3 System memory ...........................................................................

2.3.1 Overview .........................................................................

2.3.2 Memory Congurations ...................................................

2.3.3 Installing a DIMM ..........................................................

2.3.4 Removing a DIMM ........................................................

2.4 Hard disk drives .........................................................................

2.5 Expansion slot ............................................................................

2.5.1 Installing an expansion card to the riser card bracket ...

2.5.2 Conguring an expansion card .....................................

2.6 Cable connections .....................................................................

2.7 Removable/optional components .............................................

2.7.1 System fans ..................................................................

2.7.2 Power supply module ....................................................

1-3

1-4

1-6

1-6

1-7

1-9

1-9

1-10

1-10

2-4

2-4
2-8

2-9

2-9

2-9
2-10
2-10

2-11

2-13

2-13
2-14

2-15

2-16

2-16
2-17

iii

Contents

2.7.3 Installing ASMB5 series management board ................ 2-19

2.7.4 Installing ASUS PIKE Riser Card (optional) ..................

Chapter 3: Installation options

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

3.1.1 Attaching the xing latches to the server ........................

3.1.2 Mounting the server to the rack ......................................

Chapter 4: Motherboard information

4.1 Motherboard layouts .................................................................... 4-2

4.2 Jumpers ........................................................................................

4.3 Internal connectors ......................................................................

4.4 Internal LEDs ..............................................................................

Chapter 5: BIOS setup

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

5.1.1 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility ......................................

5.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash Utility .....................................................

5.1.3 BUPDATER utility

5.2 BIOS setup program ....................................................................

5.2.1 BIOS menu screen ..........................................................

5.2.2 Menu bar .........................................................................

5.2.3 Menu items .....................................................................

5.2.4 Submenu items ...............................................................

5.2.5 Navigation keys ...............................................................

5.2.6 General help ...................................................................

5.2.7 Conguration elds .........................................................

5.2.8 Pop-up window ...............................................................

5.2.9 Scroll bar .........................................................................

5.3 Main menu ....................................................................................

5.3.1 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx] .........................................

5.3.2 System Time [xx:xx:xx] ...................................................

5.3.3 Security ...........................................................................

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

5.4

5.5 Advanced menu .........................................................................

5.5.1 ACPI Settings ................................................................

............................................................ 5-4

2-20

3-2
3-5

4-4

4-7

4-14

5-2
5-3

5-6

5-7
5-7
5-8
5-8
5-8
5-8
5-8
5-8
5-8

5-9

5-9
5-9
5-9

5-13

5-13

iv

Contents

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

5.5.3 WHEA Support ..............................................................

5.5.4 CPU Conguration ........................................................

5.5.5 North Bridge ..................................................................

5.5.6 South Bridge .................................................................

5.5.7 SATA Conguration .......................................................

5.5.8 Intel TXT(LT) Conguration ...........................................

5.5.9 USB Conguration ........................................................

5.5.10 ME Subsystem ..............................................................

5.5.11 Onboard Devices Conguration ....................................

5.5.12 APM ..............................................................................

5.5.13 Serial Port Console Redirection ....................................

5.6 Monitor menu .............................................................................

5.7 Boot menu ..................................................................................

5.8 Tool menu ...................................................................................

5.9 Exit menu ....................................................................................

Chapter6: RAIDconguration

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

6.1.1 RAID denitions ..............................................................

6.1.2 Installing hard disk drives ................................................

6.1.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS ........................................

6.1.4 RAID conguration utilities ..............................................

6.2 LSISoftwareRAIDCongurationUtility ...................................

6.2.1 Creating a RAID set ........................................................

6.2.2 Adding or viewing a RAID conguration ........................

6.2.3 Initializing the virtual drives ...........................................

6.2.4 Rebuilding failed drives .................................................

6.2.5 Checking the drives for data consistency .....................

6.2.6 Deleting a RAID conguration .......................................

6.2.7 Selecting the boot drive from a RAID set ......................

6.2.8 Enabling WriteCache ....................................................

Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM Utilities .......... 6-25

6.3

6.3.1 Creating a RAID set ......................................................

6.3.2 Creating a Recovery set ...............................................

5-14
5-15
5-17
5-17
5-18
5-19
5-19
5-20
5-21
5-22
5-23

5-25

5-26

5-28

5-29

6-2

6-3

6-3

6-3

6-4

6-5

6-11
6-12

6-16

6-18

6-21
6-22
6-23

6-26
6-27

v

Contents

6.3.3 Deleting a RAID set ...................................................... 6-29

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

6.3.5 Recovery Volume Options ............................................

6.3.6 Exiting the Intel

6.3.7 Rebuilding the RAID .....................................................

6.3.8 Setting the Boot array in the BIOS Setup Utility ............

Chapter 7: Driver installation

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

7.1.1 Creating a RAID driver disk ............................................

7.1.2 Installing the RAID controller driver ................................

®

7.2 Intel

7.3 LAN driver installation ...............................................................

7.4 VGA driver installation

7.5 Management applications and utilities installation ................

chipset device software installation ............................... 7-17

7.5.1 Running the support DVD .............................................

7.5.2 Drivers menu .................................................................

7.5.3 Utilities menu ................................................................

7.5.4 Make disk menu ............................................................

7.5.5 Contact information .......................................................

®

Rapid Storage Technology utility ........ 6-32

............................................................... 7-22

6-30

6-31

6-32

6-34

7-2
7-5

7-19

7-25

7-25
7-25
7-26
7-26
7-26

Appendix

Reference information

:

A.1 P8BH block diagram ....................................................................A-2

ASUS Contact information

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 A 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.

REACH Information

Complying with the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of

Chemicals) regulatory framework, we publish the chemical substances in our products at

ASUS REACH website at http://csr.asus.com/english/REACH.htm.

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.

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.

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.

Lithium-Ion Battery Warning

CD-ROM Drive Safety Warning

CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT

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

the system.

viii

Heavy System

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.

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 setup

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.

8. Appendix: Reference information

This appendix includes additional information that you may refer to when conguring

the motherboard.

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.

Product introduction

1-

1.1 System package contents

Check your system package for the following items.

Model Name RS320Q-E7/RS12
Chassis ASUS R21A 2U Rackmount Chassis

Motherboard ASUS P8BH
Component 2 x 920W Redundant Power Supply

Accessories 1 x RS320Q-E7 User’s Guide

Optional Items 1 x PIKE Riser Card (RE16R-R12B-PIKE) per Node

4 x PCIe Riser Card (RE16R-R12B)
2 x Front I/O Board (FPB-R21A)
1 x Redundant Power Supply Distribution Board (PDB-R21A)
1 x SAS/SATA Backplane Board (BP12LX-R21A)
1 x Midplane Board (MP8LX-R21A-M)
1 x Connection Board (CB-R21A)

4 x CPU Heatsink
4 x System Fans (80mm x 38mm)

12 x Hot-swappable 3.5” HDD trays*

1 x RS320Q-E7 Support CD
1 x ASUS ASWM Enterprise User’s Guide
1 x ASUS Web-based Management (ASWM) Enterprise Supplier DVD
1 x Bag of Screws
2 x AC Power Cables

1 x Friction Rail Kit

1 x ASUS PIKE RAID Card per Node

1 x ASMB5-iKVM per Node

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

• * May vary with different regions or territories.

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-2

1.2 Serial number label

For faster and quicker troubleshooting solutions from the ASUS Technical Support team,

provide the product's serial number containing 12 characters such as xxS2xxxxxxxx as
shown in the gure below.

RS320Q-E7/RS12

xxS0xxxxxxxxxx

ASUS RS320Q-E7/RS12 1-3

1.3 Systemspecications

Model Name RS320Q-E7/RS12

1 x Socket LGA1155 per Node

Intel® Xeon® E3-1200 v2 processor family

Processor / System Bus

Core Logic

ASUS
Features

Smart Fan
ASWM

Enterprise
Total Slots
Capacity

Memory

Memory Type

Memory Size
Total PCI/

PCI-X/PCI-E
Slots

Expansion
Slots

Slot Type and
Additional
Slot

Storage

SATA
Controller

SAS
Controller

HDD Bays

Networking LAN

Intel® Xeon® E3-1200 processor family
Intel® Core™ i3-2100 processor family
Intel® Pentium™ G6X0 processor family
Intel® Celeron™ G5X0/G4X0 processor family

Intel® C204 Chipset

√

√

4 per Node (2-channel per CPU)
Maximum up to 32GB (UDIMM)
DDR3 1600*/1333/1066 ECC UDIMM

*DDR3 1600 is only supported by Intel® Xeon® E3-1200 v2
processor.

1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB (UDIMM)

1 per Node

1 x *PCI-E 3.0 x16 slot (Gen3 x16 link) (Low prole /

HL) per Node or 1 x *PIKE Riser Card Slot for Storage
Enhancement (Optional)

*Gen3 link is only supported by Intel® Xeon® E3-1200 v2
processor.

Intel® C204:

- 2 x SATA 6Gb/s ports

- 4 x SATA 3Gb/s ports

Intel® Rapid Storage Technology (RST) supports

software RAID 0, 1, 10 & 5 (Windows®)

LSI® MegaRAID driver

- Supports software RAID 0.1 & 10 (Windows® & Linux)

Optional kits(PIKE Riser card is necessary):

ASUS PIKE 2008 8-port SAS 6G RAID card
ASUS PIKE 2008/IMR 8-port SAS2 6G RAID card
ASUS PIKE 2108 8-port SAS2 6G HW RAID card

3 x Hot-swap 3.5” HDD Bays per Node (Total 12 x 3.5”
HDD in 2U)

2 x Intel® 82574L + 1 x Mgmt LAN per Node

(continued on the next page)

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-4

Model Name RS320Q-E7/RS12

Graphic VGA

Aspeed AST2050 + 16MB VRAM

Per Node:

- 1 x External serial port

Onboard I/O Connectors

- 3 x RJ-45 ports (one for ASMB5-iKVM)

- 2 x USB 2.0 ports (rear)

- 1 x VGA port

- 1 x Internal A Type USB port
Windows® Server 2008 R2

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

OS Support

RedHat® Enterprise Linux AS5.6/6 32 / 64-bit
SuSE® Linux Enterprise Server 11.2 32 / 64-bit

CentOS 5.6 32/64-bit
VMWare ESX4.1/ESXi4.1

(Subject to change without any notice)

Out of Band
Management
Solution

Remote

Hardware

Software
Dimension (HH x WW x

DD)

1 x ASMB5-iKVM for KVM-over-IP (Optional)

ASUS ASWM Enterprise

750mm x 444mm x 87mm (2U)

Net Weight Kg (CPU,
DRAM & HDD not

25 Kg

included)
Power Supply
Power Rating

1+1 Redundant 920W 80PLUS Platinum Power Supply
920W: 100-240Vac, 11-4.4A, 50-60Hz Class I
Operating temperature: 10°C–35°C

Environment

Non-operating temperature: -40°C–70°C

Non-operating humidity: 20%–90% ( Non-condensing)

Specications are subject to change without notice.

ASUS RS320Q-E7/RS12 1-5

1.4 Front panel features

Front panel
Node 2
Node 1

HDD 1 (Node 1)

HDD 2 (Node 1)

HDD 3 (Node 1)

Refer to section 1.7.1 Front panel LEDs for the LED descriptions.

HDD 1 (Node 2) HDD 1 (Node 3) HDD 1 (Node 4)

HDD 2 (Node 2)

HDD 3 (Node 2)

HDD 2 (Node 3)

1.5 Rear panel features

PSU 2

PSU 1

Node 4

Node 3

HDD 2 (Node 4)

HDD 3 (Node 3)

Front panel

Node 4
Node 3

HDD 3 (Node 4)

Node 2

Node 1

When installing only two nodes, install the nodes to node slot number 1 and 3 or number 2

and 4.

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-6

LAN port 2

LAN port 3*

LAN port 1

VGA port

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

Serial port

1.6 Internal features

6

4

6

35

USB ports

1

2

ASUS RS320Q-E7/RS12 1-7

1. Power supply and power fan

2. ASUS P8BH Server Board

3. System fans

4. SATA/SAS backplane (hidden)

5. Hot-swap HDD trays (SAS and SATA)

6. Front LED Boards

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. 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.

HAZARDOUS MOVING PARTS

WARNING

KEEP FINGERS AND OTHER BODY PARTS AWAY

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-8

1.7 LED information

1.7.1 Front panel LEDs

Power button and LED

Message LED

Message LED

Power button and LED Location button and LED

LED Icon

Display
status

Description

Location button and LED

LAN1 LED
LAN2 LED

LAN1 LED
LAN2 LED

Power LED ON System power ON

OFF System is normal; no incoming event

Message
LED

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

ON

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

indicated

Location
LED

OFF Normal status

Location button is turned on. Press the location button again to

ON

turn off.

OFF No LAN connection

LAN LEDs

Blinking LAN is transmitting or receiving data

ON LAN connection is present

ASUS RS320Q-E7/RS12 1-9

1.7.2 LAN (RJ-45) LEDs

SPEED LED

ACT/LINK LED

ACT/LINK LED

SPEED 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 Activity LED (Green)

HDD Status LED (Red)

SATAII/SAS HDD LED Description

OFF HDD not present

HDD Activity LED (Green)

ON HDD present, no activity

Blinking

OFF HDD not present

HDD Status LED (Red)

ON HDD has failed and should be swapped immediately

Blinking

1. Read/write data from/into the SATAII/SAS HDD

2. Locating (blinking with the HDD status LED)

1. RAID rebuilding

2. Locating (blinking with the HDD activity LED)

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-10

Chapter 2

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

Hardware setup

2-

2.1 Chassis cover

Removing the top cover

1. Loosen the six screws on the top and the two sides of the top cover, as shown in the

following gures.

2. Lift the rear end of the top cover (A),

and slide the cover toward the rear

panel (B) until it disengages from the

chassis.

B

A

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-2

Removing the server node

1. Remove the screw located on the node latch.

2. Hold the server node lever and press the node latch.

3. Firmly pull the server node out of the server chassis.

When installing only two nodes, install the nodes to node slot number 1 and 3 or number 2

and 4. Refer to section

1.5 Rear panel features

for details.

2-3ASUS RS320Q-E7/RS12

2.2 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The motherboard comes with a surface mount LGA2011 socket designed for the Intel® Xeon
E5-2600 family processor.

• 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 will shoulder the cost of repair 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
LGA2011 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.

Before installing the CPU, ensure that the socket box is facing toward you and the load lever

is on your left.

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-4

A

B

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.

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

Load lever

Retention tab

Load plate

4. Lift the tab only to remove the PnP cap
from the CPU socket.

PnP cap

Cap tab

2-5ASUS RS320Q-E7/RS12

C

B

A

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!

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.

CPU notches

Gold

triangle

mark

Alignment keys

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 knob (C).

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-6

8. Insert the load lever under the retention
tab.

2-7ASUS RS320Q-E7/RS12

2.2.2 Installing the CPU heatsink

To install the CPU heatsink:

1. Place the heatsink on top of the installed CPU, ensuring that the four fasteners match
the holes on the motherboard.

2. 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

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-8

2.3 System memory

2.3.1 Overview

The motherboard comes with four (4) 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 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, or 8 GB 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 1333/1600* Single Rank, Dual Rank
2 2 Unbuffered DDR3 1333/1600* Single Rank, Dual Rank

DIMM

Populated

per Channel

DIMM Type Speed Rank per DIMM

• *Refer to ASUS Server AVL for latest update.

• Start installing the DIMMs in slots A2 and B2 (orange).

• Always install DIMMs with the same CAS latency. For optimal compatibility, we

recommend that you install memory modules of the same version or data code (D/C)

from the same vendor. Check with the retailer to get the correct memory modules.

2-9ASUS RS320Q-E7/RS12

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. Press the retaining clips outward to
unlock a DIMM socket.

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.

2.3.4 Removing a DIMM

DIMM notch

1

3

2

DIMM slot key

Locked Retaining Clip

1

Unlocked retaining clip

3

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

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-10