ASUS RS500A-X6PS4 User Manual

RS500A-X6/PS4

1U Rackmount Server
User Guide

E6172

First Edition V1

November 2010

Copyright © 2010 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

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

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 and airduct ..........................

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 SATAII/SAS backplane cabling .................................................

1-2

1-3

1-5

1-5

1-6

1-7

1-7

1-7

1-8

2-3

2-3

2-6

2-7

2-7

2-8

2-9

2-9

2-10

2-12

2-12

2-14

2-15

2-16

iii

Contents

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

2.8.1 System fans ..................................................................

2.8.2 Installing ASUS PIKE RAID card (optional) ..................

2.8.3 Installing ASMB4 series management board (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 Attaching the rack rails ....................................................

3.1.3 Mounting the server to the rack ......................................

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

3.2.1 Attaching the rails to the server ......................................

3.2.2 Attaching the rack rails ....................................................

3.2.3 Mounting the server to the rack ......................................

Chapter 4: Motherboard information

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

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

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

Chapter 5: BIOS setup

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

5.1.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility ...................................................

5.1.2 BUPDATER utility

5.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility ......................................

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

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

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

5.2.3 Navigation keys ...............................................................

5.2.4 Menu items .....................................................................

5.2.5 Submenu items ...............................................................

5.2.6 Conguration elds .........................................................

5.2.7 Pop-up window ...............................................................

5.2.8 Scroll bar .........................................................................

5.2.9 General help ...................................................................

............................................................ 5-3

2-17

2-18

2-21

3-2

3-3

3-4

3-5

3-5

3-6

3-7

4-4

4-8

5-2

5-5

5-6

5-7

5-7

5-7

5-8

5-8

5-8

5-8

5-8

5-8

iv

Contents

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

5.3.1 System Time [xx:xx:xx] ...................................................

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

5.3.3 SATA1–6 .......................................................................

5.3.4 Storage Conguration ....................................................

5.3.5 System Information .......................................................

5.4 Advanced menu .........................................................................

5.4.1 CPU Conguration ........................................................

5.4.2 Chipset Conguration ...................................................

5.4.3 Onboard Devices Conguration ....................................

5.4.4 USB Conguration ........................................................

5.4.5 PCIPnP .........................................................................

5.4.6 Event Log Conguration ...............................................

5.5 Server menu ...............................................................................

5.6 Power menu ................................................................................

5.6.1 Suspend Mode [Auto] ...................................................

5.6.2 Repost Video on S3 Resume [No] ................................

5.6.3 ACPI 2.0 Support [ACPI v2.0] .......................................

5.6.4 ACPI APIC support [Enabled] .......................................

5.6.5 APM Conguration ........................................................

5.6.6 Hardware Monitor .........................................................

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

5.7.1 Boot Device Priority ......................................................

5.7.2 Hard Disk Drives; CDROM Drives ................................

5.7.3 Boot Settings Conguration ..........................................

5.7.4 Security .........................................................................

5.8 Tools menu .................................................................................

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

5-9

5-9

5-10

5-11

5-12

5-14

5-14

5-17

5-25

5-26

5-27

5-27

5-28

5-30

5-30

5-30

5-30

5-30

5-31

5-32

5-34

5-34

5-34

5-35

5-36

5-38

5-39

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 ........................................

6-2

6-3

6-3

v

Contents

6.2 FastBuild Utility ............................................................................ 6-4

6.2.1 Creating a RAID set (RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 10,

RAID 5, SPAN or JBOD) .................................................

6.2.2 Deleting a RAID set .......................................................

6.2.3 Viewing the Drive Assignment

6.2.4 Viewing the Controller Conguration

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 AMD

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

7.4 ATI SM Bus controller driver installation .................................

7.5 Display driver installation .........................................................

7.6 Management applications and utilities installation ................

processor driver installation .......................................... 7-14

7.6.1 Running the support DVD .............................................

7.6.2 Drivers menu .................................................................

7.6.3 Utilities menu ................................................................

7.6.4 Make disk menu ............................................................

7.6.5 Contact information .......................................................

....................................... 6-13

............................. 6-14

6-5

6-11

7-2

7-4

7-18

7-22

7-23

7-26

7-26

7-26

7-27

7-27

7-27

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.

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.

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 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 RS500A-X6/PS4

Product introduction

1-

1.1 System package contents

Check your system package for the following items.

Model Name RS500A-X6/PS4

Chassis ASUS R10A 1U Rackmount Chassis

Motherboard ASUS KCNR-D12 Server Board

Component 1 x 500W Single Power Supply

Accessories 1 x RS500A-X6/PS4 User Guide

Optional Items 2 x CPU Heatsinks (varies by territories)

*ASUS System Web-based Management

4 x Hot-swap 3.5” HDD trays (varies by territories)
1 x SAS/SATAII HDD Backplane (BP4LX-R10A)
1 x PCI-E Riser Card (RE16LE8R-R10E)
1 x Front I/O Shield (FPB-AR14)
6 x System Fans (40 x 56mm)

1 x Air Duct

1 x ASUS ASWM 2.0 User Guide
1 x RS500A-X6/PS4 Support CD (including ASWM*)
1 x Bag of Screws

1 x AC Power Cable
1 x Friction Rail Kit

1 x Slim-type Optical Device
1 x ASMB4-iKVM Remote Management Card
1 x PIKE RAID Card
1 x Anti-virus CD

1 x 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 12 characters such as
xxS0xxxxxxxx. See 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.

RS500A-X6/PS4

xxS0xxxxxxxx

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-2

1.3 Systemspecications

The ASUS RS500A-X6/PS4 is a server featuring the ASUS KCNR-D12 server

board. The server supports AMD® LGA 1207 Opteron™ 4100 series processors

with HyperTransport™ technology, plus other latest technologies through the

chipsets onboard.

2 x Socket C32 (LGA 1207)

Processor Support / System Bus

Core Logic

Total Slots

Capacity

Memory

Expansion Slots

Storage

HDD Bays

Networking LAN

Graphic VGA

Memory Type

Memory Size

Total PCI-E Slots

Slot Type

Additional Slot

SATA Controller

SAS Controller

I = Internal
A or S will be
hot-swappable

4/6 Core AMD® Opteron™ 4100 Series
HyperTransport™ Technology 3.0,

6.4 GT/s per link (dual link)

AMD® SR5650
AMD® SP5100

12 (2-channel per CPU)
Maximum up to 128GB (RDIMM)

Maximum up to 32GB (UDIMM)
DDR3 800/1066/1333 UDIMM with ECC / non ECC

DDR3 800/1066/1333 RDIMM
1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB (RDIMM)

1GB, 2GB, 4GB (UDIMM)

1

Default Riser Card:

1 x PCI-E x16 slot (x8 link) (Full-Height/Half-Length)
1 x PCI-E x8 slot (x8 link) (Full-Height/Half-Length)

1 x PIKE Slot for Storage Enhancement

AMD® SP5100:

6 x SATA2 300MB/s ports

PROMISE® SW RAID (For Linux/Windows)

Supports software RAID 0, 1, 10 & 5
* A RAID array over 2TB can be set as a data disk

only.

Optional:

ASUS PIKE 1064E 4-port SAS RAID card
ASUS PIKE 1078 8-port SAS HW RAID card
ASUS PIKE 2008 8-port SAS2 6G RAID card
ASUS PIKE 2008/IMR 8-port SAS2 6G RAID card
with RAID 5

4 x Hot-Swap 3.5” SAS/SATA2 HDD Bays

2 x Intel 82574L

1 x Mgmt LAN

Aspeed AST2050 8MB

(continued on the next page)

ASUS RS500A-X6/PS4 1-3

Auxiliary Storage CD / DVD

1 x Slim-type Optical Device Bay
(Options: No Device / DVD-RW)
3 x RJ-45 ports (One for ASMB4-iKVM)
4 x USB 2.0 ports (Front x 2, Rear x 2)

1 x External serial port

Onboard I/O

1 x VGA port
1 x PS/2 keyboard port
1 x PS/2 mouse port
1 x Internal A Type USB port

Windows® Server 2008 R2
Windows® Server 2008 Enterprise 32/64-bit
Windows® Server 2003 R2 Enterprise 32/64-bit

OS Support

RedHat® Enterprise Linux AS5.0 32/64-bit
SuSE® Linux Enterprise Server 10 32/64-bit
SuSE® Linux Enterprise Server 11 32/64-bit
(Subject to change without any notice)

Anti-virus Software

Software
Management
Solution

Out of Band

Remote

Optional Trend Micro anti-virus software

ASWM 2.0

Optional ASMB4-iKVM for KVM-over-IP support

Management
Dimension (HH x WW x DD)
Net Weight Kg (CPU, DRAM &
HDD not inclu ded)
Power Supply

615mm x 444mm x 43.6mm (1U)

15 Kg

500W 80+ Single Power Supply (Gold level)
Operation temperature: 10°C — 35°C

Environment

Non operation 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, optical drive, and two USB

ports are located on the front panel.

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

Rack screw

HDD 1 HDD 2 HDD 3 HDD 4

Optical drive

USB ports

HDD Access LED

LAN2 LED
LAN1 LED

Message LED

Reset button

Location LED

Location switch

Rack screw

Power
button

Power
LED

1.5 Rear panel features

The rear panel includes the expansion slot, system power socket, and rear fans.

The middle part includes the I/O shield with openings for the rear panel connectors

on the motherboard.

Power cord connector

Power supply fan

PS/2 mouse port

Serial port

USB ports

LAN port 3*

PS/2 keyboard port

VGA port

LAN port 2

LAN port 1

Expansion slot

• The ports for the PS/2 keyboard, PS/2 mouse, USB, VGA, and Gigabit LAN

do not appear on the rear panel if motherboard is not present.

• *The port is for ASUS ASMB4-iKVM controller card only.

ASUS RS500A-X6/PS4 1-5

1.6 Internal features

The barebone server includes the basic components as shown.

1. PCI Express x16 slot
Riser Card (x8 link)

10

9

17

1

4

2

3

7

8

5

6

11

15141312

16

2. Power fans

3. ASUS KCNR-D12

server board

4. Power supply

5. System fan 1* - Connects

to FRNT_FAN1 connector

6. System fan 2* - Connects

to CPU_FAN1 connector

7. System fan 3* - Connects
to FRNT_FAN2

connector

8. System fan 4* - Connects

to FRNT_FAN3
connector

9. System fan 5* - Connects
to CPU_FAN2 connector

10. System fan 6* - Connects
to FRNT_FAN4 connector

11. SAS/SATAII backplane

12. Hot-Swap HDD tray 1 - Connects to SATA1 port (Port 0)

13. Hot-Swap HDD tray 2 - Connects to SATA2 port (Port 1)

14. Hot-Swap HDD tray 3 - Connects to SATA3 port (Port 2)

15. Hot-Swap HDD tray 4 - Connects to SATA4 port (Port 3)

16. Front I/O board (hidden)

17. Slim-type optical drive

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.

*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 Display status Description

Power LED ON System power ON

HDD Access LED

Message LED

Location LED

LAN LEDs

The Message LED functions only when you install the optional ASMB4-iKVM

server management board. Contact the local sales or dealer for detailed
information on purchasing the server management board.

Message LED

OFF

Blinking

OFF

Blinking

OFF

ON

OFF

Blinking

ON

Power LED

Location LED

No activity

Read/write data into the HDD
System is normal; no incoming event

ASWM indicates a HW monitor event
Normal status
Location switch is pressed
(Press the location switch again to turn off)
No LAN connection
LAN is transmitting or receiving data
LAN connection is present

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

ASUS RS500A-X6/PS4 1-7

1.7.3 HDD status LED

HDD status LED

HDD Activity LED

SATAII/SAS HDD LED Description

GREEN ON SATAII/SAS HDD power ON

HDD Status
LED

HDD Activity
LED

RED* ON

GREEN/
RED*

GREEN Blinking Read/write data from/into the SATAII/SAS HDD

*The LED status functions only when you install the optional PIKE RAID card.

Blinking RAID rebuilding

HDD has failed and should be swapped
immediately

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 RS500A-X6/PS4

Hardware setup

2-

2.1 Chassis cover

Removing the rear cover

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

Thumbscrews

2. Firmly hold the cover and slide it

toward the rear panel for about half
an inch until it is disengaged from
the chassis.

1/2 inch distance

3. Lift the cover from the chassis.

4. To recover the rear cover, reverse step 1 to 3.

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-2

2.2 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The motherboard comes with dual surface mount LGA 1207 Socket designed for

the AMD® Opteron™ 4100 series CPU in the Land Grid Array (LGA) package.

• 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 Socket 1207.

• 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.

2-3ASUS RS500A-X6/PS4

2. Press the load lever with your thumb
(A), then move it to the left (B) until

it is released from the retention tab.

Retention tab

A

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 to a 135º angle.

4. Lift the load plate with your thumb
and forenger to a 100º angle.

5. Remove the PnP cap from the CPU

socket.

6. Position the CPU over the socket,
ensuring that the gold triangle is on
the bottom-right corner of the socket,

and then t the socket alignment key

into the CPU notch.

B

Load lever

Load plate

4

5

Gold triangle mark

PnP cap

3

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!

Alignment keys

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-4

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

the load lever (B) until it snaps into

the retention tab.

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 pre-applied Thermal Interface Material. If so, skip
this step.

A

B

2-5ASUS RS500A-X6/PS4

2.2.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and airduct

To install the CPU heatsink:

1. Place the heatsink on top of the
installed CPU, ensuring that the
two fasteners match the screw
stands on the motherboard.

2. Twist each of the two screws with

a Philips (cross) screwdriver just
enough to attach the heatsink to
the motherboard.
When the two screws are attached,
tighten them one by one to
completely secure the heatsink.

To install the airduct:

1. Position the airduct on top of the
heatsink.

2. Carefully lower the airduct until it
ts in place.

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-6

2.3 System memory

2.3.1 Overview

The motherboard comes with twelve (12) Double Data Rate 3 (DDR3) Dual Inline

Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets.

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

2-7ASUS RS500A-X6/PS4

2.3.2 MemoryCongurations

You may install 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, or 8GB registered ECC/unbuffered ECC DDR3
DIMMs into the DIMM sockets using the memory congurations in this section.

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

Memory population table

SR: Single Rank; DR: Double Rank; QR: Quad Rank

DIMM0 DIMM1 DIMM2 Max MHz (1.5V) Max MHz (1.35V) Timing Mode

UDIMM

RDIMM

-- -- SR/DR 800 800 1T

SR/DR -- SR/DR 800 800 1T

-- -- SR/DR 1066 1066 1T

SR/DR -- SR/DR 1066 1066 1T

-- -- SR/DR 1333 1333 1T
SR -- SR 1333 1333 2T
DR -- DR 1333 -- 2T
SR -- DR 1333 -- 2T
DR -- SR 1333 -- 2T

-- -- SR/DR 667 667

SR/DR -- SR/DR 667 667

-- QR SR/DR 667 667

SR/DR SR/DR SR/DR 667 667
SR/DR QR SR/DR 667 667

-- -- SR/DR 800 800

SR/DR -- SR/DR 800 800

-- QR SR/DR 800 --

SR/DR SR/DR SR/DR 800 800

-- QR -- 800 800

-- -- SR/DR 1066 1066

SR/DR -- SR/DR 1066 1066

SR SR SR 1066 --

-- -- SR/DR 1333 1333
SR -- SR 1333 1333

DO NOT install DIMMs of different voltages on the motherboard at the same

time, such as a combination of 1.5V DIMMs and 1.35V LVDIMMs.

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 break on the socket.

Unlocked retaining clip

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

a DIMM into a socket to avoid damaging the DIMM.

2

DIMM notch

1

1

3. Firmly insert the DIMM into the
socket until the retaining clips snap
back in place and the DIMM is
properly seated.

Locked Retaining Clip

2.3.4 Removing a DIMM

Follow these steps to remove a DIMM.

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

1

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. Remove the DIMM from the socket.

3

2

1

DIMM notch

2-9ASUS RS500A-X6/PS4

2.4 Hard disk drives

The system supports four hot-swap SATAII/SAS hard disk drives. The hard disk
drive installed on the drive tray connects to the motherboard SATAII/SAS ports via
the SATAII/SAS backplane.

To install a hot-swap SATAII/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.

spring lock

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.

4. Place a SATAII/SAS hard disk drive

on the tray, then secure it with four
screws.

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-10

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 SATAII/SAS connector on the drive connects to the SATAII/

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 SATAII/SAS drive.

2-11ASUS RS500A-X6/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 a PCI Express expansion card.

To install a PCI Express expansion 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.

PCI Express x16 slot

3. Install a PCI Express expansion
card to the bracket as shown, then
secure the card with a screw.

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-12