ASUS RS520-E6RS8 User Manual

RS520-E6/RS8

2U Rackmount Server

User Guide

E4539

First Edition V1

March 2009

Copyright © 2009 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.

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

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

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

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

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

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.......................................................................		1-2
1.3	System specifications..................................................................		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...........................................................	1-7
	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............................................................................		2-7
	2.3.1	Overview..........................................................................	2-7
	2.3.2	Memory configurations....................................................	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 cards.........................................................................		2-12
	2.5.1	Installing an expansion card to the riser card bracket...	2-12
	2.5.2	Configuring an expansion card......................................	2-13
2.6	Cable connections......................................................................		2-14
2.7	SATAII/SAS backplane cabling..................................................		2-15
2.8	Removable/optional components.............................................		2-16
	2.8.1	System fans...................................................................	2-16
	2.8.2	Optical drive (optional)...................................................	2-17

iii

Contents

2.8.3	Redundant power supply module..................................	2-19
2.8.4	InstallingASUS PIKE RAID card (optional)...................	2-20
2.8.5	InstallingASMB4 series management board (optional)...	2-22

Chapter 3:		Installation options
3.1	Rackmount rail kit items (optional).............................................		3-2
3.2	Attaching the rails to the server..................................................		3-2
3.3	Attaching the rack rails................................................................		3-3
3.4	Rackmounting the server.............................................................		3-4

Chapter 4:		Motherboard information
4.1	Motherboard layouts....................................................................		4-2
4.2	Jumpers	.........................................................................................	4-4
4.3	Internal connectors......................................................................		4-9

Chapter 5:		BIOS setup
5.1	Managing and updating your BIOS.............................................		5-2
	5.1.1	AFUDOS utility................................................................	5-2
	5.1.2	ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility.......................................	5-4
5.2	BIOS setup program.....................................................................		5-5
	5.2.1	BIOS menu screen..........................................................	5-6
	5.2.2	Menu bar.........................................................................	5-6
	5.2.3	Navigation keys...............................................................	5-6
	5.2.4	Menu items......................................................................	5-7
	5.2.5	Sub-menu items..............................................................	5-7
	5.2.6	Configuration fields..........................................................	5-7
	5.2.7	Pop-up window................................................................	5-7
	5.2.8	Scroll bar.........................................................................	5-7
	5.2.9	General help....................................................................	5-7
5.3	Main menu.....................................................................................		5-8
	5.3.1	System Time [xx:xx:xx]....................................................	5-8
	5.3.2	System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx].........................................	5-8
	5.3.3	Legacy Diskette A [Disabled]...........................................	5-8
	5.3.4	SATA1–6..........................................................................	5-9
	5.3.5	IDE Configuration...........................................................	5-11
	5.3.6	AHCI Configuration........................................................	5-12
	5.3.7	System Information........................................................	5-13

iv

Contents

5.4	Advanced menu..........................................................................		5-14
	5.4.1	CPU Configuration.........................................................	5-14
	5.4.2	Chipset Configuration....................................................	5-17
	5.4.3	Legacy Device Configuration.........................................	5-21
	5.4.4	USB Configuration.........................................................	5-21
	5.4.5	PCIPnP..........................................................................	5-22
	5.4.6	Power On Configuration................................................	5-23
	5.4.7	Event Log Configuration................................................	5-24
	5.4.8	Hardware Monitor..........................................................	5-25
	5.4.9	ACPI Configuration........................................................	5-26
	5.4.10	PCI Express Configuration............................................	5-27
5.5	Server menu................................................................................		5-28
5.6	Boot menu...................................................................................		5-30
	5.6.1	Boot Device Priority.......................................................	5-30
	5.6.2	Boot Settings Configuration...........................................	5-31
	5.6.3	Security..........................................................................	5-32
5.7	Exit menu.....................................................................................		5-34

Chapter 6:		RAID configuration
6.1	Setting up RAID............................................................................		6-2
	6.1.1	RAID definitions...............................................................	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 Configuration Utility.....................................		6-4
	6.2.1	Creating a RAID set.........................................................	6-5
	6.2.2	Adding or viewing a RAID configuration.........................	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......................	6-17
	6.2.6	Deleting a RAID configuration.......................................	6-20
	6.2.7	Selecting the boot drive from a RAID set......................	6-21
	6.2.8	Enabling WriteCache.....................................................	6-22
6.3	Intel® Matrix Storage Manager Option ROM Utility..................		6-23
	6.3.1	Creating a RAID set.......................................................	6-24
	6.3.2	Creating a Recovery set................................................	6-25

Contents

	6.3.3	Deleting a RAID set.......................................................	6-27
	6.3.4	Resetting disks to Non-RAID.........................................	6-28
	6.3.5	Recovery Volume Options.............................................	6-29
	6.3.6	Exiting the Intel® Matrix Storage Manager.....................	6-30
	6.3.7	Rebuilding the RAID......................................................	6-30
	6.3.8	Setting the Boot array in the BIOS Setup Utility............	6-32
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 installation...............................................		7-12
7.3	LAN driver installation...............................................................		7-14
7.4	VGA driver installation...............................................................		7-17
7.5	Management applications and utilities installation.................		7-19
	7.5.1	Running the support DVD..............................................	7-19
	7.5.2	Drivers menu.................................................................	7-19
	7.5.3	Utilities menu.................................................................	7-20
	7.5.4	Make disk menu............................................................	7-20
	7.5.5	Contact information.......................................................	7-20

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 modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

Canadian Department of Communications Statement

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

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

REACH Information

Complying with the REACH (Registration, Evaluation,Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) regulatory framework, we publish the chemical substances in our products atASUS REACH website at http://green.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 fix it by yourself. Contact a qualified service technician or your dealer.

Operation Safety

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

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

•Before using the server, 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.

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.

viii

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 configuring 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 specifications.

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 configuration

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

7Chapter 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	Indicates a menu or an item to select.
Italics	Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.
<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+D>
Command	Means that you must type the command
	exactly as shown, then supply the required
	item or value enclosed in brackets.
	Example: At the DOS prompt, type the
	command line: 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.

Chapter 1

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

ASUS RS520-E6/RS8

introductionProduct

1-

1.1System package contents

Check your system package for the following items.

Model Name	RS520-E6/RS8
Chassis	ASUS R20A2U Rackmount Chassis
Motherboard	ASUS Z8NR-D12-SYS Server Board
Component	1 x 770W Redundant Power Supply
	1 x SATAII/SAS HDD Backplane (BP8LX-R20A)
	8 x hot-swap HDD trays (varies by territories)
	1 x Front I/O Board (FPB-AR14)
	4 x System Fans (80 x 38mm)
	1 x Redundant Power Supply Distribution Board (PSB-R12A)
	1 x Air Duct
	1 x PCI Riser Card (PCIE8X3-R20A)
Accessories	2 x CPU Heatsinks (varies by territories)
	1 x RS520-E6/RS8 User’s Guide
	1 xASWM 2.0 User’s Guide
	1 x RS520-E6/RS8 Support CD (includingASWM*)
	1 x Bag of Screws
	2 xAC Power Cable
	1 x Semi-ball Bearing Rail Kit
Optional Items	1 x CA eTrust Anti-virus Software CD
	1 x Slim-Type Optical Device
	1 x Second 770W Redundant Power Supply Module
	1 x PIKE 1064E/1078

*ASUS System Web-based Management

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

1.2Serial number label

Before requesting support from theASUS Technical Support team, you must take note of the product’s serial number containing 12 characters such as xxxxxxxxxxxx. See the figure 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.

RS520-E6/RS8

xxxxxxxxxxxx

1-2	Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.3System specifications

The ASUS RS520-E6/RS8 is a server featuring the ASUS Z8NR-D12-SYS server board. The server supports Intel® LGA1366Xeon® 5500seriesprocessorswithEM64T technology, plus other latest technologies through the chipsets onboard.

Model Name

Processor / System Bus

Core Logic

ASUS Features		Smart Fan
		ASWM 2.0
		Total Slots
Memory		Capacity
		Memory Type
		Memory Size
		Total PCI/PCI-X/
Expansion Slots		PCI-E Slots
		Slot Type
		Additional Slot
		SATA Controller
Storage
		SAS Controller
HDD Bays		I = Internal
		A or S will be
		hot-swappable

RS520-E6/RS8

2 x Socket LGA1366

Intel® Xeon® 5500 series processors (45nm) Quad-Core / Dual-Core

QPI 4.8 / 5.86 / 6.4 GT/s Intel® 5500 I/O Hub Intel® ICH10R

√

√

12 (3-channel per CPU, 6 DIMMs per CPU) Maximum up to 96GB (RDIMM) Maximum up to 48GB (UDIMM)

DDR3 1333 / 1066 / 800 Reg DIMM / Unbuffered

DIMM with ECC

512MB, 1GB, 2GB, 4GB and 8GB

3

2x PCI-E x8 slots(x8 link)(Full-Height/Full-Length) 1 x PCI-E x4 slot (x4 link) (Full-Height/Half-Length)

1 x PIKE slot with PCI-E G1 x4 link

Intel® ICH10R:

- 6 x SATA2 300MB/s ports

- Intel® Matrix Storage (for Windows only) - Supports software RAID 0, 1, 5 & 10

LSI MegaRAID (for Linux / Windows) - Supports software RAID 0, 1 & 10

Optional:

ASUS PIKE 1068E 8-port SAS RAID card - Supports software RAID 0, 1 & 1E ASUS PIKE 1078 8-port SAS RAID card - SupportshardwareRAID0,1,10,5&6

8 x Hot-swap 3.5” SAS/SATAHDD Bays

(continued on the next page)

ASUS RS520-E6/RS8

1-3

Management Solution

Networking LAN

Graphic VGA

Auxiliary Storage CD / DVD

Onboard I/O

OS Support

Anti-virus Software

Out of Band

Remote

Hardware

Software

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

Power Supply

Environment

2 x Intel® 82574L PCI-E GbE LANs

AspeedAST2050 / 8MB

1 x Slim-type Optical Device Bay

Options: No Device / DVD-RW

1 x External Serial Port

3 x RJ-45 ports

4 x USB 2.0 ports (Front x 2, Rear x 2) 1 x VGAport

1 x PS/2 keyboard port

1 x PS/2 mouse port

Windows® Server 2008 R2 Enterprise 32 / 64-bit Windows® Server 2003 R2 Enterprise 32 / 64-bit RedHat® Enterprise LinuxAS5.0 32 / 64-bit SuSE® Linux Enterprise Server 10.0 32 / 64-bit

(Subject to change without any notice)

CA® eTrust™ 7.1 anti-virus software (Optional)

Onboard IPMI Solution

ASMB4-iKVM for KVM-over-IP support (Optional)

ASUSASWM 2.0 and SNMP®

615mm x 444mm x 87mm

22 Kg

770W (80+) 1+1 Redundant Power Supply (Default with one Power Supply Module)

Operation temperature: 10°C ~ 35°C / Non operation temperature: -40°C ~ 70°C

Nonoperationhumidity:20%~90%(Non-condensing)

*Specifications are subject to change without notice.

1-4	Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.4Front 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.

Location switch

Location LED

Reset button

Message LED

Power

LAN1 LED

LAN2 LED

LED

ODD dummy cover

HDD Access LED

Power

USB ports

button

											HDD 8
HDD 1 HDD 5			HDD 2 HDD 6			HDD 3 HDD 7			HDD 4

1.5Rear panel features

The rear panel includes the expansion slots, 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 Redundant dummy supply cover

connector	portmousePS/2	3*port	portsUSB	portSerial	portVGA	2port LAN 1port LAN	slotsExpansion3
cord		portkeyboard
Power		PS/2
		LAN

•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 forASUSASMB4-iKVM controller card only.

ASUS RS520-E6/RS8

1-5

1.6Internal features

The barebone server includes the basic components as shown.

1

3

4 2

5

5

5

5

6

7

8

9

1.2 x PCI-E x8 slot (at x8 link)+ PCI-E x4 slot (at x4 link) Riser Card

2.Power supply

3.Power fans

4.ASUS Z8NR-D12-SYS server board

5.System fans*

6.SATA/SAS backplane

7.Hot-swap HDD trays

8.Slim-type optical drive bay

9.Front I/O board (hidden)

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

*WARNING HAZARDOUS MOVING PARTS

KEEP FINGERSAND OTHER BODY PARTSAWAY

1-6	Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.7LED information

1.7.1Front panel LEDs

LAN1 LED

	LAN2 LED			Message LED
					Location LED
HDD Access LED						Power LED

	LED	Icon Display status	Description
	Power LED	ON	System power ON
	HDD Access LED	OFF	No activity
		Blinking	Read/write data into the HDD
	Message LED	OFF	System is normal; no incoming event
		Blinking	ASWM indicates a HW monitor event
	Location LED	OFF	Normal status
		ON	Location switch is pressed
			(Press the location switch again to turn off)
	LAN LEDs	OFF	No LAN connection
		Blinking	LAN is transmitting or receiving data
		ON	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 RS520-E6/RS8

1-7

1.7.3HDD status LED

HDD status LED

HDD Activity LED

SATAII/SAS HDD LED Description
	GREEN	ON	SATAII/SAS HDD power ON
HDD Status
	RED	ON	HDD has failed and should be swapped
LED			immediately
	GREEN/	Blinking	RAID rebuilding
	RED
HDD Activity	GREEN	Blinking	Read/write data from/into the SATAII/SAS HDD
LED

1-8	Chapter 1: Product introduction

Chapter 2

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

ASUS RS520-E6/RS8

Hardware setup

2-

2.1Chassis 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.

2-2	Chapter 2: Hardware setup

2.2Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The motherboard comes with two surface mount LGA1366 sockets designed for the Intel® Xeon® Dual/Quad Core processor.

•Your boxed Intel® Xeon® LGA1366 processor package should come with installation instructions for the CPU and heatsink. If the instructions in this section do not match the CPU documentation, follow the latter.

•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

MerchandiseAuthorization (RMA) requests only if the motherboard comes with the cap on the LGA1366 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.

2.2.1Installing 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 towards you and the load lever is on your left.

ASUS RS520-E6/RS8

2-3

2.Press the load lever with your thumb (A), then move it to the left (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 to a 135º angle.

4.Lift the load plate with your thumb and forefinger to a 100º angle.

Retention tab

A

B

Load lever

Load plate 4

3

5.Remove the PnP cap from the CPU socket.

PnP cap

2-4	Chapter 2: Hardware setup

6.Position the CPU over the socket, ensuring that the gold triangle is on the bottom left corner of the socket, and then fit the socket alignment key into the CPU notch.

The CPU fits 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!

7.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.

Gold

triangle

mark

CPU notch

Alignment key

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

DO NOT eat the thermal Interface Material. If it gets into your eyes or touches your skin, ensure that you wash it off immediately and seek professional medical help.

To prevent contaminating the paste, DO NOT spread the paste with your finger directly.

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

push the load lever (B) until it snaps

into the retention tab.	A

B

ASUS RS520-E6/RS8

2-5

2.2.2Installing the CPU heatsink and airduct

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 A

Tighten the four heatsink screws in a diagonal sequence.

To install the airduct:

1.Position the airduct on top of the heatsink.

2.Carefully lower the airduct until it fits in place.

2-6	Chapter 2: Hardware setup

2.3System memory

2.3.1Overview

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

Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets.

The figure illustrates the location of the DDR3 DIMM sockets:

Recommended CPU1 memory configuration

Mode		Sockets
		DIMM_C1		DIMM_C2		DIMM_B1		DIMM_B2 DIMM_A1			DIMM_A2
2 DIMMs
		-		-		Populated		-	Populated		-
3 DIMMs		Populated		-		Populated		-	Populated		-
4 DIMMs		Populated		-		Populated		-	Populated		Populated
6 DIMMs		Populated		Populated		Populated		Populated	Populated		Populated

Recommended CPU2 memory configuration

Mode	Sockets
	DIMM_D1		DIMM_D2		DIMM_E1		DIMM_E2		DIMM_F1		DIMM_F2
2 DIMMs
	Populated		-		Populated		-		-		-
3 DIMMs	Populated		-		Populated		-		Populated		-
4 DIMMs	Populated		Populated		Populated		-		Populated		-
6 DIMMs	Populated		Populated		Populated		Populated		Populated		Populated

Due to Intel CPU spec definition, the system will not boot if only one DIMM is installed in DIMM slotA2, B2, or C2 for CPU1, or D2, E2 or F2 for CPU2. Follow the table above for recommended memory configuration.

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2.3.2Memory configurations

You may install 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB and 8GB registered DIMMs or Unbuffered DIMM with ECC / nonECC into the DIMM sockets.

• Always install DIMMs with the same CAS latency. For optimum compatibility, we recommend that you obtain memory modules from the same vendor. Refer to the Qualified Vendors List on theASUS web site.

•You may install varying memory sizes in ChannelA, Channel B and Channel C. The system maps the total size of the lower-sized channel for the dual-channel or triple-channel configuration.Any excess memory from the higher-sized channel is then mapped for single-channel operation.

•Due to the memory address limitation on 32-bit Windows OS, when you install 4GB or more memory on the motherboard, the actual usable memory for the OS can be about 3GB or less. For effective use of memory, we recommend that you install a 64-bit Windows OS when having 4GB or more memory installed on the motherboard.

•This motherboard does not support memory modules made up of 256 Mb chips.

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2.3.3Installing 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	2
		DIMM notch
	the retaining clips outward.
2.	Align a DIMM on the socket	1
	such that the notch on the DIMM
	matches the break on the socket.
		1

Unlocked retaining clip

ADIMM is keyed with a notch so that it fits in only one direction. DO NOT force a DIMM into a socket to avoid damaging the DIMM.

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

Locked Retaining Clip

2.3.4Removing a DIMM

Follow these steps to remove a DIMM.	2
1. Simultaneously press the	1
retaining clips outward to unlock
the DIMM.	1
	DIMM notch

Support the DIMM lightly with your fingers when pressing the retaining clips. The DIMM might get damaged when it flips out with extra force.

2.Remove the DIMM from the socket.

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spring lock

Chapter 2: Hardware setup

2.4Hard disk drives

The system supports eight 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.

3.Take note of the drive tray holes.

Each side has three holes to fit 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.

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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.

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2.5Expansion cards

The system motherboard comes with one PCI-E expansion slot installed with the riser cage to support three expansion cards.

2.5.1Installing an expansion card to the riser card bracket

To install an expansion card:

1.Locate the two screws on the riser cage, then remove the screws from the cage.

2.Firmly hold the riser cage, then pull it up to detach it from the PCI Express x16 slot on the motherboard.

3.Place the riser cage on a flat and stable surface, then unscrew the metal cover opposite the PCI-E slot that you want to use

4.Install the expansion card to the riser card as shown

5.Secure the card with a screw.

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