Asus RS720-E6/RS12 User Manual

RS720-E6/RS12

2U Rackmount Server User Guide

E5342

First Edition V1

February 2010

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.

Contents

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

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

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

Chapter 1: Product introduction

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chapter 2: Hardware setup

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2.3.3 Installing a DIMM .......................................................... 2-10

2.3.4 Removing a DIMM ........................................................ 2-10

2.4 Hard disk drives ......................................................................... 2-11

2.5 Expansion slots .......................................................................... 2-13

2.5.1 Installing an expansion card ......................................... 2-13

2.5.2 Conguring an expansion card ..................................... 2-15

2.5.3 Interrupt assignments ................................................... 2-15

2.5.4 PCI Express x16 slots (x16 link; x8 link) ....................... 2-16

2.5.5 PCI slot ......................................................................... 2-16

2.5.6 PIKE slot ....................................................................... 2-16

2.6 Cable connections ..................................................................... 2-17

2.7 SATAII/SAS backplane cabling ................................................. 2-18

iii

Contents

2.8 Removable/optional components ............................................. 2-19

2.8.1 System fans .................................................................. 2-19

2.8.2 Redundant power supply module ................................. 2-20

2.8.3 Installing ASUS PIKE RAID card (optional) .................. 2-21

2.8.4 Installing ASMB4 series management board (optional) 2-23

Chapter 3: Installation options

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

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

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

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

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

5.3.2 System Date ................................................................... 5-8

5.3.3 SATA1–6 ......................................................................... 5-9

5.3.4 IDE Conguration .......................................................... 5-10

5.3.5 AHCI Conguration ........................................................5-11

Contents

5.3.6 System Information ....................................................... 5-12

5.4 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 5-13

5.4.1 CPU Conguration ........................................................ 5-13

5.4.2 Chipset Conguration ................................................... 5-17

5.4.3 Legacy Device Conguration ........................................ 5-20

5.4.4 USB Conguration ........................................................ 5-21

5.4.5 PCIPnP ......................................................................... 5-22

5.4.6 Power On Conguration ................................................ 5-23

5.4.7 Event Log Conguration ............................................... 5-24

5.4.8 Hardware Monitor ......................................................... 5-24

5.4.9 Congure I/O Virtualization Parameters........................ 5-25

5.4.10 PCI Express Conguration ............................................ 5-26

5.4.11 ACPI Conguration ....................................................... 5-26

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 Conguration .......................................... 5-31

5.6.3 Security ......................................................................... 5-32

5.7 Exit menu .................................................................................... 5-34

Chapter6: RAIDconguration

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6.2.5 Checking the drives for data consistency ..................... 6-17

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

Contents

6.3.1 Creating a RAID set ...................................................... 6-24

6.3.2 Creating a Recovery set ............................................... 6-25

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 .............................................. 7-17

7.3 LAN driver installation ............................................................... 7-19

7.4 VGA driver installation............................................................... 7-22

7.5 Management applications and utilities installation ................ 7-24

7.5.1 Running the support DVD ............................................. 7-24

7.5.2 Drivers menu ................................................................. 7-24

7.5.3 Utilities menu ................................................................ 7-25

7.5.4 Make disk menu ............................................................ 7-25

Notices

Federal Communications Commission Statement

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

• This device may not cause harmful interference, and

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

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class

B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed

to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

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

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

WARNING! The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the

graphics card is required to assure compliance with FCC regulations. Changes

or modications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for

compliance could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

Canadian Department of Communications Statement

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class 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 at ASUS 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 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 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.

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+D>

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.

Chapter 1

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

specications.

ASUS RS720-E6/RS12

Product introduction

1.1 System package contents

Check your system package for the following items.

Model Name RS720-E6/RS12 Chassis ASUS R20C 2U Rackmount Chassis

Motherboard ASUS Z8PE-D18 Server Board Component 1 x 770W Redundant Power Supply

Accessories 1 x RS720-E6/RS12 User’s Guide

Optional Items CA eTrust Anti-virus Software CD

*ASUS System Web-based Management

1 x SATAII/SAS HDD Backplane (BP12LX-R20A) 12 x hot-swap HDD trays 1 x Front I/O Board (LED board, FPB-R20A) 1 x Front I/O Board (USB board, USB-R20A) 4 x System Fans (80 x 38mm) 1 x Redundant Power Supply Distribution Board (PDB-R20A)

1 x Air Duct

1 x ASWM 2.0 User’s Guide 1 x RS720-E6/RS12 Support CD (including ASWM*) 1 x Bag of Screws

1 x AC Power Cable 1 x Friction Rail Kit

Second 770W Redundant Power Supply Module CPU Heatsink

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

1.2 Serial number label

Before requesting support from the ASUS Technical Support team, you must

take note of the product’s serial number containing 14 characters such as

xxS0xxxxxxxxxx. 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.

RS720-E6/RS12

xxS0xxxxxxxxxx

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-2

1.3 Systemspecications

The ASUS RS720-E6/RS12 is a server featuring the ASUS Z8PE-D18 server

board. The server supports Intel® LGA1366 Xeon® series processors with EM64T technology, plus other latest technologies through the chipsets onboard.

Model Name RS720-E6/RS12

2 x Socket LGA1366 Six/Quad-Core Intel® Xeon® X5600 Series (95W)

Processor / System Bus

Core Logic

Fan Speed

ASUS Features

Memory

Expansion Slots

Storage

HDD Bays

Control ASWM 2.0 Total Slots

Capacity

Memory Type

Memory Size

Total PCI/PCI-X/ PCI-E Slots

Slot Type

Additional Slot

SATA Controller

SAS Controller

I = Internal A or S will be hot-swappable

Quad-Core Intel® Xeon® X5500 Series (95W) Quad-Core Intel® Xeon® E5500 Series (80W) Quad-Core Intel® Xeon® L5500 Series (60W/38W)

QPI 4.8 / 5.86 / 6.4 GT/s

Intel® 5520 I/O Hub Intel® ICH10R

√

18 (3-channel per CPU, 9 DIMMs per CPU)

Maximum up to 144GB (RDIMM) Maximum up to 48GB (UDIMM)

DDR3 1333 / 1066 / 800 Reg DIMM / Unbuffered

DIMM with ECC

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

Low-prole slots:

- Slot 1: PCI-E x8 (G1 x4 link) (Auto disabled if

PIKE slot is occupied)

- Slot 2: PCI

- Slot 3: PCI-E x16 (G2 x16 link) (Auto switch to

x8 link if slot 4 is occupied)

- Slot 4: PCI-E x16 (G2 x8 link)

- Slot 5: PCI-E x16 (G2 x16 link)

1 x PIKE slot for storage enhancement 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 ASUS PIKE 1078 8-port SAS HW RAID card ASUS PIKE 6480 8-port SAS RAID card

8 x Hot-swap 3.5” SATAII/SAS HDD Bays

(available only when an optional ASUS PIKE SAS RAID card is installed)

4 x Hot-swap 3.5” SATAII HDD Bays

(continued on the next page)

ASUS RS720-E6/RS12 1-3

Networking LAN Graphic VGA

Onboard I/O

OS Support

Anti-virus Software

Out of Band Management Solution

Remote

Hardware

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

HDD not inclu ded)

Power Supply

Environment

1 x Dual Port Intel 82576EB (VMDq) + 1 x Mgmt LAN Aspeed AST2050 / 8MB

1 x External Serial Port

3 x RJ-45 ports (1 for ASMB4-iKVM) 4 x USB 2.0 ports (Front x 2, Rear x 2) 1 x VGA port 1 x PS/2 keyboard port 1 x PS/2 mouse port

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

RedHat® Enterprise Linux AS5.0 32 / 64-bit SuSE® Linux Enterprise Server 10.0 32 / 64-bit (Subject to change without any notice)

Optional CA eTrust Anti-virus Software CD

Optional ASMB4-iKVM for KVM-over-IP support

ASUS ASWM 2.0 615mm x 444mm x 87mm (2U)

25 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 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.

USB ports Power button

HDD 1 (SAS) HDD 2 (SAS) HDD 3 (SAS) HDD 4 (SAS)

HDD 5 (SAS) HDD 6 (SAS) HDD 7 (SAS) HDD 8 (SAS)

HDD 9 (SATA) HDD 10 (SATA) HDD 11 (SATA) HDD 12 (SATA)

Front panel LEDs

Location switch

Reset button

1.5 Rear 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.

cover

supply dummy

Redundant power

connector

PS/2 mouse port

Power cord

Serial port

USB ports

PS/2 keyboard port

LAN port 3*

VGA port

LAN port 2

LAN port 1

7 Expansion slots

• The ports for the PS/2 keyboard, PS/2 mouse, serial port, 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 RS720-E6/RS12 1-5

1.6 Internal features

The barebone server includes the basic components as shown.

1. Power supply and power

fan

2. ASUS Z8PE-D18 Server Board

3. System fans

4. SATA/SAS backplane

(hidden)

5. Hot-swap HDD tray 1–

12 (SAS and SATA)

6. Front USB I/O Board (USB-R20A)

7. Front LED Board (FPBR20A)

6 7

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.

A protection lm is pre-attached to the front cover before shipping. Please remove the protection lm before turning on the system for proper heat

dissipation.

*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

Power LED

LAN1 LED

LAN2 LED

HDD Access LED Message LED

Location LED

LED Icon

Power LED ON System power ON

HDD Access LED

Message LED

Location LED

LAN LEDs

Display

Description

status

OFF No activity

Blinking Read/write data into the HDD

OFF System is normal; no incoming event

1. Without ASMB4-iKVM installed: CPU over-heated

2. With ASMB4-iKVM installed: a hardware monitor event is

indicated

OFF Normal status

Location switch is pressed (Press the location switch again to

turn off)

OFF No LAN connection

Blinking LAN is transmitting or receiving data

ON LAN connection is present

ASUS RS720-E6/RS12 1-7

1.7.2 LAN (RJ-45) LEDs

SPEED LED

ACT/LINK LED

ACT/LINK LED SPEED LED

Status Description Status Description

OFF No link OFF 10 Mbps connection

GREEN Linked ORANGE 100 Mbps connection

BLINKING Data activity GREEN 1 Gbps connection

1.7.3 HDD status LED

HDD Activity LED (Green)

HDD Status LED (Red)

SATAII/SAS HDD LED Description

OFF HDD not present

HDD Activity LED (Green)

HDD Status LED (Red)

ON HDD present, no activity

Blinking

OFF HDD not present

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 introduction1-8

Chapter 2

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

ASUS RS720-E6/RS12

Hardware setup

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.

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-2

2.2 Central 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

Merchandise Authorization (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.

2.2.1 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 towards you and

the load lever is on your left.

2-3ASUS RS720-E6/RS12

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

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.

Load lever

Load plate

PnP cap

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-4

6. 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 key

into the CPU notch.

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!

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.

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.

Gold triangle mark

CPU notch

Alignment key

To prevent contaminating the paste, DO NOT spread the paste with your nger

directly.

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

push the load lever (B) until it snaps

into the retention tab.

2-5ASUS RS720-E6/RS12

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 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.

Tighten the four heatsink screws in a

diagonal sequence.

To install the airduct:

1. Position the airduct on top of the heatsink. Carefully lower the airduct until it

ts in place.

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-6

2. Secure the airduct with one screw.

2-7ASUS RS720-E6/RS12

2.3 System memory

2.3.1 Overview

The motherboard comes with eighteen (18) 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 and 8 GB registered DDR3 DIMMs with ECC or 1GB, 2GB and 4GB unbuffered DDR3 DIMMs with ECC 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.

• For CPU1 conguraton, when installing only one DIMM, install it to the orange slots labeled DIMM_A1, DIMM_B1, or DIMM_C1.

• For CPU2 conguraton, when installing only one DIMM, install it to the

orange slots labeled DIMM_D1, DIMM_E1, or DIMM_F1.

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-8

Memory population table

For UDIMM and Quad Ranks RDIMM:

CPU1Conguration

DIMM_A3 DIMM_A2 DIMM_A1 DIMM_B3 DIMM_B2 DIMM_B1 DIMM_C3 DIMM_C2 DIMM_C1

1 DIMM

2 DIMMs

3 DIMMs

4 DIMMs

5 DIMMs -- -- -- -- 6 DIMMs

CPU2Conguration

1 DIMM

2 DIMMs

3 DIMMs

4 DIMMs

5 DIMMs -- -- -- -- 6 DIMMs

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- --

-- -- --

DIMM_D3

DIMM_D2 DIMM_D1 DIMM_E3 DIMM_E2 DIMM_E1 DIMM_F3 DIMM_F2 DIMM_F1

-- --

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- --

For RDIMM (Single Rank, Dual Ranks):

CPU1Conguration

DIMM_A3 DIMM_A2 DIMM_A1 DIMM_B3 DIMM_B2 DIMM_B1 DIMM_C3 DIMM_C2 DIMM_C1

1 DIMM

2 DIMMs

3 DIMMs

4 DIMMs

5 DIMMs

6 DIMMs

7 DIMMs

8 DIMMs

9 DIMMs

CPU2Conguration

1 DIMM

2 DIMMs

3 DIMMs

4 DIMMs

5 DIMMs

6 DIMMs

7 DIMMs

8 DIMMs

9 DIMMs

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- --

-- -- --

-- --

DIMM_D3 DIMM_D2 DIMM_D1 DIMM_E3 DIMM_E2 DIMM_E1 DIMM_F3 DIMM_F2 DIMM_F1

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- --

-- -- --

-- --

2-9ASUS RS720-E6/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. 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.

DIMM notch

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.

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.

DIMM notch

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-10

2.4 Hard disk drives

The system supports eight hot-swap SATAII/SAS hard disk drives (available only

when an optional ASUS PIKE SAS RAID card is installed) and four hot-swap SATAII 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.

2-11ASUS RS720-E6/RS12

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 other SATAII/SAS drive(s).

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-12

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