Asus RS924A-E6/RS8 User Manual

2U Rackmount
Server

RS920A-E6/RS8
RS924A-E6/RS8

User Guide

ii

Copyright © 2011 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.

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

ASUS provides this manual “as is” without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not

limited to the implied warranties or conditions of merchantability or tness for a particular purpose. In no
event shall ASUS, its directors, ofcers, employees, or agents be liable for any indirect, special, incidental,
or consequential damages (including damages for loss of prots, loss of business, loss of use or data,

interruption of business and the like), even if ASUS has been advised of the possibility of such damages
arising from any defect or error in this manual or product.

Specications and information contained in this manual ae furnished for informational use only, and are

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

Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modied or altered, unless
such repair, modication of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2) the serial number of the

product is defaced or missing.

Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks or

copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identication or explanation and to the
owners’ benet, without intent to infringe.

E6861

First Edition V1

September 2011

iii

Contents

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

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

Safety information ...................................................................................... ix

About this guide .......................................................................................... x

Chapter 1: Product introduction

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

1.2 Serial number label ......................................................................

1-3

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

1-4

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

1-6

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

1-6

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

1-7

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

1-8

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

1-8

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

1-9

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

1-10

Chapter 2: Hardware setup

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

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

2-3

2.2.1 Installing Socket 1944 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 Congurations ...................................................

2-7

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

2-10

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

2-12

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

2-12

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

2-14

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

2-15

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

2-16

2.8 Removable/optional components .............................................

2-17

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

2-17

2.8.2 Redundant power supply units ......................................

2-18

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

2-21

iv

Contents

2.8.4 Installing ASUS PIKE SAS RAID Card (optional) ......... 2-24

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

3-5

Chapter 4: Motherboard information

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

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

4-4

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

4-8

Chapter 5: BIOS setup

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

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

5-2

5.1.2 BUPDATER utility

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

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

5-5

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

5-6

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

5-7

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

5-7

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

5-7

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

5-8

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

5-8

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

5-8

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

5-8

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

5-8

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

5-8

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

5-9

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

5-9

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

5-9

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

5-10

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

5-11

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

5-12

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

5-14

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

5-14

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

5-16

v

Contents

5.4.3 Onboard Devices Conguration .................................... 5-25

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

5-26

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

5-27

5.4.5 Event Log Conguration ...............................................

5-28

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

5-28

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

5-33

5.6.1 ACPI APIC support [Enabled] .......................................

5-33

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

5-34

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

5-35

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

5-37

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

5-37

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

5-37

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

5-38

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

5-39

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

5-41

5.8.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 ..........................................................

5-41

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

5-42

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

6-3

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

6-3

6.2 FastBuild Utility ............................................................................

6-4

6.2.1 Creating a RAID set (RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 10, RAID 5, SPAN

or JBOD) .........................................................6-5

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

6-11

6.2.3 Viewing the Drive Assignment

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

6.2.4 Viewing the Controller Conguration

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

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

7-4

7.2 Intel

®

Network Connection Software ........................................ 7-17

vi

Contents

7.3 LAN driver installation ............................................................... 7-21

7.4 Display driver installation .........................................................

7-25

7.5 Mellanox ConnectX QDR PCI Gen2 .........................................

7-28

7.5.1 Windows operating system ...........................................

7-28

7.5.2

Red Hat® Enterprise Linux OS .............................7-32

7.6 Management applications and utilities installation ................ 7-35

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

7-35

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

7-35

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

7-36

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

7-36

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

7-36

vii

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.

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.

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.

viii

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.

ASUS Recycling/Takeback Services

ASUS recycling and takeback programs come from our commitment to the highest

standards for protecting our environment. We believe in providing solutions for you

to be able to responsibly recycle our products, batteries, other components as well
as the packaging materials. Please go to http://csr.asus.com/english/Takeback.htm
for detailed recycling information in different regions.

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.

ix

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.

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.

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.

x

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.

xi

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.

Conventions

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

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+Del>

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

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.

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

IMPORTANT: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a task.

xii

1-

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924-E6/RS8

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

specications.

Chapter 1

Product introduction

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-2

* ThesystemdoesnotincludeaUSBoppydrive.YoumayhavetouseaUSBoppydrive

when creating a SATA RAID driver disk. Refer to Chapter 7 for details.

*ASUS System Web-based Management

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

1.1 System package contents

Check your system package for the following items.

Model Name RS920A-E6/RS8 RS924A-E6/RS8
Chassis ASUS R21B 2U Rackmount Chassis

Motherboard ASUS KGPX-Q32 Series Server Board
Component 1 x 1620W Redundant Power Supply

1 x SATA Backplane with 8 x SATA Cables
2 x PCIe riser card
1 x Front I/O Shield (FPB-AR14)
1 x Power Supply Power Distribution Board
5 x System Fans (80mm)

Accessories 1 x User’s Guide

1 x RS924A-E6/RS8 Series Support DVD (including ASWM*)
1 x Bag of Screws

1 x Friction Rail Kit

Optional Items CPU Heatsink

Anti-virus CD

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8 1-3

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.

xxS0xxxxxxxxxx

RS924A -E6/RS8

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-4

1.3 Systemspecications

The ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8 and RS924A-E6/RS8 are a servers featuring the
ASUS KGPX-Q32 Series server board.The server supports AMD® LGA 1944
Opteron™ 6100 series and 6200 series processors with HyperTransport™

technology, plus other latest technologies through the chipsets onboard.

(continued on the next page)

Model Name RS920A-E6/RS8 RS924A-E6/RS8

Processor / System Bus

4 x Socket LGA1944

4/8/12/16 Core AMD®Opteron 6200 Series
(ACP=105W)
8/12 Core AMD Opteron 6100 Series (ACP=80W)
HyperTransport Technology 3.0, 6.4 GT/s per link

Core Logic

AMD® SR5690 + SR5650
AMD® SP5100

ASUS Features

Fan Speed
Control

√

ASWM Enterprise

√

Memory

Total Slots

32 (4-channel per CPU, 8 DIMMs per CPU)

Capacity

Maximum up to 512GB (RDIMM)
Maximum up to 128GB (UDIMM)

Memory Type

DDR3 1600/1333/1066/800 RDIMM
DDR3 1600/1333/1066/800 UDIMM / Unbuffered

DIMM with ECC

Memory Size

1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB and 16GB (RDIMM)
1GB, 2GB and 4GB (UDIMM)

Expansion Slots

Total PCI/PCI-X/
PCI-E Slots

4

Slot Type

4 x PCI-E G2 x16 (2 at Gen2 x16 Link or 4 at Gen2

x8 Link)

Additional Slot

1 x PIKE Slot for Storage Enhancement

Storage

SATA Controller

AMD® SP5100:

- 6 x SATA2 300MB/s ports

Promise® SW RAID (for Linux / Windows):

- Supports software RAID 0, 1, 5 & 10

SAS Controller

Optional: PIKE riser is necessary.

ASUS PIKE 2008 8-port SAS2 6G RAID card
ASUS PIKE 2008/IMR 8-port SAS2 6G RAID card
ASUS PIKE 2108 8-port SAS2 6G H/W RAID card

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8 1-5

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

HDD Bays

I = Internal
A or S will be
hot-swappable

8 x Hot-swap 3.5” SATAII/SAS HDD Bays

Networking LAN

4 x Intel PCI-E GbE
LAN (82580EB) + 1 x

Mgmt LAN

4 x Intel PCI-E GbE
LAN (82580EB) + 1 x

Mgmt LAN
1 x Single Port Mellanox

ConnectX QDR
InniteBand with QSFP

interface

Graphic VGA

Aspeed AST2050 / 16MB

Auxiliary Storage Device Bay
(Floppy / Optical Device)

1 x slim-type Optical Device Bay
(Options: No Device / DVD-RW)

Onboard I/O

1 x PS/2 Keyboard Port
1 x PS/2 Mouse Port

1 x External Serial Port

5 x RJ-45 ports (1 for onboard ASMB5-iKVM)
4 x USB 2.0 ports (Front x 2, Rear x 2)
1 x Internal A Type USB Port
1 x VGA port
1 x QSFP Port for Inniband QDR

OS Support

Windows® Server 2008 R2 SP1
Windows® Server 2008 Enterprise 32/64-bit

RedHat® Enterprise Linux AS 6.1 32/64-bit
SuSE® Linux Enterprise Server 11.1 32/64-bit
(Subject to change without any notice)

Anti-virus Software

Optional Anti-virus Software CD

Management
Solution

Out of Band
Remote
Hardware

Onboard ASMB5-iKVM

Dimension (DD x WW x HH)

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

Net Weight Kg (CPU, DRAM &
HDD not inclu ded)

18 Kg

Power Supply

1620W (80+) 1+1 Redundant Power Supply

(Platinum-Level)

Power Rating

Input: 100—140/180—240 Vac, 12—10A/10.5A—A,
50—60Hz Class 1

Environment

Operation temperature: 10°C–35°C / Non operation
temperature: -40°C–70°C
Non operation humidity:20%–90% ( Non-condensing)

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-6

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.

• The rear I/O ports do not appear on the rear panel if motherboard is not

present.

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

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.

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

ODD dummy cover

USB ports

Power
button

Power LED

LAN2/4 LED

HDD Access LED

LAN1/3 LED

Message LED

Location switch

Reset button

Location LED

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

USB ports

LAN port 1

Serial port

VGA port

LAN port 2

Redundant
power supply

LAN port 3

Power cord
connector

InniBandport(ForRS924A-E6/RS8only)

2 Half-length / Low-

proleExpansionslot

Power cord
connector

Redundant
power supply

LAN port 5*

LAN port 4

2 Half-length / Low-

proleExpansionslot

PS/2 ports

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8 1-7

1.6 Internal features

The barebone server includes the basic components as shown.

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

1. Redundant Power
supply and power fan
(hidden)

2. ASUS KGPX-Q32
Server Board

3. 8056 System fans

4. SATA/SAS backplane

(hidden)

5. Hot-swap HDD tray 1–

8 (SAS and SATA)

6. Slim-type optical drive
bay

7. Front I/O board

(hidden)

8. PCI-E 1,2 Expansion
Boards (hidden)

9. PIKE Slot

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.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

9

8

8

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-8

1.7 LED information

1.7.1 Front panel LEDs

LED Icon

Display
status

Description

Power LED ON System power ON

Location
LED

OFF Normal status

ON

Location switch is pressed (Press the location switch again to
turn off)

Message
LED

OFF System is normal; no incoming event

ON

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

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

indicated

LAN LEDs

OFF No LAN connection

Blinking LAN is transmitting or receiving data

ON LAN connection is present

HDD
Access
LED

OFF No activity

Blinking Read/write data into the HDD

Message LED

LAN2/4 LED

HDD Access LED

LAN1/3 LED

Power LED

Location LED

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8 1-9

1.7.2 LAN (RJ-45) LEDs

ACT/LINK LED SPEED LED

Status Description Status Description

OFF No link OFF 10 Mbps connection

GREEN Linked ORANGE 100 Mbps connection

ACT/LINK LED

SPEED LED

LAN5 LEDs

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

SPEED LED

ACT/LINK LED

LAN1 to LAN4 LEDs

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-10

1.7.3 HDD status LED

SATAII/SAS HDD LED Description

HDD Activity LED (Green)

OFF HDD not present

ON HDD present, no activity

Blinking

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

2. Locating (blinking with the HDD status LED)

HDD Status LED (Red)

OFF HDD not present

ON HDD has failed and should be swapped immediately

Blinking

1. RAID rebuilding

2. Locating (blinking with the HDD activity LED)

HDD Activity LED (Green)

HDD Status LED (Red)

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924-E6/RS8

2-

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

Chapter 2

Hardware setup

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-2

2.1 Chassis cover

Removing the rear cover

1. Locate and remove the side screws.

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

4. Lift the cover from the chassis.

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

2. Loosen the thumbscrew on the rear panel.

A protection lm is pre-attached

to the system cover before
shipping. Please remove the

protection lm before turning

on the system for proper heat
dissipation.

Thumbscrews

2-3ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8

2.2.1 Installing Socket 1944 CPU

To install a CPU:

1. Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard.

2.2 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The motherboard comes with four surface mount LGA1944 sockets designed

for

8/12/16 Core or AMD® Opteron 6200 Series or 8/12 Core AMD® Opteron 6100 Series

processor.

• Your boxed AMD® Opteron LGA1944 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 LGA1944 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.

Before installing the CPU, ensure that the socket box is facing towards you and

the load lever is on your left.

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-4

C

D

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

2. Press the load lever with your

thumb (A), then move it to the left

(B) until it is released from the

retention tab.

3. Lift the load lever in the direction of

the arrow to a 135º angle.(C)

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

5. Remove the PnP cap from the CPU

socket.(E)

Load plate

PnP cap

A

B

Retention tab

Load lever

E

The CPU ts in only one correct

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

socket and damaging the CPU!

6. 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.

Alignment keys

Gold triangle mark

2-5ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8

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.

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

the load lever (G) until it snaps into

the retention tab.

F

G

CPU1 Conguration

CPU1 Socket CPU2 Socket CPU3 Socket CPU3 Socket

One Processor V
Dual Processors V V
Quad Processors V V V V

CPU Installation Sequence:

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-6

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.

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.

Tighten the four heatsink screws in a
diagonal sequence.

A

B

B

A

2-7ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8

2.3 System memory

2.3.1 Overview

The motherboard comes with thirty-two (32) Double Data Rate 3 (DDR3) Dual

Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets.

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

2.3.2 MemoryCongurations

You may install 1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB/16GB Registerd or 1GB/2GB/4GB Unbuffered
with ECC/Non-ECC DDR3 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets using the memory
congurations in this section.

Memory population table

For UDIMM and RDIMM (Single Rank, Dual Ranks)

CPU1 Conguration

A2 A1 B2 B1 C2 C1 D2 D1
2 DIMMs V V
4 DIMMs V V V V

6 DIMMs V V V V V V
8 DIMMs V V V V V V V V

CPU1+CPU2 Conguration

A2 A1 B2 B1 C2 C1 D2 D1 E2 E1 F2 F1 G2 G1 H2 H1
2 DIMMs V V
4 DIMMs V V V V

6 DIMMs V V V V V V
8 DIMMs V V V V V V V V

10 DIMMs V V V V V V V V V V
12 DIMMs V V V V V V V V V V V V
14 DIMMs V V V V V V V V V V V V V V

16 DIMMs V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-8

CPU1+CPU2+CPU3+CPU4 Conguration

A2 A1 B2 B1 C2 C1 D2 D1 E2 E1 F2 F1 G2 G1 H2 H1

4 DIMMs V V

8 DIMMs V V V V
12 DIMMs V V V V V V
16 DIMMs V V V V V V V V

20 DIMMs V V V V V V V V V V
24 DIMMs V V V V V V V V V V V V
28 DIMMs V V V V V V V V V V V V V V
32 DIMMs V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V

Memory population table

For UDIMM and RDIMM (Single Rank, Dual Ranks)

CPU1+CPU2+CPU3+CPU4 Conguration

I1 J2 J1 K2 K1 L2 L1 M2 M1 N2 N1 O2 O1 P2 P1

4 DIMMs V

8 DIMMs V V V
12 DIMMs V V V V V
16 DIMMs V V V V V V V

20 DIMMs V V V V V V V V V
24 DIMMs V V V V V V V V V V V
28 DIMMs V V V V V V V V V V V V V
32 DIMMs V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V

2-9ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8

2.3.3 Installing a DIMM on a single clip DIMM socket

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

Locked Retaining Clip

3

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

2. Align a DIMM on the socket

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

Unlocked retaining clip

DIMM notch

2

1

DIMM slot key

1. Press the retaining clip outward to
unlock the DIMM.

2. Remove the DIMM from the socket.

1

2

Removing a DIMM from a single clip DIMM socket

• To install two or more DIMMs, refer to the user guide bundled in the
motherboard package.

• Refer to the user guide for qualied vendor lists of the memory modules.

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

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

damage.

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

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

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-10

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.

2.4 Hard 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.

spring lock

2-11ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8

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.

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.

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

SAS interface on the backplane.

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-12

2.5 Expansion slot

2.5.1 Installing an expansion card to the riser card bracket

The barebone server comes with a riser card bracket. You need to remove the

bracket if you want to install PCI Express x16 expansion cards.

To install a PCI Express x16 card

4. Install a PCI Express x16 card to

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

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

remove the screw from the slot bay.

PCI Express x16 slot

1. Loosen the screws of the riser card
bracket.

3. Loosen the screw of rear end
bracket and remove it.

2-13ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8

5. Firmly hold the bracket, and then

press it down to the slot of the
motherboard.

6. Secure the screw in front of the

GPU computing module bracket.

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-14

* These IRQs are usually available for ISA or PCI devices.

IRQ Priority Standard function

0 1 System Timer
1 2 Keyboard Controller

2 - Programmable Interrupt
3* 11 Communications Port (COM2)
4* 12 Communications Port (COM1)
5* 13 -­6 14 Floppy Disk Controller
7* 15 -­8 3 System CMOS/Real Time Clock
9* 4 ACPI Mode when used
10* 5 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
11* 6 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
12* 7 PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port

13 8 Numeric Data Processor

14* 9 Primary IDE Channel
15* 10 Secondary IDE Channel

2.5.2 Conguringanexpansioncard

After installing the expansion card, congure the it by adjusting the software

settings.

1. Turn on the system and change the necessary BIOS settings, if any. See
Chapter 5 for information on BIOS setup.

2. Assign an IRQ to the card. Refer to the tables on the next page.

3. Install the software drivers for the expansion card.

Standard Interrupt assignments

2-15ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8

2.6 Cable connections

• The bundled system cables are pre-connected before shipment. You do

not need to disconnect these cables unless you will remove pre-installed
components to install additional devices.

• Refer to Chapter 4 for detailed information on the connectors.

Pre-connected system cables

1. 20-pin SSI power connector (from power supply to motherboard)

2. 8-pin SSI power connector (from power supply to motherboard)

3. System fan connectors (from motherboard FRNT_FAN1, FRNT_FAN2
FRNT_FAN3, FRNT_FAN4, and FRNT_FAN5 to system fans)

4. USB connector (from motherboard to front I/O board)

5. Power Supply SMBUS connector

6. Auxiliary Panel connector (from motherboard to front I/O board)

7. Panel connector (from motherboard to front I/O board)

8. SATA connectors (from motherboard to SATAII/SAS backplane board)

9. SAS connector (from motherboard to SATAII/SAS backplane board)

10. SGPIO 1,2 (Promise RAID)

11. SGPIO 3,4 (LSI PIKE RAID)

5

8

1

2

3

3

3

3

4

6

3

7

9

10

11

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-16

2.7 SATAII/SAS backplane cabling

Connects a 8-pin plug
from power supply

Connects to the AMD® SP5100 SATA connectors on the motherboard

Onboard SGPIO1/2/3/4:

Connects to the

SGPIO1/2 connector to

support Promise SAS
RAID SGPIO function.

Connects to the

SGPIO3/4 connector

to support PIKE card

SAS RAID SGPIO

function

SGPIO_SEL: Set to pin 2-3 to enable onboard
SP5100 SATA SGPIO function (default) or
enable optional PIKE SAS RAID SGPIO function

J1: Connects to the
power connector of
the slim-type optical
drive

2-17ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8

2.8 Removable/optional components

You may need to remove previously installed system components when installing

or removing system devices. Or you may need to install the optional components

into the system. This section tells how to remove/install the following components:

1. System fans

2. Redundant power supply units

3. ASUS PIKE RAID card (optional)

4. NVIDIA

®

Tesla™ GPU computing modules (optional)

Ensure that the system is turned off before removing any components.

2.8.1 System fans

To uninstall the system fans

1. Disconnect the system fan cable
from the fan connector on the
motherboard.

2. Carefully remove the system fan

cable from the cable holder.

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-18

3. Lift the fan, and then set aside.

4. Repeat step 1 to 3 to uninstall the

other system fans.

To reinstall the system fans

1. Insert the fan into the fan cage.

The airow directional arrow on the

fan side should point towards the
system rear panel.

2. Insert the system fan cable into the

cable holder, and then connect the
cable to the fan connector on the
motherboard.

2.8.2 Redundant power supply units

To remove the power supply unit (PSU)

1. Lift up the PSU lever.

2-19ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8

3. Firmly pull the PSU out of the
system chassis.

2. Hold the PSU lever and press the

PSU latch.

To install a second PSU

1. Insert the PSU into the empty PSU
bay.

2. Hold the PSU lever and press the

PSU latch. Firmly insert the PSU
into the server chassis.

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-20

• If you install two power supply units in the system, you can switch the
working behavior of the two PSUs between

1+1jumpermode

and

2+0

jumpermode

.

1+1jumpermode:

If the total power consumption of the system is less

than 1400W, the system can be booted using one PSU and the PSU hot-

swap feature is supported. If the total power consumption of the system

exceeds 1400W, the maximum output power of the PSUs can reach to
2800W with PSU hot-swap feature disabled, and the system shuts down if

any of the PSUs is removed.

 2+0jumpermode:

The system can be booted only when two PSUs are

installed. The maximum output power of the PSUs can reach to 2800W with

PSU hot-swap feature disabled, and the system shuts down if any of the
PSUs is removed.

• The output power varies with different input voltages. Refer to the table
below for details.

SKU Input Voltage Max. Output Power (Watt)

1620W

100V—140V 1100W
180V—240V 1400W

2-21ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8

2.8.3 Installing ASUS PIKE RAID card (optional)

Follow the steps below to install an optional ASUS RAID card on your motherboard.

If you install the PIKE 2108 Series SAS RAID card, follow steps 1 and 2 to remove

the outer heatsink on RAID card.

3. Connect one end of the cable to the

Battery Backup Unit.

4. Slide the rest of the cable through

the slot on the card bracket. Put the

Battery Backup Unit in place.

1. Remove the two screws that secure
the heatsink bracket on the back of
the SAS RAID card.

Heatsink bracket

2. Remove the two screws that

secure the outer heatsink on the
front of the SAS RAID card.

DO NOT remove the inner
heatsink from the SAS RAID
card.

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-22

7. Locate the PIKE RAID card slot on
the motherboard, then remove the
screw besides the PIKE slot.

8. Insert the RAID card into the PIKE
RAID card slot. Ensure that it is
completely seated on the PIKE
RAID card slot.Align the golden

ngers of the RAID card with the

PIKE RAID card slot, then secure
the screw.

5. Note the correct alignment of the

back of the raiser card to the three
holes on the card bracket. Then

secure the Battery Backup Unit to

the bracket from the botton by using
the provided screws.

6. Connect the other end of the cable to the PIKE card.

2-23ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8

5. Connect the data cables, by

numerial order, to the SAS

connectors labeled SAS1-4 (Blue)

on the motherboard.

4. Remove the data cables connected

to the SATA connectors on the
motherboard.

6. Remove the SGPIO cable from
the SGPIO3 connector on the

motherboard.

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-24

ASUS RS920-E6/S8; RS924-E6/RS8

2-

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

Chapter 3

Installation options

Chapter 3: Installation options3-2

Fixing latch

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

Refer to the gures below for the locations to attach the two xing latches to the

two sides of the server with four screws.

3.1 Installing friction rail kit items

Your friction rail kit package contains:

• One pair of rack rails

• One pair of xing latches

• 4 latch screws, 4 rail screws and 4 rail washers

Rack railsFixing latchesFront end Rear end

Latch screws

Rail screws

Rail Washers

3-3ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8

1. Select a 1U space on the rack
where you want to install the
rack rail. A 1U space consists
of three square mounting holes
with two thin lips on the top and
the bottom, as shown in the right

gure.

2. Adjust the rack rail to t the depth

of the rack.

4. Secure the front and rear ends of the

rail with two rack screws and washers.

5. Repeat step 1 to 4 to attach the rack

rail on the other side of the rack.

3. From inside the rack, place the rear
rail hook on the bottom thin lip of the
rear mounting hole, and then place the
front rail hook on the bottom thin lip of
the front mounting hole, as shown in

the right gure.

Chapter 3: Installation options3-4

Do not install the rail kit in the following situation:

DO NOT place the rail hook on a thick lip
of the mounting hole.

DO NOT install the rail to the outer side of
the server rack.

6. When mounting the server to the rack,

ensure to include the side knots on the
two sides of the server in the rack rail

holders, as shown in the right gure.

3-5ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8

3.1.2 Mounting the server to the rack

To mount the server to the rack:

1. Align the server rails with the rack rails, then push the server all the way to
the depth of the rack.

2. Drive two screws on both mounting

ears to secure the server in place.

Remember to press the latches
on both sides to release the
server from the rack.

To uninstall the server from the rack:

1. Remove the screws secured on the mounting ears.

2. Hold the mounting ears, then pull the server from the rack.

Chapter 3: Installation options3-6

3-

4-1

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8

This chapter includes the motherboard
layout, and brief descriptions of the
jumpers and internal connectors.

Chapter 4

Motherboard info

4-2 Chapter 4: Motherboard information

4.1 Motherboard layouts

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8 4-3

Layout contents

Jumpers Page

1. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC1) 4-4

2. VGA controller setting (3-pin VGA_SW1)

4-5

3. LAN controller setting (3-pin LAN_SW1)

4-6

4. DDR3 voltage control setting
(4-pin LVDDR3_SEL1; LVDDR3_SEL2;
LVDDR3_SEL3,LVDDR3_SEL4)

4-6

5. Force BIOS recovery setting (3-pin RECOVERY1)

4-7

Internal connectors Page

1. Serial ATA connectors (7-pin SATA1–6 [blue], SAS 1–4 [blue],
SAS 5-8 [black])

4-9

2. USB connector (10-1 pin USB34, A-Type USB5)

4-9

3. Front fan connectors (4-pin FRNT_FAN1–5)

4-10

4. Serial General Purpose Input/Output connector (6-1 pin
SGPIO1-4)

4-12

5. Power Supply SMBus connector (5-pin JP1)

4-12

6. SSI power connectors (24-pin PWR1, 8-pin PWR2)

4-13

7. System panel connector (20-pin PANEL1)

4-14

8. Auxiliary panel connector (20-pin AUX_PANEL1)

4-15

4-4 Chapter 4: Motherboard information

4.2 Jumpers

1. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC1)

This jumper allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS.

You can clear the CMOS memory of date, time, and system setup parameters

by erasing the CMOS RTC RAM data. The onboard button cell battery
powers the RAM data in CMOS, which include system setup information such
as system passwords.

To erase the RTC RAM:

1. Turn OFF the computer and unplug the power cord.

2. Move the jumper cap from pins 1–2 (default) to pins 2–3. Keep the cap
on pins 2–3 for about 5–10 seconds, then move the cap back to pins 1–2.

3. Plug the power cord and turn ON the computer.

4. Hold down the <Del> key during the boot process and enter BIOS setup

to re-enter data.

Except when clearing the RTC RAM, never remove the cap on CLRTC jumper

default position. Removing the cap will cause system boot failure!

If the steps above do not help, remove the onboard battery and move the
jumper again to clear the CMOS RTC RAM data. After the CMOS clearance,
reinstall the battery.

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8 4-5

2. VGA controller setting (3-pin VGA_SW1)

This jumper allows you to enable or disable the onboard VGA controller. Set
to pins 1–2 to activate the VGA feature.

4-6 Chapter 4: Motherboard information

3. LAN controller setting (3-pin LAN_SW1)

These jumpers allow you to enable or disable the onboard Intel

®

82580EB

Gigabit LAN controllers. Set to pins 1-2 to activate the Gigabit LAN feature.

4. DDR3 voltage control setting (4-pin LVDDR3_SEL1; LVDDR3_SEL2;
LVDDR3_SEL3, LVDDR3_SEL4))

These jumpers allow you to adjust the DIMM voltage. Set to pins 1–2 to
select 1.5V BIOS control, pins 2–3 to select 1.2V Force or 3–4 to select

1.35V Force.

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8 4-7

5. ForceBIOSrecoverysetting(3-pinRECOVERY1)

This jumper allows you to quickly update or recover the BIOS settings when it

becomes corrupted.

To update the BIOS:

1. Prepare a USB ash disk that contains the original or latest BIOS for the
motherboard (XXXXXX.ROM) and the AFUDOS.EXE utility.

2. Set the jumper to pins 2–3.

3. Insert the USB ash and turn on the system to update the BIOS.

4. Shut down the system.

5. Set the jumper back to pins 1–2.

6. Turn on the system.

4-8 Chapter 4: Motherboard information

4.3 Internal connectors

1. Serial ATA connectors
(7-pin SATA1, SATA2, SATA3, SATA4, SATA5, SATA6; Dark Blue)

Supported by the AMD® SP5100 chipset, these connectors are for the Serial

ATA signal cables for Serial ATA hard disk drives that allows up to 3Gb/s of

data transfer rate.

If you installed Serial ATA hard disk drives, you can create a RAID 0, RAID 1,
RAID 10, or RAID 5 conguration.

The actual data transfer rate depends on the speed of Serial ATA hard disks
installed.

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8 4-9

3. USB connector (10-1 pin USB34, A-Type USB5)

These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB module cable to
connector USB34, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the
system chassis. These USB connectors comply with USB 2.0 specication
that supports up to 480 Mbps connection speed.

2. SAS connectors(7-pin SAS1, SAS2, SAS3, SAS4; Light Blue, SAS5,
SAS6, SAS7, SAS8; Black)

Supported by the ASUS® PIKE Card, these connectors are for the SAS signal

cables for SAS hard disk drives that allows up to 6Gb/s of data transfer rate.
If you installed SAS hard disk drives, you can create a RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID
10, or RAID 5 conguration.

The actual data transfer rate depends on the speed of SAS hard disks installed.

4-10 Chapter 4: Motherboard information

4. Front fan connectors (4-pin FRNT_FAN1–5)

The fan connectors support cooling fans of 3.30A–3.95A (47.4W max.)

Connect the fan cables to the fan connectors on the motherboard, ensuring
that the black wire of each cable matches the ground pin of the connector.

• DO NOT forget to connect the fan cables to the fan connectors. Insufcient
air ow inside the system may damage the motherboard components.

• These are not jumpers! DO NOT place jumper caps on the fan connectors!

• All fans feature the ASUS Smart Fan technology.

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8 4-11

5. Serial General Purpose Input/Output connectors (8-1 pin SGPIO1/2,
SGPIO3/4)

These connectors are used for the SATA and SAS chip SGPIO interface that

controls the LED pattern generation, device information and general purpose

data. SGPIO1/2 connector is use for the peripherals of the PROMISE RAID
SATA LED, and SGPIO 3/4 connector is use for the peripherals of the LSI

PIKE RAID SAS LED.

4-12 Chapter 4: Motherboard information

6. Power Supply SMBus connector (5-pin JP1)

This connector allows you to connect SMBus (System Management Bus) to

the power supply unit to read PSU information. Devices communicate with an

SMBus host and/or other SMBus devices using the SMBus interface.

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8 4-13

7. SSI power connectors (24-pin PWR1, 8-pin PWR2)

These connectors are for an SSI power supply plugs. The power supply plugs

are designed to t these connectors in only one orientation. Find the proper
orientation and push down rmly until the connectors completely t.

• DO NOT forget to connect the 24+8-pin power plugs; otherwise, the system

will not boot up.

• Use of a PSU with a higher power output is recommended when conguring

a system with more power-consuming devices. The system may become
unstable or may not boot up if the power is inadequate.

• Ensure that your power supply unit (PSU) can provide at least the minimum
power required by your system.

GND
GND
GND
GND
GND
GND
GND
GND
GND
ATXPSON#
GND
GND

+12 Volts
+12 Volts
+12 Volts
+12 Volts
+12 Volts
+12 Volts
+12 Volts
+12 Volts

+5 VSB

ATXPGD
+12 Volts
+12 Volts

4-14 Chapter 4: Motherboard information

8. System panel connector (20-pin PANEL1)

This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions.

1. System power LED (3-pin PLED)

This 3-pin connector is for the system power LED. Connect the chassis
power LED cable to this connector. The system power LED lights up
when you turn on the system power, and blinks when the system is in
sleep mode.

2. Message LED (2-pin MLED)

This 2-pin connector is for the message LED cable that connects to

the front message LED. The message LED is controlled by Hardware
monitor to indicate an abnormal event occurance.

3. System warning speaker (4-pin SPEAKER)

This 4-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted system warning

speaker. The speaker allows you to hear system beeps and warnings.

4. Hard disk drive activity LED (2-pin HDDLED)

This 2-pin connector is for the HDD Activity LED. Connect the HDD
Activity LED cable to this connector. The IDE LED lights up or ashes

when data is read from or written to the HDD.

5. SSI power button/soft-off button (2-pin PWRSW)

This connector is for the system power button. Pressing the power
button turns the system on or puts the system in sleep or soft-off mode

depending on the BIOS settings. Pressing the power switch for more

than four seconds while the system is ON turns the system OFF.

6. Reset button (2-pin RESET)

This 2-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted reset button for system

reboot without turning off the system power.

HD_LED

HD_LED
HD_LED

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924A-E6/RS8 4-15

9. Auxiliary panel connector (20-2pin AUX_PANEL1)

This connector is for additional front panel features including front panel

SMB, locator LED and switch, chassis intrusion, and LAN LEDs.

1. Front panel SMB (6-1 pin FPSMB)

These leads connect the front panel SMBus cable.

2. LAN activity LED (2-pin LAN1_LED, LAN2_LED, LAN3_LED,
LAN4_LED)

These leads are for Gigabit LAN activity LEDs on the front panel.

3. Chassis intrusion (4-1 pin CHASSIS)

These leads are for the intrusion detection feature for chassis with

intrusion sensor or microswitch. When you remove any chassis

component, the sensor triggers and sends a high-level signal to these
leads to record a chassis intrusion event. The default setting is short

CASEOPEN and GND pin by jumper cap to disable the function.

4. Locator LED (2-pin LOCATORLED1 and 2-pin LOCATORLED2)

These leads are for the locator LED1 and LED2 on the front panel.
Connect the Locator LED cables to these 2-pin connector. The LEDs will

light up when the Locator button is pressed.

5. Locator Button/Swich (2-pin LOCATORBTN)

These leads are for the locator button on the front panel. This button
queries the state of the system locator.

4-16 Chapter 4: Motherboard information

3-

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924-E6/RS8

This chapter tells how to change

the system settings through the BIOS

Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of

the BIOS parameters are also provided.

Chapter 5

BIOS setup

5-2 Chapter 5: BIOS setup

5.1 Managing and updating your BIOS

The following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard Basic
Input/Output System (BIOS) setup:

1.

ASUS EZ Flash 2

(Updates the BIOS using a USB ash disk.)

2.

BUPDATER utility

(Updates the BIOS in DOS mode using a bootable USB

ash disk drive.)

3.

ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3

(To recover the BIOS using a bootable USB ash

disk drive when the BIOS le fails or gets corrupted.)

Refer to the corresponding sections for details on these utilities.

Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS le to a bootable

USB ash

disk drive

in case you need to restore the BIOS in the future. Copy the original

motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update or AFUDOS utilities.

5.1.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility

The ASUS EZ Flash 2 feature allows you to update the BIOS without having to use

a DOS-based utility.

Before you start using this utility, download the latest BIOS from the ASUS

website at www.asus.com.

To update the BIOS using EZ Flash 2

1. Insert the USB ash disk that contains the latest BIOS le to the USB port.

2. Enter the BIOS setup program. Go to the

Tools

menu to select

EZ Flash 2

and press <Enter> to enable it.

Or, press <Alt> + <F2> during the POST to enable EZ Flash 2.

ASUSTek EZ Flash 2 BIOS ROM Utility V4.16

Current ROM

Update ROM

A:

Note

[Enter] Select or Load [Tab] Switch [V] Drive Info
[Up/Down/Home/End] Move [B] Backup [Esc] Exit

PATH: A:\

BOARD: KGPX-Q32
VER: 0201
DATE: 08/30/2011

BOARD: KGPX-Q32
VER: 0202
DATE: 09/21/2011

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924-E6/RS8 5-3

3. Press <Tab> to switch between drives until the correct BIOS le is
found. When found, EZ Flash 2 performs the BIOS update process and

automatically reboots the system when done.

• This function can support devices such as a USB ash disk with FAT 32/16

format and single partition only.

• DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to prevent
system boot failure!

Ensure to load the BIOS default settings to ensure system compatibility and

stability. Select the Load Setup Defaults item under the Exit menu. See
section 5.9 Exit Menu for details.

5.1.2 BUPDATER utility

The succeeding BIOS screens are for reference only. The actual BIOS screen

displays may not be the same as shown.

The BUPDATER utility allows you to update the BIOS le in DOS environment
using a bootable USB ash disk drive with the updated BIOS le.

UpdatingtheBIOSle

To update the BIOS le using the BUPDATER utility:

1. Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com and download the latest BIOS le
for the motherboard. Save the BIOS le to a bootable USB ash disk drive.

2. Copy the BUPDATER utility (BUPDATER.exe) from the ASUS support
website at support.asus.com to the bootable USB ash disk drive you created

earlier.

3. Boot the system in DOS mode, then at the prompt, type:

BUPDATER /i[lename].ROM

where [lename] is the latest or the original BIOS le on the bootable USB
ash disk drive, then press <Enter>.

A:\>BUPDATER /i[le name].ROM

5-4 Chapter 5: BIOS setup

4. The utility veries the le, then starts updating the BIOS le.

DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to prevent
system boot failure!

ASUSTek BIOS Update for DOS V1.06 (09/08/04)

Current ROM

Update ROM

Note

Writing BIOS:

FLASH TYPE: MXIC 25L1605A

PATH:

BOARD: KGPX-Q32
VER: 0201
DATE: 08/30/2011

BOARD: KGPX-Q32
VER: 0202
DATE: 09/21/2011

5. The utility returns to the DOS prompt after the BIOS update process is

completed. Reboot the system from the hard disk drive.

The BIOS update is nished! Please restart your system.

C:\>

WARNING! Do not turn off power during ash BIOS

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924-E6/RS8 5-5

5.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility

The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore
the BIOS le when it fails or gets corrupted during the updating process. You can
update a corrupted BIOS le using a USB ash drive that contains the updated
BIOS le.

Prepare a USB ash drive containing the updated motherboard BIOS before

using this utility.

RecoveringtheBIOSfromaUSBashdrive

To recover the BIOS from a USB ash drive:

1. Insert the USB ash drive with the original or updated BIOS le to one USB

port on the system.

2. The utility will automatically recover the BIOS. It resets the system when the
BIOS recovery nished.

DO NOT shut down or reset the system while recovering the BIOS! Doing so
would cause system boot failure!

The recovered BIOS may not be the latest BIOS version for this motherboard.
Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com to download the latest BIOS le.

5-6 Chapter 5: BIOS setup

5.2 BIOS setup program

This motherboard supports a programmable rmware chip that you can update

using the provided utility described in section

5.1 Managing and updating your

BIOS

.

Use the BIOS Setup program when you are installing a motherboard, reconguring
your system, or prompted to “Run Setup.” This section explains how to congure

your system using this utility.

Even if you are not prompted to use the Setup program, you can change the

conguration of your computer in the future. For example, you can enable the

security password feature or change the power management settings. This

requires you to recongure your system using the BIOS Setup program so that the
computer can recognize these changes and record them in the CMOS RAM of the
rmware chip.

The rmware chip on the motherboard stores the Setup utility. When you start up

the computer, the system provides you with the opportunity to run this program.

Press <Del> during the Power-On Self-Test (POST) to enter the Setup utility;

otherwise, POST continues with its test routines.

If you wish to enter Setup after POST, restart the system by pressing

<Ctrl+Alt+Delete>, or by pressing the reset button on the system chassis. You can

also restart by turning the system off and then back on. Do this last option only if

the rst two failed.
The Setup program is designed to make it as easy to use as possible. Being a

menu-driven program, it lets you scroll through the various submenus and make
your selections from the available options using the navigation keys.

• The default BIOS settings for this motherboard apply for most conditions

to ensure optimum performance. If the system becomes unstable after

changing any BIOS settings, load the default settings to ensure system

compatibility and stability. Select the

Load Setup Defaults

item under the

Exit Menu. See section

5.9 Exit Menu

.

• The BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference purposes

only, and may not exactly match what you see on your screen.

• Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the latest BIOS le for

this motherboard.

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924-E6/RS8 5-7

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Main Advanced Server Power Boot Tools Exit

Congure the Storage

device(s).

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Field
Tab Select Field
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

5.2.2 Menu bar

The menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items:

Main For changing the basic system conguration

Advanced For changing the advanced system settings

Server For changing the advanced server settings

Power For changing the advanced power management (APM)

conguration

Boot For changing the system boot conguration
Tools For conguring options for special functions

Exit For selecting the exit options and loading default

settings

To select an item on the menu bar, press the right or left arrow key on the keyboard
until the desired item is highlighted.

5.2.3 Navigation keys

At the bottom right corner of a menu screen are the navigation keys for that
particular menu. Use the navigation keys to select items in the menu and change
the settings.

5.2.1 BIOS menu screen

The navigation keys differ from one screen to another.

Navigation keys

General help

Menu bar

Submenu items

Congurationelds

Menu items

System Time [13:44:30]
System Date [Fri 05/07/2010]

Storaga Conguration

System Information

5-8 Chapter 5: BIOS setup

Main menu items

System Time [11:17:09]
System Date [Fri 05/07/2010]

SATA1 [Not Detected]
SATA2 [Not Detected]
SATA3 [Not Detected]]
SATA4 [Not Detected]
SATA5 [Not Detected]
SATA6 [Not Detected]

Storage Conguration
System Information

Use [ENTER], [TAB]
or [SHIFT-TAB] to

select a eld.

Use [+] or [-] to

congure system Time.

5.2.4 Menu items

The highlighted item on the

menu bar displays the specic

items for that menu. For
example, selecting Main shows
the Main menu items.

The other items (Advanced,

Power, Boot, and Exit) on the

menu bar have their respective
menu items.

5.2.5 Submenu items

A solid triangle before each item on any menu screen means that the item has a
submenu. To display the submenu, select the item and press <Enter>.

5.2.6 Congurationelds

These elds show the values for the menu items. If an item is user-congurable,
you can change the value of the eld opposite the item. You cannot select an item
that is not user-congurable.

A congurable eld is enclosed in brackets, and is highlighted when selected. To
change the value of a eld, select it then press <Enter> to display a list of options.

Refer to 5.2.7 Pop-up window.

5.2.7 Pop-up window

Select a menu item then press <Enter> to display a pop-up window with the

conguration options for that item.

5.2.8 Scroll bar

A scroll bar appears on the right side of a menu screen when there are items that

do not t on the screen. Press the Up/Down arrow keys or <Page Up> /<Page

Down> keys to display the other items on the screen.

5.2.9 General help

At the top right corner of the menu screen is a brief description of the selected
item.

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924-E6/RS8 5-9

5.3 Main menu

When you enter the BIOS Setup program, the Main menu screen appears, giving

you an overview of the basic system information.

5.3.1 System Time [xx:xx:xx]

Allows you to set the system time.

5.3.2 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx]

Allows you to set the system date.

Refer to section 5.2.1 BIOS menu screen for information on the menu screen
items and how to navigate through them.

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Main Advanced Server Power Boot Tools Exit

Congure the Storage

device(s).

System Time [13:44:30]
System Date [Fri 05/07/2010]

Storage Conguration

System Information

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Field
Tab Select Field
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

5-10 Chapter 5: BIOS setup

5.3.3 SATA1–6

The items in this menu allow you to set or change the congurations for the SATA

devices installed in the system. Select an item then press <Enter> if you wish to

congure the item.

The BIOS automatically detects the values opposite the dimmed items (Device,
Vendor, Size, LBA Mode, Block Mode, PIO Mode, Async DMA, Ultra DMA, and
S.M.A.R.T. monitoring). These values are not user-congurable. These items show

Not Detected if no SATA device is installed in the system.

LBA/Large Mode [Auto]

Enables or disables the LBA mode. Setting to [Auto] enables the LBA mode if the
device supports this mode, and if the device was not previously formatted with LBA
mode disabled. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Auto]

Block (Multi-Sector Transfer) M [Auto]

Enables or disables data multi-sectors transfers. When set to [Auto], the data

transfer from and to the device occurs multiple sectors at a time if the device

supports multi-sector transfer feature. When set to [Disabled], the data transfer

from and to the device occurs one sector at a time.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Auto]

PIO Mode [Auto]

Allows you to select the data transfer mode.

Conguration options: [Auto] [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]

DMA Mode [Auto]

DMA (Direct Memory Access) allows your computer to transfer data to and from the
hardware devices installed with much less CPU overhead.

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Main

SATA 5

Device :Hard Disk
Vendor :xxxxxxxxx
Size :xx.xGB
LBA Mode :Supported
Block Mode:16Sectors
PIO Mode :4
Async DMA :MultiWord DMA-2
Ultra DMA :Ultra DMA-6
S.M.A.R.T.:Supported

LBA/Large Mode [Auto]
Block(Multi-Sector Transfer)M [Auto]
PIO Mode [Auto]
DMA Mode [Auto]
SMART Monitoring [Auto]
32Bit Data Transfer [Enabled]

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Disabled: Disables LBA
Mode.
Auto: Enables LBA
Mode if the device
supports it and the
device is not already
formatted with LBA
Mode disabled.

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924-E6/RS8 5-11

The DMA mode consists of SDMA (single-word DMA), MDMA (multi-word DMA), and

UDMA (Ultra DMA). Setting to [Auto] allows automatic selection of the DMA mode.

SMART Monitoring [Auto]

Sets the Smart Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology.

Conguration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [Enabled]

32Bit Data Transfer [Enabled]

Enables or disables 32-bit data transfer.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Main

Storage Conguration

OnChip SATA Channel [Enabled]
SATA Port1 - Port4 [IDE]
SATA Port5 - Port6 [IDE]

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

5.3.4 StorageConguration

The items in this menu allow you to set or change the congurations for the SATA

devices installed in the system. Select an item then press <Enter> if you wish to

congure the item.

Options

Disabled
Enabled

OnChip SATA Channel [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the onboard SATA channel.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

5-12 Chapter 5: BIOS setup

The following two items appear only when you set the OnChip SATA Channel

item to [Enabled].

SATA Port1 - Port4 [IDE]

Sets the conguration for the Serial ATA connectors supported by the Southbridge
chip. Conguration options: [IDE] [RAID] [AHCI]

• If you want to use the Serial ATA hard disk drives as Parallel ATA physical

storage devices, keep the default setting [IDE].

• If you want to create RAID sets with the PROMISE

®

RAID utility from the

Serial ATA hard disk drives, set this item to [RAID].

• If you want the Serial ATA hard disk drives to use the Advanced Host

Controller Interface (AHCI), set this item to [AHCI]. The AHCI allows

the onboard storage driver to enable advanced Serial ATA features that
increases storage performance on random workloads by allowing the drive

to internally optimize the order of commands.

• When this item is set [AHCI], the information of the SATA connectors 1–6

can be seen only under the OS environment or during POST.

SATA Port5 - Port6 [IDE]

Setting this item to [IDE] instead of [AHCI] allows the system to recognize the
optical dirves connected to the SATA connectors 5 or 6 when installing OS.

If you use a SATA optical drive to run the OS installation disk, we strongly

recommend that you install the optical dirve to the SATA connectors 5/6 and set
them to [IDE] mode.

5.3.5 System Information

This menu gives you an overview of the general system specications. The BIOS

automatically detects the items in this menu.

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Main

BIOS Information

Version :0201
Build Date :04/30/10

Processor

Type :AMD Opteron(tm) Processor 6172
Speed :2100MHZ

System Memory

Usable Size : 2048MB

System Memory Information

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

Enter Go to Sub Screen
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924-E6/RS8 5-13

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Main

System Memory Information

CPU1 Memory Conguration
CPU2 Memory Conguration
CPU3 Memory Conguration

CPU4 Memory Conguration

BIOS Information

Displays the auto-detected BIOS information.

Processor

Displays the auto-detected CPU specication.

System Memory

Displays the auto-detected system memory.

System Memory Information

Displays system memory information.

CPU1/2/3/4 Memory Configuration

Allows you to check information of installed memory (8 DIMMs per CPU).

CPU1/2/3/4MemoryConguration

Displays the auto-detected memory specication.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Main

CPU1 Memory Conguration

Node0 Speed DDR3 1067
Node1 Speed N/A

DIMM_A1 N/A
DIMM_A2 2048 MB, 2R, 1067
DIMM_B1 N/A
DIMM_B2 N/A
DIMM_C1 N/A
DIMM_C2 N/A
DIMM_D1 N/A
DIMM_D2 N/A

5-14 Chapter 5: BIOS setup

5.4 Advanced menu

The Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other
system devices.

Take caution when changing the settings of the Advanced menu items. Incorrect

eld values can cause the system to malfunction.

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Main Advanced Server Power Boot Tools Exit

Congure CPU.
CPU Conguration
Chipset Conguration
Onborad Devices Conguration
USB Conguration

PCIPnP

Event Log Conguration

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

Enter Go to Sub Screen
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

5.4.1 CPUConguration

The items in this menu show the CPU-related information that the BIOS

automatically detects. Some items may not appear if your CPU does not support
the related functions.

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Advanced

CPU Conguration

Module Version: 5.1102.1
Physical Count: 2
Logical Count : 12

AMD Opteron(tm) Processor 6172
Revision: D1
Cache L1: 128KB
Cache L2: 512KB
Cache L3: 12MB
Speed : 2100MHz, NB Clk: 1800MHz
Able to Change Freq. : Yes
uCode Patch Level : None Required

GART Error Reporting [Disabled]
Microcode Updation [Enabled]
Secure Virtual Machine Mode [Enabled]
PowerNow [Enabled]
CState Mode [C6]
PowerCap [P-state 0]
CPB Mode [Auto]

←→ Select Screen

↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option

F1 General Help

F10 Save and Exit

ESC Exit

This option should

remain disabled for

the normal operation.

The driver developer

may enable it for

testing purpose.

Scroll down for more items.

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

ACPI SRAT Table [Enabled]
C1E Support [Enabled]
CPU2 [Enabled]
CPU3 [Enabled]
CPU4 [Enabled]

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924-E6/RS8 5-15

GART Error Reporting [Disabled]

This option should remain disabled for the normal operation. The driver developer

may enable it for testing purpose. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Microcode Updation [Enabled]

Allows the system to update the Microcode automatically, enhancing system

performance. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Secure Virtual Machine Mode [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the AMD Secure Virtual Machine.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

PowerNow [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the generation of ACPI_PPC/_PSS/_PCT objects.
Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

CState Mode [C6]

Allows you to species the method of C-State enablement.
Conguration options: [C6] [Disabled]

PowerCap [P-state 0]

Allows you to select the highest performance P-state in OS.

Conguration options: [P-state 0] [P-state 1] [P-state 2] [P-state 3] [P-state 4]

CPB Mode [Auto]

Allows you to species the method of core performance boost.
Conguration options: [Auto] [Disabled]

ACPI SRAT Table [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the building of ACPI SRAT Table.

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

C1E Support [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the C1E support function. This item should be
enabled in order to enable the Enhanced Halt State.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

CPU2 [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable CPU2.
Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

CPU3 [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable CPU3.

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

CPU4 [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable CPU4.
Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

5-16 Chapter 5: BIOS setup

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Advanced

Advanced Chipset Settings

NorthBridge Conguration
SouthBridge Conguration
SR5690 Conguration

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

Enter Go to Sub Screen
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

5.4.2 ChipsetConguration

The Chipset conguration menu allows you to change advanced chipset settings.

Select an item then press <Enter> to display the submenu.

Options for NB

NorthBridgeConguration

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Advanced

NorthBrideg Chipset Conguration

Memory Conguration
ECC Conguration
DRAM Timing Conguration

Memroy Timing Parameters [CPU Node 1]

Memory CLK :533 MHz, N/A
CAS Latency(Tcl) :7 CLK , N/A
RAS/CAS Delay(Trcd) :7 CLK , N/A
Row Precharge Time(Trp):7 CLK , N/A
Min Active RAS(Tras) :20 CLK, N/A
RAS/RAS Delay(Trrd) :4 CLK, N/A
Row Cycle (Trc) :27 CLK, N/A
Read to Precharge(Trtp):4 CLK, N/A
Write Recover Time(Twr): 8 CLK, N/A

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

Enter Go to Sub Screen
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924-E6/RS8 5-17

MemoryConguration

The memory conguration menu allows you to change the memory settings.

V02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2006, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Advanced

Memory Conguration

Bank Interleaving [Auto]
Node Interleaving [Disabled]
Channel Interleaving [Auto]
CS Sparing Enable [Disabled]
Bank Swizzle Mode [Enabled]

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Enable Bank Memory
Interleaving

Bank Interleaving [Auto]

Enables the Bank memory interleaving.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Auto]

Node Interleaving [Disabled]

Enables the Node memory interleaving.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Auto]

Channel Interleaving [Auto]

Enables the Channel memory interleaving.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Auto]

CS Sparing Enable [Disabled]

Allows you to reserve a spare memory rank in each node.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Bank Swizzle Mode [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Bank Swizzle mode.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

5-18 Chapter 5: BIOS setup

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Advanced

ECC Conguration

ECC Mode [Basic]

DRAM ECC Enable [Enabled]
DRAM SCRUB REDIRECT [Disabled]
4-bit ECC Mode [Enabled]
DRAM BG Scrub [Disabled]
Data Cache BG Scrub [Disabled]
L2 Cache BG Scrub [Disabled]
L3 Cache BG Scrub [Disabled]

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Set the level of ECC

protection. Note: The

‘Super‘ ECC mode

dynamically sets the

DRAM scrub rate so

all of memory is

scrubbed in 8 hours.

ECC Mode [Basic]

Disables or sets the DRAM ECC mode that allows the hardware to report and
correct memory errors.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Basic] [Good] [Super] [Max] [User]

ECCConguration

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Advanced

DRAM Timing Conguration

DRAM Timing Cong [Auto]

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

DRAM Timing Config [Auto]

Allows you to select the DRAM timing mode. Conguration options: [Auto] [Manual]

DRAMTimingConguration

Options

Auto
Manual

Memory Clock Speed [400 MHz]

This item appears only when you set the

DRAMTimingCong

item to

[Manual] and allows you to set the memory clock frequency.
Conguration options: [400 MHz] [533 MHz] [667 MHz]

Memory Timing Parameters [CPU Node 0]

Allows you to select which node's timing parameters to display.

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924-E6/RS8 5-19

SouthBridgeConguration

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Advanced

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

Enter Go to Sub Screen
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Options for SB
Debug Features

SouthBridge Chipset Conguration

SP5100 CIMx Version : 6.6.0

SB Debug Conguration

OHCI HC (Bus 0 Dev 18 Fn 0) [Enabled]
OHCI HC (Bus 0 Dev 18 Fn 1) [Enabled]
EHCI HC (Bus 0 Dev 18 Fn 2) [Enabled]
OHCI HC (Bus 0 Dev 19 Fn 0) [Enabled]
OHCI HC (Bus 0 Dev 19 Fn 1) [Enabled]
EHCI HC (Bus 0 Dev 19 Fn 2) [Enabled]
OHCI HC (Bus 0 Dev 20 Fn 5) [Enabled]

SBDebugConguration

A15 ECOs [Disable]

Conguration options: [Disable] [Enabled]

Dis #THRMTRIP Before KBRst [Enabled]

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

SATA-IDE Ports Auto Clk Ctrl [Disable]

When set to [Enabled], the system will turn off the clocks for the unused SATA

ports in IDE modes. Doing so will enable some power savings.

Conguration options: [Disable] [Enabled]

The hot-plug function will be disabled when turning off the clock for the SATA
port.

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

SouthBridge Debug Conguration

Advanced

A15 ECOs [Disable]
Dis #THRMTRIP Before KBRst [Enabled]
SATA-IDE Ports Auto Clk Ctrl [Disable]
SATA-AHCI Ports Auto Clk Ctrl [Disable]
SATA PORT0 MODE [Auto]
SATA PORT1 MODE [Auto]
SATA PORT2 MODE [Auto]
SATA PORT3 MODE [Auto]
SATA PORT4 MODE [Auto]
SATA PORT5 MODE [Auto]
HPET MSI [Disabled]

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Options

Disable
Enabled

5-20 Chapter 5: BIOS setup

SATA-AHCI Ports Auto Clk Ctrl [Disable]

When set to [Enabled], the system will turn off the clocks for the unused SATA

ports in AHCI modes. Doing so will enable some power savings.

Conguration options: [Disable] [Enabled]

The hot-plug function will be disabled when turning off the clock for the SATA
port.

SATA PORT0/1/2/3/4/5 MODE [Auto]

When set to [GEN1], the SATA prot will run at GEN1 mode. Setting to [Auto]

will leave the SATA port to run at the default mode.

Conguration options: [Auto] [GEN1]

HPET MSI [Disabled]

Conguration options: [Disabed] [Enabled]

OHCI HC (Bus 0 Dev 18 Fn 0) [Enabled]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

OHCI HC (Bus 0 Dev 18 Fn 1) [Enabled]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

EHCI HC (Bus 0 Dev 18 Fn 2) [Enabled]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

OHCI HC (Bus 0 Dev 19 Fn 0) [Enabled]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

OHCI HC (Bus 0 Dev 19 Fn 1) [Enabled]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

EHCI HC (Bus 0 Dev 19 Fn 2) [Enabled]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

OHCI HC (Bus 0 Dev 20 Fn 5) [Enabled]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924-E6/RS8 5-21

SR5690Conguration

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

Advanced

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

Enter Go to Sub Screen
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

PCI Express Congurat

SR5650 Conguration

PCI Express Conguration
Hyper Transport Conguration

IOMMU [Disabled]

VGA ROM Boot Priority [PCIE VGA Card]

Debug Option

PCIExpressConguration

PCIE Slot 1/2/PIKE Slot Features

Select an item, and then press <Enter> to display its sub-items.

Gen2 High Speed Mode [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [Software Initiated] [Advertised RC]

Link ASPM [Disabled]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [L0s] [L1] [L0s & L1] [L0s Downstream]
[L0s Downstream + L1]

Compliance Mode [Disabled]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enable]

Lane Reversal [Disabled]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

Advanced

PCI Express Conguration

PCIE Slot 1/2 Features
PIKE Slot Features
NB-SB Port Features

PCIE Slot 1/2 Core Setting
PCIE Slot 3 Core Setting
PCIE Slot 4/5 Core Setting
PIKE Slot Core Setting
SB Core Setting

Debug Option

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

Enter Go to Sub Screen
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

5-22 Chapter 5: BIOS setup

NB-SB Port Features

Press <Enter> to display the sub-items.

NB-SB Link ASPM [L1]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [L1]

NPNB-SBVC1TrafcSupport[Disabled]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Complicance Mode [Disabled]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enable]

PCIE Slot 1/2/3/4/5/PIKE Slot/SB Core Setting

Select an item, and then press <Enter> to display its sub-items.

Powerdown Unused lanes [Enabled]

This item is available only for the

PCIE Slot 1/PIKE Slot Core Setting

.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Turn Off PLL During L1/L23 [Enable]

This item is available only for the

PCIE Slot 1/PIKE Slot Core Setting

.

Conguration options: [Enable] [Disabled]

TX Drive Strength [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [26mA] [20mA] [22mA] [24mA]

TXCLK Clock Gating in L1 [Enable]

Conguration options: [Enable] [Disabled]

LCLK Clock Gating in L1 [Enable]

Conguration options: [Enable] [Disabled]

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924-E6/RS8 5-23

HyperTransportConguration

HT Extended Address [Disabled]

Conguration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [Enable]

HT3 Link Power State [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [LS0] [LS1] [LS2] [LS3]

UnitID Clumping [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [UnitID 2/3] [UnitID B/C]
[UnitID 2/3&B/C]

HT Link Tristate [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [CAD/CTL] [CAD/CTL/CLK]

NB Deempasies Level [Disabled]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [-0.4dB] [-1.32dB] [-2.08dB] [-3.1dB]
[-4.22dB] [-5.50dB] [-7.05dB]

IOMMU [Disabled]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enable]

VGA ROM Boot Priority [PCIE VGA Card]

Allows you to select the primary video controller.

Conguration options: [PCI VGA Card] [Onboard VGA]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

Advanced

Hyper Transport Conguration

HT Extended Address [Disabled]
HT3 Link Power State [Auto]
UnitID Clumping [Auto]
HT Link Tristate [Auto]
NB Deempasies Level [Disabled]

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Options

Auto
Disabled
Enabled

5-24 Chapter 5: BIOS setup

Debug Option

Memory Decode on Sec. GFX [Disable]

Conguration options: [Disable] [Force]

IOC Peer-to-Peer Mode [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [Default] [Mode 1] [Mode 2]

Northbridge interrupt pin [Disable]

Conguration options: [Disable] [Enabled]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

Advanced

Memory Decode on Sec. GFX [Disable]
IOC Peer-to-Peer Mode [Auto]
Northbridge interrupt pin [Disable]

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Options

Disable
Force

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924-E6/RS8 5-25

Serial Port1 Address [3F8/IRQ4]

Allows you to select the Serial Port1 base address.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [3F8/IRQ4] [3E8/IRQ4] [2E8/IRQ3]

Serial Port2 Address [2F8/IRQ3]

Allows you to select the Serial Port2 base address.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [2F8/IRQ3] [3E8/IRQ4] [2E8/IRQ3]

Onboard LAN1/LAN2/LAN3/LAN4 port [Enabled]

Enables or disables the onboard LAN1/2/3/4 controller.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Onboard LAN1/LAN2/LAN3/LAN4 Boot [PXE]

Allows you to congure the onboard LAN1/2/3/4 boot mode.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [PXE] [iSCSI]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Advanced

Onboard Devices Conguration

Serial Port1 Address [3F8/IRQ4]
Serial Port2 Address [2F8/IRQ3]
Onboard LAN1 Chip [Enabled]
Onboard LAN1 Port [Enabled]
Onboard LAN2 Port [Enabled]
Onboard LAN3 Port [Enabled]
Onboard LAN4 Port [Enabled]
Onboard LAN1 Boot [PXE]
Onboard LAN2 Boot [PXE]
Onboard LAN3 Boot [PXE]
Onboard LAN4 Boot [PXE]

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Allows BIOS to Enable
or Disable Floppy
Controller.

5.4.3 OnboardDevicesConguration

5-26 Chapter 5: BIOS setup

The

USB Devices Enabled

item shows the auto-detected values. If no USB

device is detected, the item shows

None

.

Legacy USB Support [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable support for legacy USB devices. Setting to [Auto]
allows the system to detect the presence of USB devices at startup. If detected, the
USB controller legacy mode is enabled. If no USB device is detected, the legacy
USB support is disabled. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] [Auto]

USB 2.0 Controller Mode [HiSpeed]

Allows you to set the USB 2.0 controller to HiSpeed (480Mbps) or FullSpeed
(12Mbps). Conguration options: [FullSpeed] [HiSpeed]

BIOS EHCI Hand-Off [Enabled]

Enables or disables the BIOS EHCI hand-off support.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

The following item appears only when you set

Legacy USB Support

to

[Enabled].

Legacy USB1.1 HC Support [Enabled]

This item appears only when you set Legacy USB Support to [Enabled], and allows
you to congure the Legacy USB1.1 HC support.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

5.4.4 USBConguration

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Advanced

USB Conguration

Module Version - 2.24.5-13.4

USB Devices Enabled :

1 Hub

Legacy USB Support [Enabled]
USB 2.0 Controller Mode [HiSpeed]
BIOS EHCI Hand-Off [Enabled]
Legacy USB1.1 HC Support [Enabled]

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Enables support for

legacy USB. AUTO

option disables

legacy support if

no USB devices are

connected.

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924-E6/RS8 5-27

5.4.5 PCIPnP

The PCIPnP menu items allow you to change the advanced settings for PCI/PnP

devices.

Take caution when changing the settings of the PCI/PnP Conguration menu
items. Incorrect eld values can cause the system to malfunction.

Plug And Play O/S [No]

When set to [No], BIOS congures all the devices in the system. When set to
[Yes] and if you install a Plug and Play operating system, the operating system
congures the Plug and Play devices not required for boot.
Conguration options: [No] [Yes]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Advanced

Advanced PCI/PnP Settings

WARNING: Setting wrong values in below sections

may cause system to malfunction.

Plug And Play O/S [No]

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

NO: lets the BIOS

congure all the

devices in the system.

YES: lets the

operating system

congure Plug and

Play (PnP) devices not

required for boot if

your system has a Plug

and Play operating

system.

5-28 Chapter 5: BIOS setup

5.5 Server menu

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Main Advanced Server Power Boot Tools Exit

IPMI Conguration
Remote Access Conguration

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

Enter Go to Sub Screen
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Congure Remote

Access.

5.4.5 EventLogConguration

The Event Log Conguration menu items allow you to clear or view event log

statistics.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Advanced

Event Logging details

View Event Log
Clear Event Log

View all unread events
on the Event Log.

IPMIConguration

IPMI Conguration including server monitoring and event log.

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Server

IPMI Conguration

BMC Firmware Version : 1.05

Set LAN1 Conguration
Set DM_LAN1 Conguration

View BMC System Event Log

Clear BMC System Event Log
BMC Watch Dog Timer Action [Disabled]

←→ Se lect Screen
↑↓ S e l e c t It e m

+- Change Option
F1 Ge ne ra l Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

In pu t f o r Set LA N

Conguration command.

See IPMI 1. 5 S pec,

table 19.1

Note:-

Each question

in this group may take

cons ider able am ount

of Time.

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924-E6/RS8 5-29

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Server

LAN1 Conguration

Current IP address in BMC: 000.000.000.000
Current Subnet Mask in BMC: 000.000.000.000
Current Gateway Address in BMC: 000.000.000.000
Current MAC address in BMC: 00.00.00.00.00.00

IP Address Source [Static Mode]
IP Address [000.000.000.000]
Subnet Mask [000.000.000.000]
Gateway Address [000.000.000.000]

←→ Se lect Screen
↑↓ S e l e c t I t e m

+- Change Option
F1 Ge ne ra l He lp
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

DHCP Mode
Static Mode

BIOS EHCI Hand-Off [Enabled]

Conguration options: [DHCP Mode] [Static Mode]

IP Address [000.000.000.000]

Enter IP Address in decimal in the form of XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX (XXX less than 256

and in decimal only).

Subnet Mask [000.000.000.000]

Enter Subnet Mask in decimal in the form of XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX (XXX less than
256 and in decimal only).

Gateway Address [000.000.000.000]

Enter Gateway Address in decimal in the form of XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX (XXX less
than 256 and in decimal only).

SetLAN1Conguration

BMC Watch Dog Timer Acton [Disabled]

Allow the BMC to reset or power down the system if the operating system crashes

or hang.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Reset System] [Power Down] [Power Cycle]

5-30 Chapter 5: BIOS setup

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Server

LAN1 Conguration

Current IP address in BMC: 000.000.000.000
Current Subnet Mask in BMC: 000.000.000.000
Current Gateway Address in BMC: 000.000.000.000
Current MAC address in BMC: 00.00.00.00.00.00

IP Address Source [Static Mode]
IP Address [000.000.000.000]
Subnet Mask [000.000.000.000]
Gateway Address [000.000.000.000]

←→ Se lect Screen
↑↓ S e l e c t I t e m

+- Change Option
F1 Ge ne ra l He lp
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

DHCP Mode

Static Mode

BIOS EHCI Hand-Off [Enabled]

Conguration options: [DHCP Mode] [Static Mode]

IP Address [000.000.000.000]

Enter IP Address in decimal in the form of XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX (XXX less than 256

and in decimal only).

Subnet Mask [000.000.000.000]

Enter Subnet Mask in decimal in the form of XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX (XXX less than
256 and in decimal only).

Gateway Address [000.000.000.000]

Enter Gateway Address in decimal in the form of XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX (XXX less
than 256 and in decimal only).

SetDM_LAN1Conguration

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Server

Total Number Of Entries: 900

SEL Entry Number: [1]
SEL Record ID: 001
SEL Record Type: 02 (System Event)
Event Timestamp: Jul 10, 2011 08:49:20
Generator ID: 0020
Event Message Rev: 04 (IPMI ver 1.5)
Event Sensor Type: 02 (Voltage)
Event Sensor Number: 46 (Fan divisor 1)
Event Dir Type: 81
Event Data: 57 95 97

←→ Se lect Screen
↑↓ S e l e c t I t e m

+- Change Option
F1 Ge ne ra l He lp
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Use +/- to traverse

the event log.

View BMC System Event Log

ASUS RS920A-E6/RS8; RS924-E6/RS8 5-31

RemoteAccessConguration

The items in this menu allows you to congure the Remote Access features. Select
an item then press <Enter> to display the conguration options.

Remote Access [Enabled]

Enables or disables the remote access feature.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Server

Congure Remote Access type and parameters

Remote Access [Enabled]

Serial port number [COM2]

Base Address, IRQ [2F8h, 3]

Serial Port Mode [57600 8,n,1]
Flow Control [Hardware]
Redirection After BIOS POST [Disabled]
Terminal Type [VT-UTF8]

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Select Remote Access
type.

Serial port number [COM2]

Selects the serial port for console redirection.

Conguration options: [COM1] [COM2]

Base Address. IRQ [2F8h, 3]

This item is not user-congurable and changes with the conguration of Serial

port number.

The following items appear only when Remote Access is set to [Enabled].

5-32 Chapter 5: BIOS setup

Serial Port Mode [57600 8,n,1]

Sets the Serial port mode.

Conguration options: [115200 8,n,1] [57600 8,n,1] [38400 8,n,1] [19200 8,n,1]
[09600 8,n,1]

Flow Control [Hardware]

Allows you to select the ow control for console redirection.
Conguration options: [None] [Hardware] [Software]

Redirection After BIOS POST [Disabled]

Sets the redirection mode after the BIOS Power-On Self-Test (POST). Some
operating systems may not work when set to [Always].
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Boot Loader] [Always]

Terminal Type [VT-UTF8]

Allows you to select the target terminal type.

Conguration options: [ANSI] [VT100] [VT-UTF8]