Dell PowerEdge M820 User Manual

Dell PowerEdge M820 (For Dell PowerEdge VRTX Enclosure) Owner's

Manual

Regulatory Model: FHB Regulatory Type: FHB007

Notes, Cautions, and Warnings

NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer.

CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem.

WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.

intellectual property laws. Dell™ and the Dell logo are trademarks of Dell Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.

2014 - 10

Rev. A01

Contents

1 About your system................................................................................................ 7

Introduction........................................................................................................................................... 7

Front-panel features and indicators.....................................................................................................8

Using USB diskette or USB DVD/CD drives..........................................................................................8

Hard-drive/SSD indicator patterns....................................................................................................... 8

Related documentation........................................................................................................................ 9

2 Using the system setup and boot manager....................................................11

Choosing the system boot mode....................................................................................................... 12

Entering System Setup........................................................................................................................ 12

Responding to error messages..................................................................................................... 12

Using the system setup navigation keys....................................................................................... 12

System setup options.......................................................................................................................... 13

System Setup Main screen............................................................................................................ 13

System BIOS screen.......................................................................................................................13

System information screen........................................................................................................... 14

Memory Settings screen................................................................................................................14

Processor Settings screen............................................................................................................. 15

Boot Settings screen......................................................................................................................16

Integrated devices screen..............................................................................................................17

Serial Communications screen..................................................................................................... 18

System Profile Settings screen......................................................................................................18

System Security screen..................................................................................................................19

Miscellaneous settings..................................................................................................................20

System and setup password features.................................................................................................20

Assigning a system and/or setup password..................................................................................21

Using your system password to secure your system...................................................................21

Deleting or changing an existing system and/or setup password.............................................. 22

Operating with a setup password enabled...................................................................................22

Entering the UEFI boot manager........................................................................................................23

Using the boot manager navigation keys.....................................................................................23

Boot Manager screen....................................................................................................................23

UEFI Boot menu............................................................................................................................ 24

Embedded system management....................................................................................................... 24

iDRAC settings utility...........................................................................................................................24

3 Installing server module components............................................................25

Recommended tools.......................................................................................................................... 25

Removing and installing a server module.......................................................................................... 25

Removing a server module........................................................................................................... 25

Installing a server module.............................................................................................................26

Opening and closing the server module............................................................................................27

Opening the server module.......................................................................................................... 27

Closing the server module............................................................................................................28

Inside the server module.................................................................................................................... 28

Cooling shroud................................................................................................................................... 29

Removing the cooling shroud...................................................................................................... 29

Installing a server module.............................................................................................................30

Hard drives/SSDs.................................................................................................................................30

Removing a hard drive/SSD...........................................................................................................31

Installing a hard drive/SSD............................................................................................................ 32

Shutdown procedure for servicing a hard drive/SSD.................................................................. 32

Configuring the boot drive........................................................................................................... 32

Removing a hard drive/SSD from a hard-drive/SSD carrier........................................................ 32

Installing a hard drive/SSD in a hard-drive/SSD carrier............................................................... 33

Hard-drive/SSD backplane................................................................................................................. 33

Removing the hard-drive/SSD backplane....................................................................................34

Installing the hard-drive/SSD backplane......................................................................................36

PCIe mezzanine cards.........................................................................................................................37

Removing a PCIe mezzanine card................................................................................................37

Installing a PCIe mezzanine card................................................................................................. 38

Network Daughter Card/LOM riser card............................................................................................39

Removing the Network Daughter Card/LOM riser card..............................................................39

Installing the Network Daughter Card/LOM riser card............................................................... 40

Management riser card.......................................................................................................................40

Replacing the SD card.................................................................................................................. 40

Internal USB key.............................................................................................................................41

SD vFlash card..................................................................................................................................... 42

Replacing the SD vFlash card........................................................................................................42

Processor/DIMM blank....................................................................................................................... 43

Removing a processor/DIMM blank.............................................................................................43

Installing a processor/DIMM blank...............................................................................................44

Processors........................................................................................................................................... 45

Removing a processor.................................................................................................................. 45

Installing a processor.................................................................................................................... 48

System board...................................................................................................................................... 50

Removing the system board.........................................................................................................50

Installing the system board........................................................................................................... 51

System memory.................................................................................................................................. 52

General memory module installation guidelines.........................................................................55

Mode-specific guidelines..............................................................................................................56

Sample memory configurations................................................................................................... 57

Removing memory modules.........................................................................................................61

Installing memory modules.......................................................................................................... 62

NVRAM backup battery.......................................................................................................................63

Replacing the NVRAM backup battery......................................................................................... 63

Storage controller card.......................................................................................................................64

Removing the storage controller card......................................................................................... 65

Installing the storage controller card........................................................................................... 66

4 Troubleshooting your system.......................................................................... 67

Safety first—for you and your system.................................................................................................67

Troubleshooting system memory...................................................................................................... 67

Troubleshooting hard drives.............................................................................................................. 68

Troubleshooting USB devices............................................................................................................ 68

Troubleshooting An Internal SD Card................................................................................................69

Troubleshooting processors.............................................................................................................. 69

Troubleshooting the system board....................................................................................................70

Troubleshooting the NVRAM backup battery....................................................................................70

5 Using system diagnostics.................................................................................. 71

Dell Embedded System Diagnostics................................................................................................... 71

When to use the Embedded System Diagnostics.........................................................................71

Running the Embedded System Diagnostics................................................................................71

System diagnostics controls......................................................................................................... 72

6 Jumpers and connectors.................................................................................. 73

System board jumper settings............................................................................................................ 73

System board connectors...................................................................................................................74

Disabling a forgotten password..........................................................................................................75

7 Technical specifications.................................................................................... 77

8 System messages................................................................................................80

LCD status messages..........................................................................................................................80

Viewing LCD messages.................................................................................................................80

Removing LCD messages.............................................................................................................80

System error messages.......................................................................................................................80

Warning messages............................................................................................................................ 153

Diagnostic messages.........................................................................................................................153

Alert messages...................................................................................................................................153

9 Getting help.......................................................................................................154

Contacting Dell................................................................................................................................. 154

Documentation feedback.................................................................................................................154

Locating your system service tag..................................................................................................... 154

About your system

Introduction

This document provides information on the Dell PowerEdge M820 server module that is specifically configured for the PowerEdge VRTX enclosure, and can be identified by a label marked PCIe on the server module.

NOTE: This server module is not supported on the Dell PowerEdge M1000e enclosure with the PowerEdge VRTX mezzanine card.

Figure 1. Identifying server module configured for the vrtx enclosure

1. server module 2. PCIe label on the server module

3. VRTX enclosure

Front-panel features and indicators

Figure 2. Front-panel features and indicators

1. drive bay 0 2. drive bay 1

3. SAS hard drives/PCIe SSDs 4. status/identification indicator

5. USB connectors (3) 6. server module power button

7. server module handle release button

NOTE: For more information on supported hard-drive/PCIe SSD configurations, see Hard Drives/

SSDs.

Using USB diskette or USB DVD/CD drives

The server module has USB ports on the front which allow you to connect a USB diskette drive, USB flash drive, USB DVD/CD drive, keyboard, or mouse. The USB drives can be used to configure the server module.

NOTE: Your server module supports only Dell-branded USB 2.0 drives. Use the optional external drive storage tray to support the drive while in use.

To designate the USB diskette drive as the first boot drive:

1. connect the USB drive

2. restart the system

3. enter the System Setup

4. set the drive as first in the boot sequence

The USB device is displayed in the boot order setup screen only if it is attached to the system before you run the System Setup. You can also select the boot device by pressing <F11> during system start-up and selecting a boot device for the current boot sequence.

Hard-drive/SSD indicator patterns

The hard-drive/SSD (Solid State Drives) indicators display different patterns as drive events occur in the system.

NOTE: The server module must have a hard-drive/SSD or a hard-drive blank installed in each drive bay.

Figure 3. Hard-drive/SSD indicators

1. drive activity indicator (green) 2. drive status indicator (green and amber)

NOTE: If the drive is in Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI) mode, the status LED (on the right side) does not function and remains off.

Drive-Status Indicator Pattern Condition

Blinks green two times per second

Identifying drive or preparing for removal

Off

Blinks green, amber, and then turns off

Blinks amber four times per second

Blinks green slowly

Steady green

Blinks green three seconds, amber three seconds, and off six seconds

Drive ready for insertion or removal

NOTE: The drive status indicator remains off until all drives are initialized after system power is applied. Drives are not ready for insertion or removal during this time.

Drive predicted failure

Drive failed

Drive rebuilding

Drive online

Rebuild aborted

Using the system setup and boot manager

System Setup enables you to manage your system hardware and specify BIOS-level options.

The following keystrokes provide access to system features during startup:

Keystroke

<F2>

<F10>

<F11>

<F12>

From the System Setup, you can:

• Change the NVRAM settings after you add or remove hardware

• View the system hardware configuration

• Enable or disable integrated devices

• Set performance and power management thresholds

• Manage system security

Description

Opens the System Setup page.

Enters the BIOS Boot Manager or the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) Boot Manager, depending on the system's boot configuration.

Starts Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) boot.

You can access the System Setup using the:

• Standard graphical browser, which is enabled by default

• Text browser, which is enabled using Console Redirection

To enable Console Redirection, in System Setup, select System BIOS → Serial Communication screen → Serial Communication, select On with Console Redirection.

NOTE: By default, help text for the selected field is displayed in the graphical browser. To view the help text in the text browser, press <F1>.

Choosing the system boot mode

System Setup allows you to specify the following boot modes for installing your operating system:

• BIOS boot mode (the default) is the standard BIOS-level boot interface.

• UEFI boot mode is an enhanced 64-bit boot interface based on Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) specifications that overlays the system BIOS.

You must select the boot mode in the Boot Mode field of the Boot Settings Screen of System Setup. Once you specify the boot mode, the system boots in the specified boot mode and you proceed then to install your operating system from that mode. Thereafter, you must boot the system in the same boot mode (BIOS or UEFI) to access the installed operating system. Trying to boot the operating system from the other boot mode will cause the system to halt at startup.

NOTE: Operating systems must be UEFI-compatible to be installed from the UEFI boot mode. DOS and 32-bit operating systems do not support UEFI and can only be installed from the BIOS boot mode.

NOTE: For the latest information on supported operating systems, see dell.com/ossupport.

Entering System Setup

1. Turn on or restart your system.

2. Press <F2> immediately after you see the following message:

<F2> = System Setup

If your operating system begins to load before you press <F2>, allow the system to finish booting, and then restart your system and try again.

Responding to error messages

If an error message is displayed while the system is booting, make a note of the message. For more information, see System Error Messages.

NOTE: After installing a memory upgrade, it is normal for your system to display a message the first time you start your system.

Using the system setup navigation keys

Keys Action

Up arrow Moves to the previous field.

Down arrow Moves to the next field.

<Enter> Allows you to type in a value in the selected field (if applicable) or follow the link in

the field.

Spacebar Expands or collapses a drop-down menu, if applicable.

<Tab> Moves to the next focus area.

NOTE: For the standard graphics browser only.

<Esc> Moves to the previous page till you view the main screen. Pressing <Esc> in the

main screen displays a message that prompts you to save any unsaved changes and restarts the system.

<F1> Displays the System Setup help file.

NOTE: For most of the options, any changes that you make are recorded but do not take effect until you restart the system.

System setup options

System Setup Main screen

NOTE: Press <Alt><F> to reset the BIOS or UEFI settings to their default settings.

Menu Item Description

System BIOS This option is used to view and configure BIOS settings.

iDRAC Settings This option is used to view and configure iDRAC settings.

Device Settings This option is used to view and configure device settings.

System BIOS screen

NOTE: The options for System Setup change based on the system configuration.

NOTE: System Setup defaults are listed under their respective options in the following sections, where applicable.

Menu Item Description

iDRAC Settings This option is used to view and configure iDRAC settings.

Device Settings This option is used to view and configure device settings.

System Information

Memory Settings Displays information and options related to installed memory.

Processor Settings Displays information and options related to the processor such as speed, cache

Boot Settings Displays options to specify the boot mode (BIOS or UEFI). Enables you to modify

Integrated Devices Displays options to enable or disable integrated device controllers and ports, and to

Serial Communication

Displays information about the system such as the system model name, BIOS version, Service Tag, and so on.

size, and so on.

UEFI and BIOS boot settings.

specify related features and options.

Displays options to enable or disable the serial ports and specify related features and options.

Menu Item Description

System Profile Settings

System Security Displays options to configure the system security settings like, system password,

Miscellaneous Settings

Displays options to change the processor power management settings, memory frequency, and so on.

setup password, TPM security, and so on. It also enables or disables support for local BIOS update and the power button on the system.

Displays options to change the system date, time, and so on.

System information screen

Menu Item Description

System Model Name

System BIOS Version

System Service Tag Displays the system Service Tag.

System Manufacturer

System Manufacturer Contact Information

Displays the system model name.

Displays the BIOS version installed on the system.

Displays the name of the system manufacturer.

Displays the contact information of the system manufacturer.

Memory Settings screen

Menu Item Description

System Memory Size

System Memory Type

System Memory Speed

System Memory Voltage

Video Memory Displays the amount of video memory.

System Memory Testing

Memory Operating Mode

Displays the amount of memory installed in the system.

Displays the type of memory installed in the system.

Displays the system memory speed.

Displays the system memory voltage.

Specifies whether system memory tests are run during system boot. Options are

Enabled and Disabled. By default, the System Memory Testing option is set to Disabled.

Specifies the memory operating mode. The options available are Optimizer Mode, Advanced ECC Mode, Mirror Mode, Spare Mode, Spare with Advanced ECC Mode,

Menu Item Description

and Dell Fault Resilient Mode. By default, the Memory Operating Mode option is set to Optimizer Mode.

NOTE: The Memory Operating Mode can have different defaults and available options based on the memory configuration of your system.

NOTE: The Dell Fault Resilient Mode establishes an area of memory that is fault resilient. This mode can be used by an operating system that supports the feature to load critical applications or enables the operating system kernel to maximize system availability.

Node Interleaving If this field is Enabled, memory interleaving is supported if a symmetric memory

configuration is installed. If Disabled, the system supports Non-Uniform Memory architecture (NUMA) (asymmetric) memory configurations. By default, Node Interleaving option is set to Disabled.

Serial Debug Output

By default, it is set to disabled.

Processor Settings screen

Menu Item Description

Logical Processor Allows you to enable or disable logical processors and display the number of

logical processors. If the Logical Processor option is set to Enabled, the BIOS displays all the logical processors. If this option is set to Disabled, the BIOS only displays one logical processor per core. By default, the Logical Processor option is set to Enabled.

QPI Speed Allows you to set the QuickPath Interconnect data rate settings. By default, the QPI

Speed option is set to Maximum data rate.

NOTE: The QPI Speed option is displayed only when both the processors are installed.

Alternate RTID (Requestor Transaction ID) Setting

Virtualization Technology

Allows you to allocate more RTIDs to the remote socket increasing cache performance between the sockets or work in normal mode for NUMA. By default, the Alternate RTID (Requestor Transaction ID) Setting is set to Disabled.

Allows you enable or disable the additional hardware capabilities provided for virtualization. By default, the Virtualization Technology option is set to Enabled.

Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch

Hardware Prefetcher

DCU Streamer Prefetcher

Allows you to optimize the system for applications that require high utilization of sequential memory access. By default, the Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch option is set to Enabled. You can disable this option for applications that require high utilization of random memory access.

Allows you to enable or disable hardware prefetcher. By default, the Hardware Prefetcher option is set to Enabled.

Allows you to enable or disable DCU streamer prefetcher. By default, the DCU Streamer Prefetcher option is set to Enabled.

Menu Item Description

DCU IP Prefetcher Allows you to enable or disable DCU IP prefetcher. By default, the DCU IP

Prefetcher option is set to Enabled.

Execute Disable Allows you enable or disable execute disable memory protection technology. By

default, the Execute Disable option is set to Enabled.

Number of Cores per Processor

Processor 64-bit Support

Processor Core Speed

Processor Bus Speed

Processor X Family- ModelStepping

Allows you to control the number of enabled cores in each processor. By default, the Number of Cores per Processor option is set to All.

Specifies if the processor(s) support 64-bit extensions.

Displays the maximum core frequency of the processor.

Displays the bus speed of the processors.

NOTE: The processor bus speed option is displayed only when both the processors are installed.

Displays the family and model number of each processor. A submenu displays the core speed, the amount of cache memory, and the number of cores of the processor(s).

Boot Settings screen

Menu Item Description

Boot Mode Allows you to set the boot mode of the system.

CAUTION: Switching the boot mode may prevent the system from booting if the operating system is not installed in the same boot mode.

If the operating system supports UEFI, you can set this option to UEFI. Setting this field to BIOS allows compatibility with non-UEFI operating systems. By default, the Boot Mode option is set to BIOS.

NOTE: Setting this field to UEFI disables BIOS Boot Settings menu. Setting this field to BIOS disables the UEFI Boot Settings menu.

Boot Sequence Retry

BIOS Boot Settings Allows you to enable or disable BIOS Boot options.

UEFI Boot Settings Allows you to enable or disable UEFI Boot options. The Boot options include IPv4

One-Time Boot Allows you to enable or disable a one-time boot from a selected device.

Allows you to enable or disable the boot sequence retry feature. If this field is enabled and the system fails to boot, the system reattempts the boot sequence after 30 seconds. By default, the Boot Sequence Retry option is set to Disabled.

NOTE: This option is enabled only if the boot mode is BIOS.

PXE and IPv6 PXE. By default, the UEFI PXE boot protocol is set to IPv4.

NOTE: This option is enabled only if the boot mode is UEFI.

Integrated devices screen

Menu Item Description

Integrated RAID Controller

User Accessible USB Ports

Internal USB Port Allows you to enable or disable the internal USB port. By default, the Internal USB

Internal SD Card Port

Internal SD Card Redundancy

Integrated Network Card 1

OS Watchdog Timer

Allows you to enable or disable the integrated RAID controller. By default, the Integrated RAID Controller option is set to Enabled.

Allows you enable or disable the user accessible USB ports. Selecting Only Back Ports On disables the front USB ports and selecting All Ports Off disables both front and back USB ports. By default, the User Accessible USB Ports option is set to

All Ports On.

Port option is set to On.

Enables or disables the system’s internal SD card port. By default, the Internal SD Card Port option is set to On.

NOTE: This option is displayed only if IDSDM is installed on the system board.

If set to Mirror mode, data is written on both SD cards. If any one of the SD card fails, data is written to the active SD card. Data from this card is copied to the replacement SD card at the next boot. By default, Internal SD Card Redundancy option is set to Mirror.

NOTE: This option is displayed only if IDSDM is installed on the system board.

Allows you to enable or disable the integrated network card 1. By default, the Integrated Network Card 1 option is set to Enabled.

Allows you to enable or disable the OS watchdog timer. When this field is enabled, the operating system initializes the timer and the OS watchdog timer helps in recovering the operating system. By default, the OS Watchdog Timer option is set to Disabled.

Embedded Video Controller

SR-IOV Global Enable

Memory Mapped I/O above 4GB

Slot Disablement Allows you to enable or disable available PCIe slots on your system. The Slot

Allows you to enable or disable the Embedded Video Controller. By default, the embedded video controller is set to Enabled.

Allows you to enable or disable the BIOS configuration of Single Root I/O Virtualization (SR-IOV) devices. By default, the SR-IOV Global Enable option is set to Disabled.

Allows you to enable support for PCIe devices that require large amounts of memory. By default, the option is set to Enabled.

Disablement feature controls the configuration of PCIe cards installed in the specified slot.

CAUTION: Slot disablement must be used only when the installed peripheral card is preventing booting into the Operating System or causing delays in system startup. If the slot is disabled, both the Option ROM and UEFI driver are disabled.

Serial Communications screen

Menu Item Description

Serial Communication

Serial Port Address Allows you to set the port address for serial devices. By default, the Serial Port

Failsafe Baud Rate Displays the failsafe baud rate for console redirection. The BIOS attempts to

Remote Terminal Type

Redirection After Boot

Allows you to enable the COM port or Console Redirection options.

Address option is set to COM1.

NOTE: Only Serial Device 2 can be used for Serial Over LAN (SOL). To use console redirection by SOL, configure the same port address for console redirection and the serial device.

determine the baud rate automatically. This failsafe baud rate is used only if the attempt fails and the value must not be changed. By default, the Failsafe Baud Rate option is set to 11520.

Allows you to set the remote console terminal type. By default, the Remote Terminal Type option is set to VT 100/VT220.

Allows you to enable or disable to the BIOS console redirection when the operating system is loaded. By default, the Redirection After Boot option is set to

Enabled.

System Profile Settings screen

Menu Item Description

System Profile Allows you to set the system profile. If you set the System Profile option to a mode

other than Custom, the BIOS automatically sets the rest of the options. You can only change the rest of the options if the mode is set to Custom. By default, the System Profile option is set to Performance Per Watt Optimized (DAPC). DAPC is Dell Active Power Controller.

NOTE: The following parameters are available only when the System Profile is set to Custom.

CPU Power Management

Memory Frequency

Turbo Boost Allows you to enable or disable the processor to operate in turbo boost mode. By

C1E Allows you to enable or disable the processor to switch to a minimum

C States Allows you to enable or disable the processor to operate in all available power

Allows you to set the CPU power management. By default, the CPU Power Management option is set to System DBPM (DAPC). DBPM is Demand-Based Power Management.

Allows you to set the memory frequency. By default, the Memory Frequency option is set to Maximum Performance.

default, the Turbo Boost option is set to Enabled.

performance state when it is idle. By default, the C1E option is set to Enabled.

states. By default, the C States option is set to Enabled.

Menu Item Description

NOTE: When C state is enabled, the Monitor/Mwait sub-option must also be enabled. This field allows you to enable Monitor/Mwait instructions. Disable this option if you disable the C States option in the Custom mode. When C States is enabled in Custom mode, changing the Monitor/Mwait setting does not impact system power/performance.

Memory Patrol Scrub

Memory Refresh Rate

Memory Operating Voltage

Allows you to set the memory patrol scrub frequency. By default, the Memory Patrol Scrub option is set to Standard.

Allows you to set the memory refresh rate. By default, the Memory Refresh Rate option is set to 1x.

Allows you to set the DIMM voltage selection. When set to Auto, the system automatically sets the system voltage to the optimal setting based on the DIMM capacity and the numbers of DIMMs installed. By default, the Memory Operating

Voltage option is set to Auto.

System Security screen

Menu Item Description

Intel AES-NI The Intel AES-In option improves the speed of applications by performing

encryption and decryption using the Advanced Encryption Standard set and is set to Enabled by default.

System Password Allows you to set the system password. This option is read-only if the password

jumper is not installed in the system.

Setup Password Allows you to set the setup password. This option is read-only if the password

jumper is not installed in the system.

Password Status Allows you to lock the system password. By default, the Password Status option is

set to Unlocked.

TPM Security Allows you to control the reporting mode of the Trusted Platform Module (TPM).

By default, the TPM Security option is set to Off. You can only modify the TPM Status, TPM Activation , and Intel TXT fields if the TPM Status field is set to either On with Pre-boot Measurements or On without Pre-boot Measurements.

TPM Activation Allows you to change the operational state of the TPM. By default, the TPM

Activation option is set to No Change.

TPM Status Displays the TPM status.

TPM Clear

Intel TXT Allows you enable or disable Intel Trusted Execution Technology. To enable Intel

CAUTION: Clearing the TPM results in loss of all keys in the TPM. The loss of TPM keys may affect booting to the operating system.

Allows you to clear all the contents of the TPM. By default, the TPM Clear option is set to No.

TXT, Virtualization Technology must be enabled and TPM Security must be enabled with Pre-boot measurements. By default, the Intel TXT option is set to Off.

Menu Item Description

BIOS Update Control

Power Button Allows you to enable or disable the power button on the front of the system. By

AC Power Recovery

Allows you to update the BIOS using either DOS or UEFI shell-based flash utilities. For environments that do not require local BIOS updates, it is recommended to set this field to Limited. By default, the Local BIOS Update Support option is set to Unlocked.

NOTE: BIOS updates using Dell Update Package is not affected by this option.

default, the Power Button option is set to Enabled.

Allows you to set how the system reacts after AC power is restored to the system. By default, the AC Power Recovery option is set to Last.

Miscellaneous settings

Menu Item Description

System Time Allows you to set the time on the system.

System Date Allows you to set the date on the system.

Asset Tag Displays the asset tag and allows you to modify it for security and tracking

purposes.

Keyboard NumLock

Allows you to set whether the system boots with the NumLock enabled or disabled. By default the Keyboard NumLock is set to On.

NOTE: This option does not apply to 84-key keyboards.

Report Keyboard Errors

F1/F2 Prompt on Error

In-System Characterization

Allows you to set whether keyboard-related error messages are reported during system boot. By default, the Report Keyboard Errors option is set to Report.

Allows you to enable or disable the F1/F2 prompt on error. By default, F1/F2 Prompt on Error is set to Enabled.

This option enables or disables In-System Characterization. By default, In-System

Characterization is set to Enabled.

System and setup password features

You can create a system password and a setup password to secure your system. To enable creation of the system and setup password, the password jumper must be set to enabled. For more information on the password jumper settings, see System Board Jumper Settings.

System password

Setup password

CAUTION: Avoid leaving your system running and unattended. Enabling the password feature provides a basic level of security for the data on your system.

This is the password that you must enter before you can boot your system.

This is the password that you must enter to access and make changes to the BIOS or UEFI settings of your system.

NOTE: Your system is shipped with the system and setup password feature disabled.

Assigning a system and/or setup password

NOTE: The password jumper enables or disables the System Password and Setup Password features. For more information on the password jumper settings, see the chapter System board jumper settings in your system Owner’s Manual.

You can assign a new System Password and/or Setup Password or change an existing System Password and/or Setup Password only when the password jumper setting is enabled and Password Status is Unlocked. If the Password Status is Locked, you cannot change the System Password and/or Setup Password.

If the password jumper setting is disabled, the existing System Password and Setup Password is deleted and you need not provide the system password to boot the system.

1. To enter System Setup, press <F2> immediately after a power-on or reboot.

2. In the System Setup Main Menu, select System BIOS and press <Enter>.

The System BIOS screen is displayed.

3. In the System BIOS screen, select System Security and press <Enter>.

The System Security screen is displayed.

4. In the System Security screen, verify that Password Status is Unlocked.

5. Select System Password, enter your system password, and press <Enter> or <Tab>.

Use the following guidelines to assign the system password:

• A password can have up to 32 characters.

• The password can contain the numbers 0 through 9.

• Only the following special characters are allowed: space, (”), (+), (,), (-), (.), (/), (;), ([), (\), (]), (`).

A message prompts you to re-enter the system password.

6. Re-enter the system password that you entered earlier and click OK.

7. Select Setup Password, enter your system password and press <Enter> or <Tab>.

A message prompts you to re-enter the setup password.

8. Re-enter the setup password that you entered earlier and click OK.

9. Press <Esc> to return to the System BIOS screen. Press <Esc> again, and a message prompts you to

save the changes.

NOTE: Password protection does not take effect until the system reboots.

Using your system password to secure your system

NOTE: If you have assigned a setup password , the system accepts your setup password as an alternate system password.

1. Turn on or reboot your system by pressing <Ctrl<Alt><Delete>.

2. Type your password and press <Enter>.

When Password Status is Locked, you must type the password and press <Enter> when prompted at reboot.

If an incorrect system password is entered, the system displays a message and prompts you to re-enter your password. You have three attempts to enter the correct password. After the third unsuccessful attempt, the system displays an error message that the system has halted and will shut down.

Even after you shut down and restart the system, the error message continues to be displayed until the correct password is entered.

NOTE: You can use the Password Status option in conjunction with the System Password and Setup Password options to protect your system from unauthorized changes.

Deleting or changing an existing system and/or setup password

Ensure that the Password jumper is set to enabled and the Password Status is set to Unlocked before attempting to delete or change the existing System and/or Setup password. You cannot delete or change an existing System or Setup password if the Password Status is Locked.

1. To enter System Setup, press <F2> immediately after a power-on or restart.

2. In the System Setup Main Menu, select System BIOS and press <Enter>.

The System BIOS screen is displayed.

3. In the System BIOS Screen, select System Security and press <Enter>.

The System Security screen is displayed.

4. In the System Security screen, verify that Password Status is set to Unlocked.

5. Select System Password, alter or delete the existing system password and press <Enter> or <Tab>.

6. Select Setup Password, alter or delete the existing setup password and press <Enter> or <Tab>.

NOTE: If you change the System and/or Setup password, a message prompts you to re-enter the new password. If you delete the System and/or Setup password, a message prompts you to confirm the deletion.

7. Press <Esc> to return to the System BIOS screen. Press <Esc> again, and a message prompts you to

save the changes.

Operating with a setup password enabled

If Setup Password is Enabled, enter the correct setup password before modifying most of the System Setup options.

If you do not enter the correct password in three attempts, the system displays the message

Invalid Password! Number of unsuccessful password attempts: <x> System Halted! Must power down.

Even after you shut down and restart the system, the error message is displayed until the correct password is entered. The following options are exceptions:

• If System Password is not Enabled and is not locked through the Password Status option, you can assign a system password.

• You cannot disable or change an existing system password.

NOTE: You can use the Password Status option in conjunction with the Setup Password option to protect the system password from unauthorized changes.

Entering the UEFI boot manager

NOTE: Operating systems must be 64-bit UEFI-compatible (for example, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 x64 version) to be installed from the UEFI boot mode. DOS and 32-bit operating systems can only be installed from the BIOS boot mode.

To enter the Boot Manager:

1. Turn on or restart your system.

2. Press <F11> after you see the following message:

<F11> = UEFI Boot Manager

If your operating system begins to load before you press <F11>, allow the system to finish booting, and then restart your system and try again.

Using the boot manager navigation keys

Key Description

Up arrow Moves to the previous field.

Down arrow Moves to the next field.

<Enter> Allows you to type in a value in the selected field (if applicable) or follow the link in

the field.

Spacebar Expands or collapses a drop-down list, if applicable.

<Tab> Moves to the next focus area.

NOTE: For the standard graphics browser only.

<Esc> Moves to the previous page till you view the main screen. Pressing <Esc> in the

main screen exits the Boot Manager and proceeds with system boot.

<F1> Displays the System Setup help file.

NOTE: For most of the options, any changes that you make are recorded but do not take effect until you restart the system.

Boot Manager screen

Menu Item Description

Continue Normal Boot

BIOS Boot Menu Displays the list of available BIOS boot options (marked with asterisks). Select the

UEFI Boot Menu Displays the list of available UEFI boot options (marked with asterisks). Select the

The system attempts to boot to devices starting with the first item in the boot order. If the boot attempt fails, the system continues with the next item in the boot order until the boot is successful or no more boot options are found.

boot option you wish to use and press <Enter>.

boot option you wish to use and press <Enter>. The UEFI Boot Menu enables you to Add Boot Option, Delete Boot Option, or Boot From File.

Menu Item Description

Driver Health Menu

Launch System Setup

System Utilities Enables you to access the BIOS Update File Explorer, run the Dell Diagnostics

Displays a list of the drivers installed on the system and their health status.

Enables you to access the System Setup.

program, and reboot the system.

UEFI Boot menu

Menu Item Description

Select UEFI Boot Option

Add Boot Option Adds a new boot option.

Delete Boot Option

Boot From File Sets a one-time boot option not included in the boot option list.

Displays the list of available UEFI boot options (marked with asterisks), select the boot option you wish to use and press <Enter>.

Deletes an existing boot option.

Embedded system management

The Dell Lifecycle Controller provides advanced embedded systems management throughout the server’s lifecycle. The Lifecycle Controller can be started during the boot sequence and can function independently of the operating system.

NOTE: Certain platform configurations may not support the full set of features provided by the Lifecycle Controller.

For more information about setting up the Lifecycle Controller, configuring hardware and firmware, and deploying the operating system, see the Lifecycle Controller documentation at dell.com/support/home.

iDRAC settings utility

The iDRAC Settings utility is an interface to setup and configure the iDRAC parameters using UEFI. You can enable or disable various iDRAC parameters using the iDRAC7 Settings Utility, for example:

NOTE: Some of the features mentioned in the list may require the iDRAC7 Enterprise License upgrade.

• Configure, enable, or disable the iDRAC local area network through the dedicated iDRAC Enterprise card port or the embedded NIC

• Enable or disable IPMI over LAN

• Enable a LAN Platform Event Trap (PET) destination

• Attach or detach the Virtual Media devices

For more information on using iDRAC7, see the iDRAC7 User's Guide, at dell.com/support/home.

Installing server module components

Recommended tools

You may need the following items to perform the procedures in this section:

• #1 and #2 Phillips screwdrivers

• T8 and T10 Torx drivers

• Wrist grounding strap

Removing and installing a server module

CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: These procedures are applicable only for full-height and half-height server modules. For information on removing and installing quarter-height server modules from a sleeve, see the server module's Owner's Manual at dell.com/poweredgemanuals.

Removing a server module

1. If installed, remove the front bezel.

2. Turn off the server module using the operating system commands or the CMC.

When a server module is powered off, its front-panel power indicator is off.

3. Press the release button on the server module handle.

4. Pull out the server module handle to unlock the server module from the enclosure.

CAUTION: If you are permanently removing a full-height server module from the enclosure, install two half-height server module blank(s). Operating the system for an extended period of time without server module blank installed can cause the enclosure to overheat.

5. Slide the server module out of the enclosure.

CAUTION: To protect the I/O connector pins, install the I/O connector cover any time a server module is removed from the enclosure.

6. Install the I/O connector cover(s) over the I/O connector(s).

Figure 4. Removing and installing a server module

1. server module handle 2. release button

3. PCIe label on server module 4. guide rail on server module/server

5. guide rail on enclosure

module blank

Installing a server module

NOTE: Ensure that you remove the server module partitions before installing the M820 server module. For information about removing the server module partitions, see Dell PowerEdge VRTX

Enclosure Owner’s Manual

1. If you are installing a new server module, remove the plastic cover from the I/O connector(s) and

save for future use.

2. Orient the server module so that the handle is on the left side of the server module.

3. Align the server module with the server module slot and the guide rails on the enclosure.

4. Using both hands, slide the server module into the enclosure until the module release handle

engages and locks the server module in place.

5. If applicable, reinstall the front bezel.

at dell.com/poweredgemanuals.

Opening and closing the server module

Opening the server module

NOTE: It is recommended that you always use a static mat and static strap while working on components inside the system.

1. Remove the server module from the enclosure.

2. Install the I/O connector cover.

3. Press the release buttons and slide the cover toward the back of the server module.

4. Carefully lift the cover away from the server module.

Figure 5. Opening and closing the server module

1. I/O connector covers (2) 2. server module cover

3. release buttons (2) 4. cover alignment pins and notches

Closing the server module

1. Ensure that no tools or parts are left inside the server module.

2. Align the notches in the edges of the chassis with the cover alignment pins on the inner sides of the

cover.

3. Lower the cover onto the chassis.

4. Slide the cover until it clicks into position.

A properly seated cover is flush with the surface of the chassis.

Inside the server module

Figure 6. Inside the server module

1. management riser card 2. PCIe mezzanine card 1 - Fabric C

3. PCIe mezzanine card 2 - Fabric B 4. PCIe mezzanine card support bracket

5. PCIe mezzanine card 3 - Fabric C 6. cooling shroud

7. PCIe mezzanine card 4 - Fabric B 8. processor/DIMM blank

9. heat sink (processor 2) 10. processor socket 3

11. memory sockets (48) 12. hard-drives (4)

13. memory modules (48) 14. heat sink (processor 1)

Cooling shroud

Removing the cooling shroud

CAUTION: Never operate your system with the cooling shroud removed. The system may get overheated quickly, resulting in shutdown and loss of data.

1. Remove the server module from the enclosure.

2. Open the server module.

3. Hold the cooling shroud at both ends near the server module chassis and lift it up and away from the

server module.

Figure 7. Removing and installing a cooling shroud

1. tabs (4) 2. cooling shroud

3. slots on the chassis (4)

Installing a server module

NOTE: Ensure that you remove the server module partitions before installing the M820 server module. For information about removing the server module partitions, see Dell PowerEdge VRTX

Enclosure Owner’s Manual

1. If you are installing a new server module, remove the plastic cover from the I/O connector(s) and

save for future use.

2. Orient the server module so that the handle is on the left side of the server module.

3. Align the server module with the server module slot and the guide rails on the enclosure.

4. Using both hands, slide the server module into the enclosure until the module release handle

engages and locks the server module in place.

5. If applicable, reinstall the front bezel.

at dell.com/poweredgemanuals.

Hard drives/SSDs

• The system supports up to four 2.5 inch SAS hard drives/PCIe SSDs.

• All drives connect to the system board through the SSD/SAS hard-drive backplane.

• Hard drives/PCIe SSDs are supplied in special hot-swappable drive carriers that fit in the drive slots.

• All empty drive slots must have hard-drive blanks installed.

The following table lists the supported hard drive/SSD configurations.

Table 1. Supported hard-drive/controller card/drive backplane configurations

Number of Drives

Four Two SAS

Two Two SAS

NOTE: The SAS drive backplane with four drive slots is installed on the system board connectors labeled J_BP0 and J_BP1.

NOTE: SAS hard-drive backplane (with two drive slots) for drives installed in drive bay 0 is installed on the system board connector labeled J_BP0. The SSD backplane (with two drive slots) for PCIe SSDs is installed on the system board connector labeled J_BP1.

Drive Population Storage

Drive Bay 0 Drive Bay 1 MiniPERC

Two SAS

hard drives

Two PCIe

SSDs

- Storage

Controller Card Type

Installed

CARD

Connector

Storage

controller

card

Storage

controller

card

controller

card

Drive Backplane Installed

System Board

Backplane

Connector J_BP0

SAS drive backplane with four drive slots

SAS hard-drive

backplane with two

drive slots

SAS hard-drive

backplane with two

drive slots

System Board

Backplane

Connector J_BP1

PCIe SSD backplane

with two drive slots

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