Supermicro SBI-7425C-S3, SBI-7425C-S3E User Manual

SBI-7425C-S3/S3E

Blade Modules

User’s Manual

Revison 1.0a

SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Module User’s Manual

The information in this User’s Manual has been carefully reviewed and is believed to be accurate. The
vendor assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies that may be contained in this document, makes no
commitment to update or to keep current the information in this manual, or to notify any person or

organization of the updates. Please Note: For the most up-to-date version of this manual, please see

our web site at www.supermicro.com.

Super Micro Computer, Inc. ("Supermicro") reserves the right to make changes to the product described
in this manual at any time and without notice. This product, including software and documentation, is the
property of Supermicro and/or its licensors, and is supplied only under a license. Any use or reproduction
of this product is not allowed, except as expressly permitted by the terms of said license.

IN NO EVENT WILL SUPERMICRO BE LIABLE FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL,
SPECULATIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE
THIS PRODUCT OR DOCUMENTATION, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGES. IN PARTICULAR, SUPERMICRO SHALL NOT HAVE LIABILITY FOR ANY HARDWARE,
SOFTWARE, OR DATA STORED OR USED WITH THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING THE COSTS OF
REPAIRING, REPLACING, INTEGRATING, INSTALLING OR RECOVERING SUCH HARDWARE,
SOFTWARE, OR DATA.

Any disputes arising between manufacturer and customer shall be governed by the laws of Santa Clara
County in the State of California, USA. The State of California, County of Santa Clara shall be the
exclusive venue for the resolution of any such disputes. Super Micro's total liability for all claims will not
exceed the price paid for the hardware product.

FCC Statement: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital
device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction manual, may cause harmful interference with radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference,
in which case you will be required to correct the interference at your own expense.

California Best Management Practices Regulations for Perchlorate Materials: This Perchlorate warning
applies only to products containing CR (Manganese Dioxide) Lithium coin cells. Perchlorate
Material-special handling may apply. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate for further
details.

WARNING: HANDLING OF LEAD SOLDER MATERIALS USED IN THIS

PRODUCT MAY EXPOSE YOU TO LEAD, A CHEMICAL KNOWN TO THE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS AND OTHER
REPRODUCTIVE HARM.

Manual Revison 1.0a

Release Date: May 18, 2011

Unless you request and receive written permission from Super Micro Computer, Inc., you may not copy
any part of this document.

Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred
to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.

Copyright © 2011 by Super Micro Computer, Inc.
All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America

ii

Preface

About this Manual

This manual is written for professional system integrators, Information Technology
professionals, service personnel and technicians. It provides information for the
installation and use of Supermicro's SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Module. Installation and
maintenance should be performed by experienced professionals only.

Manual Organization

Chapter 1: Introduction

The first chapter provides a checklist of the main components included with
SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Module and describes their main features.

Chapter 2: System Safety

You should familiarize yourself with this chapter for a general overview of safety
precautions that should be followed when installing and servicing SBI-7425C-S3/S3E
Blade Module.

Chapter 3: Setup and Installation

Refer to this chapter for details on installing the SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Module into
the SuperBladeSuperBlade chassis. Other sections cover the installation and placement
of memory modules and the installation of hard disk drives into the blade module.

Chapter 4: Blade Module Features

This chapter coves features and component information about SBI-7425C-S3/S3E
Blade Module. Included here are descriptions and information for mainboard
components, connectors, LEDs and other features of the blade module.

Chapter 5: RAID Setup Procedure

RAID setup and operations for SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Module are covered in this
chapter.

Chapter 6: BIOS

BIOS setup is covered in this chapter for SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Module.

Appendix A: BIOS POST Codes

BIOS POST Codes for SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Module are explained in this
appendix.

Appendix B: iSCSI Setup Procedure

The iSCSI setup procedure for the blade module is described in this appendix.

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Notes

iv

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction.......................................................................1-1

1-1 Overview.............................................................................................1-1

1-2 Product Checklist of Typical Components..................................... 1-1

1-3 Blade Module Features....................................................................1-2

Processors ..............................................................................................1-2

Memory ................................................................................................... 1-2

Storage.................................................................................................... 1-3

Density ....................................................................................................1-3

1-4 Contacting Supermicro.....................................................................1-4

Chapter 2 System Safety.................................................................. 2-1

2-1 Electrical Safety Precautions........................................................... 2-1

2-2 General Safety Precautions............................................................. 2-2

2-3 Electrostatic Discharge Precautions ..............................................2-2

2-4 Operating Precautions...................................................................... 2-2

Chapter 3 Setup and Installation.................................................3-1

3-1 Overview.............................................................................................3-1

3-2 Installing Blade Modules ..................................................................3-1

Powering Up a Blade Unit....................................................................... 3-1

Powering Down a Blade Unit .................................................................. 3-1

Removing a Blade Unit from the Enclosure ............................................ 3-1

Removing/Replacing the Blade Cover .................................................... 3-2

Installing a Blade Unit into the Enclosure ...............................................3-2

3-3 Processor Installation .......................................................................3-4

3-4 Onboard Battery Installation............................................................ 3-5

3-5 Memory Installation........................................................................... 3-6

Populating Memory Slots ........................................................................ 3-6

DIMM Installation .................................................................................... 3-7

3-6 Hard Disk Drive Installation .............................................................3-8

3-7 Installing the Operating System...................................................... 3-9

Installing with an External USB CD-ROM Drive....................................3-10

Installing via PXE Boot.......................................................................... 3-10

Installing via Virtual Media (Drive Redirection) ..................................... 3-10

3-8 Management Software ................................................................... 3-11

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SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Module User’s Manual

3-9 Configuring and Setting up RAID .................................................3-11

Chapter 4 Blade Module Features.............................................. 4-1

4-1 Control Panel .....................................................................................4-2

Power Button .......................................................................................... 4-3

KVM Button.............................................................................................4-3

LED Indicators ........................................................................................4-3

KVM Connector....................................................................................... 4-3

4-2 Mainboard........................................................................................... 4-4

Jumpers .................................................................................................. 4-6

CMOS Clear............................................................................................ 4-6

4-3 Blade Unit Components ................................................................... 4-6

Memory Support ..................................................................................... 4-7

Hard Disk Drives ..................................................................................... 4-7

Chapter 5 RAID Setup Procedure............................................... 5-1

5-1 RAID Configurations......................................................................... 5-1

5-2 Preparing for Setup........................................................................... 5-1

5-3 RAID Setup Procedure.....................................................................5-2

Starting The MegaRAID BIOS Configuration Utility ................................5-2

Using Easy Configuration ....................................................................... 5-3

Using New Configuration and View/Add Configuration........................... 5-4

Initializing Virtual Drives.......................................................................... 5-6

First Initialization Method ..................................................................... 5-6

Second Initialization Method ................................................................5-7

Chapter 6 BIOS....................................................................................... 6-1

6-1 Introduction......................................................................................... 6-1

System BIOS .......................................................................................... 6-1

How To Change the Configuration Data ................................................. 6-1

Starting the Setup Utility.......................................................................... 6-1

6-2 BIOS Updates .................................................................................... 6-2

Flashing BIOS.........................................................................................6-2

6-3 Running Setup ................................................................................... 6-3

6-4 Main BIOS Setup............................................................................... 6-4

6-5 Advanced Setup ................................................................................6-5

Boot Features Submenu.........................................................................6-7

Memory Cache Submenu ....................................................................... 6-8

PCI Configuration Submenu ................................................................. 6-10

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Table of Contents

Advanced Chipset Control Submenu....................................................6-11

Advanced Processor Options Submenu ............................................... 6-12

I/O Device Configuration Submenu ......................................................6-14

DMI Event Logging Submenu ............................................................... 6-15

Console Redirection Submenu ............................................................. 6-16

Hardware Monitor Submenu .................................................................6-17

IPMI Submenu ...................................................................................... 6-19

6-6 Security .............................................................................................6-20

6-7 Boot ................................................................................................... 6-21

Boot Priority Order/Excluded from Boot Order...................................... 6-22

6-8 Exit..................................................................................................... 6-22

Appendix A BIOS POST Codes....................................................A-1

A-1 BIOS POST Messages ....................................................................A-1

A-2 BIOS POST Codes...........................................................................A-3

Recoverable POST Errors ......................................................................A-4

Terminal POST Errors.............................................................................A-4

Appendix B iSCSI Setup Procedure..........................................B-1

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Notes

viii

List of Figures

Figure 1-1. Full Rack of Blade Enclosures and Blade Servers .........................1-3

Figure 3-1. Inserting a Blade into the Enclosure ............................................... 3-3

Figure 3-2. Locking the Blade into Position....................................................... 3-3

Figure 3-3. Installing a Processor in a Socket...................................................3-5

Figure 3-4. Installing the Onboard Battery ........................................................3-6

Figure 3-5. 6-slot DIMM Numbering.................................................................. 3-7

Figure 3-6. Installing a DIMM into a Memory Slot ............................................. 3-8

Figure 3-7. Installing a Hard Drive in a Carrier..................................................3-9

Figure 4-1. SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Unit Front View .....................................4-1

Figure 4-2. Blade Control Panel........................................................................4-2

Figure 4-3. B7DC3 Mainboard .......................................................................... 4-4

Figure 4-4. Intel 5100/Intel ICH9R Chipset: Block Diagram.............................. 4-5

Figure 4-5. Exploded View of a SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Module .................. 4-6

Figure 5-1. RAID Configuration Utility Management Menu Screen...................5-2

Figure 5-2. Virtual Drives Configured Screen ................................................... 5-4

Figure 5-3. Virtual Drives List Screen ............................................................... 5-7

Figure 6-1. Main BIOS Setup Menu.................................................................. 6-4

Figure 6-2. Advanced Setup Menu ................................................................... 6-5

Figure 7. Boot Features Submenu.................................................................... 6-7

Figure 6-1. Memory Cache Submenu...............................................................6-8

Figure 6-2. PCI Configuration Submenu.........................................................6-10

Figure 6-3. Advanced Chipset Control Submenu............................................ 6-11

Figure 6-4. Advanced Processor Options Submenu.......................................6-12

Figure 6-5. I/O Device Configuration Submenu .............................................. 6-14

Figure 6-6. DMI Event Logging Submenu....................................................... 6-15

Figure 6-7. Console Redirection Submenu .....................................................6-16

Figure 6-8. Hardware Monitor Submenu......................................................... 6-17

Figure 6-9. Security Menu............................................................................... 6-20

Figure 6-10. Boot Menu ..................................................................................6-21

Figure 6-11. Exit Menu.................................................................................... 6-22

Figure B-1. Microsoft MPIO Multipathing Support for iSCSI Check Box...........B-2

Figure B-2. Configure iSCSI Network Boot Support Check Box .......................B-3

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SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Module User’s Manual

Notes

x

List of Tables

Table 1-1. SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Specification Features ...........................1-2

Table 3-1. Populating Eight Memory Slots for Interleaved Operation ...............3-6

Table 4-1. SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Unit Features ......................................... 4-1

Table 4-2. Blade Control Panel......................................................................... 4-2

Table 4-3. Blade Module LED Indicators ..........................................................4-3

Table 4-4. B7DC3 Mainboard Layout................................................................ 4-5

Table 4-5. Main Components of a SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Module.............. 4-7

Table 6-1. Main BIOS Setup Menu Options......................................................6-4

Table 6-2. Advanced Setup Menu Options ....................................................... 6-5

Table 6-3. Boot Features Submenu Menu Options........................................... 6-7

Table 6-4. Memory Cache Submenu Menu Options.........................................6-9

Table 6-5. PCI Configuration Submenu Menu Options...................................6-10

Table 6-6. Advanced Chipset Control Submenu Menu Options .....................6-11

Table 6-7. Advanced Processor Options Submenu Menu Options................. 6-13

Table 6-8. I/O Device Configuration Submenu Menu Options........................6-14

Table 6-9. DMI Event Logging Submenu Menu Options................................. 6-15

Table 6-10. Console Redirection Submenu Menu Options............................. 6-17

Table 6-11. Hardware Monitor Submenu Menu Options................................. 6-18

Table 6-12. IPMI Submenu Menu Options......................................................6-19

Table 6-13. Security Menu Options.................................................................6-20

Table 6-14. Exit Menu Options........................................................................6-23

Table A-1. BIOS POST Messages....................................................................A-1

Table A-2. Terminal POST Errors.....................................................................A-4

Table A-3. Boot Block Flash ROM Terminal POST Errors................................A-8

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SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Module User’s Manual

Notes

xii

Chapter 1

Introduction

1-1 Overview

This user’s manual covers both the SBI-7425C-S3 and SBI-7425C-S3E blade modules.
The only difference between these two modules and their respective B7DC3 and
B7DC3-IB mainboards is the Infiniband support found in the SBI-7125C-S3E blade
module.

The SBI-7425C-S3/S3E blade modules are compact self-contained servers that connect
into a pre-cabled enclosure that provides power, cooling, management and networking
functions. One enclosure for the SBI-7425C-S3/S3E blade modules can hold fourteen
blade units.

In this manual, “blade system” refers to the entire system (including the enclosure and
blades units), “blade” or “blade unit” refers to a single blade module and “blade
enclosure” is the chassis that the blades, power supplies and modules are housed
within.

Please refer to our web site for information on operating systems that have been
certified for use with the SuperBlade (www.supermicro.com/products/superblade/).

1-2 Product Checklist of Typical Components

Your blade module ships with its mainboard already installed in its chassis. Memory,
hard disk drives and the CPU must all be installed by the user after shipment. See

Chapter 3: "Setup and Installation" on page 3-1 for details on installation of these

components.

Aside from the blade module unit itself, the following optional add-on cards may be
ordered for your blade module:

• Blade IPMI Add-on Card: AOC-SIMPL

• Mezzanine Cards (with Infiniband Switch): AOC-IBH-001, AOC-IBH-002 or
AOC-IBH-003

See the Supermicro website and the SuperBlade Network Modules User’s Manual on

your SuperBlade system’s CD-ROM for more details on these add-on cards.

1-1

SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Modules User’s Manual

1-3 Blade Module Features

Table 1-1 lists the main features of the SBI-7425C-S3/S3E blade modules. See the

proceeding section for components typically included in a blade system and other
optional components. Specific details on the SBI-7425C-S3/S3E blade modules is found
in Chapter 4: "Blade Module Features" on page 4-1.

Table 1-1. SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Specification Features

Mainboard

Processors

FSB Speed 1333/1066 MHz front side (system) bus speed

Chipset Intel 5100/Intel ICH9R

Graphics Controller Onboard ATI ES1000 graphics chip with 32 MB of SDRAM

BIOS 16 Mb Phoenix® Flash ROM

Memory Capacity

SATA Controller Intel ICH9R on-chip controller for three Serial ATA drives

Hard Drive Bays Includes three hot-swap drive bays for 2.5" SATA disk drives

B7DC3/B7DC3-IB (proprietary form factor)
Chassis Dimensions (HxWxD): 11.32” x 1.19” x 18.9”

Dual or quad core Intel™ Xeon® 5400/5300/5200/5100/5000 Sequence
processors. Please refer to our web site for a complete listing of supported
processors.

Six 240-pin DIMM sockets supporting up to 24 GB of ECC Registered
DDR2-667/533 SDRAM.

Processors

The SBI-7425C-S3/S3E blade modules support dual 771-pin Intel Xeon 5400/5300/
5200/5100/5000 series processors.

Refer to the Supermicro web site for a complete listing of supported processors (http://

www.supermicro.com/products/superblade). Please note that you will need to check the

detailed specifications of a particular blade module for a list of the CPUs it supports.

Details on installation of the processor into the SBI-7425C-S3/S3E blade modules are
found in Chapter 3: "Setup and Installation" on page 3-1.

Memory

Both the SBI-7425C-S3/S3E blade modules have eight 240-pin DIMM sockets that can
support up to 24 GB of ECC Registered DDR2-667/533 SDRAM. Memory is interleaved,
which requires modules of the same size and speed to be installed in groups (of two or
three).

Please refer to the Supermicro web site for a list of supported memory
(www.supermicro.com/products/superblade). The detailed specifications for a blade
module will contain a link to a list of recommended memory sizes and manufacturers.

Details on installation of memory modules into the SBI-7425C-S3/S3E blade modules
are found in Chapter 3: "Setup and Installation" on page 3-1.

1-2

Chapter 1: Introduction

Storage

The SBI-7425C-S3/S3E blade modules can have three 2.5-inch SATA (Serial ATA) hard
disk drives in front-mounted easy removable carriers. See Chapter 3: "Setup and

Installation" on page 3-1 for storage installation details.

Density

A maximum of fourteen blade modules may be installed into a single blade enclosure.
Each blade enclosure is a 7U form factor, so a standard 42U rack may accommodate up
to six enclosures with 84 blade modules, or the equivalent of 84 1U servers. With the
inclusion of six CMM modules, twelve Gigabit Ethernet switches and six InfiniBand
switches, this would occupy up to 108U space in a conventional 1U server configuration.

Figure 1-1 displays a view of a full rack with six blade enclosures in it, each with

fourteen blades to an enclosure.

Figure 1-1. Full Rack of Blade Enclosures and Blade Servers

1-3

SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Modules User’s Manual

1-4 Contacting Supermicro

Headquarters

Address: Super Micro Computer, Inc.

980 Rock Ave.

San Jose, CA 95131 U.S.A.

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Email:

Web Site: www.supermicro.com

[e-mail] (General Information)

[e-mail] (Technical Support)

Europe

Address: Super Micro Computer B.V.

Het Sterrenbeeld 28, 5215 ML

‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

[e-mail] (General Information)

Email:

[e-mail] (Technical Support)

[e-mail] (Customer Support)

Asia-Pacific

Address: Super Micro Computer, Inc.

4F, No. 232-1, Liancheng Rd.

Chung-Ho 235, Taipei County

Taiwan, R.O.C.

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Web Site: www.supermicro.com.tw

Technical Support:

Email: [e-mail]

Tel: [phone], ext. 132 or 139

1-4

Chapter 2

System Safety

2-1 Electrical Safety Precautions

Basic electrical safety precautions should be followed to protect yourself from harm and
the SuperBlade from damage:

• Be aware of how to power on/off the enclosure power supplies and the individual
blades as well as the room's emergency power-off switch, disconnection switch or
electrical outlet. If an electrical accident occurs, you can then quickly remove power
from the system.

• Do not work alone when working with high voltage components.

• Power should always be disconnected from the blade module when removing or
installing such system components as the mainboard, memory modules and
processors.

• When working around exposed electrical circuits, another person who is familiar
with the power-off controls should be nearby to switch off the power if necessary.

• Use only one hand when working with powered-on electrical equipment. This is to
avoid making a complete circuit, which will cause electrical shock. Use extreme
caution when using metal tools, which can easily damage any electrical components
or circuit boards they come into contact with.

• Do not use mats designed to decrease electrostatic discharge as protection from
electrical shock. Instead, use rubber mats that have been specifically designed as
electrical insulators.

• The power supply power cords must include a grounding plug and must be plugged
into grounded electrical outlets. Power input requires 110-240 VAC, depending upon
your power supply module.

• Mainboard Battery: This battery must be replaced only with the same or an
equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer (CR2032 Lithium 3V battery).
Dispose of used batteries according to the manufacturer's instructions.

WARNING: There is a danger of explosion if the onboard battery is installed

upside down, which will reverse its polarities.

• Mainboard replaceable soldered-in fuses: Self-resetting PTC (Positive Temperature
Coefficient) fuses on the mainboard must be replaced by trained service technicians
only. The new fuse must be the same or equivalent as the one replaced. Contact
technical support for details and support.

2-1

SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Modules User’s Manual

2-2 General Safety Precautions

Follow these rules to ensure general safety:

• Keep the area around the SuperBlade clean and free of clutter.

• Place the blade module cover and any system components that have been removed
away from the system or on a table so that they won't accidentally be stepped on.

• While working on the system, do not wear loose clothing such as neckties and
unbuttoned shirt sleeves, which can come into contact with electrical circuits or be
pulled into a cooling fan.

• Remove any jewelry or metal objects from your body, which are excellent metal
conductors that can create short circuits and harm you if they come into contact with
printed circuit boards or areas where power is present.

• After accessing the inside of the system, replace the blade module's cover before
installing it back into the blade enclosure.

2-3 Electrostatic Discharge Precautions

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is generated by two objects with different electrical
charges coming into contact with each other. An electrical discharge is created to
neutralize this difference, which can damage electronic components and printed circuit
boards.

The following measures are generally sufficient to neutralize this difference before

contact is made to protect your equipment from ESD:

• Use a grounded wrist strap designed to prevent static discharge.

• Keep all components and printed circuit boards (PCBs) in their antistatic bags until
ready for use.

• Touch a grounded metal object before removing the board from the antistatic bag.

• Do not let components or PCBs come into contact with your clothing, which may
retain a charge even if you are wearing a wrist strap.

• Handle a board by its edges only; do not touch its components, peripheral chips,
memory modules or contacts.

• When handling chips or modules, avoid touching their pins.

• Put the mainboard and peripherals back into their antistatic bags when not in use.

• For grounding purposes, make sure the blade enclosure provides excellent
conductivity between the power supplies, the blade modules and the mainboard.

2-4 Operating Precautions

Care must be taken to assure that the cover of the blade unit is in place when the blade
is operating to assure proper cooling. Out of warranty damage to the blade can occur if
this practice is not strictly followed.

Any drive carrier without a hard drive installed must remain fully installed in the drive bay
when the blade module is operating to ensure proper airflow.

2-2

Chapter 3

Setup and Installation

3-1 Overview

This chapter covers the setup and installation of the blade module and its components.

3-2 Installing Blade Modules

Up to fourteen SBI-7425C-S3/S3E blade modules may be installed into a single blade
enclosure. Blade modules with Windows and Linux operating systems may be mixed
together in the same blade enclosure.

Powering Up a Blade Unit

Each blade unit may be powered on and off independently from the rest of the blades
installed in the same enclosure. A blade unit may be powered up in two ways:

• Press the power button on the blade unit.

• Use IPMIView or the web-browser based management utility to apply power using
either a CMM module, or by the use of an installed SIMBL add-on card in the blade
module.

Powering Down a Blade Unit

A blade unit may be powered down in either of five ways:

• Press the power button on the blade unit.

• Use IPMIView or the web-browser based management utility to power down (if you
have Operator or Admin privileges on the CMM).

• Use IPMItool when connected to the CMM to power down (if you have Operator or
Admin privileges on the CMM).

• Use IPMIview or a browser connected to the SIMBL card attached to the blade to
power down.

• Use IPMItool to use a Command Line Interface (CLI) to the SIMBL (if you have
Operator or Admin privileges).

Removing a Blade Unit from the Enclosure

Although the blade system may continue to run, individual blades should always be
powered down before removing them from the enclosure.

3-1

SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Modules User’s Manual

Removing a Blade Unit from the Enclosure

1. Power down the blade unit (see "Powering Down a Blade Unit" above).

2. Squeeze both handles to depress the red sections then pull out both handles
completely and use them to pull the blade unit from the enclosure.

NOTE: Blade Modules can be Hot-Plugged from the enclosure.

Removing/Replacing the Blade Cover

The blade cover must be removed to access the mainboard when you need to install or
remove processors, memory units, the onboard battery and so on.

Removing/Replacing the Blade Cover

1. Remove the blade unit from the enclosure (see "Removing a Blade Unit from the

Enclosure" above).

2. Depress the two buttons on the cover while pushing the cover toward the rear of the
blade unit. When it stops, lift the cover off the blade unit.

3. To replace the cover, fit the six grooves in the cover into the studs in the sides of the
blade, then slide the cover toward the front of the blade to lock it into place.

Installing a Blade Unit into the Enclosure

Make sure the cover of the blade unit has been replaced first before installing a blade
unit in the enclosure.

Installing a Blade Unit into the Enclosure

1. Slowly push the blade unit into its bay with the handles fully pulled out (see

Figure 3-1).

2. When the blade stops, push the handles back in to their locked position, making
sure the notches in both handles catch the lip of the enclosure (see Figure 3-2).

NOTE: Blade Modules can be Hot-Plugged into the enclosure.

WARNING: Use extreme caution when inserting a blade module into the
enclosure. If the blade's power connector becomes damaged, it can damage

pins on other blade bays that it is inserted into.

3-2

Chapter 3: Setup and Installation

Figure 3-1. Inserting a Blade into the Enclosure

Figure 3-2. Locking the Blade into Position

3-3

SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Modules User’s Manual

3-3 Processor Installation

One or two processors may be installed to the mainboard of each blade unit. See

Chapter 1 for general information on the features of the blade unit and the Supermicro
web site for further details including processor, memory and operating system support.

WARNING: This action should only be performed by a trained service

technician. Allow the processor heatsink to cool before removing it.

Removing a Processor

1. Power down and remove the blade unit from the enclosure (see Section 3-2:

Installing Blade Modules on page 3-1 for details).

2. Remove the cover of the blade unit (see "Removing/Replacing the Blade Cover" on

page 3-2).

3. Loosen the four screws that secure the heatsink to the mainboard.

4. Remove the heatsink by gently rotating it back-and-forth sideways with your fingers

to release it from the processor. Set the heatsink aside and upside-down so that
nothing comes into contact with the thermal grease on its underside.

5. Raise the lever of the processor socket up until the processor is released from the
socket, then lift the silver cover plate and remove the processor.

WARNING: This action should only be performed by a trained service

technician.

Installing a Processor

1. If present, remove the protective black PnP cap from the processor socket.

2. Raise the lever of the processor socket until it reaches its upper limit.

3. Lift the silver cover plate completely up and out of the way.

NOTE: Be careful not to damage the pins protruding from the CPU socket.

4. Align pin 1 of the processor with pin 1 of the socket (both are marked with a small
gold triangle) and gently seat the processor into the socket (Figure 3-3).

5. Check to make sure the processor is flush to the socket and fully seated.

6. Lower the socket lever until it locks.

7. To install the heatsink, apply thermal grease to the top of the processor. (If
reinstalling a heatsink, first clean off the old thermal grease with a clean, lint-free
cloth.)

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Chapter 3: Setup and Installation

Gold dot

Socket key

CPU key

Notched corner

CPU pin

8. Place the heatsink on the processor then tighten two diagonal screws until snug,
then the other two screws.

9. When all four screws are snug, tighten them all to secure the heatsink to the
mainboard.

NOTE: Do not overtighten the screws as this may damage the processor or the

heatsink.

10. Replace the cover on the blade unit and finish by installing the unit back into the
blade enclosure.

Figure 3-3. Installing a Processor in a Socket

3-4 Onboard Battery Installation

A battery is included on the mainboard to supply certain volatile memory components
with power when power has been removed from the blade module. If this battery dies, it
must be replaced with an equivalent CR2032 Lithium 3V battery. Dispose of used
batteries according to the manufacturer's instructions. See Figure 3-4 for a diagram of
installing a new onboard battery.

WARNING: There is a danger of explosion if the onboard battery is installed

upside down, which reverses its polarities.

3-5

SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Modules User’s Manual

Lithium Battery

Battery Holder

Figure 3-4. Installing the Onboard Battery

3-5 Memory Installation

The mainboard of each blade unit must be populated with DIMMs (Dual In-line Memory

Modules) to provide system memory. The DIMMs should all be of the same size and
speed and from the same manufacturer due to compatibility issues. See details

below on supported memory and our web site (www.supermicro.com/products/

superblade for recommended memory.

WARNING: For all SBI-7425 series blades, ONLY VLP (Very low profile) memory

can be used.

Populating Memory Slots

The mainboard of a SBI-7425C-S3/S3E blade module has six memory slots. Both
interleaved and non-interleaved memory are supported, so you may populate any
number of DIMM slots.

Populating two slots at a time (DIMM1A + DIMM2A, DIMM3A + DIMM4A, etc.) with
memory modules of the same size and of the same type will result in dual-channel,
interleaved memory, which is faster than single-channel, non-interleaved memory. See

Table 3-1: "Populating Eight Memory Slots for Interleaved Operation" on page 3-6 for

details.

For an interleaved configuration, memory modules of the same size and speed
must be installed in pairs. You should not mix DIMMs of different sizes and
speeds.

Table 3-1. Populating Eight Memory Slots for Interleaved Operation

Number

of DIMMs

2 DIMMs 1A --- 2A --- --- --- --- ---

4 DIMMs 1A --- 2A --- 3A --- 4A ---

6 DIMMs 1A 1B 2A 2B 3A 3B --- ---

Channel 0 Channel 1 Channel 2 Channel 3

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Chapter 3: Setup and Installation

Center of Board Edge of Board

Toward CPU’s

DIMM3B

DIMM2A

DIMM3A

DIMM1B

DIMM2B

DIMM1A

NOTE: The DIMM slot number specified in Table 3-1 equals the DIMM slot to

be populated. The “---” notation indicates that the DIMM slot should be left
unpopulated.

NOTE: Though multiple DIMM memory module types and speeds may be

supported, you need to use DIMM memory modules of the same speed and
type.

Figure 3-5. 6-slot DIMM Numbering

DIMM Installation

WARNING: Exercise extreme care when installing or removing DIMM modules

to prevent any possible damage.

Installing DIMM Memory Modules

1. Power down the blade module (see "Powering Down a Blade Unit" on page 3-1).

2. Remove the blade from the enclosure and the cover from the blade (see

"Removing/Replacing the Blade Cover" on page 3-2).

3. Remove the air shroud that covers the DIMM slots.

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SBI-7425C-S3/S3E Blade Modules User’s Manual

DDR2 DIMM

Top View of DDR2 DIMM Slot

T o Install: Insert module vertically

and press down until it snaps into
place. Pay attention to the bottom
notch.

To Remove: Use your thumbs to

gently push each release tab
outward to free the DIMM from the
slot.

4. Insert each DIMM vertically into its slot, starting with slots 1A and 2A. Pay attention
to the notch along the bottom of the module to prevent inserting the DIMM
incorrectly (see Figure 3-6).

Figure 3-6. Installing a DIMM into a Memory Slot

5. Gently press down on the DIMM until it snaps into place in the slot. Repeat for all
modules (see Table 3-1 for installing DIMMs into the slots in the correct order).

6. Replace the air shroud and the blade cover and install the blade module back into
the enclosure.

7. Power up the blade unit (see "Powering Up a Blade Unit" on page 3-1).

3-6 Hard Disk Drive Installation

Hard disk drives are installed in “carriers” which are hot-swappable and can be removed
or replaced without powering down the blade unit they reside in. A blade module needs
a hard disk drive with an operating system installed to operate.

WARNING: To maintain proper airflow, both hard drive bays must have drive

carriers inserted during operation whether or not a drive is installed in the carrier.

To remove a hard drive carrier, do the following:

Removing a Hard Drive Carrier

1. Locate the colored “Open” button at the bottom of the drive carrier and press it with
your thumb. This action releases the drive carrier from the drive bay.

2. Pull the release handle out about 45-degrees, then use it to pull the drive carrier out.

To Install a hard drive, use the following procedure:

3-8