Acer Altos R920 Series User manual

Acer Altos R920 Series
User’s Guide

Changes may be made periodically to the information in this publication without obligation
to notify any person of such revision or changes. Such changes will be incorporated in new
editions of this manual or supplementary documents and publications. This company makes
no representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the contents
hereof and specifically disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a
particular purpose.
Record the model number, serial number, purchase date, and place of purchase information in
the space provided below. The serial number and model number are recorded on the label
affixed to your server. All correspondence concerning your unit should include the serial
number, model number, and purchase information.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise,
without the prior written permission of Acer Incorporated.
Model Name : R920
Part Number: MU.R2900.001
Purchase Date:
Place of Purchase:
Copyright © 2007 Acer Incorporated
All Rights Reserved.
Acer Altos R920 Series
User’s Guide
Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks of Acer Inc. Other company’s product names
or trademarks are used herein for identification purposes only and belong to their respective
companies.
Acer Altos R920 Series

iii
Notices
FCC declaration of conformity
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
The following local manufacturer/importer is responsible for this declaration:
FCC notice
Class A devices do not have an FCC logo or FCC IDE on the label. Class B devices
have an FCC logo or FCC IDE on the label. Once the class of the device is
determined, refer to the following corresponding statement.
Class A equipment
This device 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 instructions, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is
likely to cause harmful interference, in which case the user will be required to
correct the interference at personal expense.
Product:
Model number:
Name of responsible party:
Address of responsible party:
Contact person:
Phone number:
Fax number:
Server
R920
Acer America Corporation
333 West San Carlos St., San Jose,
CA 95110, U. S. A.
Acer Representative
1-254-298-4000
1-254-298-4147

iv
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this device does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the device off and on, the user
is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the device and receiver
• Connect the device into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which
the receiver is connected
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for help
Notice: Shielded cables
All connections to other computing devices must be made using shielded cables
to maintain compliance with FCC regulations.
Notice: Peripheral devices
Only peripherals (input/output devices, terminals, printers, etc.) certified to
comply with the Class A limits may be attached to this equipment. Operation
with noncertified peripherals is likely to result in interference to radio and TV
reception.
Caution: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the
manufacturer could void the user’s authority, which is granted by
the Federal Communications Commission, to operate this server.
Use conditions
This part complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Notice: Canadian users
This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.

v
Remarque à l'intention des utilisateurs canadiens
Cet appareil numérique de la classe A est conforme a la norme NMB-003 du
Canada.
Laser compliance statement
The CD or DVD drive used with this computer is a laser product. The CD or DVD
drive's classification label (shown below) is located on the drive.
CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT
CAUTION: INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION WHEN OPEN. AVOID EXPOSURE TO
BEAM.
APPAREIL A LASER DE CLASSE 1 PRODUIT
LASERATTENTION: RADIATION DU FAISCEAU LASER INVISIBLE EN CAS
D'OUVERTURE. EVITTER TOUTE EXPOSITION AUX RAYONS.
LUOKAN 1 LASERLAITE LASER KLASSE 1
VORSICHT: UNSICHTBARE LASERSTRAHLUNG, WENN ABDECKUNG GEÖFFNET
NICHT DEM STRAHLL AUSSETZEN.
PRODUCTO LÁSER DE LA CLASE I
ADVERTENCIA: RADIACIÓN LÁSER INVISIBLE AL SER ABIERTO. EVITE
EXPONERSE A LOS RAYOS.
ADVARSEL: LASERSTRÅLING VEDÅBNING SE IKKE IND I STRÅLEN.
VARO: LAVATTAESSA OLET ALTTINA LASERSÅTEILYLLE.
VARNING: LASERSTRÅLNING NÅR DENNA DEL ÅR ÖPPNAD ÅLÅ TUIJOTA
SÅTEESEENSTIRRA EJ IN I STRÅLEN.
VARNING: LASERSTRÅLNING NAR DENNA DEL ÅR ÖPPNADSTIRRA EJ IN I
STRÅLEN.
ADVARSEL: LASERSTRÅLING NAR DEKSEL ÅPNESSTIRR IKKE INN I STRÅLEN.
Macrovision copyright protection notice
"U.S Patent Nos. 4,631,603; 4,819,098; 4,907,093; 5,315,448; and 6,516,132."
This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by
U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights. Use of this copyright
protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision, and is intended for
home and other limited viewing uses only unless otherwise authorized by
Macrovision. Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited.

vi
CE Declaration of conformity
We,
Acer Computer (Shanghai) Limited
3F, No. 168 Xizang Medium Road, Huangpu District,
Shanghai, China
Contact Person: Mr. Easy Lai
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Hereby declare that:
Is compliant with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of
the following EC directives, and that all the necessary steps have been taken
and are in force to assure that production units of the same product will
continue to comply with these requirements.
• EMC Directive 2004/108/EC, amended by conformity with the
following harmonized standards:
• EN55022:1998 + A1:2000 + A2:2003, AS/NZS CISPR22:2002, Class A
• EN55024:1998 + A1:2001 + A2:2003
• EN61000-3-2:2000 + A2:2005, Class D
• EN61000-3-3:1995 + A1:2001
• Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC as attested by conformity with
the following harmonized standard:
• EN60950-1:2001 + A11:2004
• RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC on the Restriction of the Use of certain
Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Product:
Trade name:
Model number:
SKU number:
Server
Acer
R920
R920xx ("x" = 0~9, a~z, A~Z or blank)
Director, Acer Computer (Shanghai) Limited

vii
Declaration of conformity for EU countries
Hereby, Acer, declares that this PC series is in compliance with the essential
requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC.
Russian regulatory certification compliance

viii
Information for your safety and
comfort
Safety instructions
Read these instructions carefully. Keep this document for future reference.
Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product.
Turning the product off before cleaning
Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid
cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.
CAUTION for plug as disconnecting device
Observe the following guidelines when connecting and disconnecting power to
the power supply unit:
• Install the power supply unit before connecting the power cord to the AC
power outlet.
• Unplug the power cord before removing the power supply unit from the
server.
• If the system has multiple sources of power, disconnect power from the
system by unplugging all power cords from the power supplies.
CAUTION for accessibility
Be sure that the power outlet you plug the power cord into is easily accessible
and located as close to the equipment operator as possible. When you need to
disconnect power to the equipment, be sure to unplug the power cord from the
electrical outlet.
Usage warnings
• Do not use this product near water. Never spill liquid of any kind onto or
into the product.
• Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand or table. If the product
falls, it could be seriously damaged.
• Slots and openings are provided for ventilation to ensure reliable
operation of the product and to protect it from overheating. These
openings must not be blocked or covered. The openings should never be
blocked by placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug or other similar surface.
This product should never be placed near or over a radiator or heat
register, or in a built-in installation unless proper ventilation is provided.

ix
• Never push objects of any kind into this product through cabinet slots as
they may touch dangerous voltage points or short-out parts that could
result in a fire or electric shock.
• To avoid damage of internal components and to prevent battery leakage,
do not place the product on a vibrating surface.
• Never use it under sporting, exercising, or any vibrating environment
which will probably cause unexpected short current or damage rotor
devices, hard drives, optical drives, and even exposure risk from lithium
battery pack.
Using electrical power
• This product should be operated from the type of power indicated on the
marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power available, consult
your dealer or local power company.
• Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord. Do not locate this
product where people will walk on the cord.
• If an extension cord is used with this product, make sure that the total
ampere rating of the equipment plugged into the extension cord does not
exceed the extension cord ampere rating. Also, make sure that the total
rating of all products plugged into the wall outlet does not exceed the fuse
rating.
• Do not overload a power outlet, strip or receptacle by plugging in too
many devices. The overall system load must not exceed 80% of the branch
circuit rating. If power strips are used, the load should not exceed 80% of
the power strip's input rating.
• This product's power supply is equipped with a three-wire grounded plug.
The plug only fits in a grounded power outlet. Make sure the power outlet
is properly grounded before inserting the power supply plug. Do not insert
the plug into a non-grounded power outlet. Contact your electrician for
details.
Warning! The grounding pin is a safety feature. Using a
power outlet that is not properly grounded may result in
electric shock and/or injury.
Note: The grounding pin also provides good protection from
unexpected noise produced by other nearby electrical devices that
may interfere with the performance of this product.

x
• Use the product only with the supplied power supply cord set. If you need
to replace the power cord set, make sure that the new power cord meets
the following requirements: detachable type, UL listed/CSA certified, type
SPT-2, rated 7 A 125 V minimum, VDE approved or its equivalent, 4.6
meters (15 feet) maximum length.
Safe listening
Follow these instructions, suggested by hearing experts, to protect your
hearing.
• Gradually increase the volume until you can hear it clearly and comfortably
and without distortion.
• After setting the volume level, do not increase it after your ears adjust.
• Limit the amount of time listening to music at high volume.
• Avoid turning up the volume to block out noisy surroundings.
• Turn the volume down if you can't hear people speaking near you.
Product servicing
Do not attempt to service this product yourself, as opening or removing covers
may expose you to dangerous voltage points or other risks. Refer all servicing to
qualified service personnel.
Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service
personnel when:
• the power cord or plug is damaged, cut or frayed
• liquid was spilled into the product
• the product was exposed to rain or water
• the product has been dropped or the case has been damaged
• the product exhibits a distinct change in performance, indicating a need
for service
• the product does not operate normally after following the operating
instructions
Note: Adjust only those controls that are covered by the
operating instructions, since improper adjustment of other
controls may result in damage and will often require extensive
work by a qualified technician to restore the product to normal
condition.

xi
Disposal instructions
Do not throw this electronic device into the trash when discarding. To minimize
pollution and ensure utmost protection of the global environment, please
recycle. For more information on the Waste from Electrical and Electronics
Equipment (WEEE) regulations, visit
http://global.acer.com/about/sustainability.htm.

xii
Tips and information for comfortable use
Computer users may complain of eyestrain and headaches after prolonged use.
Users are also at risk of physical injury after long hours of working in front of a
computer. Long work periods, bad posture, poor work habits, stress, inadequate
working conditions, personal health and other factors greatly increase the risk
of physical injury.
Incorrect computer usage may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis,
tenosynovitis or other musculoskeletal disorders. The following symptoms may
appear in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck or back:
• numbness, or a burning or tingling sensation
• aching, soreness or tenderness
• pain, swelling or throbbing
• stiffness or tightness
• coldness or weakness
If you have these symptoms, or any other recurring or persistent discomfort
and/or pain related to computer use, consult a physician immediately and
inform your company's health and safety department.
The following sections provide tips for more comfortable computer use.
Finding your comfort zone
Find your comfort zone by adjusting the viewing angle of the monitor, using a
footrest, or raising your sitting height to achieve maximum comfort. Observe
the following tips:
• Refrain from staying too long in one fixed posture.
• Avoid slouching forward and/or leaning backward.
• Stand up and walk around regularly to remove the strain on your leg
muscles.
• Take short rests to relax your neck and shoulders.
• Avoid tensing your muscles or shrugging your shoulders.
• Install the external display, keyboard and mouse properly and within
comfortable reach.
• If you view your monitor more than your documents, place the display at
the center of your desk to minimize neck strain.

xiii
Taking care of your vision
Long viewing hours, wearing incorrect glasses or contact lenses, glare, excessive
room lighting, poorly focused screens, very small typefaces and low-contrast
displays could stress your eyes. The following items provide suggestions on how
to reduce eyestrain.
•Eyes
• Rest your eyes frequently.
• Give your eyes regular breaks by looking away from the monitor and
focusing on a distant point.
• Blink frequently to keep your eyes from drying out.
•Display
• Keep your display clean.
• Keep your head at a higher level than the top edge of the display so
your eyes point downward when looking at the middle of the display.
• Adjust the display brightness and/or contrast to a comfortable level
for enhanced text readability and graphics clarity.
• Eliminate glare and reflections by:
– placing your display in such a way that the side faces the window or
any light source
– minimizing room light by using drapes, shades or blinds
– using a task light
– changing the display's viewing angle
– using a glare-reduction filter
– using a display visor, such as a piece of cardboard extended from
the display's top front edge
• Avoid adjusting your display to an awkward viewing angle.
• Avoid looking at bright light sources, such as open windows, for
extended periods of time.

xiv
Developing good work habits
Develop the following work habits to make your computer use more relaxing
and productive:
• Take short breaks regularly and often.
• Perform some stretching exercises.
• Breathe fresh air as often as possible.
• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body.
Warning! We do not recommend using the computer on a
couch or bed. If this is unavoidable, work for only short
periods, take breaks regularly, and do some stretching
exercises.

Contents
Notices iii
FCC declaration of conformity iii
Laser compliance statement v
Macrovision copyright protection notice v
CE Declaration of conformity vi
Declaration of conformity for EU countries vii
Russian regulatory certification compliance vii
Information for your safety and comfort viii
Safety instructions viii
Tips and information for comfortable use xii
1 System tour 1
Features summary 3
External and internal structure 8
Front bezel 8
Front panel 9
Rear panel 10
Internal components 11
System boards 12
Mainboard 12
Memory board 14
Control panel 15
Button control panel 16
LCD control panel (optional) 17
System LED indicators 19
Control panel LED indicators 20
Hot-plug HDD carrier LED indicators 22
Hot-swap fan module LED indicators 23
Hot-plug power supply module LED indicators 24
LAN port LED indicators 25
Hot-plug PCI Express slot LED indicators 25
Memory board LED indicators 26
System jumpers 27
2 System setup 29
Setting up the system 31
Pre-installation requirements 31
Connecting peripherals 32
Turning on the system 33
Power-on problems 34
Configuring the system OS 35
Turning off the system 36

xvi
3 System upgrade 37
Installation precautions 39
ESD precautions 39
Pre-installation instructions 40
Post-installation instructions 40
Opening the server 41
Removing and installing the front bezel 41
Removing and installing the top cover 43
Removing and installing the processor air baffle 45
Configuring hot-pluggable components 48
Removing and installing a hard disk drive 49
Removing and installing the system fan 52
Removing and installing a power supply 56
Removing and installing a PCI card 59
Configuring cold-pluggable components 63
Removing and installing the DVD drive 64
Installing a 5.25-inch drive 66
Upgrading the processor 68
Removing and installing a memory board assembly 74
Installing and removing DIMM modules 77
Removing and installing a non-hot-plug PCI card 82
Configuring server management components 83
Installing and removing the I/O expansion module 83
Installing and removing the ARMC/3 R2 module 86
Configuring the hardware RAID components 89
Installing and removing the SAS module 89
Installing and removing the RAID activation key
and RAID cache 93
Installing and removing the RAID BBU 95
4 System BIOS 97
BIOS overview 99
Entering BIOS setup 100
BIOS setup menus 100
BIOS setup keyboard commands 101
Main menu 102
Advanced menu 104
Processor Configuration 105
Memory Configuration 107
Mass Storage Controller Configuration 111
Serial Port Configuration 112
USB Configuration 113
PCI Configuration 115

xvii
LAN Configuration 117
System Acoustic and Performance Configuration 119
Security menu 120
Server Management menu 123
Console Redirection 125
System Information 127
Intel Remote Management Module Information 128
Boot Options menu 129
Boot Manager menu 130
Error Manager menu 131
Exit menu 132
Upgrading the BIOS 134
5 System troubleshooting 135
Troubleshooting 137
Resetting the system 137
Problems following initial system installation 137
First steps checklist 138
Hardware diagnostic testing 139
Verifying proper operation of key system lights 139
Specific problems and corrective actions 140
Appendix A: Rack mount configuration 149
Rack installation information 151
Rack mount configuration 153
Vertical mounting hole pattern 154
Installing the system into the rack 155
Appendix B: Memory configuration 163
Introduction 165
Memory board installation order 166
FBDIMM module population order 167
Memory configuration 171
Dual-channel mode 171
Single-channel mode 172
Memory sparing mode 173
Memory mirroring mode 175
Appendix C: SAS and SAS RAID
configuration utilities 177
Overview 179

xviii
SAS configuration utility 180
SAS RAID configuration utility 182
Index 185

1 System tour

The Altos R920 is a powerful, feature-rich platform
designed to deliver superior performance,
scalability, and flexibility to meet the needs of
various network environments. It is specially suited
for minimizing system downtime and maintaining
mission critical applications accessible.