Asus RS260-E4 RX8 User manual

Dual Intel®Xeon™ 2U Rackmount Server
1333/1066/667 MHz Front Side Bus
Service Guide
RS260-E4/RX8

ii
Copyright © 2006 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted,
transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means,
except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the express written permission
of ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (“ASUS”).
ASUS provides this manual “as is” without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not
limited to the implied warranties or conditions of merchantability or tness for a particular purpose. In no
event shall ASUS, its directors, ofcers, employees, or agents be liable for any indirect, special, incidental,
or consequential damages (including damages for loss of prots, loss of business, loss of use or data,
interruption of business and the like), even if ASUS has been advised of the possibility of such damages
arising from any defect or error in this manual or product.
Specications and information contained in this manual ae furnished for informational use only, and are
subject to change at any time without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by ASUS.
ASUS assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this manual,
including the products and software described in it.
Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modied or altered, unless
such repair, modication of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2) the serial number of the
product is defaced or missing.
Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks or
copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identication or explanation and to the
owners’ benet, without intent to infringe.
E2887
First edition V1
November 2006

iii
Contents
Notices........................................................................................................ vii
Safety information .................................................................................... viii
About this guide ......................................................................................... ix
Chapter 1: Product introduction
1.1 System package contents........................................................... 1-2
1.2 Systemspecications ................................................................. 1-3
1.3 Front panel features..................................................................... 1-5
1.4 Rear panel features...................................................................... 1-5
1.5 Internal features ........................................................................... 1-6
1.6 LED information ........................................................................... 1-7
1.6.1 Front panel LEDs ............................................................ 1-7
1.6.2 System fan LED .............................................................. 1-8
1.6.3 Power supply LED .......................................................... 1-9
1.6.4 LAN port LEDs ................................................................ 1-9
Chapter 2: Hardware setup
2.1 Chassis cover............................................................................... 2-2
2.1.1 Removing the front bezel ................................................ 2-2
2.1.2 Removing the top cover .................................................. 2-3
2.1.3 Installing the top cover .................................................... 2-5
2.1.4 Removing the air duct ..................................................... 2-6
2.1.5 Installing the air duct ....................................................... 2-6
2.2 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 2-8
2.2.1 Installing a CPU .............................................................. 2-8
2.2.2 Installing the CPU heatsink........................................... 2-10
2.3 System memory ......................................................................... 2-11
2.3.1 Memory congurations...................................................2-11
2.3.2 Memory mirroring and sparing technology.................... 2-13
2.3.3 Installing a DIMM .......................................................... 2-17
2.3.4 Removing a DIMM ........................................................ 2-17
2.4 Hard disk drives ......................................................................... 2-18
2.5 Expansion cards ........................................................................ 2-18
2.5.1 Installing a full-length expansion card........................... 2-20
2.5.2 Installing a ZCR card (Optional).................................... 2-23
2.5.3 DDR2 SO-DIMM Socket ............................................... 2-25
2.5.4 Conguring an expansion card ..................................... 2-25
2.5.5 Interrupt assignment ..................................................... 2-25

iv
Contents
2.6 Cable connections ..................................................................... 2-26
2.6.1 Motherboard.................................................................. 2-27
2.6.2 SAS backplane ............................................................. 2-28
2.6.3 Fan boards.................................................................... 2-29
2.7 Removable components............................................................ 2-30
2.7.1 Hot-swap mid-fans (80mm)........................................... 2-30
2.7.2 Power supply modules.................................................. 2-31
2.7.3 Slim optical and oppy drives ....................................... 2-33
2.7.4 Front panel LED and switch board................................ 2-34
2.7.5 SAS backplane ............................................................. 2-35
2.7.6 System fan board.......................................................... 2-35
2.7.7 Power supply cage........................................................ 2-37
2.7.8 LAN adapter (Optional) ................................................. 2-38
2.7.9 LAN cable ..................................................................... 2-38
Chapter 3: Installation options
3.1 Rackmount rail kit items.............................................................. 3-2
3.2 Attaching the rails to the server ................................................. 3-3
3.3 Attaching the rack rails ............................................................... 3-4
3.4 Rackmounting the server............................................................ 3-6
Chapter 4: Motherboard info
4.1 Motherboard layout...................................................................... 4-2
4.1.1 Screw holes .................................................................... 4-2
4.1.2 Layout contents............................................................... 4-3
4.2 Support kits for the motherboard............................................... 4-4
4.3 Jumpers ........................................................................................ 4-6
4.4 Switch.......................................................................................... 4-10
4.5 Connectors ................................................................................. 4-11
Chapter 5: BIOS setup
5.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 5-2
5.1.1 Creating a bootable oppy disk....................................... 5-2
5.1.2 Updating the BIOS using the Phoenix Phlash utility ....... 5-3
5.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility ...................................... 5-4
5.2 BIOS setup program .................................................................... 5-6
5.2.1 BIOS menu screen.......................................................... 5-7
5.2.2 Menu bar......................................................................... 5-7
5.2.3 Legend bar...................................................................... 5-8
5.2.4 Menu items ..................................................................... 5-8
5.2.5 Sub-menu items.............................................................. 5-8
5.2.6 Conguration elds ......................................................... 5-8

v
Contents
5.2.7 Pop-up window ............................................................... 5-9
5.2.8 General help ................................................................... 5-9
5.3 Main menu .................................................................................. 5-10
5.3.1 System Time ................................................................. 5-10
5.3.2 System Date ................................................................. 5-10
5.3.3 Floppy A ........................................................................ 5-10
5.3.4 IDE Conguration...........................................................5-11
5.3.5 IDE Channel 0 Master/Slave......................................... 5-13
5.3.6 SATA port 1/2/3/4 .......................................................... 5-14
5.3.7 System Information ....................................................... 5-16
5.4 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 5-18
5.4.1 Advanced Processor Options ....................................... 5-18
5.4.2 Chipset Conguration ................................................... 5-21
5.4.3 PCI Conguration.......................................................... 5-24
5.4.4 ICH USB Control Sub-Menu ......................................... 5-26
5.4.5 Peripheral Devices Conguration ................................. 5-27
5.4.6 ACPI Conguration ....................................................... 5-29
5.4.7 Power On Conguration................................................ 5-30
5.4.8 Hardware Monitor ......................................................... 5-31
5.5 Server menu ............................................................................... 5-34
5.5.1 Console Redirection...................................................... 5-34
5.5.2 DMI Event Logging ....................................................... 5-36
5.6 Security....................................................................................... 5-37
5.7 Boot menu .................................................................................. 5-39
5.7.1 Boot Device Priority ...................................................... 5-39
5.7.2 Boot Features ............................................................... 5-40
5.8 Exit menu.................................................................................... 5-41
Chapter6:RAIDconguration
6.1 Setting up RAID............................................................................ 6-2
6.1.1 RAID denitions .............................................................. 6-2
6.1.2 Installing hard disk drives................................................ 6-3
6.1.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS ........................................ 6-3
6.1.4 RAID conguration utilities.............................................. 6-3
6.2 LSI Logic MPT Setup Utility ........................................................ 6-4
6.2.1 Integrated Mirroring......................................................... 6-4
6.2.2 Integrated Mirroring Enhanced ....................................... 6-8
6.2.3 Integrated Striping (IS) volume ..................................... 6-10
6.2.4 Managing Arrays ........................................................... 6-13
6.2.5 Viewing SAS topology................................................... 6-18
6.2.6 Global Properties .......................................................... 6-20

vi
Chapter 7: Driver installation
7.1 RAID driver installation ............................................................... 7-2
7.1.1 Creating a RAID driver disk ............................................ 7-2
7.1.2 Installing the RAID controller driver ................................ 7-3
7.2 Intel chipset software installation ............................................ 7-12
7.3 LAN driver installation............................................................... 7-15
7.3.1 Windows® 2000/2003 Server ........................................ 7-15
7.3.2 Red Hat®/SuSE Linux.................................................... 7-20
7.4 VGA driver installation............................................................... 7-15
7.4.1 Windows® 2000/Server 2003 ........................................ 7-21
7.5 Management applications and utilities installation ................ 7-24
7.5.1 Running the support CD ............................................... 7-24
7.5.2 Drivers menu................................................................. 7-24
7.5.3 Management Software menu........................................ 7-25
7.5.4 Utilities menu ................................................................ 7-25
7.5.5 Contact information....................................................... 7-25
Appendix: References
A.1 Power supply................................................................................A-2
A.1.1 General description.........................................................A-2
A.1.2 Specications..................................................................A-3
A.2 Troubleshooting ...........................................................................A-4

vii
Notices
Federal Communications Commission Statement
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
• This device may not cause harmful interference, and
• This device must accept any interference received including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with manufacturer’
s instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Canadian Department of Communications Statement
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions
from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the
Canadian Department of Communications.
This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
WARNING! The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the
graphics card is required to assure compliance with FCC regulations. Changes
or modications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

viii
Safety information
Electrical safety
• Before installing or removing signal cables, ensure that the power cables for
the system unit and all attached devices are unplugged.
• To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the
electrical outlet before relocating the system.
• When adding or removing any additional devices to or from the system, ensure
that the power cables for the devices are unplugged before the signal cables
are connected. If possible, disconnect all power cables from the existing
system before you add a device.
• If the power supply is broken, do not try to x it by yourself. Contact a qualied
service technician or your dealer.
Operation safety
• Any mechanical operation on this server must be conducted by certied or
experienced engineers.
• Before operating the server, carefully read all the manuals included with the
server package.
• Before using the server, make sure all cables are correctly connected and the
power cables are not damaged. If any damage is detected, contact your dealer
as soon as possible.
• To avoid short circuits, keep paper clips, screws, and staples away from
connectors, slots, sockets and circuitry.
• Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Place the server on a stable
surface.
Heavy System
CAUTION! This server system is heavy. Ask for assistance when moving or
carrying the system.
This product is equipped with a three-wire power cable and plug for the user’s
safety. Use the power cable with a properly grounded electrical outlet to avoid
electrical shock.
Lithium-Ion Battery Warning
CAUTION! Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace
only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer.
Dispose of used batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
CD-ROM Drive Safety Warning
CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT

ix
About this guide
Audience
This user guide is intended for system integrators and experienced users with at
least basic knowledge of conguring a server.
Contents
This guide contains the following parts:
1. Chapter 1: Product Introduction
This chapter describes the general features of the barebone server, including
sections on the front panel and rear panel specications.
2. Chapter 2: Hardware setup
This chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform
when installing or removing system components.
3. Chapter 3: Installation options
This chapter describes how to prepare the barebone server for rack
mounting.
4. Chapter 4: Motherboard information
This chapter gives information about the motherboard that comes with the
server. This chapter includes the motherboard layout, jumper settings, and
connector locations.
5. Chapter 5: BIOS setup
This chapter tells how to change the system settings through the BIOS Setup
menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided.
6. Chapter6:RAIDconguration
This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS Setup
menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided.
7 Chapter 7: Driver installation
This chapter provides instructions for installing the necessary drivers for
different system components.
8. Appendix: References
This appendix includes additional information that you may refer to when
conguring your barebone server.

x
Conventions
To make sure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following
symbols used throughout this manual.
WARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself when trying to
complete a task.
CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components when trying
to complete a task.
IMPORTANT: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a task.
NOTE: Tips and information to aid in completing a task.
Reference
Visit the ASUS websites worldwide that provide updated information for all ASUS
hardware and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information for details.

1-
This chapter describes the general
features of the barebone server,
including sections on the front panel
and rear panel specications.
Chapter 1
Product introduction

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-2
1.1 System package contents
Check your system package for the following items.
Chassis ASUS AR21 2U rackmount chassis
Motherboard ASUS DSBF-D12/2U/SAS motherboard
Components 1 x 750W redundant power supply module, 115V~230V
1 x power supply bay cover
Slim optical drive|
Slim oppy disk drive
Chassis fan
HDD fan
Hot-swap SAS HDD trays
SAS backplanes
1 x Dummy CPU heatsink
Cables AC power cable
System cables
Accessories Rackmount rail kit
RS260-E4 user guide
RS260-E4 support CD (includes ASWM*)
AR21 chassis ears (left, right)
One bag of screws
Optional items CPU heatsink
LAN adapter
ASUS stylish front bezel
CA eTrust Anti-virus CD
ASUS RS260-E4 SAS ZCR package
Second redundant power supply module
*ASUS System Web-based Management
If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.

ASUS RS260-E4/RX8 1-3
1.2 Systemspecications
The ASUS RS260-E4/RX8 is a 2U barebone server system featuring the ASUS
DSBF-D12/2U/SAS motherboard. The server supports dual Intel® 5100 series
CPU with EM64T technology, plus other latest technologies through the chipsets
onboard.
(continued on the next page)
Chassis Rackmount 2U (AR21)
Motherboard ASUS DSBF-D12/2U/SAS
Chipset MCH : Intel® 5000P
ICH : Intel® 6321ESB
I/O Bridge : Intel 6702 PXH (on the riser card cage)
CPU Dual LGA771 sockets for Intel® Xeon™ Dual Core
processors 5000/5100/5300 Series
Supports Intel® Extended Memory 64Technology (EM64T)
Front Side Bus 1333/1066/667 MHz
Memory Quadri-channel memory architecture
12 x 240-pin FB-DIMM sockets support registered ECC
fully buffered DDR2-533/DDR2-667 memory modules
with Advanced Memory Buffer (AMB chip)
Supports 256 MB up to 48 GB system memory
LAN Intel® 82563 Gigabit Network Connection (Dual-port)
- Supports Intel® I/O Acceleration Technology (IOAT)
Discrete graphics ATI® ES1000 PCI display controller
- Supports 32 MB display memory
Expansion slots 1 x PCI Express™ x8 slot (on the riser card cage)
2 x PCI-X 133/100 MHz slot (on the riser card cage; only 1
PCI-X available if you install an optional ZCR.)
1 x DDR2 SO-DIMM socket for ASUS®server management
board 3 series
Storage LSI1068 PCI-X SAS controller supports:
- 2 x Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) channels
(each channel supports 4 HDDs, total 8 HDDs) with
RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 1E conguration
- Zero-Channel RAID (optional)

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-4
Refer to “Chapter 4 Motherboard information” for details on the internal
connectors.
Front panel 8 x 3.5-inch hot-swappable HDD bays
1 x slim optical drive
1 x slim 1.44MB oppy drive)
2 x USB 2.0 ports
Power switch
Reset switch
Location switch
Power, HDD access, location, message, LAN 1/2 LED
HDD LEDs: Status, activity
Rear panel 1 x PS/2 keyboard port
1 x PS/2 mouse port
1 x Serial port
1 x VGA port
2 x USB 2.0 ports
2 x RJ-45 ports (with LEDs)
1 x Location switch
1 x Location LED
Management ASUS Server Web-based Management (ASWM)
Hardware monitors Voltage, temperature, and fan speed monitoring
Automatic System Restart (ASR) feature
Power supply 1 + 1 750W redundant power supply, 115V~230V,
50Hz~60Hz
Dimensions 732.5mm (l) x 448mm (w) x 87.7mm (h)
The standard server system ships with one redundant power supply module.
Contact your retailer if you need a second one.

ASUS RS260-E4/RX8 1-5
1.3 Front panel features
The barebone server displays a simple yet stylish front panel with easily accessible
features. The power and reset buttons, LED indicators, location switch, slim optical
and oppy drives, and two USB ports are located on the front panel.
1.4 Rear panel features
The rear panel includes the expansion slots, LAN, VGA, and I/O ports, fans, and
the system power sockets.
When disconnecting LAN cables, you need to remove the rear fan cage. Refer
to section “2.7 Removable components” for instructions on removing the fan
cage.
PS/2 keyboard port PS/2 mouse port
VGA port
Gigabit LAN2 port
Serial port
AC power sockets Location switch
Location LED
Expansion slots
USB 2.0 ports
Rear fan bays
Redundant power
supply modules
Hot-swappable HDD bays
Slim optical drive
Reset button
USB 2.0 ports
Power button
Location switch
Slim oppy drive
Front panel LEDs
Gigabit LAN1 port

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-6
1.5 Internal features
The barebone system includes the basic components as shown.
1. 2 x rear fan bays
(for future upgrade)
2. PCI-E slots
(underneath the riser card cage)
3. 12 x FB-DIMM sockets
4. Power supply module
5. CPU2 socket
6. CPU1 socket
7. 7 x system fans
8. SAS backplane
9. 3 x HDD
10. Top: Slim optical drive
Mid: Slim oppy drive
Bottom: 2 x HDD
11. 3 x HDD
The air duct lies on top of the motherboard components. Remove the air duct to
access the components. Refer to section “2.1.4 Removing and installing the air
duct” for instructions.
1
23
4
5 6
7
8
910 11
Riser card cage
3

ASUS RS260-E4/RX8 1-7
1.6 LED information
1.6.1 Front panel LEDs
The location switch and LED are for service purposes. When the system fails
or is shut down, the server administrator can press either the front or the
rear location switch to identify the location of the specic 2U system in a rack
cabinet.
Power LED
Location LED
Message LED
Storage Access LED
LAN1 LED
LAN2 LED
LED Icon Display status Description
Power LED ON System power ON
Storage Access LED OFF
Blinking
No activity
Read/write data into the HDD
Message LED OFF
Blinking
System is normal; no incoming event
ASWM indicates a HW monitor event
Location LED OFF
ON
Normal status
Location switch is pressed
(Press the location switch again to turn off)
LAN1/2 LEDs
OFF
Blinking
ON
No LAN connection
LAN is transmitting or receiving data
LAN connection is present

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-8
1.6.2 System fan LED
Each system fan has an LED to indicate the fan status.
LED
This function only works under OS and the system has installed ASWM
Software.
LED Color Description
LED Green Fan is in normal operation
Orange Fan is faulty

ASUS RS260-E4/RX8 1-9
1.6.3 Power supply LED
Each system fan has an LED to indicate the fan status.
LED
1.6.4 LAN port LEDs
LED color Display status Description
Green Blinking Power off and in standby mode
Green On The power supply module is in normal operation
Orange On One of the two power modules is disconnected from the power outlet
or is defective
Off Off Both power supply modules are disconnected from the power outlet
or are defective
ACT/LINK LED SPEED LED
Status Description Status Description
OFF No link OFF 10 Mbps connection
GREEN Linked ORANGE 100 Mbps connection
BLINKING Data activity GREEN 1 Gbps connection
SPEED LED
ACT/LINK LED

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-10