Asus RS300-E8-PS4 User manual

1U Rackmount Server
RS300-E8 Series
User Guide
RS300-E8-PS4
RS300-E8-RS4

ii
Copyright © 2013 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.
E8115
First Edition
March 2013

iii
Contents
Notices........................................................................................................ vii
REACH .......................................................................................... vii
Safety information .................................................................................... viii
Australia statement notice.................................................................ix
About this guide .......................................................................................... x
Chapter 1: Product introduction
1.1 System package contents........................................................... 1-2
1.2 Serial number label...................................................................... 1-3
1.3 Systemspecications ................................................................. 1-4
1.4 Front panel features..................................................................... 1-6
1.5 Rear panel features...................................................................... 1-7
1.6 Internal features ........................................................................... 1-8
1.7 LED information ........................................................................... 1-9
1.7.1 Front panel LEDs ............................................................ 1-9
1.7.2 LAN (RJ-45) LEDs ........................................................ 1-10
1.7.3 HDD status LED............................................................ 1-10
Chapter 2: Hardware setup
2.1 Chassis cover............................................................................... 2-2
2.2 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 2-3
2.2.1 Installing the CPU ........................................................... 2-3
2.2.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and airduct .......................... 2-6
2.3 System memory ........................................................................... 2-8
2.3.1 Overview ......................................................................... 2-8
2.3.2 Memory Congurations................................................... 2-8
2.3.3 Installing a DIMM ............................................................ 2-9
2.4 Hard disk drives ......................................................................... 2-10
2.5 Expansion slot............................................................................ 2-12
2.5.1 Installing an expansion card to the riser card bracket... 2-12
2.5.2 Conguring an expansion card ..................................... 2-14
2.6 Cable connections ..................................................................... 2-15
2.7 SATA/SAS backplane cabling ................................................... 2-16

iv
Contents
2.8 Removable/optional components............................................. 2-17
2.8.1 System fans .................................................................. 2-17
2.8.2 Installing ASUS PIKE RAID card (optional) .................. 2-18
2.8.3 Installing ASMB7 series management board (optional) 2-20
2.8.4 Installing the SSD cage (optional)................................. 2-21
Chapter 3: Installation options
3.1 Friction Rail Kit Installation Guide ............................................. 3-2
3.1.1 Attaching the xing latches to the server ........................ 3-2
3.2 Installing optional ball-bearing rail kit items............................. 3-5
3.2.1 Attaching the rails to the server ...................................... 3-5
3.2.2 Attaching the rack rails.................................................... 3-6
3.2.3 Mounting the server to the rack ...................................... 3-7
Chapter 4: Motherboard Info
4.1 Motherboard layout...................................................................... 4-2
4.2 Jumpers ........................................................................................ 4-4
4.3 Internal connectors...................................................................... 4-7
4.4 Internal LEDs.............................................................................. 4-19
Chapter 5: BIOS setup
5.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 5-2
5.1.1 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility ...................................... 5-2
5.1.2 ASUS EzFlash Utility ...................................................... 5-3
5.1.3 BUPDATER 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 Menu items ..................................................................... 5-8
5.2.4 Submenu items ............................................................... 5-8
5.2.5 Navigation keys............................................................... 5-8
5.2.6 General help ................................................................... 5-8
5.2.7 Conguration elds ......................................................... 5-8
5.2.8 Pop-up window ............................................................... 5-8
5.2.9 Scroll bar......................................................................... 5-8

v
Contents
5.3 Main menu .................................................................................... 5-9
5.3.1 System Date .................................................................. 5-9
5.3.2 System Time ................................................................... 5-9
5.4 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 5-10
5.4.1 CPU Conguration .........................................................5-11
5.4.2 PCH-IO Conguration ................................................... 5-14
5.4.3 SATA Conguration ....................................................... 5-15
5.4.4 System Agent (SA) Conguration ................................. 5-16
5.4.5 PCI Subsystem Settings ............................................... 5-18
5.4.6 USB Conguration ........................................................ 5-20
5.4.7 TPM .............................................................................. 5-21
5.4.8 ACPI Settings................................................................ 5-21
5.4.9 WHEA Support.............................................................. 5-22
5.4.10 NCT6779D Super IO Conguration .............................. 5-22
5.4.11 Intel Server Platform Services ...................................... 5-23
5.4.12 Onboard LAN Conguration.......................................... 5-24
5.4.13 MIO Card Conguration ................................................ 5-24
5.4.14 Serial Port Console Redirection.................................... 5-25
5.4.15 Runtime Error Logging Support .................................... 5-27
5.4.16 APM .............................................................................. 5-27
5.4.17 Network Stack............................................................... 5-28
5.4.18 Intel RC Drivers Version Detail ..................................... 5-28
5.5 Event Logs menu ....................................................................... 5-29
5.6 Boot menu .................................................................................. 5-30
5.7 Monitor menu ............................................................................. 5-33
5.8 Security....................................................................................... 5-34
5.9 Tool menu ................................................................................... 5-37
5.10 Exit menu.................................................................................... 5-37

vi
Contents
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 Jumpers .............................................................. 6-3
6.1.4 Setting the RAID mode in BIOS...................................... 6-3
6.1.5 RAID conguration utilities.............................................. 6-3
6.2 Intel®Rapid Storage Technology enterprise
SATA Option ROM Utility............................................................. 6-4
6.2.1 Creating a RAID set ........................................................ 6-5
6.2.2 Deleting a RAID set ........................................................ 6-7
6.2.3 Resetting disks to Non-RAID .......................................... 6-8
6.2.4 Exiting the Intel®Rapid Storage Technology enterprise
SATA Option ROM utility ................................................. 6-9
6.2.5 Rebuilding the RAID ....................................................... 6-9
6.2.6 Setting the Boot array in the BIOS Setup Utility.............6-11
6.3 Intel®Rapid Storage Technology enterprise (Windows) ........ 6-12
6.3.1 Creating a RAID set ...................................................... 6-13
6.3.2 Changing a Volume Type.............................................. 6-15
6.3.3 Deleting a volume ......................................................... 6-16
6.3.4 Preferences................................................................... 6-17
Chapter 7: Driver installation
7.1 RAID driver installation ............................................................... 7-2
7.1.1 Creating a RAID driver disk ............................................ 7-2
7.1.2 Installing the RAID controller driver ................................ 7-4
7.2 Management applications and utilities installation .................. 7-6
7.3 Running the Support DVD .......................................................... 7-6
7.4 Installing the LAN driver............................................................ 7-14
7.5 Installing the VGA driver ........................................................... 7-19
ASUS contact information .......................................................................A-1

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 A limits for radio noise emissions
from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian
Department of Communications.
This Class A 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.
REACH
Complying with the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of
Chemicals) regulatory framework, we publish the chemical substances in our products
at ASUS REACH website at http://csr.asus.com/english/REACH.htm.

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, ensure all cables are correctly connected and the power
cables are not damaged. If any damage is detected, contact your dealer as soon
as possible.
• To avoid short circuits, keep paper clips, screws, and staples away from
connectors, slots, sockets and circuitry.
• Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Place the server on a stable
surface.
Lithium-Ion Battery Warning
CAUTION! Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace
only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer.
Dispose of used batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
CD-ROM Drive Safety Warning
CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT
Heavy System
CAUTION! This server system is heavy. Ask for assistance when moving or
carrying the system.
This product is equipped with a three-wire power cable and plug for the user’s
safety. Use the power cable with a properly grounded electrical outlet to avoid
electrical shock.

ix
DO NOT throw the motherboard in municipal waste. This product has been
designed to enable proper reuse of parts and recycling. This symbol of the
crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the product (electrical and electronic
equipment) should not be placed in municipal waste. Check local regulations for
disposal of electronic products.
DO NOT throw the mercury-containing button cell battery in municipal waste.
This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the battery should not
be placed in municipal waste.
Australia statement notice
From 1 January 2012 updated warranties apply to all ASUS products, consistent
with the Australian Consumer Law. For the latest product warranty details please
visit http://support.asus.com. Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be
excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. You are entitled to a replacement or
refund for a major failure and compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable
loss or damage. You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the
goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major
failure.
If you require assistance please call ASUS Customer Service 1300 2787 88 or visit
us at http://support.asus.com

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

xi
References
Refer to the following sources for additional information, and for product and
software updates.
1. ASUS Server Web-based Management (ASWM) user guide
This manual tells how to set up and use the proprietary ASUS server
management utility.
2. ASUS websites
The ASUS websites worldwide provide updated information for all ASUS
hardware and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information.
Conventions
To ensure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following
symbols used throughout this manual.
Typography
Bold text Indicates a menu or an item to select.
Italics Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.
<Key> Keys enclosed in the less-than and greater-than
sign means that you must press the enclosed key.
Example: <Enter> means that you must press
the Enter or Return key.
<Key1>+<Key2+<Key3> If you must press two or more keys simultaneously,
the key names are linked with a plus sign (+).
Example: <Ctrl>+<Alt>+<Del>
Command Means that you must type the command
exactly as shown, then supply the required
item or value enclosed in brackets.
Example: At the DOS prompt, type the
command line: format A:/S
DANGER/WARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself when
trying to complete a task.
CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components when
trying to complete a task.
NOTE: Tips and additional information to help you complete a task.
IMPORTANT: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a task.

xii

1-
This chapter describes the general
features of the chassis kit. It includes
sections on front panel and rear panel
specications.
Chapter 1
Product introduction

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-2
*ASUS System Web-based Management
If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.
1.1 System package contents
Check your system package for the following items.
Model Name RS300-E8-PS4, RS300-E8-RS4
Chassis ASUS R10E 1U Rackmount Chassis
Motherboard ASUS P9D-C/4L Server Board
Component 1 x 400W Single Power Supply (RS300-E8-PS4)
1 x 450W Redundant Power Supply (RS300-E8-RS4)
4 x Hot-swap 3.5” HDD trays
1 x SAS/SATA Backplane (BP4LX-R10A)
1 x PCI Riser Card (RE16LE8R-R10A)
1 x Front I/O Board (FPB-R20D)
4 x System Fans (40mm x 28mm)
Accessories 1 x RS300-E8 Series User’s Guide
1 x ASWM* User’s Guide
1 x ASMB7 User’s Guide (if ASMB7-iKVM is selected)
1 x RS300-E8 Series Support DVD
1 x ASWM* DVD
1 x ASMB7 DVD (if ASMB7-iKVM is selected)
1 x Bag of Screws
1 x AC Power Cable (RS300-E8-PS4)
2 x AC Power Cable (RS300-E8-RS4)
Optional
Items
1 x CPU Heatsink
ASUS ASMB7-iKVM Remote management card
DVD-ROM/DVD-RW
Second 450W Redundant Power Supply Module (RS300-E8-RS4)
1 x Friction Rail Kit

ASUS RS300-E8 Series 1-3
1.2 Serial number label
Before requesting support from the ASUS Technical Support team, you must
take note of the product’s serial number containing 14 characters such as
xxS0xxxxxxxxxx shown as the gure below. With the correct serial number of the
product, ASUS Technical Support team members can then offer a quicker and
satisfying solution to your problems.
xxS0xxxxxxxxxx
RS300-E8-PS4, RS300-E8-RS4

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-4
1.3 Systemspecications
The ASUS RS300-E8 Series is a 1U barebone server system featuring the
ASUS P9D-C/4L Server Board. The server supports Intel® LGA1150 Intel®
Xeon® E3-1200 Processor v3 plus other latest technologies through the chipsets
onboard.
(continued on the next page)
Model Name RS300-E8-PS4, RS300-E8-RS4
Processor Support / System
Bus
1 x Socket LGA1150
Intel® Xeon®Processor E3-1200 v3 Family
Core Logic Intel® C224 Chipset
Memory
Total Slots 4 (2 Channels)
Capacity Maximum up to 32GB (UDIMM)
Memory Type DDR3 1333/1600 ECC UDIMM
Memory Size 2GB, 4GB, 8GB (UDIMM)
Expansion
Slots (follow
SSI Location #)
Total PCI/PCI-E
Slots 2
Slot Type 1 x PCI-E x16 (x8 Gen3 link) (Full-Height/HL))
1 x PCI-E x8 (x4 Gen3 link) (Full-Height/HL)
Additional Slot
11 x PIKE Slot for Storage enhancement
Storage
SATA Controller
Intel®C224:
- 2 x SATA 3Gb/s ports
- 4 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
- Intel®Rapid Storage Technology Enterprise (RSTe)
supports software RAID 0, 1, 10, & 5 (Windows®)
SAS Controller
Optional kits:
ASUS PIKE 2008 8-port SAS 6G RAID Card
ASUS PIKE 2108-32PD 8-port SAS 6G RAID Card
ASUS PIKE 2308 8-port SAS 6G RAID Card
HDD Bays
I = internal
A or S = hot-
swappable
4 x Hot-swap 3.5 in. HDD Bays
2 x SSD Bays (Optional)
Networking LAN 4 x Intel® I210 + 1 x Management LAN
Graphic VGA Aspeed AST2300 32MB

ASUS RS300-E8 Series 1-5
*Specicationsaresubjecttochangewithoutnotice.
Model Name RS300-E8-PS4 RS300-E8-RS4
Onboard I/O Connectors
1 x External Serial Port
5 x RJ-45 ports (1 for ASMB7-iKVM)
4 x USB 3.0 ports (Front x 2, Rear x 2)
2 x USB 2.0 ports (Rear x 2)
2 x VGA port (Front x 1, Rear x 1)
1 x Internal A-Type USB Port
1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port
OS Support
Windows® Server 2012
Windows® 8 64-bit
Windows® Server 2008 Enterprise SP2 64-bit
Windows® Server 2008 Enterprise R2 SP1 64-bit
RedHat® Enterprise Linux AS 5.8/6.3 U8 64-bit Centos
5.8/6.2/6.3 64-bit
(Subject to change without any notice)
Management
Solution
Software ASWM Enterprise
Out of Band
Remote
Management
Optional ASMB7-iKVM for KVM-over-IP
Dimension (HH x WW x DD) 615mm x 444mm x 43.4mm
Net Weight Kg
(CPU, DRAM & HDD not
included)
16 Kg
Power Supply
Single 400W 80PLUS
Gold Power Supply 1+1 Redundant 450W
80PLUS Gold Power
Supply
Power Rating 100-240VAC, 6.3-3A,
60-50Hz, Class I
100-127/200-240Vac,
8/4A, 47-63Hz, Class I
Environment
Operating temperature:
10oC – 40oC
Non operation temperature:
-40oC – 70oC
Non operation humidity:
20% – 90% (Non condensing)

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-6
1.4 Front panel features
The barebone server displays a simple yet stylish front panel with easily accessible
features. The power and reset buttons, LED indicators, and USB port for each
Node are located on the front panel.
Refer to section 1.7.1 Front panel LEDs for the LED descriptions.
Turn off the system power and detach the power supply before removing or
replacing any system component.
Hot-swap HDD bays
Slim-type optical drive
(Optional)
Rack screw Rack screw
USB 3.0 ports
LAN4 LED
LAN3 LED
HDD Access LED
Message LED
Power button
Reset button
Locate switch
Hot-swap HDD bays
LAN2 LED
LAN1 LED
VGA port
Asset tag
The Asset tag is a simple but useful device that is conveniently located on the front panel of
the server that you can pull out or easily slide back in. It has a piece of paper that allows you
to write down important information about to the server.
Asset tag

ASUS RS300-E8 Series 1-7
1.5 Rear panel features
The rear panel includes the expansion slots, system power sockets, and rear fans.
The I/O shields with openings for the rear panel connectors on the motherboard
are also placed in the real panel.
The ports for the USB, VGA, and Gigabit LANs do not appear on the rear panel
if the motherboards are not present.
VGA port
USB 3.0 ports
LAN port 5*
PS/2 keyboard/mouse port
Gigabit LAN port 3
Gigabit LAN port 4
Gigabit LAN port 1
Gigabit LAN port 2
USB 2.0 ports
* This port is for ASUS ASMB7-iKVM controller card only.
VGA port
USB 3.0 ports
LAN port 5*
PS/2 keyboard/mouse port
Gigabit LAN port 3
Gigabit LAN port 4
Gigabit LAN port 1
Gigabit LAN port 2
USB 2.0 ports
RS300-E8-RS4
RS300-E8-PS4

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-8
1.6 Internal features
The barebone server includes the basic components as shown.
1. Power supply and power
fan
2. PCI Express slot Riser Card
3. ASUS P9D-C/4L Server
Boards
4. System fans
5. SAS / SATA backplane
(hidden)
6. HDD tray 1—Connect to
SATA1 port
7. HDD tray 2—Connect to
SATA2 port
8. HDD tray 3—Connect to
SATA3 port
9. HDD tray 4—Connect to
SATA4 port
10. Front I/O boards (hidden)
11. Slim-type optical drive
12. SSD Cage (Optional)
13. Asset Tag
The barebone server does not include a oppy disk drive drive. Connect a USB
oppy disk drive to any of the USB ports on the front or rear panel if you need to
use a oppy disk.
*WARNING
HAZARDOUS MOVING PARTS
KEEP FINGERS AND OTHER BODY PARTS AWAY
Turn off the system power and detach the power supply before removing or
replacing any system component.
1
2
3
4 4 4 4
10
96 7 8
11
5
12
12
13