Asus RS320Q-E7 RS12 User manual

2U Rackmount Server
RS320Q-E7/RS12
User Guide

ii
Copyright © 2012 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.
E7400
First Edition
May 2012

iii
Contents
Notices........................................................................................................ vii
Safety information .................................................................................... viii
About this guide ......................................................................................... ix
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...................................................................... 1-6
1.6 Internal features ........................................................................... 1-7
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) ................................................... 2-4
2.2.1 Installing the CPU ........................................................... 2-4
2.2.2 Installing the CPU heatsink............................................. 2-8
2.3 System memory ........................................................................... 2-9
2.3.1 Overview ......................................................................... 2-9
2.3.2 Memory Congurations................................................... 2-9
2.3.3 Installing a DIMM .......................................................... 2-10
2.3.4 Removing a DIMM ........................................................ 2-10
2.4 Hard disk drives ......................................................................... 2-11
2.5 Expansion slot............................................................................ 2-13
2.5.1 Installing an expansion card to the riser card bracket... 2-13
2.5.2 Conguring an expansion card ..................................... 2-14
2.6 Cable connections ..................................................................... 2-15
2.7 Removable/optional components............................................. 2-16
2.7.1 System fans .................................................................. 2-16
2.7.2 Power supply module.................................................... 2-17

iv
Contents
2.7.3 Installing ASMB5 series management board................ 2-19
2.7.4 Installing ASUS PIKE Riser Card (optional).................. 2-20
Chapter 3: Installation options
3.1 Installing friction rail kit items .................................................... 3-2
3.1.1 Attaching the xing latches to the server ........................ 3-2
3.1.2 Mounting the server to the rack ...................................... 3-5
Chapter 4: Motherboard information
4.1 Motherboard layouts.................................................................... 4-2
4.2 Jumpers ........................................................................................ 4-4
4.3 Internal connectors...................................................................... 4-7
4.4 Internal LEDs.............................................................................. 4-14
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 EZ Flash 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
5.3 Main menu .................................................................................... 5-9
5.3.1 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx]......................................... 5-9
5.3.2 System Time [xx:xx:xx] ................................................... 5-9
5.3.3 Security........................................................................... 5-9
5.4 Event Logs menu ....................................................................... 5-11
5.5 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 5-13
5.5.1 ACPI Settings................................................................ 5-13

v
Contents
5.5.2 Trusted Computing........................................................ 5-14
5.5.3 WHEA Support.............................................................. 5-14
5.5.4 CPU Conguration........................................................ 5-15
5.5.5 North Bridge.................................................................. 5-17
5.5.6 South Bridge ................................................................. 5-17
5.5.7 SATA Conguration....................................................... 5-18
5.5.8 Intel TXT(LT) Conguration........................................... 5-19
5.5.9 USB Conguration ........................................................ 5-19
5.5.10 ME Subsystem.............................................................. 5-20
5.5.11 Onboard Devices Conguration.................................... 5-21
5.5.12 APM .............................................................................. 5-22
5.5.13 Serial Port Console Redirection.................................... 5-23
5.6 Monitor menu ............................................................................. 5-25
5.7 Boot menu .................................................................................. 5-26
5.8 Tool menu ................................................................................... 5-28
5.9 Exit menu.................................................................................... 5-29
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SoftwareRAIDCongurationUtility ................................... 6-4
6.2.1 Creating a RAID set........................................................ 6-5
6.2.2 Adding or viewing a RAID conguration ........................6-11
6.2.3 Initializing the virtual drives........................................... 6-12
6.2.4 Rebuilding failed drives................................................. 6-16
6.2.5 Checking the drives for data consistency ..................... 6-18
6.2.6 Deleting a RAID conguration....................................... 6-21
6.2.7 Selecting the boot drive from a RAID set...................... 6-22
6.2.8 Enabling WriteCache .................................................... 6-23
6.3 Intel®Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM Utilities .......... 6-25
6.3.1 Creating a RAID set ...................................................... 6-26
6.3.2 Creating a Recovery set ............................................... 6-27

vi
Contents
6.3.3 Deleting a RAID set ...................................................... 6-29
6.3.4 Resetting disks to Non-RAID ........................................ 6-30
6.3.5 Recovery Volume Options ............................................ 6-31
6.3.6 Exiting the Intel®Rapid Storage Technology utility........ 6-32
6.3.7 Rebuilding the RAID ..................................................... 6-32
6.3.8 Setting the Boot array in the BIOS Setup Utility............ 6-34
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 ................................ 7-5
7.2 Intel®chipset device software installation............................... 7-17
7.3 LAN driver installation............................................................... 7-19
7.4 VGA driver installation............................................................... 7-22
7.5 Management applications and utilities installation ................ 7-25
7.5.1 Running the support DVD............................................. 7-25
7.5.2 Drivers menu................................................................. 7-25
7.5.3 Utilities menu ................................................................ 7-26
7.5.4 Make disk menu............................................................ 7-26
7.5.5 Contact information....................................................... 7-26
Appendix: Reference information
A.1 P8BH block diagram ....................................................................A-2
ASUS Contact information

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 A 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 Information
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
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 setup
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.
8. Appendix: Reference information
This appendix includes additional information that you may refer to when conguring
the motherboard.
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.

x
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.

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
• If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.
• * May vary with different regions or territories.
1.1 System package contents
Check your system package for the following items.
Model Name RS320Q-E7/RS12
Chassis ASUS R21A 2U Rackmount Chassis
Motherboard ASUS P8BH
Component 2 x 920W Redundant Power Supply
4 x PCIe Riser Card (RE16R-R12B)
2 x Front I/O Board (FPB-R21A)
1 x Redundant Power Supply Distribution Board (PDB-R21A)
1 x SAS/SATA Backplane Board (BP12LX-R21A)
1 x Midplane Board (MP8LX-R21A-M)
1 x Connection Board (CB-R21A)
4 x CPU Heatsink
4 x System Fans (80mm x 38mm)
12 x Hot-swappable 3.5” HDD trays*
Accessories 1 x RS320Q-E7 User’s Guide
1 x RS320Q-E7 Support CD
1 x ASUS ASWM Enterprise User’s Guide
1 x ASUS Web-based Management (ASWM) Enterprise Supplier DVD
1 x Bag of Screws
2 x AC Power Cables
1 x Friction Rail Kit
Optional Items 1 x PIKE Riser Card (RE16R-R12B-PIKE) per Node
1 x ASUS PIKE RAID Card per Node
1 x ASMB5-iKVM per Node

ASUS RS320Q-E7/RS12 1-3
1.2 Serial number label
For faster and quicker troubleshooting solutions from the ASUS Technical Support team,
provide the product's serial number containing 12 characters such as xxS2xxxxxxxx as
shown in the gure below.
xxS0xxxxxxxxxx
RS320Q-E7/RS12

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-4
1.3 Systemspecications
(continued on the next page)
Model Name RS320Q-E7/RS12
Processor / System Bus
1 x Socket LGA1155 per Node
Intel® Xeon® E3-1200 v2 processor family
Intel® Xeon® E3-1200 processor family
Intel® Core™ i3-2100 processor family
Intel® Pentium™ G6X0 processor family
Intel® Celeron™ G5X0/G4X0 processor family
Core Logic Intel® C204 Chipset
ASUS
Features
Smart Fan √
ASWM
Enterprise √
Memory
Total Slots 4 per Node (2-channel per CPU)
Capacity Maximum up to 32GB (UDIMM)
Memory Type
DDR3 1600*/1333/1066 ECC UDIMM
*DDR3 1600 is only supported by Intel®Xeon®E3-1200 v2
processor.
Memory Size 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB (UDIMM)
Expansion
Slots
Total PCI/
PCI-X/PCI-E
Slots
1 per Node
Slot Type and
Additional
Slot
1 x *PCI-E 3.0 x16 slot (Gen3 x16 link) (Low prole /
HL) per Node or 1 x *PIKE Riser Card Slot for Storage
Enhancement (Optional)
*Gen3 link is only supported by Intel®Xeon®E3-1200 v2
processor.
Storage SATA
Controller
Intel®C204:
- 2 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
- 4 x SATA 3Gb/s ports
Intel®Rapid Storage Technology (RST) supports
software RAID 0, 1, 10 & 5 (Windows®)
LSI®MegaRAID driver
- Supports software RAID 0.1 & 10 (Windows®& Linux)
SAS
Controller
Optional kits(PIKE Riser card is necessary):
ASUS PIKE 2008 8-port SAS 6G RAID card
ASUS PIKE 2008/IMR 8-port SAS2 6G RAID card
ASUS PIKE 2108 8-port SAS2 6G HW RAID card
HDD Bays 3 x Hot-swap 3.5” HDD Bays per Node (Total 12 x 3.5”
HDD in 2U)
Networking LAN 2 x Intel® 82574L + 1 x Mgmt LAN per Node

ASUS RS320Q-E7/RS12 1-5
Model Name RS320Q-E7/RS12
Graphic VGA Aspeed AST2050 + 16MB VRAM
Onboard I/O Connectors
Per Node:
- 1 x External serial port
- 3 x RJ-45 ports (one for ASMB5-iKVM)
- 2 x USB 2.0 ports (rear)
- 1 x VGA port
- 1 x Internal A Type USB port
OS Support
Windows® Server 2008 R2
Windows® Server 2008 R2 Enterprise
Windows® Server 2008 Enterprise 32/64-bit
RedHat® Enterprise Linux AS5.6/6 32 / 64-bit
SuSE® Linux Enterprise Server 11.2 32 / 64-bit
CentOS 5.6 32/64-bit
VMWare ESX4.1/ESXi4.1
(Subject to change without any notice)
Management
Solution
Out of Band
Remote
Hardware
1 x ASMB5-iKVM for KVM-over-IP (Optional)
Software ASUS ASWM Enterprise
Dimension (HH x WW x
DD) 750mm x 444mm x 87mm (2U)
Net Weight Kg (CPU,
DRAM & HDD not
included)
25 Kg
Power Supply 1+1 Redundant 920W 80PLUS Platinum Power Supply
Power Rating 920W: 100-240Vac, 11-4.4A, 50-60Hz Class I
Environment
Operating temperature: 10°C–35°C
Non-operating temperature: -40°C–70°C
Non-operating humidity: 20%–90% ( Non-condensing)
Specications are subject to change without notice.

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-6
1.4 Front panel features
Refer to section 1.7.1 Front panel LEDs for the LED descriptions.
Front panel
Node 2
Node 1
Front panel
Node 4
Node 3
HDD 1 (Node 1)
HDD 2 (Node 1)
HDD 3 (Node 1)
HDD 1 (Node 2) HDD 1 (Node 3) HDD 1 (Node 4)
HDD 2 (Node 2)
HDD 3 (Node 2)
HDD 2 (Node 3)
HDD 3 (Node 3)
HDD 2 (Node 4)
HDD 3 (Node 4)
1.5 Rear panel features
PSU 1 Node 3 Node 1
Node 4 Node 2 PSU 2
When installing only two nodes, install the nodes to node slot number 1 and 3 or number 2
and 4.

ASUS RS320Q-E7/RS12 1-7
VGA port
* This port is for ASUS ASMB5-iKVM controller card only.
USB ports
Serial port
LAN port 3*
LAN port 1
LAN port 2
1.6 Internal features
1
6
35
62
4

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-8
The barebone server does not include a oppy disk 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.
Turn off the system power and detach the power supply before removing or replacing any
system component.
WARNING
HAZARDOUS MOVING PARTS
KEEP FINGERS AND OTHER BODY PARTS AWAY
1. Power supply and power fan
2. ASUS P8BH Server Board
3. System fans
4. SATA/SAS backplane (hidden)
5. Hot-swap HDD trays (SAS and SATA)
6. Front LED Boards

ASUS RS320Q-E7/RS12 1-9
1.7 LED information
1.7.1 Front panel LEDs
LED Icon Display
status Description
Power LED ON System power ON
Message
LED
OFF System is normal; no incoming event
ON
1. Without ASMB5-iKVM installed: CPU over-heated
2. With ASMB5-iKVM installed: a hardware monitor event is
indicated
Location
LED
OFF Normal status
ON Location button is turned on. Press the location button again to
turn off.
LAN LEDs
OFF No LAN connection
Blinking LAN is transmitting or receiving data
ON LAN connection is present
Message LED LAN2 LED
LAN1 LED
Power button and LED Location button and LED
Message LED LAN2 LED
LAN1 LED
Power button and LED Location button and LED

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-10
1.7.3 HDD status LED
SATAII/SAS HDD LED Description
HDD Activity LED (Green)
OFF HDD not present
ON HDD present, no activity
Blinking 1. Read/write data from/into the SATAII/SAS HDD
2. Locating (blinking with the HDD status LED)
HDD Status LED (Red)
OFF HDD not present
ON HDD has failed and should be swapped immediately
Blinking 1. RAID rebuilding
2. Locating (blinking with the HDD activity LED)
1.7.2 LAN (RJ-45) LEDs
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
HDD Activity LED (Green)
HDD Status LED (Red)
SPEED LED
ACT/LINK LED
ACT/LINK LED
SPEED LED