Dell PowerEdge 2950 Technical manual

Dell™ PowerEdge™
2950 Systems
Information Update

Notes, Cautions, and Warnings
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use
of your computer.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates potential damage to hardware or loss of data
if instructions are not followed.
WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage,
personal injury, or death.
____________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2006–2009 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc.
is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, and PowerEdge are trademarks of Dell Inc.;
Intel and Xeon are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation; Microsoft, Windows, and Windows
Server and are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United
States and/or other countries; Red Hat and Red Hat Enterprise Linux are registered trademarks of
Red Hat, Inc.; SUSE is a registered trademark of Novell Inc.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming
the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and
trade names other than its own.
October 2009 P/N DD259 Rev. A07

Contents 3
Contents
Non-Optimal Memory Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . 5
PowerEdge 2950 III – New System Features . . . . . . . 5
New Performance Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
New High-Efficiency Power Supply
and Power Monitoring Features . . . . . . . . . . . 5
New I/O and Storage Features . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
New Security Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Optional Internal USB Memory Key . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Installing the Optional Internal
USB Memory Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Support for 8-GB Memory Modules –
PowerEdge 2950 III Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Processor Upgrades – Power 2950 II
and PowerEdge 2950 III Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
System Board Replacement –
Safeguarding Encrypted Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
System Message Update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
LCD Status Messages Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

4Contents
System Setup Program Update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Memory Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
CPU Information Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Integrated Devices Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
System Security Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Serial Communication Screen . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Operating System Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Enumeration of NICs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
RHEL – Incorrect Processor Information . . . . . . 23
System Support for Microsoft Windows 2000 . . . 24
System Diagnostics Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Information Update 5
Non-Optimal Memory Configurations
The POST may halt when a non-optimal memory configuration is detected
and the following message is displayed:
Non-Optimal Memory Configuration
Press F1 to continue or F2 for Setup
NOTE: Mixing DIMMs of different speeds renders the memory configuration
non-optimal. The system clocks down the performance to the slowest speed
in the DIMM set for the channel.
PowerEdge 2950 III – New System Features
New Performance Features
• Two dual-core or quad-core Intel
®
Xeon
®
5400 Series and 5300 Series
processors.
• 8-GB memory module support.
New High-Efficiency Power Supply and Power Monitoring Features
• Higher system efficiency on power conversion across workloads.
• Baseboard Management Control (BMC) power monitoring monitors
current, voltage, and power utilization in the system.

6Information Update
New I/O and Storage Features
• Optional Intel quad-port Gigabit Ethernet NIC, capable of supporting
10-Mbps, 100-Mbps, and 1000-Mbps data rates, and iSCSI remote boot.
• Support for 10-Gb Ethernet cards.
• One internal USB 2.0-compliant connector supporting an optional
bootable USB flash drive or USB memory key.
• Support for optional SAS 6i/R and PERC 6/i adapters.
New Security Features
• Trusted Program Module (TPM) support for improved security.
• Optional support for iSCSI boot.
Optional Internal USB Memory Key
The system provides an internal USB connector located on the sideplane
board for use with a USB flash memory key. The USB memory key can be
used as a boot device, security key, or mass storage device. To use the internal
USB connector, the Internal USB Port option must be enabled in the
Integrated Devices screen of the System Setup program. See "Integrated
Devices Screen" on page 20.
To boot from the USB memory key, you must configure the USB memory
key with a boot image and then specify the USB memory key in the boot
sequence in the System Setup program. See “
Using the System Setup
Program” in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual . For information on creating
a bootable file on the USB memory key, see the user documentation that
accompanied the USB memory key.
NOTE: USB keys that contain multiple LUNs (Logical Unit Numbers) must
be formatted using the format utility provided by the key manufacturer.
CAUTION: To avoid interference with components inside the system, the USB key
must conform to the following maximum dimensions: 11mm thick (0.43") x 23.2mm
width (0.91") x 67mm length (2.64").

Information Update 7
Installing the Optional Internal USB Memory Key
WARNING: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system
cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product
Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working
inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
1 Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect
the system from its electrical outlet.
2 Open the system. See “Opening the System” in the Hardware Owner’s
Manual
.
3 Locate the USB connector on the sideplane board, and insert the USB
memory key into the USB connector. See Figure 1-1.
4 Close the system. See “Closing the System” in the Hardware Owner’s
Manual
.
5 Reconnect the system to power and restart the system.
6 Enter the System Setup program and verify that the USB key has been
detected by the system. See “Using the System Setup Program” in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual .

8Information Update
Figure 1-1. Installing an Internal USB Key
7 Close the system. See “Closing the System” in the Hardware Owner’s
Manual
.
8 Reconnect the system to power and restart the system.
9 Enter the System Setup program and verify that the USB key has been
detected by the system. See “Using the System Setup Program” in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual .
1 sideplane board 2 internal USB connector
3 USB memory key
2
3
1

Information Update 9
Support for 8-GB Memory Modules –
PowerEdge 2950 III Systems
PowerEdge 2950 III systems have added support for the following approved
8-GB memory configurations:
•64 GB — 8 x 8-GB quad-rank memory modules
•48 GB — 4 x 8-GB quad-rank and 4 x 4-GB dual-rank memory modules
If 64 GB of memory is installed, the system only recognizes and displays
63.75 GB during POST.
NOTE: Prior to upgrading your system, verify that the latest system BIOS version is on
your system. Loading the latest BIOS version ensures that your system is fully supported.
NOTE: Some operating systems cannot support more than 4 GB of physical memory.
For more information on memory support requirements and restrictions, refer to the operating
system documentation that was shipped with your system.
Processor Upgrades – Power 2950 II
and PowerEdge 2950 III Systems
• If the front of your system chassis is labeled with a “II”, your system is
upgradeable to the 5100 series of dual-core Intel Xeon processors and
the 5300 series of quad-core Xeon processors.
• If the front of your system chassis is labeled with a “III”, your system is
upgradeable to the 5100 and 5200 series of dual-core Intel Xeon processors
and 5300 and 5400 series of quad-core Intel Xeon processors.
See support.dell.com for information on the latest processor upgrade options
for your system.
System Board Replacement –
Safeguarding Encrypted Data
On PowerEdge 2950 III systems using Windows Server®2008, you can use
encryption programs, such as the BitLocker utility, to secure the contents
of the hard drive.

10 Information Update
If you are using the TPM with an encryption application, you are prompted
to create a recovery key during system setup. Be sure to store this recovery key.
If you replace the system board, you must supply the recovery key when you
restart your system before you can access the encrypted files on your hard
drive(s).
System Message Update
Table 1-1 lists new system messages for the PowerEdge 2950 III system and
the probable cause and corrective action when the message appears. System
messages appear on the screen to notify you of a possible problem with the
system.
WARNING: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system
cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product
Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working
inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
Table 1-1. System Messages
Message Causes Corrective Actions
Alert! Node
Interleaving
disabled! Memory
configuration does
not support Node
Interleaving.
The memory configuration
does not support node
interleaving, or the
configuration has changed
(for example, a failed
DIMM) so that node
interleaving cannot be
supported. The system
runs but with reduced
functionality.
Ensure that the memory
modules are installed in a
configuration that supports
node interleaving. Check
other system messages
for additional information
for possible causes.
For memory configuration
information, see
“General Memory Module
Installation Guidelines”
in the Hardware Owner’s
Manual. If the problem
persists, see “Trouble-
shooting System Memory”
in the Hardware Owner’s
Manual.

Information Update 11
!!*** Error: Remote
Access Controller
initialization
failure *** RAC
virtual USB devices
may not be
available...
Remote Access Controller
initialization failure
Ensure that the Remote
Access Controller is
properly installed. See
“Installing a RAC Card”
in the Hardware Owner’s
Manual.
Invalid PCIe card
found in the
Internal_Storage
slot!
The system halted because
an invalid PCIe expansion
card is installed in
the dedicated storage
controller slot.
Remove the PCIe
expansion card and install
the internal SAS controller
in the dedicated slot.
No boot device
available
Faulty or missing optical
drive subsystem, hard
drive, or hard-drive
subsystem, or no bootable
USB key installed.
Use a bootable USB key,
CD, or hard drive. See
“Using the System Setup
Program” in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual for
information on setting
the order of boot devices.
PCI BIOS failed
to install
PCIe device BIOS (Option
ROM) checksum failure
detected during shadowing.
Cables to expansion card(s)
loose; faulty or improperly
installed expansion card(s).
Reseat the expansion
card(s). Ensure that all
appropriate cables are
securely connected to
the expansion card(s).
If the problem persists, see
“Troubleshooting System
Expansion Cards” in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
PCIe Degraded Link
Width Error:
Embedded device
Expected Link
Width is n
Actual Link
Width is n
Faulty system board
or riser board.
See see “Getting Help”
in the Hardware Owner’s
Manual.
Table 1-1. System Messages (continued)
Message Causes Corrective Actions

12 Information Update
PCIe Degraded Link
Width Error:
Integrated device
Expected Link
Width is n
Actual Link
Width is n
The specified PCIe device
is faulty or improperly
installed.
For a SAS controller
daughter card, reseat the
card in the dedicated PCIe
connector. See “Installing
a SAS Controller Daughter
Card” in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual. If the
problem persists, see
“Getting Help” in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
PCIe Degraded Link
Width Error: Slot n
Expected Link Width
is n
Actual Link Width
is n
Faulty system board
or riser board.
Reseat the PCIe card in
the specified slot number.
See “Expansion Cards”
in the Hardware Owner’s
Manual. If the problem
persists, see “Getting Help”
in the Hardware Owner’s
Manual.
PCIe Training
Error: Embedded
device
Faulty system board
or riser board.
See “Getting Help” in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
PCIe Training
Error: Integrated
device
The specified PCIe device
is faulty or improperly
installed.
For a SAS controller
daughter card, reseat the
card in the dedicated PCIe
connector. See “Installing
a SAS Controller Daughter
Card” in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual. If the
problem persists, see
“Getting Help” in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
Table 1-1. System Messages (continued)
Message Causes Corrective Actions

Information Update 13
PCIe Training
Error: Slot n
Faulty or improperly
installed PCIe card in
the specified slot.
Reseat the PCIe card in the
specified slot number. See
“Expansion Cards” in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
If the problem persists, see
“Getting Help” in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
Remote Access
Controller cable
error or incorrect
card in the RAC
slot.
RAC cables not connected,
or RAC card installed in
wrong expansion slot.
Check that the RAC cables
are connected, and that the
RAC card is installed in the
correct expansion slot. See
“Installing a RAC Card” in
the Hardware Owner’s
Manual.
NOTE: All TPM information messages appear after the BMC option ROM has been
loaded during POST.
TPM configuration
operation honored.
System now resets. Information only.
TPM Failure A Trusted Platform Module
(TPM) function has failed.
See “Getting Help” in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
TPM operation is
pending. Press I to
Ignore or M to
Modify to allow
this change and
reset the system.
WARNING: Modifying
could prevent
security.
Configuration change has
been requested.
Press Ito continue system
boot. Press Mto modify
the TPM setting and
restart.
Warning: Following
faulty DIMMs are
disabled:
DIMM n1n2
Total memory size
is reduced.
Faulty or improperly
seated memory module(s).
DIMMs are disabled in
pairs, as indicated by the n1
and n2. Check both
DIMMs for a possible fault.
See “Troubleshooting
System Memory” in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
Table 1-1. System Messages (continued)
Message Causes Corrective Actions

14 Information Update
Warning: A fatal
error has caused
system reset!
Please check the
system event log!
A fatal system error
occurred and caused the
system to restart.
Check the SEL for
information that was
logged during the error.
See the applicable
troubleshooting section
in See “Troubleshooting
Your System” in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
for any faulty components
specified in the SEL.
Warning! No micro
code update loaded
for processor n
Micro code update failed. Update the BIOS firmware.
See “Getting Help” in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
Warning: The
installed memory
configuration
is not optimal.
For more
information on
valid memory
configurations,
please see
the system
documentation
on the technical
support web site.
Invalid memory
configuration. The system
runs but with reduced
functionality.
Ensure that the memory
modules are installed in
a valid configuration. See
“General Memory Module
Installation Guidelines”
in the Hardware Owner’s
Manual. If the problem
persists, see
“Troubleshooting System
Memory” in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
Write fault
Write fault on
selected drive
Faulty USB device, USB
medium, optical drive
assembly, hard drive, or
hard-drive subsystem.
Replace the faulty media.
Reseat the USB device or
USB cable. For hard drive
problems, see
“Troubleshooting a Hard
Drive” in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
Table 1-1. System Messages (continued)
Message Causes Corrective Actions

Information Update 15
LCD Status Messages Update
Table 1-2 lists updates to the LCD status messages that can occur on
the PowerEdge 2950 III system and the probable cause for each message.
The LCD messages refer to events recorded in the system event log (SEL).
For information on the SEL and configuring system management settings,
see your systems management software documentation.
Table 1-2. LCD Status Messages
Code Text Causes Corrective Actions
N/A SYSTEM NAME A 62-character string that
can be defined by the user
in the System Setup
program.
The SYSTEM NAME
displays under the
following conditions:
• The system
is powered on.
• The power is off
and active errors
are displayed.
This message is for
information only.
You can change
the system ID and
name in the System
Setup program.
See “Using the System
Setup Program” in the
Hardware Owner’s
Manual.
E1000 FAILSAFE,
Call Support
Check the system event
log for critical failure
events.
See “Getting Help” in
the Hardware Owner’s
Manual.
E1118 CPU Temp
Interface
The BMC is unable to
determine the CPU(s)
temperature status.
Consequently, the BMC
increases the CPU fan
speed to maximum
as a precautionary
measure.
Turn off power to the
system and restart the
system. If the problem
persists, see “Getting
Help” in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.

16 Information Update
E1211 ROMB Batt RAID battery is either
missing, bad, or unable
to recharge due to
thermal issues.
Reseat the RAID
battery connector. See
the “RAID Battery” and
see “Troubleshooting
System Cooling
Problems” in the
Hardware Owner’s
Manual.
E1625 PS AC Current Power source is out
of acceptable range.
Check the AC power
source.
E1711 PCI PERR B##
D## F##
The system BIOS has
reported a PCI parity
error on a component
that resides in PCI
configuration space
at bus ##, device ##,
function ##.
Remove and reseat the
PCIe expansion cards.
If the problem persists,
see “Troubleshooting an
Expansion Card” in the
Hardware Owner’s
Manual.
PCI PERR
Slot #
The system BIOS has
reported a PCI parity
error on a component
that resides in the
specified PCIe slot.
Reinstall the expansion-
card riser. See
“Expansion Card
Risers” in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
If the problem persists,
the riser card or system
board is faulty.
See “Getting Help”
in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
Table 1-2. LCD Status Messages (continued)
Code Text Causes Corrective Actions

Information Update 17
E1712 PCI SERR B##
D## F##
The system BIOS has
reported a PCI system
error on a component
that resides in PCI
configuration space
at bus ##, device ##,
function ##.
Remove and reseat the
PCIe expansion cards.
If the problem persists,
see “Troubleshooting
Expansion Cards” in
the Hardware Owner’s
Manual.
PCI SERR
Slot #
The system BIOS has
reported a PCI system
error on a component
that resides in the
specified slot.
Reinstall the expansion-
card riser. See
“Expansion Card
Risers” in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
If the problem persists,
the riser card or system
board is faulty.
See “Getting Help” in
the Hardware Owner’s
Manual.
E171F PCIE Fatal Err
B## D## F##
The system BIOS has
reported a PCIe fatal error
on a component that
resides in PCIe
configuration space
at bus ##, device ##,
function ##.
Remove and reseat the
PCIe expansion cards.
If the problem persists,
see “Troubleshooting
Expansion Cards” in
the Hardware Owner’s
Manual.
PCIE Fatal
Err Slot #
The system BIOS has
reported a PCIe fatal error
on a component that
resides in the specified
slot.
Reinstall the expansion-
card riser. See
“Expansion Card
Risers” in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
If the problem persists,
the riser card or system
board is faulty. See
“Getting Help” in the
Hardware Owner’s
Manual.
Table 1-2. LCD Status Messages (continued)
Code Text Causes Corrective Actions

18 Information Update
E1914 DRAC5 Conn2
Cbl
DRAC 5 cable is missing
or disconnected.
Reconnect the cable.
See “Installing a RAC
Card” in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
E1B01 USB#
Overcurrent
Device plugged in the
specified USB port caused
an overcurrent condition.
Reseat the device cable.
If the problem persists,
replace or remove the
device.
E2110 MBE
DIMM # & #
One of the two indicated
DIMMs has had a
memory multi-bit error
(MBE).
See “Troubleshooting
System Memory” in the
Hardware Owner’s
Manual.
E2111 SBE Log
Disable
DIMM #
The system BIOS has
disabled memory single-
bit error (SBE) logging,
and does not resume
logging further SBEs until
the system is restarted.
“#” represents the DIMM
implicated by the BIOS.
See “Troubleshooting
System Memory”
in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
E2112 Mem Spare
DIMM #
The system BIOS has
spared the memory
because it has determined
that the memory had
too many errors. “# & #”
represents the DIMM pair
implicated by the BIOS.
See “Troubleshooting
System Memory”
in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
I1915 Video Off
(LCD lights with
a blue or amber
background.)
The video has been
turned off by the RAC
remote user.
Information only.
I1916 Video Off
in ##
(LCD lights with
a blue or amber
background.)
The video was turned off
in xx seconds by the RAC
remote user.
Information only.
Table 1-2. LCD Status Messages (continued)
Code Text Causes Corrective Actions

Information Update 19
System Setup Program Update
Memory Screen
Table 1-3 lists the descriptions for the information fields that appear
on the Memory Information screen.
Table 1-3. Memory Information Screen Options
Option Description
System Memory Size Displays the amount of system memory.
System Memory Type Displays the type of system memory.
System Memory Speed Displays the system memory speed.
Video Memory Displays the amount of video memory.
System Memory Testing Specifies whether system memory tests are run at system
boot. Options are Enabled and Disabled.
Redundant Memory
(Disabled default)
Enables or disables the redundant memory feature.
When set to Spare Mode, the first rank of memory on
each DIMM is reserved for memory sparing. Redundant
memory feature is disabled if the Node Interleaving field
is enabled.
Node Interleaving
(Disabled default)
If this field is set to Enabled, memory interleaving is
supported if a symmetric memory configuration is
installed. If this field is set to Disabled, the system can
support Non-Uniform Memory architecture (NUMA)
(asymmetric) memory configurations.
NOTE: The Node Interleaving field must be set to Disabled
when using the redundant memory feature.
Low Power Mode
(Disabled default)
Enables or disables the low power mode of the memory.
When set to Disabled, the memory runs at full speed.
When set to Enabled, the memory runs at a reduced
speed to conserve energy.

20 Information Update
CPU Information Screen
Table 1-4 updates the description for the Demand-Based Power Management
option.
Integrated Devices Screen
Table 1-5 lists new Integrated Devices screen options.
Table 1-4. CPU Information Screen
Option Description
Demand-Based Power
Management
(Enabled default)
NOTE: Check your operating system documentation to
verify if the operating system supports this feature.
Enables or disables demand-based power management.
When enabled, the CPU Performance State tables are
reported to the operating system; when disabled, the
CPU Performance State tables are notreported to the
operating system. If any of the CPUs do not support
demand-based power management, the field becomes
read-only, and is automatically set to Disabled.
Table 1-5. Integrated Devices Screen Options
Option Description
Internal USB Port
(On default)
Enables or disables the system’s internal USB port.
NOTE: You can only enable the internal USB port if the User
Accessible USB Ports option on this screen is set to All ports
On (the default value).
OS Watchdog
Timer
(Disabled default)
NOTE: This feature is usable only with operating systems that
support WDAT implementations of the Advanced Configuration and
Power Interface (ACPI) 3.0b specification. Microsoft®Windows
Server®2008 supports this feature, but Windows Server 2003
does not.
Sets a timer that monitors the operating system for activity and
aids in recovery if the system stops responding. When this field
is set to Enabled, the operating system is allowed to initialize
the timer. When set to Disabled, the timer is not initialized.