HP ProLiant SL165s G7 User manual

HP ProLiant SL165s G7 Server
Software Configuration Guide
Part number 635254-001
First edition March 2011

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© Copyright 2011 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are
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Contents 3
Contents
System BIOS configuration ....................................................................................................................4
System BIOS overview.................................................................................................................................4
BIOS software ............................................................................................................................................4
BIOS Setup Utility .......................................................................................................................................4
Accessing the Setup Utility ......................................................................................................................5
Navigating through the Setup Utility.........................................................................................................5
Setup Utility menus.................................................................................................................................7
Recording custom Setup values..............................................................................................................32
Clearing CMOS ..................................................................................................................................33
Power-On Self-Test (POST)..........................................................................................................................33
POST error indicators ...........................................................................................................................34
POST-related troubleshooting ................................................................................................................35
OS installation...................................................................................................................................36
Supported OS ..........................................................................................................................................36
OS pre-installation procedure.....................................................................................................................36
Hardware setup...................................................................................................................................36
BIOS update .......................................................................................................................................37
Easy Set-up CD Instruction..........................................................................................................................37
Server management............................................................................................................................38
Pre- and post-installation procedures ...........................................................................................................38
Pre-installation procedures ....................................................................................................................38
Post-installation procedures ...................................................................................................................38
Configuring the BMC ................................................................................................................................38
Index................................................................................................................................................41

System BIOS configuration 4
System BIOS configuration
This chapter describes the basic functions of the BIOS.
System BIOS overview
A Basic Input/Output System, or BIOS, is a set of programs permanently stored in an EEPROM chip
(U55) located on the system board. These programs serve as an interface between the server’s
hardware components and its operating system. This ProLiant server features a ROM BIOS-based
diagnostic tool that monitors system activity and performs constant hardware testing to ensure proper
system operation.
BIOS software
The BIOS software serves three functions:
•Configure the system settings via the BIOS Setup Utility
Using the Setup Utility, you can install, configure, and optimize the hardware devices on your
system (such as CPU, memory, and hard drives).
•Initialize hardware at boot via POST routines
At power-on or reset, the software performs Power-On Self-Test (POST) routines to test system
resources and run the operating system.
•Perform run-time routines
Using the software, perform basic hardware routines that can be called from DOS and Windows
applications.
BIOS Setup Utility
NOTE: For ease of reading, the BIOS Setup Utility will be referred to as “Setup” or “Setup Utility” in
this guide. Also, the screenshots used in this guide display default system values. These values may
not be the same as those in your server.
The BIOS Setup Utility is a hardware configuration program built into the server BIOS. Because most
systems are already properly configured and optimized, there is normally no need to run this utility.
You need to run this utility under the following conditions:
•When changing the system configuration, including:
○Setting the system time and date
○Configuring the hard drives
○Specifying the boot device sequence
○Configuring the power management modes
○Setting up system passwords or making other changes to the security setup
•When a configuration error is detected by the system and you are prompted by a "Run Setup"
message to make changes to the BIOS settings.

System BIOS configuration 5
NOTE: If you repeatedly receive “Run Setup” messages, the battery located on the system board
(B1) may be defective. In this case, the system cannot retain configuration values in CMOS. Ask a
qualified technician for assistance.
The Setup Utility loads the configuration values in a battery-backed nonvolatile memory called CMOS
RAM. This memory area is not part of the system RAM, which allows configuration data to be
retained when power is turned off. The values take effect when the system is booted. POST uses these
values to configure the hardware. If the values and the actual hardware do not agree, POST
generates an error message. You must run the Setup Utility to change the BIOS settings from the
default or current configuration.
Accessing the Setup Utility
1. Turn on the monitor and the server.
If the server is already turned on, save your data and exit all open applications, then restart the
server.
2. During POST, press F10. If you fail to press F10 before POST is completed, you need to restart
the server and repeat this step. The first page displayed is the Main menu. Use the left (←) and
right (→) arrow keys to move between selections on the menu bar.
Figure 1 Main menu
NOTE: System Serial Number and Asset Tag are not updated even when CMOS defaults are
loaded or CMOS is cleared.
Navigating through the Setup Utility
Use the keys listed in the legend bar on the bottom of the Setup screen to access the various menu
and submenu screens of the Setup Utility. In the previous section shows the legend bar at the bottom
of the Main menu. Table 1 lists these legend keys and their respective functions.

System BIOS configuration 6
Table 1 Setup Utility navigation keys
Key
Function
←and →Move between selections on the menu bar.
↑and ↓Move the cursor to the field you want.
The currently selected field is highlighted. The right side of each menu screen displays the
Item Specific Help panel. This panel displays the help text for the selected field. It updates as
you move the cursor to each field.
<+>, <–> Select a value for the currently selected field if it is user-configurable.
Press the (+) or (-) keys repeatedly to scroll through each value one at a time, or press the
Enter key to choose from a pop-up menu that displays all possible values at once.
A parameter that is enclosed in square brackets [ ] is user-configurable.
Grayed-out parameters are not user-configurable for one of the following reasons:
•
The field value is auto-configured or auto-detected.
•
The field value is informational only.
•
The field is password-protected.
Enter Select a field value or display a submenu screen.
Display more options for items marked with .
Tab Use [ENTER], [TAB] or [SHIFT-TAB] to select a field
Esc When you press this key:
•
On a primary menu screen, the Exit menu displays.
•
On a submenu screen, the previous screen displays.
•
On a pop-up menu, closes the pop-up without making a selection.
F1 Displays the General Help window. See Figure 2.
The General Help window describes other Setup navigation keys that are not displayed on
the legend bar.
F10 Saves all changes to settings and closes the Setup Utility.

System BIOS configuration 7
Figure 2 General Help Screen
Setup Utility menus
The Setup Utility menu bar displays the five primary menu selections. For detailed information and
screenshots of these Setup menus and their related submenus, refer to the following sections.
Main Menu
Figure 3 Main Menu
NOTE: The time is in 24-hour format. For example, 5:30 A.M. appears as 05:30:00, and 5:30,
P.M. as 17:30:00. If you unplug the battery, setup time values will be 00:00:00.

System BIOS configuration 8
Table
2
Main menu fields
Field
Description
Product Name Displays the product name of the system.
Processor Displays the CPU version, speed and count.
System Memory
Displays the amount of system memory detected during POST.
System Time Adjusts the system time.
System Date Adjusts the system date.
ProLiant BIOS Display the date when this version of BIOS was built, the BIOS version, the system serial
number and the MAC addresses of NIC1, NIC2, NIC3 and NIC4.
System Serial
Number
The serial number is indicated on the serial number label pull tab on the front panel.
NIC #1 MAC
Address
Displays NIC #1 MAC Address.
NIC #2 MAC
Address
Displays NIC #2 MAC Address.
NIC #3 MAC
Address
Displays NIC #3 MAC Address.
NIC #4 MAC
Address
Displays NIC #4 MAC Address.
Asset Tag
Enter the server asset tag.
POST F1 Prompt Set value “Delayed” to allow wait up to 15 seconds for press F1. The setting default
value is Delayed.
Set value “Enabled” to allow waiting indefinitely for press F1.
Set value “Disabled”, do not wait for F1, and continue booting.

System BIOS configuration 9
Advanced menu
Figure 4 Advanced menu
Table 3Advanced menu fields
Field Description Options
CPU Configuration You can use this screen to select options for the CPU Configuration
Settings. Use the up and down <Arrow> keys to select an item. Use the
<Plus> and <Minus> keys to change the value of the selected option. A
description of the selected item appears on the right side of the screen.
The settings are described on the following pages.
SATA
Configuration
You can use this screen to select options for the SATA mode settings.
Use the up and down <Arrow> keys to select item. Use the <Plus> and
<Minus> keys to change the value of the selected option. The settings
are described on the following pages.
Memory
Configuration
You can use this screen to select options for the Memory Configuration
settings. Use the up and down <Arrow> keys to select item. Use the
<Plus> and <Minus> keys to change the value of the selected option.
The settings are described on the following pages.
AHCI
Configuration
Configure AHCI settings. The settings are described on the following
pages.
IPMI Configuration Select this option and press <Enter> to access the submenu. You can
use the submenu to view the contents of IPMI. A delay may be noticed
when selecting IPMI. This is due to the retrieval of sensor data. In the
submenu, use the up and down <Arrow> keys to select an item. Use the
<Plus> and <Minus>keys to change the value of the selected option.
PCI Express
Configuration
You can use this screen to enable or disable Active State Power-
Management and PCI Express Gen2. The settings are described on the
following pages.

System BIOS configuration 10
Table 3Advanced menu fields
Field
Description
Options
Remote Access
Configuration
You can select console redirection in the left frame of the screen to go
to the sub menu for that item. You can display a console redirection by
highlighting it using the <Arrow> keys .Console redirection Setup
options are described in this section. The settings are described on the
following pages.
Trusted Platform
Module
Configure trusted platform module. The settings are described on the
following pages.
USB Configuration These items control various USB devices. From the USB configuration
screen, press <Enter> to access the submenu for the USB BIOS Support.
Use the up and down <Arrow> keys to select an item. Use the
<plus>and <minus> keys to change the value of the selected option.
The settings are described on the following pages.
OnBoard
Peripherals
Configuration
Configure the settings of onboard peripherals. The settings are
described on the following pages.
Virtual Floppy Disable Virtual Floppy. Disabled
Enable Virtual Floppy. Enabled
Power Efficiency
Mode
Impact groups as CPU Configuration/CPU Bridge Configuration/PCI
Express Configuration.
For the Efficiency mode, the configuration settings are made as follows:
Memory Speed = Max DIMM Speed
Memory Interleaving = Full
ASPM = Disabled
C1E = Enabled
PCI Express Gen 2 = Gen 2 Auto
Processor Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch = Enabled
Processor Hardware Prefetcher = Enabled
PowerNow = Enabled
AMD/Intel Core Select = All Cores Enabled
Efficiency
Impact groups as CPU Configuration/CPU Bridge Configuration/PCI
Express Configuration.
For the Performance mode, the configuration settings are made as
follows:
Memory Speed = Max DIMM Speed
Memory Interleaving = Full
ASPM = Disabled
C1E = Disabled
PCI Express Gen 2 = Gen 2 Auto
Processor Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch = Enabled
Processor Hardware Prefetcher = Enabled
PowerNow = Enabled
AMD/Intel Core Select = All Cores Enabled
Performance
Allow to configure Efficiency/Performance related items individually. Custom

System BIOS configuration 11
CPU Configuration submenu
Figure 5 CPU Configuration submenu
NOTE: The CPU Configuration setup screen varies depending on the installed processor.
Table 4CPU Configuration submenu fields
Field Description Options
Module Version Display the module version.
Physical Count Display the physical count.
Logical Count Display the logical count.
CPU Information Select which physical CPU’s information to display. Note: Zero is
always the “Boot Strap Processor” or main CPU. All others are
“Application Processors”.
AMD Virtualization (AMD-
V)
Disable AMD Virtualization. Disabled
Enable AMD Virtualization. Enabled
PowerNow Disable the generation of ACPI_PPC, _PSS, and _PCT objects. Disabled
Enable the generation of ACPI_PPC, _PSS, and _PCT objects. Enabled
Power Capping Select the performance P-state 0 in OS. P-state 0
Select the performance P-state 1 in OS. P-state 1
Select the performance P-state 2 in OS. P-state 2
Select the performance P-state 3 in OS.
P-state 3
Select the performance P-state 4 in OS. P-state 4

System BIOS configuration 12
Table 4CPU Configuration submenu fields
Field
Description
Options
Hardware Prefetcher Enable the hardware components that are used in conjunction
with software programs to prefetcher data in order to shorten
execution cycles and maximize data processing efficiency.
Enabled
Disable the hardware components that are used in conjunction
with software programs to prefetcher data in order to shorten
execution cycles and maximize data processing efficiency.
Disabled
Software Prefetcher Enable the Software Prefetcher to tune performance to the
specific application.
Enabled
Disable the Software Prefetcher. Disabled
Active Processor Cores Number of Cores (ALL) to enable in processor. All
Number of Cores (2 cores left) to enable in processor. 2
Number of Cores (4 cores left) to enable in processor. 4
Number of Cores (6 cores left) to enable in processor. 6
Number of Cores (8 cores left) to enable in processor. 8
Number of Cores (10 cores left) to enable in processor. 10
Hyper Transport Speed Select Hyper Transport Speed frequency to HT1. HT1
Select Hyper Transport Speed frequency to HT3. HT3
C1E Support This should be enabled in order to enable or disable the
“Enhanced Halt State”. The Setting default value is Enabled.
Enabled
Disables the item. Disables support for adjacent cache line
prefetch debug function.
Disabled

System BIOS configuration 13
SATA Configuration submenu
Figure 6 SATA Configuration submenu
Table 5 SATA Configuration submenu fields
Field Description Options
SATA Controller
Mode
Disable SATA controller Disabled
Configure SATA controller to compatible mode Compatible
Configure SATA controller to RAID mode RAID
Configure SATA controller to AHCI mode AHCI
Embedded
SAS/SATA Link
Rate
System BIOS automatically sets the highest possible link rate based
on the chipset and drives installed. It’s the default value. AUTO
System BIOS sets 1.5Gb/s Max link rate based on the chipset and
drives installed. 1.5Gb/s Max
System BIOS sets 3Gb/s Max link rate based on the chipset and
drives installed. 3Gb/s Max
Drive Write Cache Drive Write Cache feature disabled on all dumb SATA drives. This
avoids the possibility of data loss due to a power failure. The
default setting is Disabled.
Disabled
Drive Write Cache feature on all dumb SATA drives to be enabled
System BIOS or SATA option ROM during POST. This improves
performance, but at a risk of data loss on a power failure.
Enabled

System BIOS configuration 14
Memory Configuration submenu
Figure 7 Memory Configuration submenu
Table 6
Memory Configuration submenu fields
Field Description
Memory Configuration Configure memory settings.
Advanced ECC
Configuration
Configure ECC settings.
DRAM Timing
Configuration
Configure memory clock frequency.

System BIOS configuration 15
AHCI Configuration submenu
Figure 8 AHCI Configuration submenu
Table 7 AHCI Configuration submenu fields
Field Description
AHCI BIOS Support Configure the AHCI BIOS Support settings.
AHCI port0 While entering setup, BIOS auto detects the Presence of IDE devices. This option
displays the status of auto detection of IDE devices.

System BIOS configuration 16
IPMI Configuration submenu
Figure 9 IPMI Configuration submenu
Table 8 IPMI Configuration submenu fields
Field Description
BMC Firmware Revision Display the current status of BMC.
BMC/IPMI FW Date Display the date of the BMC/IPMI firmware.
BMC SDR Version Display the current version of the BMC SDR.
Set LAN Configuration Access the submenu to configure Option of Set LAN Configuration.
SEL Configuration Access the submenu to configure Option of SEL Configuration.
Hardware health
information
Select Hardware Health Information in the left frame of the screen and press<enter>
to go to the submenu for that item. That will display CPU temperature, ambient
temperature, CPU fan speed, system fan speed, chassis fan speed. These items
cannot be changed by the user. It accords with the sense of the case. If there is LV
CPU and no card in slot1, then System Fan 6 Rotor 1 and System Fan 6 Rotor 2 no
display.
Watchdog
Configuration
Select Watchdog Configuration in the left frame of the screen and press<enter> to
go to the submenu for that item. That will display POST Watchdog Timer Action,
BMC Watch Dog Time Out; you can change the default value.
Serial Port
Configuration
Select Serial Port Configuration in the left frame of the screen to go to the submenu
for that item. Then you can press Enter to enter its submenu. You can display a
submenu about Serial Port Configuration option by highlighting it using the <Arrow>
keys.
Restore after AC Power
Loss
You can select this option to choose which action to be performed after power loss.

System BIOS configuration 17
Figure 10 Set LAN Configuration submenu
Table 9 Set LAN Configuration submenu fields
Field Description Options
BMC NIC Allocation Shared mode: allow IPMI remote functions to run through the on-
board NIC’s network line.
Shared
Dedicated mode: allow IPMI remote functions to run through its own
network line.
Dedicated
BMC LAN Configuration IP Address obtained by user configuration. Static
IP Address obtained by BMC running DHCP. DHCP
IP Address Enter IP address in decimal in the form of XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX (XXX
less than 256 and in decimal only).
MAC Address Enter MAC address in HEX in the form of XX.XX.XX.XX.XX.XX (XX in
HEX only).
Subnet Mask Enter Subnet Mask in decimal in the form of XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX (XXX
less than 256 and in decimal only).
Default Gateway
Address
Enter Gateway address in decimal in the form of XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX
(XXX less than 256 and in decimal only).
BMC Telnet Service To Enable BMC Telnet Service. Enabled
To Disable BMC Telnet Service. Disabled
BMC Ping Response
To Enable BMC Ping Response.
Enabled
To Disable BMC Ping Response. Disabled
BMC HTTP Service To Enable BMC HTTP Service. Enabled
To Disable BMC HTTP Service.
Disabled

System BIOS configuration 18
Figure 11 SEL Configuration submenu (1)
Figure 12 SEL Configuration submenu(2)
Table 10 SEL Configuration submenu fields
Field Description
View BMC System
Event Log
The option specifies BMC system event log. Select this option and press <Enter> to
access the submenu to view the contents of System Event log.
Clear BMC System
Event Log
The option specifies clear system event log. If the BMC Event log is full, you can choose
this item to clear out the BMC Event log. If this option is selected, a confirmation prompt
will appear before the log is cleared.

System BIOS configuration 19
Figure 13 Hardware Health Information submenu
Table 11 Hardware Health Information submenu fields
Field Description
Temperature Show a list of sensor temperature
Fan Rotation Rate Show system Fan Rotation Rate
Figure 14 Watchdog Configuration submenu
Table 12 Watchdog Configuration submenu fields
Field
Description
Options

System BIOS configuration 20
Table 12 Watchdog Configuration submenu fields
Field
Description
Options
IPMI Watchdog
Timer
Set this value to allow BMC to reset if the operating system crashes
or hangs.
Reset System
Disabled the item will not allow to crashes or hangs if OS crashes
or hangs. This is the default setting.
Disabled
Set this value to allow BMC to power down if the operating system
crashes or hangs.
Power Down
Set this value to allow BMC to power cycle if the operating system
crashes or hangs.
Power Cycle
IPMI Watchdog
Timeout
Sets a10 minute timeout value for BMC to wait before assuming
the system has crashed and needs to reset. The setting default
value is 10 minutes. This is the default setting.
10 Min
Sets a 5 minute timeout value for BMC to wait before assuming the
system has crashed and needs to reset.
5 Min
Sets a 15 minute timeout value for BMC to wait before assuming
the system has crashed and needs to reset.
15 Min
Sets a 20 minute timeout value for BMC to wait before assuming
the system has crashed and needs to reset.
20 Min
Sets a 30 minute timeout value for BMC to wait before assuming
the system has crashed and needs to reset.
30 Min
Figure 15 Serial Port Configuration submenu
Table 13 Serial Port Configuration submenu fields
Field
Description
Options