
The 16-way configuration
The 16-way configuration consists of two IBM xSeries 440 servers containing two
fully populated symmetrical multiprocessor (SMP) Expansion Modules. These two
xSeries 440 servers are connected to each other with cables and through BIOS
settings. In this section, you will find 16-way configuration considerations and an
introduction to terms that are specific to the 16-way configuration.
16-way considerations
Before you configure two IBM xSeries 440 servers to operate in a 16-way
configuration, review the following:
vYou must have four 2.5 m (8.2 ft) SMP Expansion cables and two 25.4 cm (10
in.) SMP Expansion cables to properly connect the servers in a 16-way
configuration.
vEach server must have two SMP Expansion modules. Each SMP Expansion
module must have four Intel Xeon MP microprocessors and at least four DIMMs.
vThe Remote Supervisor Adapters on each server must be connected to an
Enterprise Network, or to each other with an Ethernet crossover cable, prior to
merging the two servers.
vYou must connect a PS/2
®
keyboard to the primary server. Do not connect a
USB keyboard when two servers are connected in a 16-way configuration.
vWhen two servers are connected in a 16-way configuration and no video device
is connected to the secondary server, an error beep code might be heard during
startup. This is an acceptable action.
vIf two servers are cabled together without an RXE Expansion enclosure, the scan
order will be the primary server, then the secondary server. The PCI slots are
scanned in the following order: PCI-X slots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 in the primary server;
then, PCI-X slots 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 in the secondary server.
vWhen two servers are cabled together and share an RXE Expansion enclosure,
the PCI slots are scanned in the following order: PCI-X slots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 in the
primary server; PCI-X slots 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 in the RXE Expansion enclosure;
PCI-X slots 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 in the secondary server; and finally, PCI-X
slots 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 in the RXE Expansion enclosure.
Important: This PCI-X scan order differs from the one described in the other
xSeries 440 publications that came with your server.
16-way terms
This section provides definitions for terms that are specific to the 16-way
configuration.
Static partition: A static partition is configured through the partition descriptor found
in BIOS code. This static partition defines how the servers are connected to share
their resources.
Partition descriptor: A partition descriptor defines one server as the secondary
server and the other as the primary.
Primary server: A primary server is the startup server. This server has control of
the resources assigned to both servers and retains the error logs.
Secondary server: This server is controlled by the primary server.
2xSeries 440: 16-way Configuration Supplemental Information