HP ProLiant 300-series AMD-based G6 server technology

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HP ProLiant 300-series AMD-based G6 server

technology

Technology brief, 2

edition

Abstract.............................................................................................................................................. 3

Introduction......................................................................................................................................... 3

Processor technology............................................................................................................................ 3

Direct Connect architecture 2.0 ......................................................................................................... 3

HyperTransport Technology............................................................................................................... 4

HT Assist......................................................................................................................................... 5

Memory technologies ........................................................................................................................... 5

Double data rate memory ................................................................................................................. 6

Determining memory bus speed ......................................................................................................... 6

Memory management technologies .................................................................................................... 6

Memory bank interleaving............................................................................................................. 7

Memory Channel Interleaving ........................................................................................................ 7

Memory node interleaving............................................................................................................. 7

X8 error correction ........................................................................................................................... 7

I/O technologies ................................................................................................................................. 8

PCI Express technology..................................................................................................................... 8

HP Smart Array and SAS/SATA technology ........................................................................................ 8

SAS-2 standard............................................................................................................................ 9

Battery backed write cache ........................................................................................................... 9

Zero Memory RAID..................................................................................................................... 10

HP Smart Array compatibility....................................................................................................... 10

Smart Array Advanced Pack............................................................................................................ 10

Power and thermal technologies .......................................................................................................... 11

Efficient power delivery................................................................................................................... 11

Common-slot power supplies........................................................................................................ 11

Increasing power efficiency in redundant power operation.............................................................. 12

Voltage regulation...................................................................................................................... 12

Thermal sensors and fan control....................................................................................................... 12

APML Remote Power Management Interface .................................................................................. 13

Dynamic Power Capping ................................................................................................................ 13

Managing processor technologies.................................................................................................... 14

PowerNow! Technology .............................................................................................................. 14

Power Cap Manager .................................................................................................................. 14

AMD Core Select and HP Core Disable ........................................................................................ 14

Security ............................................................................................................................................ 15

Trusted Platform Module.................................................................................................................. 15

BitLocker Drive Encryption ............................................................................................................... 15

Systems management and monitoring .................................................................................................. 15

HP ProLiant Onboard Administrator powered by iLO 2....................................................................... 16

HP Insight Control Environment ........................................................................................................ 16

Summary of content (19 pages)

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HP ProLiant 300-series AMD-based G6 server technology Technology brief, 2nd edition Abstract.............................................................................................................................................. 3 Introduction......................................................................................................................................... 3 Processor technology.......................................................................................................
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HP Insight Dynamics – VSE.............................................................................................................. 16 OS support ....................................................................................................................................... 16 Summary .......................................................................................................................................... 17 For more information.....................................................
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Abstract This technology brief describes the key technologies implemented in HP ProLiant 300-series G6 servers based on AMD™ processors. As of this writing, the AMD-based 300--series G6 server platforms are limited to the ProLiant DL385. A link to the QuickSpecs for this server is listed in the “For more information” section at the end of this technology brief.
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Figure 1. Block diagram of Direct Connect 2.0 architecture in the AMD 2400-series processors HyperTransport Technology HyperTransport is a point-to-point interconnect with two unidirectional links (Figure 2). It directly connects the processors to each other and connects each processor to its dedicated memory banks, as well as to other I/O chipsets.
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Figure 2. The HyperTransport interconnect is designed to separate memory and I/O traffic and directly attaches memory to each processor, allowing memory capacity to scale with the number of processors. HyperTransport can be configured through the ROM-Based Setup Utility (RBSU). In the RBSU Advanced Options menu, administrators can use the HyperTransport Selection option to choose HT1 or HT3. HT1 is active by default.
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The AMD Opteron 2400-series processor supports dual memory channels. Two 64-bit-wide memory channels operate in parallel to provide a 128-bit interface, so memory must be installed in pairs.
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memory interleaving technologies are supported on the ProLiant AMD 300-series G6 servers. These technologies are independent of each other and can operate simultaneously. Memory bank interleaving When memory bank interleaving is engaged, data is routed alternately to memory banks through the common memory channel connecting the DIMM banks and the integrated memory controller.
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I/O technologies ProLiant 300-series G6 servers incorporate PCI Express, Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS), and Serial ATA (SATA) I/O technologies. This server architecture lets administrators add PCI Express-compliant expansion cards to the system. SAS is a serial communication protocol for direct-attached storage devices such as SAS and SATA hard drives. PCI Express technology The PCI Express (PCIe) serial interface provides point-to-point connections between the chipset I/O controller hub and I/O devices.
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failures. More importantly, SAS architecture solves the parallel SCSI problems of clock skew and signal degradation at higher signaling rates. The latest Smart Array controllers are compatible with SATA technology and include the following features to enhance performance and maintain data availability and reliability: • SAS and SATA compatibility — The ability to use either SAS or SATA hard drives lets administrators deploy drive technology that fits each computing environment.
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expansion, the BBWC preserves data and logical structures on the array. The HP 650 mAh P-Series battery extends battery life up to 48 hours before recharging is necessary. Zero Memory RAID Using Zero Memory RAID (ZMR), administrators can create a RAID 0-1 configuration without additional memory. ZMR uses memory embedded in the controller, approximately 1K in size, and supports limited configurations. ZMR supports up to eight drives in Zero Memory Mode, or seven drives and one tape drive.
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Power and thermal technologies HP engineers have developed a robust set of power and thermal technologies and components to manage power within ProLiant 300-series G6 servers.
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Figure 4. Power/Efficiency curve for the 750 W HP power supply 95% 90% 85% Efficiency (%) 80% 75% 70% 65% 60% 55% 50% 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 Output Power (Watts) Represents 92% power efficiency Increasing power efficiency in redundant power operation With ProLiant G6 servers, customers can select a power supply operation mode for redundant power systems. Through the RBSU, administrators can select ‘High Efficiency’ mode or ‘Balanced’ mode.
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altered to increase cooling based on the sensor data and location. If one fan fails, all the other fans default to high speed in order to assure the server remains within thermal specifications. APML Remote Power Management Interface Multiple processor-based thermal sensors are new for the AMD Opteron six-core 2400-series processors. The APML Remote Power Management Interface from AMD allows users to remotely monitor and control P-state limits from a systems management device such as iLO 2.
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Figure 5. Rapid response of Dynamic Power Capping avoids circuit breaker trips Managing processor technologies Built into AMD Opteron processors is the AMD-P suite of power management technologies, including AMD PowerNow™ Technology, and AMD Power Cap Manager™.
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recognize the reduced core count so that fewer software licenses may be required. By reducing core count recognition, Core Select has the potential to reduce software licensing costs. Also, applications can benefit from increased memory bandwidth and cache per core. This feature is offered on HP ProLiant G6 platforms that are configured with an AMD 2400 or 8400 series processors and the latest System ROM supporting this feature.
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power and thermal control, and remote administration. The HP ICE suite provides a foundation for deploying, managing, optimizing, and controlling the entire server environment from any location. HP Insight Dynamics – VSE suite for ProLiant delivers comprehensive functions for optimizing and balancing resources and workloads in real time.
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Summary The HP ProLiant 300-series G6 servers equipped with AMD processors help administrators increase business performance, lower power costs, and manage their server hardware more easily. To improve performance, these servers use the AMD Opteron 2400-series processor technologies with integrated memory controllers and DDR-2 memory. The latest Smart Array controllers and firmware improve RAID performance compared to the previous generation of controllers.
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For more information For additional information, refer to the resources listed below. Resource description Web address Dynamic Power Capping TCO and Best Practices White Paper http://h71028.www7.hp.com/ERC/downloads/4AA23107ENW.pdf HP Insight Control Environment www.hp.com/go/ice HP Network Adapters for ProLiant DL and ML Servers http://media.hpvitc.veplatform.com/content/HP_Network_Adapters_fo r_ProLiant_DL_Family_data_sheet_1237839147.pdf HP ProLiant DL385 G6 Server QuickSpecs http://h18004.www1.
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Call to action Send comments about this paper to TechCom@HP.com. © 2009, 2010 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 set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.