Chapter 3. Base Compute Module
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## Chapter 3. Base Compute Module

This chapter describes the function and physical components of the Altix 330 base compute module. It also describes the possible configurations and the technical specifications for this module. All the features of the base compute module are present in the expansion module with the exception of the hard disk drives.

Specifically, this chapter includes the following information.

- “System Features”

- “External Components”

- “Module Configuration”

- “Technical Specifications”

## System Features

The 1U base compute module can serve as a standalone Altix 330 system, or it can be cabled to other optional modules to create an Altix 330 system with more functionality. A base compute module consists of 1 or 2 Intel Itanium 2 processors, and up to 16 GB of local memory available on 4, or 8 dual inline memory modules (DIMMs), and one PCI/PCI-X slot.

Your system can contain from 1 to 8 base compute modules. One of the base compute modules provides the base I/O functionality for the system; it is the module where the operating system resides. (Every system must have at least one base compute module.) This module has a factory–installed disk drive(s), base I/O, and memory.

The base compute module includes the following features:

- L1 controller that manages and monitors functions of the base compute module such as temperature.

- Internal read-only slim–line DVD–ROM drive.

- One or two hard disk drives.

- One autoranging power supply.

- One NUMAlink-4 port that can connect your base compute module to a CPU expansion module, and/or other option modules.

- One full-length PCI/PCI–X card slot. The 64-bit slot can contain 33-MHz or 66-MHz PCI cards, or 66-MHZ, 100-MHz, or 133-MHz PCI–X cards.

- One L1 USB port that enables you to connect another system to the L1 controller of the base compute module and monitor the Altix 330 system's status remotely.

- External SAS/SATA connector for optional mass storage

- Two Ethernet ports

- Two USB Type A ports

The base compute module can connect the following optional modules:

- Other base compute modules to add processors, disks, memory, and PCI/PCI-X slots.

- CPU expansion modules to add processors and memory to your system.

- Altix PA Expansion modules used to add PCI/PCI-X slots via NUMAlink-4 connection to the base compute module(s).

- Router modules or “R-bricks” can be used in larger (3 to 8 module) systems to provide a NUMAlink-4 interconnect fabric. See Chapter 5, “Optional Router”for additional information on this module.

- The optional SGI InfiniteStorage S330 RAID storage system provides the Altix 330 with high-availability storage in a compact form factor. See the SGI InfiniteStorage S330 RAID User's Guide (007-4798-001) for more information about this product.

- The SGI TP900 storage module to provide additional storage for the system. See SGI Total Figure 3-2Performance 900 Storage System User's Guide (007-4428-00x) for information about this module.

  | Note: The Altix 330 system also supports other storage systems not listed in this document. Contact your sales or service representative for information on additional options.

Figure 3-1 shows the front panel and side view of the Altix 330 base compute module.

Figure 3-2 shows the rear and side panel of the Altix 330.

Figure 3-1. Front View of a Base Compute Module

Figure 3-2. Rear View of the Base Compute Module

The compute module architecture includes the following components, which are shown in Figure 3-3 and discussed in the following subsections:

- “Additional Internal Components”

- “DVD–ROM”

- “Internal System Disk Drives”

- “Power Supply”

  Figure 3-3. Functional Logic Diagram of Base Compute Module

### System Node Board

The system node boards consist of the following components, which are discussed in the subsections that follow.

- One or two Intel Itanium 2 processors (labeled CPU in Figure 3-4). Each processor has integrated L1, L2, and L3 caches.

- Eight dual inline memory module (DIMM) slots that provide up to 16 GB of memory. See “Local Memory (DIMMs)”, for more information about DIMMs.

- SHub ASIC that enables communication between the processors, memory, and I/O devices.

- Serial ID EEPROM that contains component information.

- Two voltage regulators convert incoming voltages to voltages required by components.

- Internal hard drives can be either SAS or SATA disks.

- A single SAS/SATA control port on the rear of the system supports additional point-to-point drive connection capability.

  Figure 3-4. Node Board Block Diagram

#### Processors (CPUs)

The Intel Itanium 2 processors, which are socketed components (not soldered), employ Explicitly Parallel Instruction Computing (EPIC) architecture. This architecture provides fast online transaction processing, the capability to execute multiple instructions simultaneously, and fast calculations and data analysis.

The processors operate at core clock rates from 1.3 GHz and up. Note that 1.3 GHz systems are sold as 2-processor (maximum) single system image machines, and not available with larger systems.

Each processor has the following integrated (on-chip) caches:

- Two 32-KB L1 caches: one cache is for data and the other cache is for instructions.

- One 256-KB L2 cache.

- One L3 cache; the size of the L3 cache depends on the version of the processor selected. Note that several processor speeds and cache sizes may be available. Check with your SGI sales or service representative for the latest information.

The system node boards use SECDED ECC to protect data when transferred to and from secondary cache, main memory, and directory memory.

The node boards use parity to protect data when transferred between a processor and primary cache, and to protect system commands sent between the SHub ASIC and a processor.

#### Local Memory (DIMMs)

Each module's node board has up to 16 GB of local memory, which includes main memory and directory memory for cache coherence. Local memory can consist of 4, or 8 dual-inline memory modules (DIMMs) that contain double data rate synchronous dynamic random-access memory (DDR1 SDRAM). See Figure 3-5.

You can increase or decrease the size of memory by adding or removing the four DIMMs that compose group one on the node board. The four DIMMs that compose a group must be the same size; however, each group can be a different memory size.

Figure 3-5. Local Memory Layout

| Note: The four group 0 DIMMs must always be present in the base server module.

The four DIMMs that compose a group must all be the same size (memory capacity), however each group of four DIMMs may be a different total size.

#### SHub ASIC

The Super Hub (SHub) ASIC enables communication among the processors, memory, network, and I/O devices. It controls all activity within the node board (for example, error correction and cache coherency). The SHub ASIC also supports page migration.

The SHub ASIC consists of the following:

- One central crossbar (XN) provides connectivity between the SHub ASIC interfaces.

- One processor interface (PI) communicates directly with one or two processors.

- One memory/directory interface (MD) controls all memory access.

- Two network interfaces (NI) interfaces between the crossbar unit and NUMAlinks.

- One I/O interface (II) allows I/O devices to read and write memory (direct memory access [DMA] operations) and allows the processors within the system to control the I/O devices (PIO operations).

- One local block (LB) services processor I/O (PIO) requests local to the SHub ASIC.

## Additional Internal Components

The Altix 330 system will have some or all of the internal components listed in the following subsections, depending on the type of module and options you order.

### DVD–ROM

A base compute module can contain an optional slim-line DVD-ROM that has CD-ROM capabilities. It is located at the front left side of the module.

### Internal System Disk Drives

A base compute module contains one or two bracket-mounted disk drives. The Altix 330 supports one or two Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) or Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) system disk drives. The disk drives are located near the center of the module (next to the DVD-ROM). The master drive is the drive closest to the front of the rack. The SAS/SATA drive lines are point-to-point and support only one device per line.

### Power Supply

The base compute module contains one power supply. The power supply can input 110/220 VAC and output (12 VDC, 5 VDC, and -12 VDC). Power consumption is 490 Watts.

## External Components

This section describes the external components of a base compute module, which are located in the front and rear panels.

### Front Panel

This section describes the front-panel controls and indicators of a base compute module, as shown in Figure 3-6.

The standard DVD drive occupies the left side of the front panel.

- Power button. Press this button to power on the internal components. Alternatively, you can power on the internal components at a system console.

  Figure 3-6. Front-panel Items

- Service-required LED. This LED illuminates yellow to indicate that an item has failed or is not operating properly, but the base compute module is still operating.

- Fault (system failure) LED. This LED illuminates red to indicate that a failure has occurred and that the base compute module is not operating.

- System operating LED. This LED illuminates green to show that the system is receiving power and all monitored subsystems are operational.

- Power connector. The module's power connector is attached to the unit behind the front bezel on the right side of the system. It attaches to an AC power outlet or power distribution unit (PDU).

### Rear Panel

This section describes the rear panel connectors, PCI/PCI–X slot, and LEDs of the base compute module, as shown in Figure 3-7.

- Serial ATA/Serial Attached SCSI connector. This external SATA/SAS port enables you to connect to one SAS or SATA mass storage device. The connector has a set of status LEDs. For an updated list of SGI supported SATA and SCSI devices, see the SGI Supportfolio at http://support.sgi.com .

- Serial ATA/Serial Attached SCSI connector LEDs. Green (left column) indicates disk activity, amber (right column) is off when a drive is attached to the port.

- L1 port (USB type A). This universal serial bus (USB) type A connector connects to the base compute module's L1 controller as an optional interface.

- Two USB 2.0 connectors. The connectors support attaching USB devices to the Altix 330.

- One NUMAlink connector. The NUMAlink-4 connector connects the base compute module to another Altix 330 base compute module, or other option module. This connection is made with a NUMAlink-4 cable at 3.2 GB/s in each direction.

- NUMAlink LEDs. Each NUMAlink connector has two LEDs. These LEDs are located to the right of the NUMAlink connector. The upper LED lights yellow to indicate that the base compute module and the module to which it is connected are powered on. The lower LED lights green when the link between the base compute module and the module to which it is connected is established.

- PCI/PCI–X slot. This 133 MHz slot can support a variety of SGI approved PCI and PCI–X cards. (For an updated list of supported cards, see SGI Supportfolio at http://support.sgi.com).

- Two Ethernet ports (10/100/1000 Mbits). These autonegotiating 10BaseT/100BaseT/1000BaseT twisted-pair Ethernet ports connect the base compute module to an Ethernet network, switch, or other Ethernet interfaces.

  Figure 3-7. Altix 330 Rear-panel Items

## Module Configuration

The base compute module contains the following major configurable components:

- Processors

- PCI and PCI–X cards

- Disk drives

- Memory (DIMMs)

  | Warning: Only trained SGI system support engineers (SSEs) can install and remove the processors, and system mother board. Upgrading the mother board from one to two processors is a field service procedure. To prevent personal injury or damage to your system, only trained SGI system support engineers (SSEs) can service or configure internal components of the base compute module that are not specifically listed as serviceable and configurable by customers.

As a customer, you can add or remove PCI and PCI-X cards, disk drives, and DIMM memory. See Chapter 6, “Installing and Removing Customer-replaceable Units” for information about installing and removing these items.

The base compute module can be configured with the following optional modules to expand its functionality:

- The CPU expansion module, which is interconnected to the base compute module via a NUMAlink cable, adds processors, memory and one PCI/PCI-X slot.

- The PA-brick 2U high PCI/PCI-X expansion module provides up to six additional PCI/PCI-X slots. It can be connected directly to the Altix 330 compute module via a NUMAlink-4 cable or indirectly through an optional NUMAlink-4 router brick. See the SGI Altix PA Expansion Module User's Guide, (007-4712-001) for information about this module.

- The optional NUMAlink-4 router brick connects three to eight Altix 330 modules together. Chapter 5, “Optional Router” provides information on this 2U optional module.

- The TP900 storage module provides additional storage to the system. See SGI Total Performance 900 Storage System User's Guide, 007-4428-00x, for information about this module. The Altix 330 system also supports other storage modules. See “ Storage Options” in Chapter 2 for information.

## Technical Specifications

Table 3-1 lists the bandwidth characteristics of the base compute module.

Table 3-1. Bandwidth Characteristics of the Base Compute Module

Characteristic | Peak Bandwidth | Sustainable Bandwidth
--- | --- | ---
NUMAlink-4 channel | 6.4 GB/s full duplex 3.2 GB/s each direction | ~2.8 GB/s each direction
Main memory | Up to 10.8 GB/s | Up to 10.8 GB/s
Front side bus (FSB) | 6.4 GB/s | ~6.4 GB/s

Table 3-2 summarizes the general features of a base compute module.

Table 3-2. General Features of the Base Compute Module

Feature | Description
--- | ---
Intel Itanium 2 processor | 1 or 2
DIMM Memory | Up to 16 GB (8 DIMM slots)
PCI expansion slot | 1 PCI/PCI-X
L1 Console port | 1USB L1 connector
NUMAlink-4 port | 1 (3.2 GB/s port)
USB 2.0, type A | 2 external ports
Ethernet ports | 2 external 10BaseT/100BaseT/1000BaseT connectors
SAS/SATA internal port | Two Serial Attached SCSI or Serial ATA internal drives port
Serial Attached SCSI or Serial ATA Connector | One external connector supports SAS or SATA mass storage

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Chapter 2. System Overview |  | Chapter 4. PCI and PCI-X Option Module