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2-2 SPARC Enterprise M4000/M5000 Servers Overview Guide • December 2010
2.1.1.1 CPU Types and Features
This section describes the CPU types and features.
2.1.1.2 Supported Processors and CPU Operational Modes
The M4000/M5000 servers can support SPARC64 VI processors, SPARC64 VII
processors, SPARC64 VII+ processors, or a mix of these different types of processors.
A single domain can be configured with a mix of these processors. This section
applies only to M4000/M5000 servers that run or will run SPARC64 VII/SPARC64
VII+ processors.
Note – Supported firmware and Oracle Solaris OS will vary based on the processor
type. For details, see the latest version of the Product Notes (for XCP version 1100 or
later) for your server.
A SPARC Enterprise M4000/M5000 server domain runs in one of the following CPU
operational modes:
■ SPARC64 VI Compatible Mode
All processors in the domain behave like and are treated by the OS as SPARC64 VI
processors. The new capabilities of SPARC64 VII or SPARC64 VII+ processors are
not available in this mode.
■ SPARC64 VII Enhanced Mode
All boards in the domain must contain only SPARC64 VII or SPARC64 VII+
processors. In this mode, the server utilizes the new features of these processors.
By default, the Oracle Solaris OS automatically sets a domain’s CPU operational
mode each time the domain is booted based on the types of processors it contains. It
does this when the cpumode variable is set to auto.
For more information on CPU operational modes, refer to the SPARC Enterprise
M3000/M4000/M5000/M8000/M9000 Servers XSCF User’s Guide.
TABLE 2-1 CPU Specifications
CPU Name SPARC64 VI Processor SPARC64 VII/VII+ Processor
Number of cores 2 cores 4 cores
Operational mode SPARC64 VI compatible mode SPARC64 VI compatible
mode/SPARC64 VII enhanced mode