IBM X3500 Server User Manual


 
other within the channels of a branch do not have to be identical to each
other (for example, the DIMMs in DIMM connector 1 and DIMM connector
2).
- Both branches operate in dual-channel mode.
The following table shows the DIMM configuration upgrade sequence for
operating in mirroring mode.
Table 3. DIMM upgrade configuration sequence in mirroring mode
Number of DIMMs DIMM connectors
4 1, 4, 7, 10
8 1, 4, 7, 10, 2, 5, 8, 11
12 1, 4, 7, 10, 2, 5, 8, 11, 3, 6, 9, 12
Online-spare memory disables a failed rank pair of DIMMs from the system
configuration and activates an online-spare rank pair of DIMMs to replace the
failed rank pair of DIMMs. For an online-spare pair of DIMMs to be activated,
you must enable this feature and have installed an additional rank pair of
DIMMs of the same speed, type, size (or larger), and technology as the failed
pair of DIMMs. You must enable the feature through the Configuration/Setup
Utility program. To enable online-spare memory in the Configuration/Setup
Utility program, select Devices and I/O Ports Advanced Chipset Control
Memory Branch Mode. Use the arrow keys to change the setting for Branch
0 Rank Sparing or Branch 1 Rank Sparing to Enabled; then, save your
changes. See “Using the Configuration/Setup Utility program” on page 50 for
additional information. When you use online-spare memory, you must consider
the following information:
- You cannot enable online-spare memory while the server is operating in
mirroring mode.
- When you use online-spare memory, the two memory branches operate
independently of each other. You can enable online-spare memory for one
or both branches.
- Online-spare memory reduces the amount of available memory.
- Online-spare DIMM pairs are assigned according to your DIMM
configuration.
- Online-spare memory works by copying data from a failed DIMM rank to
another good DIMM rank within the same memory branch.
- Online-spare memory cannot copy data from one branch to the other.
Chapter 2. Installing optional devices 35