Apple Xserve G5 manual High-Bandwidth Server Architecture, Server-Optimized Architecture

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Technology Overview

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Xserve G5

High-Bandwidth Server

Architecture

The PowerPC G5 is only part of the Xserve performance story. Xserve G5 features the industry’s fastest frontside bus to keep data moving in and out of the processor, and a superefficient point-to-point system controller allows data to move directly between all subsystems. Bandwidth is further enhanced by a 400MHz, 128-bit memory bus and a high-speed HyperTransport interface that connects the PCI-X controller and the I/O subsystems to the system controller. Together these advanced technologies provide the power and throughput for demanding Internet applications, robust network infra- structure solutions, and high-performance computational clustering environments.

Server-Optimized Architecture

1Gigahertz frontside bus. Provides up to 8GB/s band- width between the processor and the rest of the system.

2Dual independent frontside buses. Provide up to

16GB/s aggregate bandwidth in dual processor systems.

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3Advanced system controller. Uses a point-to-point architecture to enable data to pass directly between subsystems.

4 400MHz ECC memory. Uses a 128-bit-wide data path to

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support high-speed PC3200 SDRAM with Error Correction Code (ECC) protection.

5PCI-X expansion. Supports two high-performance 100MHz PCI-X cards or one 133MHz PCI-X card, providing

total throughput of up to 1GB/s.

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6Dual onboard Gigabit Ethernet. Provides two indepen- dent ports, as well as hardware support for VLAN, jumbo frames, and TCP, IP, and UDP hardware checksum.

7High-performance I/O controller. Integrates three fast Serial ATA (SATA) drive controllers and FireWire 800 interfaces using a HyperTransport interconnect.

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8Serial ATA storage. Supports up to 750GB of affordable hot-plug internal storage1 using three independent, high-performance 150MB/s SATA drive controllers.4

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Contents Technology Overview January Xserve G5Contents What’s New? IntroductionProduct Overview Key FeaturesXserve G5 Xserve RAIDRack-Optimized Server Design Xserve G5 Server ConfigurationBack view Most innovative HPC hardware High-Density Cluster Node ConfigurationXserve G5 Cluster Processor Performance Performance OverviewLinpack Double-Precision Calculations $333 per gigaflop Technology OverviewBlast DNA Sequence Matching HMMer Networking ThroughputNetBench SMB HMMer Genome Sequence MatchingWebBench Apache Web Serving WebBenchBit Computing Power PowerPC G5 ProcessorApple and IBM Partnership Billion times biggerPowerPC G5 Architecture Next-Generation PowerPC ArchitectureVast amounts of addressable memory Multiple high-precision calculationsServer-Optimized Architecture High-Bandwidth Server ArchitectureTotal throughput of up to 1GB/s Point-to-Point System Controller Gigahertz Frontside BusAdvanced ECC Memory Technology Double Data Rate DDR memoryDual Onboard Gigabit Ethernet High-Performance PCI-X ExpansionSupport for up to 8GB of RAM ECC protectionAdditional Connectivity Sata Drive Technology Affordable, Scalable StorageInternal storage comparison Up to 750GB of storageMonitoring of drive health Hot-plug Apple Drive ModulesXserve Storage Scalability Apple Drive ModuleSoftware and Hardware RAID Options Xserve RAID storage solutionSoftware RAID in Mac OS X Server Optional hardware RAID PCI cardRemote monitoring Integrated Hardware MonitoringAutomatic notifications Xserve Remote DiagnosticsBuilt-In Network Services Optimized for the PowerPC G5Mac OS X Server Version New in Mac OS X Server versionInnovative Remote Management High-availability servicesAppleCare Service Parts Kit AppleCare Premium Service and Support PlanConvenient replacement modules Mac OS X Server Software Support Mac OS X Server Maintenance ProgramTraining and Certification Programs Purchasing Information Standard ConfigurationsBuild-to-Order Options Related Products Compute power with Macintosh ease of useApple Workgroup Cluster for Bioinformatics Hardware Technical SpecificationsProcessor MemoryStorage Size and weightRack support Electrical requirementsFor More Information Included servicesSoftware Mac OS X Server

Xserve G5 specifications

The Apple Xserve G5 was a powerful rack-mounted server that was introduced by Apple in 2004. Built on the robust PowerPC architecture, it marked a significant entry into the enterprise server market for the company, reflecting its commitment to high-performance computing and advanced technology solutions.

One of the main features of the Xserve G5 was its dual dual-core PowerPC G5 processors, which allowed for exceptional computation performance. This configuration enabled up to 8 processing cores in a single server unit, significantly enhancing multitasking capabilities and making it suitable for high-demand applications. With support for up to 16GB of DDR SDRAM, the server ensured ample memory for intensive operations and large-scale data processing tasks.

In terms of storage, the Xserve G5 featured a versatile design that supported up to four hot-swappable Serial ATA (SATA) drive bays. This capability enabled users to easily replace or upgrade hard drives without downtime, which is crucial in enterprise environments. The server also supported RAID configurations, offering options for increased reliability and data redundancy.

Networking capabilities were another highlight of the Xserve G5. It came equipped with dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, providing robust network throughput and redundancy. This feature was particularly valuable for mission-critical applications where uptime and performance were essential. Additionally, the Xserve G5 was compatible with various networking protocols and featured built-in support for Active Directory, simplifying integration into existing IT infrastructures.

The operating system of choice for the Xserve G5 was Mac OS X Server, which offered a user-friendly interface along with powerful server management tools. The software provided a wide range of services, including file sharing, web hosting, and email services, tailored for small to medium enterprises and education institutions.

For those seeking expandability, the Xserve G5 boasted a PCI-X expansion slot, allowing users to add various hardware components such as additional network interfaces or specialized processing cards.

In terms of its physical design, the Xserve G5 had a sleek, 1U form factor, making it easy to integrate into existing server racks while maintaining a modern aesthetic. The efficient cooling system was designed to keep the unit running optimally, ensuring reliability during extended periods of use.

In conclusion, the Apple Xserve G5 represented a significant advance in server technology with its powerful dual G5 processors, ample memory and storage options, and robust networking capabilities. Its combination of performance and user-friendly Mac OS X Server made it a notable choice for organizations seeking reliable computing solutions in the mid-2000s.
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