Sun Microsystems X4140, X4240, X4440 Power-On Self-Test Post, How Bios Post Memory Testing Works

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Power-On Self-Test (POST)

The system BIOS provides a rudimentary power-on self-test. The basic devices required for the server to operate are checked, memory is tested, the LSI 1064 disk controller and attached disks are probed and enumerated, and the two Intel dual Gigabit Ethernet controllers are initialized.

The progress of the self-test is indicated by a series of POST codes. These codes are displayed at the bottom right corner of the system’s VGA screen (once the self-test has progressed far enough to initialize the system video). However, the codes are displayed as the self-test runs and scroll off of the screen too quickly to be read. An alternate method of displaying the POST codes is to redirect the output of the console to a serial port (see “Redirecting Console Output” on page 26).

How BIOS POST Memory Testing Works

The BIOS POST memory testing is performed as follows:

1.The first megabyte of DRAM is tested by the BIOS before the BIOS code is shadowed (that is, copied from ROM to DRAM).

2.Once executing out of DRAM, the BIOS performs a simple memory test (a write/read of every location with the pattern 55aa55aa).

Note – Enabling Quick Boot causes the BIOS to skip the memory test. See “Changing POST Options” on page 28 for more information.

Note – Because the server can contain up to 64 MB of memory (128 MB for the X4440), the memory test can take several minutes. You can cancel POST testing by pressing any key during POST.

3.The BIOS polls the memory controllers for both correctable and uncorrectable memory errors and logs those errors into the service processor.

Appendix A Event Logs and POST Codes

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Contents Sun Fire X4140, X4240, Servers Diagnostics Guide Please Recycle Contents Event Logs and Post Codes Status Indicator LEDsError Handling Index Page Before You Read This Document PrefaceRelated Documentation Web Sites Typographic ConventionsThird-PartySun Welcomes Your Comments Initial Inspection of the Server Service Troubleshooting FlowchartCollect information about the following items Gathering Service InformationDocument the server settings before you make any changes Externally Inspecting the Server Troubleshooting Power ProblemsSystem Inspection 1X4140 Server Front Panel Internally Inspecting the ServerLocate Button/LED Power Button Page Running SunVTS Diagnostic Tests Using SunVTS Diagnostic SoftwareSunVTS Documentation Diagnosing Server Problems With the Bootable Diagnostics CDUsing the Bootable Diagnostics CD Close the Log file window The window is closed Click the Log buttonDimm Population Rules Troubleshooting Dimm ProblemsUncorrectable Dimm Errors Dimm Replacement PolicyHow Dimm Errors Are Handled by the System Troubleshooting Dimm Problems 1Lines in Ipmi Output Correctable Dimm ErrorsDimm Fault LEDs Bios Dimm Error MessagesPage 1DIMMs and LEDs on Motherboard 2DIMMs and LEDs on Mezzanine Board Isolating and Correcting Dimm ECC ErrorsReconnect AC power cords to the server Page Viewing Event Logs Event Logs and Post CodesESC Advanced Menu Event Logging Details screen is displayed ESC How Bios Post Memory Testing Works Power-On Self-Test PostRedirecting Console Output Appendix a Event Logs and Post Codes Changing Post Options Select BootBoot Settings Configuration screen is displayed Select Boot Settings ConfigurationPage Post Codes Post Codes Primary I/O port Post Code CheckpointsPost Code Checkpoints Initialize Int-13 and prepare for IPL detection Save system context for Acpi External Status Indicator LEDs Status Indicator LEDsBack Panel LEDs Front Panel LEDsHard Drive LEDs Internal Status Indicator LEDsFigure B-4DIMMs and LEDs on Motherboard Figure B-5DIMMs and LEDs on Mezzanine Board Page P E N D I X C Making a Serial Connection to the SP To start the serial console, type the following commandsFrom the System Monitoring tab, select Event Logs Viewing Ilom SP Event LogsFigure C-1System Event Logs Table C-1Event Log Fields Interpreting Event Log Time StampsViewing Replaceable Component Information Figure C-2Replaceable Component Information From the System Information tab, select ComponentsViewing Sensors Figure C-3Sensor Readings Figure C-4Sensor Details Handling of Uncorrectable Errors Error HandlingIpmitool sel list Figure D-1DMI Log Screen, Uncorrectable Error Handling of Correctable Errors Appendix D Error Handling Page Handling of Parity Errors Perr NMI Event Handling of System Errors Serr PCI Serr Handling Mismatching Processors Hardware Error Handling Summary Hardware Error Handling SummarySP SEL PCI Serr SP SEL Page Index BiosPost

X4140, X4440, X4240 specifications

Sun Microsystems was a prominent player in the computing industry, known for its innovative and powerful server systems. Among its notable offerings were the Sun Fire X4240, X4440, and X4140 servers, which made significant inroads in the market for high-performance computing solutions.

The Sun Fire X4240 server was designed to meet the demands of data-intensive applications. It offered impressive scalability, supporting up to 64 GB of DDR2 memory across its eight memory slots. This server utilized AMD Opteron processors, which provided excellent performance thanks to their multi-core architecture. The X4240 also featured a flexible I/O architecture, allowing for various configurations tailored to specific workload requirements.

Next in line was the Sun Fire X4440, which expanded on the capabilities of the X4240. This server was particularly valuable for virtualization and consolidation tasks. It featured up to 128 GB of memory and supported more CPU options, with dual- and quad-core Opteron processors available. The X4440 also included a high-density design that enabled increased storage capacity, accommodating up to 12 SFF drives. This made it ideal for databases and enterprise applications needing fast access to large volumes of data.

Finally, the Sun Fire X4140 brought a balance of performance and efficiency. Like its counterparts, it supported AMD's Opteron processors, delivering robust processing power. The X4140 was designed for environments where space and power efficiency were critical. It was notable for its compact form factor, which allowed organizations to pack more servers into less physical space without sacrificing performance. The server architecture included advanced thermal management technologies, ensuring optimal airflow and cooling, which contributed to reliability in demanding environments.

In terms of connectivity, all three servers featured multiple Gigabit Ethernet ports, offering redundant network connectivity essential for enterprise-level applications. The integrated management interfaces simplified server monitoring and maintenance, ensuring that IT administrators could efficiently manage their resources.

In summary, the Sun Fire X4240, X4440, and X4140 were pivotal servers from Sun Microsystems that provided robust performance, scalability, and efficiency. Their features made them suitable for a variety of workloads, from virtualization to data management, cementing their place in the server market during their era.
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