Chapter 3 Maintaining the Server

Installing or Replacing Server Components

DIMM Sparing and Rank Sparing

DIMM and rank sparing can be enabled in the BIOS configuration utility.

Sparing involves utilizing one of the DIMM pairs or rank pairs within each memory riser as a spare unit. When any of the other DIMM pairs within the same memory riser experiences errors beyond a pre-defined threshold, it fails over to the spare DIMM pair. Spared DIMMs and ranks are hidden from the user and the OS so that the BIOS can migrate to a spare unit when it finds degrading DIMMs.

When sparing is enabled, the available system memory is lesser than the total installed memory.

•When using DIMM sparing, the available memory equals total installed memory minus the size of spared DIMMs.

•When using rank sparing, available memory equals total installed memory minus the size of the spared ranks. Rank size equals DIMM size divided by the number of ranks.

Memory Mirroring

When memory mirroring is enabled, the memory subsystem simultaneously writes identical data to two channels. If a memory read from one of the channels returns incorrect data due to an uncorrectable memory error, the system automatically retrieves the data from the other channel. A transient or soft error in one channel does not affect the mirrored data, and operation continues unless there is a simultaneous error in exactly the same location on a DIMM and its mirrored DIMM. Memory mirroring reduces the amount of memory available to the operating system by 50% because only one of the two populated channels provides data.

If you choose to enable memory mirroring, populate the DIMM slots in the order shown in Table 3-5.

Table 3-5

Memory Mirroring DIMM Population

 

 

 

Number of DIMMs

 

 

per CPU

 

CPU 1 Population

CPU2 Population

 

 

 

 

4

 

A1, B1; A2, B2

E1, F1; E2, F2

 

 

 

 

6

 

A1, B1; C1, D1; A2; B2

E1, F1; G1, H1; E2, F2

 

 

 

 

8

 

A1, B1; C1, D1; A2, B2; C2, D2

E1, F1; G1, H1; E2, F2; G2, H2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cisco UCS C220 Server Installation and Service Guide

 

 

 

 

 

 

OL-25760-01

 

 

3-21

 

 

 

 

 

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Cisco Systems UCUCSEZC220M3S, UCSSP6C220E, UCSRAID9266CV, 9266CV-8i manual Dimm Sparing and Rank Sparing, Memory Mirroring
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UCSRAID9266CV, C220, 9266CV-8i, UCSSP6C220E, UCUCSEZC220M3S specifications

Cisco Systems offers a range of powerful solutions for data center and enterprise infrastructures, among which are the UCSSP6C220E and UCUCSEZC220M3S, as well as the UCS C220 servers and the 9266CV-8i RAID controller. These products are designed to deliver high performance, scalability, and reliability, making them ideal for mission-critical applications across various industries.

The UCSSP6C220E is an essential component for the Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) environment. It is designed for exceptional performance in virtualization and cloud computing environments. Key features include support for Intel Xeon Scalable processors, allowing for improved processing power and efficiency. Additionally, the server supports numerous memory configurations, with support for up to 3TB of RAM using 24 DIMM slots. With its innovative design, the UCSSP6C220E provides efficient cooling and power management, ensuring optimal performance under heavy workloads.

The UCUCSEZC220M3S model further enhances the capabilities of Cisco UCS with its flexible storage options and advanced management features. It supports multiple networking technologies, enabling seamless integration into existing IT infrastructures. The server's scalability is a significant benefit, accommodating a wide variety of workloads from virtualization to high-performance computing.

The UCS C220 series is a versatile platform known for its balance of performance, storage, and density. It is ideal for running more applications while minimizing data center space. The C220 server can support both SAS and SATA drives, enabling businesses to choose the right storage solution for their specific needs.

The 9266CV-8i RAID controller is a robust solution designed to enhance data protection and performance. It supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60, providing multiple options for balancing performance and redundancy. With 1GB of integrated cache memory, it helps accelerate data access, while its eight internal ports ensure high connectivity and flexibility for storage expansions.

Coupled with the UCSRAID9266CV, this controller simplifies storage management with advanced features such as online capacity expansion and dynamic RAID migration. Together, these technologies help organizations optimize their data centers while ensuring high availability and reliability, making Cisco Systems’ offerings a cornerstone for enterprise IT infrastructures.
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