Dell™ PowerEdge™ R610 Technical Guidebook

H. Optimizer (Independent Channel) Mode

In this mode, all three channels are populated with identical memory modules. This mode permits a larger total memory capacity but does not support SDDC with x8-based memory modules.

A minimal single-channel configuration of 1GB memory modules per processor is also supported in this mode.

Section 8. Chipset

A. Overview / Description

The PowerEdge R610 planar incorporated the Intel 5520 chipset (code named Tylersburg) for I/O and processor interfacing. Tylersburg is designed to support Intel's 5500 series processors (code named Nehalem-EP), QPI interconnect, DDR3 memory technology, and PCI Express Generation 2. The Tylersburg chipset consists of the Tylersburg-36D IOH and ICH9.

The Intel 5520 chipset (code named Tylersburg) I/O Hub (IOH)

The planar uses the The Intel® 5520 chipset (code named Tylersburg) I/O Hub (IOH)-36D IOH to provide a link between the 5500 series 2S processor (Nehalem EP) and I/O components. The main components of the IOH consist of two full-width QuickPath Interconnect links (one to each processor), 36 lanes of PCI Express Gen2, a x4 Direct Media Interface (DMI), and an integrated IOxAPIC.

IOH QuickPath Interconnect (QPI)

The QuickPath Architecture consists of serial point-to-point interconnects for the processors and the IOH. The PowerEdge R610 has a total of three QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) links: one link connecting the processors and links connecting both processors with the IOH. Each link consists of 20 lanes (full-width) in each direction with a link speed of up to 6.4 GT/s. An additional lane is reserved for a forwarded clock. Data is sent over the QPI links as packets.

The QuickPath Architecture implemented in the IOH and CPUs features four layers. The Physical layer consists of the actual connection between components. It supports Polarity Inversion and Lane Reversal for optimizing component placement and routing. The Link layer is responsible for flow control and the reliable transmission of data. The Routing layer is responsible for the routing of QPI data packets. Finally, the Protocol layer is responsible for high-level protocol communications, including the implementation of a MESIF (Modify, Exclusive, Shared, Invalid, Forward) cache coherence protocol.

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Dell R610 manual Optimizer Independent Channel Mode, Chipset Overview / Description

R610 specifications

The Dell PowerEdge R610 is a 1U rack server that combines outstanding performance with advanced management features, making it ideal for enterprises and small to medium-sized businesses. Introduced as part of Dell’s 11th generation of servers, the R610 is designed to meet demanding workloads while optimizing energy consumption.

One of the main features of the R610 is its dual-socket capability, supporting up to two Intel Xeon 5500 or 5600 series processors. This allows significant scaling of compute power, enabling users to run multiple applications concurrently without a hitch. The server supports up to 192 GB of DDR3 memory with 18 DIMM slots, providing ample bandwidth for memory-intensive workloads.

Storage flexibility is another hallmark of the R610. It offers a choice of up to six 2.5-inch SAS, SATA, or solid-state drives, which allows for impressive storage capacities and the option for RAID configurations. This ensures data integrity and high availability, catering to the needs of various applications from databases to virtual environments.

The Dell R610 introduces advanced virtualization technologies, with support for VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V, making it an excellent choice for virtualized environments. With the option to deploy multiple virtual machines on a single physical server, organizations can maximize resource allocation and reduce costs.

In terms of management, the R610 is equipped with the Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) which provides out-of-band management capabilities. This feature allows administrators to monitor system health, perform firmware updates, and manage hardware without the need for physical access to the server.

Energy efficiency is a notable characteristic of the R610, complying with Energy Star requirements. It utilizes lower power consumption components and features such as dynamic power management, which adjusts the power usage based on real-time workload demand. This characteristic contributes to lower operational costs and a reduced environmental footprint.

The Dell PowerEdge R610 excels in providing an optimal balance of performance, manageability, and energy efficiency, making it a powerful tool for IT environments that demand reliability and scalability. Its robust feature set and support for virtualization technologies position it as a favorable choice for businesses looking to enhance their IT infrastructure efficiently.