Power Supply Redundancy

The system features two hot-swappable power supplies, either of which is capable of handling the system’s entire load. Thus, the system provides N+1 redundancy, allowing the system to continue operating should one of the power supplies or its AC power source fail. For more information about power supplies, redundancy, and configuration rules, see “About the Power Supplies” on page 38.

Environmental Monitoring and Control

The Sun Fire V490 system features an environmental monitoring subsystem designed to protect against:

■Extreme temperatures

■Lack of adequate airflow through the system

■Power supply failures

Monitoring and control capabilities reside at the operating system level as well as in the system’s Boot PROM firmware. This ensures that monitoring capabilities remain operational even if the system has halted or is unable to boot.

The environmental monitoring subsystem uses an industry-standard Inter- Integrated Circuit (I2C) bus. The I2C bus is a simple two-wire serial bus, used throughout the system to allow the monitoring and control of temperature sensors, fans, power supplies, status LEDs, and the front panel system control switch.

Temperature sensors are located throughout the system to monitor the ambient temperature of the system and the temperature of several application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). The monitoring subsystem polls each sensor and uses the sampled temperatures to report and respond to any overtemperature or undertemperature conditions.

The hardware and software together ensure that the temperatures within the enclosure do not stray outside predetermined “safe operation” ranges. If the temperature observed by a sensor falls below a low-temperature warning threshold or rises above a high-temperature warning threshold, the monitoring subsystem software lights the system Fault LED on the front status and control panel.

All error and warning messages are displayed on the system console (if one is attached) and are logged in the /var/adm/messages file. Front panel Fault LEDs remain lit after an automatic system shutdown to aid in problem diagnosis.

The monitoring subsystem is also designed to detect fan failures. The system features two fan trays, which include a total of five individual fans. If any fan fails, the monitoring subsystem detects the failure and generates an error message and logs it in the /var/adm/messages file, lights the appropriate fan tray LED, and lights the system Fault LED.

20 Sun Fire V490 Server Administration Guide • August 2004

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Sun Microsystems V490 manual Power Supply Redundancy, Environmental Monitoring and Control
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V490 specifications

Sun Microsystems V490 is a robust, high-performance server that was launched in the mid-2000s. It is part of Sun's Enterprise line of servers, specifically designed to meet the needs of businesses requiring reliability, scalability, and efficiency in their computing environments. The V490 is well-regarded for its versatility and ability to handle demanding applications.

At the heart of the V490 is its support for the UltraSPARC IV processor. The server can be configured to contain up to four processors, allowing it to deliver exceptional parallel processing capabilities. The UltraSPARC IV architecture enhances throughput and efficiency, making it suitable for enterprise applications and database management tasks.

One of the standout features of the V490 is its memory capacity. The server can support up to 64 GB of RAM, which allows for extensive caching and improved performance for memory-intensive applications. Coupled with a high bandwidth architecture, the V490 ensures that data can be processed quickly and effectively.

The V490 also emphasizes storage flexibility. It comes equipped with multiple disk drive bays, allowing for a combination of SATA and SAS drives. This flexibility enables businesses to tailor their storage solutions according to their specific performance and redundancy requirements. The V490 supports hot-swappable drives, making maintenance and upgrades considerably easier without taking the server offline.

In terms of connectivity, the Sun V490 features a variety of networking options. It includes multiple Gigabit Ethernet ports, ensuring high-speed data transfer and redundancy. Additionally, the server supports advanced input/output capabilities, making it compatible with various peripherals and external storage solutions.

Sun Microsystems V490 runs on the Solaris operating system, known for its stability and security. This OS enhances the server's performance while providing a reliable platform for mission-critical applications. The V490 also supports virtualization technologies, allowing organizations to run multiple operating systems and applications on a single hardware platform, thus optimizing resource utilization.

Another key characteristic of the V490 is its thermal efficiency. The server is designed with an advanced cooling system that minimizes energy consumption while maximizing performance. This focus on power efficiency aligns with modern data center requirements for sustainability and reduced operational costs.

In summary, the Sun Microsystems V490 is a powerful enterprise server that combines the latest processing technologies, substantial memory and storage capabilities, and robust networking options. Its scalability, along with advanced virtualization support and energy-efficient design, makes it a suitable choice for organizations looking to enhance their IT infrastructure. The V490 remains a testament to Sun Microsystems' commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable computing solutions.
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