Chapter 4: BIOS

Chapter 4

BIOS

4-1 Introduction

This chapter describes the AMIBIOS™ Setup utility for the H8SCM(-F) serverboard. The 16 Mb AMI BIOS® is stored in a flash chip and can be easily upgraded using a floppy disk-based program.

Note: Due to periodic changes to the BIOS, some settings may have been added or deleted and might not yet be recorded in this manual. Please refer to the Manual Download area of our web site for any changes to BIOS that may not be reflected in this manual.

Starting the Setup Utility

To enter the BIOS Setup Utility, hit the <Delete> key while the system is booting-up. (In most cases, the <Delete> key is used to invoke the BIOS setup screen. There are a few cases when other keys are used, such as <F1>, <F2>, etc.) Each main BIOS menu option is described in this manual.

The Main BIOS screen has two main frames. The left frame displays all the options that can be configured. “Grayed-out” options cannot be configured. The right frame displays the key legend. Above the key legend is an area reserved for a text message. When an option is selected in the left frame, it is highlighted in white. Often a text message will accompany it. (Note that BIOS has default text messages built in. We retain the option to include, omit, or change any of these text messages.) Settings printed in Bold are the default values.

A " "indicates a submenu. Highlighting such an item and pressing the <Enter> key will open the list of settings within that submenu.

The BIOS setup utility uses a key-based navigation system called hot keys. Most of these hot keys (<F1>, <F10>, <Enter>, <ESC>, <Arrow> keys, etc.) can be used at any time during the setup navigation process.

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SUPER MICRO Computer H8SCM-F user manual Introduction, Starting the Setup Utility

H8SCM, H8SCM-F specifications

Super Micro Computer, known for its cutting-edge server technology and enterprise solutions, offers the H8SCM-F and H8SCM motherboards as part of its robust line of products designed for high-performance computing tasks. These motherboards are ideal for businesses that require reliable, scalable, and cost-effective solutions for their data center and server needs.

The H8SCM-F and H8SCM motherboards are based on the AMD Opteron architecture, which delivers an impressive performance-to-cost ratio. They support dual-socket configurations, accommodating up to 16 cores in a single system, which is ideal for handling intensive processing demands. This allows organizations to run virtualization software, database applications, and other resource-heavy tasks with ease.

One of the standout features of the H8SCM-F motherboard is its extensive memory support. It can accommodate up to 512GB of DDR3 memory across eight DIMM slots. This high memory capacity enhances performance, particularly in data-intensive applications, ensuring that users can run multiple processes without facing bottlenecks.

The H8SCM series motherboards also emphasize connectivity. With integrated features such as dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, they support effective bandwidth management. Additionally, the presence of multiple PCI-E slots enables users to incorporate various expansion cards for enhanced connectivity options, including additional network interfaces and high-performance storage controllers.

In terms of storage, the H8SCM-F motherboard offers support for multiple SATA drives, facilitating RAID configurations for improved data redundancy and performance. The ability to implement RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 provides users with flexibility and security for their data storage needs.

Another key technology integrated into the H8SCM series is advanced thermal management. Supermicro has designed these motherboards with careful attention to airflow and cooling solutions, ensuring that systems remain stable under heavy workloads. This is particularly vital in environments where uptime is critical.

In summary, the Super Micro Computer H8SCM-F and H8SCM motherboards are designed with high-performance, scalability, and reliability in mind. Their support for powerful AMD Opteron processors, substantial memory capacity, extensive connectivity options, and advanced storage and thermal management features make them an excellent choice for businesses seeking efficient server solutions. Whether for virtualized environments or high-demand applications, these motherboards deliver exceptional performance and versatility to meet a wide range of enterprise needs.