Chapter 4: AMI BIOS

PCI IDE Bus Master

Select Enabled to allow the BIOS to use the PCI bus master to read from and write to the onboard IDE drives. The options are Enabled and Disabled.

PCI Slot 5, PCIE X8 Slot6, PCIE X4 Slot7

Select Yes to enable OPROM for a PCI slot as specified. The options are Yes (to enable OPROM for the slot specified) and No.

Load Onboard LAN 1 Option ROM/ Load Onboard LAN 2 Option ROM

Select Enabled to load the onboard LAN Option ROM for the LAN port as specified. The options are Enabled and Disabled.

Super IO Configuration

Serial Port1 Address/ Serial Port2 Address

This option specifies the base I/O port address and the Interrupt Request address of Serial Port 1 and Serial Port 2. Select Disabled to prevent the serial port from accessing any system resources. When this option is set to Disabled, the serial port physically becomes unavailable. Select 3F8/IRQ4 to allow the serial port to use 3F8 as its I/O port address and IRQ 4 for the interrupt address. The options for Serial Port1 are Disabled, 3F8/IRQ4, 3E8/IRQ4, 2E8/IRQ3. The options for Serial Port2 are Disabled, 2F8/IRQ3, 3E8/IRQ4, and 2E8/IRQ3.

Serial Port 2 Mode

Use this feature to configure Serial Port 2 mode. The options are Normal, IrDA and ASK IR.

Hardware Health Configuration

This feature allows the user to monitor Hardware Health of the system and review the status of each item when displayed.

CPU Temperature

This feature displays the processor's absolute temperature (i.e., 34oC).

System Temperature

This feature displays the system's absolute temperature (i.e., 34oC).

Fan Speed Control Modes

This feature allows the user to decide how the system controls the speeds of the onboard fans. The CPU temperature and the fan speed are correlative. When the CPU on-die temperature increases, the fan speed will also increase, and vice versa.

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SUPER MICRO Computer X7SLA-L, X7SLA-H user manual Super IO Configuration, Hardware Health Configuration

X7SLA-L, X7SLA-H specifications

Super Micro Computer has established itself as a leader in server and storage solutions, and their motherboards, particularly the X7SLA-H and X7SLA-L, showcase this commitment to quality and performance. These motherboards are designed for high efficiency and reliability, catering to a range of applications from entry-level servers to advanced computing environments.

The X7SLA-H and X7SLA-L are built on the Intel 5000 Series chipset, which allows them to leverage Intel's powerful Xeon processors. This enables users to experience superior performance, particularly in multi-threaded tasks, making them ideal for data-centric enterprises. Both motherboards support dual-socket configurations, increasing scalability and processing capabilities, which is essential for demanding workloads.

One of the standout features of the X7SLA series is its support for DDR2 ECC memory. This technology ensures data integrity by automatically correcting single-bit errors, a critical aspect for servers handling crucial data transactions. The X7SLA-H can support up to 16GB of memory, while its sibling, the X7SLA-L, is designed for maximum memory efficiency in less demanding environments. The incorporation of ECC memory is a significant advantage for businesses prioritizing reliability and uptime.

The X7SLA-H and X7SLA-L motherboards incorporate several advanced connectivity options. With multiple SATA ports and support for SATA RAID, they allow for flexible storage configurations that can enhance performance and reliability. These motherboards also provide users with Gigabit Ethernet ports, ensuring fast network communication essential for modern server environments.

Another noteworthy characteristic of the X7SLA series is its emphasis on thermal management. Both the X7SLA-H and X7SLA-L are designed with efficient cooling solutions to maintain optimal operating temperatures, which is crucial for sustaining the longevity of hardware components in high-availability scenarios.

In terms of expansion capabilities, the board features PCI Express slots, providing users with the flexibility to add additional network interfaces or storage controllers. This expandability aligns with Supermicro's commitment to delivering customizable solutions tailored to the specific needs of their customers.

In summary, the Super Micro Computer X7SLA-H and X7SLA-L motherboards bring together a robust architecture, reliable technologies, and extensive support for advanced computing needs. Their combination of performance, scalability, and reliability makes them a great choice for businesses looking to build efficient and powerful server solutions. These motherboards exemplify Supermicro's dedication to innovation in the computer hardware space, making them a staple in modern data centers.