Chapter 4: AMI BIOS

USB Functions

This feature allows the user to decide the number of onboard USB ports to be enabled. The Options are: Disabled and Enabled.

Legacy USB Support (available if USB Functions above is Enabled)

Select Enabled to use Legacy USB devices. If this item is set to Auto, Legacy USB support will be automatically enabled if a legacy USB device is installed on the motherboard, and vise versa. The settings are Disabled, Enabled and Auto.

SATA / Floppy Configuration

When this submenu is selected, the AMI BIOS automatically detects the presence of the IDE Devices and displays the following items:

Floppy A

This feature allows the user to select the type of floppy drive connected to the sys- tem. The options are Disabled, 360KB 5 1/4", 1.2MB 5 1/4", 720KB 3 1/2", 1.44MB 3 1/2" and 2.88MB 3 1/2".

SATA#1 Configuration

If Compatible is selected, it sets SATA#1 to legacy compatibility mode, while se- lecting Enhanced sets SATA#1 to native SATA mode. The options are Disabled, Compatible, Enhanced.

Configure SATA as

This feature allows the user to select the drive type for SATA#1. The options are IDE, RAID, AHCI and Disabled.

ICH RAID CodeBase (Available if RAID is selected above)

Select Intel to enable the Intel SATA Host RAID Utility. Select Adaptec to use the Adaptec Host RAID Utility. The options are Intel and Adaptec.

SATA#2 Configuration (Available if IDE is enabled under "Configure SATA#1 as" above)

Selecting Enhanced will set SATA#2 to native SATA mode. The options are Compatible and Enhanced

IDE Detect Timeout (sec)

Use this feature to set the time-out value for the BIOS to detect the ATA, ATAPI devices installed in the system. The options are 0 (sec), 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35.

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SUPER MICRO Computer X8SIL user manual SATA / Floppy Configuration

X8SIL specifications

SUPER MICRO Computer X8SIL, X8SIL-F, and X8SIL-V are advanced server motherboards designed to meet the demanding needs of today's data centers and enterprise environments. These motherboards from Supermicro deliver exceptional performance, scalability, and reliability, making them suitable for a wide range of applications, including virtualization, cloud computing, and database management.

One of the main features of the X8SIL series is its compatibility with Intel's Xeon 5500 and 5600 series processors. This allows users to harness the power of multi-core technology, ensuring optimal performance for both single-threaded and multi-threaded applications. With support for up to 144GB of DDR3 ECC memory, the X8SIL motherboards provide ample memory bandwidth, enhancing the overall system performance and efficiency.

The X8SIL-F variant includes an integrated IPMI (Intelligent Platform Management Interface) feature, which enables remote management and monitoring of the system. This technology allows IT administrators to proactively manage server health, perform remote troubleshooting, and ensure minimal downtime. Additionally, the X8SIL-F supports Supermicro's Green Computing technology, which helps reduce power consumption and enhance energy efficiency, leading to lower operational costs.

In terms of storage, the X8SIL series offers multiple SATA and SAS interface options, facilitating a wide range of storage configurations. The motherboards feature six SATA II ports and optional SAS capabilities, allowing users to implement RAID setups for improved performance and data redundancy. This flexibility in storage solutions is crucial for environments that require high availability and reliability.

The X8SIL motherboard series is equipped with a range of I/O ports, including multiple USB ports, PCI Express slots, and Gigabit Ethernet interfaces. This extensive connectivity ensures that users can easily expand and customize their systems according to specific application needs. The onboard Gigabit Ethernet ports provide fast network access, which is essential for data-intensive workloads.

Furthermore, the X8SIL, X8SIL-F, and X8SIL-V boast an efficient thermal design. These motherboards feature robust heat sinks and fan headers, which help maintain optimal operating temperatures, even under heavy workloads. This thermal efficiency is critical in extending the lifespan of components and ensuring consistent performance.

In summary, SUPER MICRO Computer's X8SIL, X8SIL-F, and X8SIL-V motherboards stand out with their strong performance, advanced management features, flexible storage options, and efficient thermal design. These characteristics make them ideal choices for businesses looking to build reliable and scalable data center solutions.