Appendix C: BIOS Recovery

Appendix C - BIOS Recovery

The recovery procedure described in this section is to be used only when advised by your Supermicro Technical Support representative, or in cases of emergencies where the system no longer can boot due to a corrupted BIOS. DO NOT re-program (re-flash) the BIOS if your system is running properly.

C-1 Recovery Process from a USB Device/Drive (Recommended Method)

If the BIOS file is corrupted and the system is not able to boot up, this feature will allow you to recover the BIOS image using a USB-attached device. A USB Flash Drive or a USB CD/DVD ROM/RW drive may be used for this purpose. Please note that a USB Hard Disk drive is NOT supported at this time. Below is a two-part procedure to recover the BIOS:

Part 1: Boot Sector Recovery Process

1.Using a different system, download and copy the correct BIOS binary image into a USB flash device or a writable CD/DVD disc's Root "\" Directory. Rename the downloaded file to "super.rom", so the recovery process can recognize and read the BIOS binary file.

2.Insert the USB device that contains the new BIOS binary image (“super.rom”) and power the system down.

3.While powering on the system, press and hold <Ctrl> and <Home> simultane- ously on your keyboard until the USB device's LED indicator comes on. This will take a few seconds or up to one minute.

4.Once the USB device's LED is on, release the <Ctrl> and <Home> keys. The system may generate beep codes to indicate that the BIOS ROM firmware is being reprogrammed. The screen will also display a message as shown below. DO NOT INTERRUPT THIS PROCESS!

C-1

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SUPER MICRO Computer X8SIL user manual Recovery Process from a USB Device/Drive Recommended Method

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.