IBM System x3850 X5 Implementation Guide

Chapter 5. IBM BladeCenter HX5 199
This list shows the correct DIMMs in each power domain:
򐂰 Power domain A: 1 - 4 and 5 - 8
򐂰 Power domain B: 13 - 16 and 17 - 20
򐂰 Power domain C: 9 - 12 and 21 - 24
For the best memory performance, install the DIMMs by spreading them among all six
memory buffers and all three power domains. Table 5-16 shows the installation order.
Table 5-16 DIMM installation for the MAX5 for IBM BladeCenter
5.10.3 Memory balance
The Xeon 7500 Series processor uses a non-uniform memory architecture (NUMA), as
described in 2.3.4, “Nonuniform memory architecture (NUMA)” on page 26. Because NUMA
is used, it is important to ensure that all memory controllers in the system are utilized by
configuring all processors with memory. It is optimal to populate all processors in an identical
Number of DIMMs
Power domain A Domain C (½) Power domain B Domain C (½)
Buffer Buffer Buffer Buffer Buffer Buffer
DIMM 1 DIMM 2 DIMM 3 DIMM 4 DIMM 5 DIMM 6 DIMM 7 DIMM 8 DIMM 9 DIMM 10 DIMM 11 DIMM 12 DIMM 13 DIMM 14 DIMM 15 DIMM 16 DIMM 17 DIMM 18 DIMM 19 DIMM 20 DIMM 21 DIMM 22 DIMM 23 DIMM 24
2 x x
4 x x x x
6 x x x x x x
8
x x x x x x x x
10
x x x x x x x x x x
12
x x x x x x x x x x x x
14
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
16
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
18
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
20
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
22
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
24
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
MAX5 and VMware ESX: When using a MAX5 with VMware ESX 4.1 or ESXi 4.1, a boot
parameter is required to access the MAX5 memory expansion unit. The MAX5 memory
expansion unit utilizes NUMA technology, which needs to be enabled within the operating
system. Without enabling NUMA technology, you might see the following message:
“The system has found a problem on your machine and cannot continue.
Interleaved Non-Uniform Memory Access (NUMA) nodes are not supported.”
See the RETAIN® tip H197190 for more information and the necessary parameters:
http://ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-5084842

IBM System x3850 X5 Specifications

General

Brand	IBM
Model	System x3850 X5
Category	Server
Language	English