IBM System x3950 E Installation Manual

Also see for 8878: Problem determination and service guide

If more than one microprocessor is installed, the server can operate as a symmetricmultiprocessing (SMP) server. You might have to upgrade the operating system tosupport SMP. For more information, see the section about using the ServerGuideSetup and Installation CD in the User’s Guide on the IBM System x DocumentationCD and the operating-system documentation.If the server has an optional RAID adapter and you have installed or removed ahard disk drive, see the documentation that comes with the RAID adapter forinformation about reconfiguring the disk arrays.For information about configuring the integrated Gigabit Ethernet controller, see theUser’s Guide on the IBM System x Documentation CD.SMP Expansion cablingThe cabling information in this section is for multi-node configurations that consist oftwo, four, or eight servers, for up to 32-way operation. A node is a server that isinterconnected with other servers or nodes through the SMP Expansion Ports toshare system resources.To configure and cable a multi-node configuration, complete the following steps:1. Update the BIOS code and the service processor firmware. To download themost current level of BIOS code and service processor firmware, go tohttp://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/support/xseries/index.html.2. Make sure that each System x3950 E node contains a minimum of onemicroprocessor and one memory card with one pair of DIMMs.3. Make sure that each microprocessor in the multi-node configuration is the samecache size and type, and the same clock speed.4. Make sure that the service processor on each node is configured andconnected to the network. See the Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine andRemote Supervisor Adapter II User’s Guide for more information.5. Cable the configuration, using the instructions in this section.6. Configure the scalable partition. See “Using the Scalable Partition WebInterface” on page 51.7. Press the power-control button on the primary node to turn on the multi-nodeconfiguration manually.Two-node configurationA two-node configuration requires two 2.3-m XpandOnDemand Scalability cablekits. To cable a two-node configuration for up to 8-way operation, complete thefollowing steps:1. Remove the protective covers from the connectors on the ends of the cables.Protective coverChapter 2. Installing options 23