This section provides guidelines for configuring SGI Origin 3000 series systems. These systems have a PCI-based I/O subsystem for the primary I/O and an optional Crosstalk I/O subsystem.
To configure a system within the SGI Origin 3000 series, follow these five steps:
Determine the processor requirements.
Determine the memory requirements.
Determine the system partitioning requirements.
Determine the I/O subsystem requirements.
Select the disk subsystems.
Select the tape subsystems.
Determine the network bandwidth requirements.
Does the customer have any network protocols/interfaces that are required for interoperability with other equipment (either already owned or intended for purchase)?
What are the network bandwidth requirements for this customer's applications?
Select the physical configuration to meet the present requirements and also the future needs.
Some of the items that are determined or selected in this process are not included in the base system price. The following items may be required for a system, but must be purchased separately.
Disk drives
Tape drives and other storage devices
Network communication devices
Peripheral controller for external devices
Additional I/O subsystems
Additional racks
Compilers and programming environments
Other layered software
A table and chair for the system console and remote support equipment
To configure a C-brick, follow these guidelines:
Select the number of processors:
SGI Origin 3200 systems can be configured with 2, 4, 6, or 8 processors.
Note: The 4-processor configuration is offered as: One 4 processor C-brick or two C-bricks, each with two processors (2×2). SGI Origin 3200 system sizes can be increased in 2-or 4-processor increments.
SGI Origin 3400 systems can be configured with 4, 8, 16, or 32 processors; upgrades are in 4-processor increments.
SGI Origin 3800 systems can be configured with 16 to 512 processors; upgrades are as follows.
The existing system has between 16 and 128 processors; the system sizes increase in 4-processor increments.
The existing system is equal or greater than 128 processors; the system sizes increases in 32-processor increments.
Each DIMM pair has two banks of memory. Each of the two memory banks are split between the two DIMMs, half of each bank is located on the first DIMM and the other half of each bank is located on the other DIMM of the DIMM pair.
Memory is added in whole-bank increments (two DIMMs).
The DIMMs that compose a single bank of memory must be the same size.
All DIMM pairs do not have to be the same size. For example, one DIMM pair could be 512-MB and the next DIMM pair could be 1-GB.
Three DIMM sizes (per two DIMMs) are available:
512 MB (standard directory memory)
1 GB (meta directory memory)
2 GB (meta memory available early CY 2001)
Meta DIMMS are required for systems that have more than 128 processors, but can be used on systems of any size.
Table 7-1 lists memory sizes of various DIMM combinations for a single C brick. The number of C-bricks within a system determines the range of system memory. For example, a system with 4 C-bricks has a memory size range of 2 Gbytes to 32 Gbytes in either 512-Mbyte or 1-Gbyte increments. To ensure the best system performance, distribute the memory uniformly across all C-bricks within a system.
Table 7-1. C-brick Memory Configurations
C Brick Memory Size | Memory per Processor (4-P C-brick) | Configuration Possibility 1 | Configuration Possibility 2 | Configuration Possibility 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
STANDARD MEMORY SIZES |
|
|
|
|
512 Mbytes | 128 MBs | One MEM-512 |
|
|
1.0 Gbyte | 256 MBs | One MEM-1G | Two MEM-512 |
|
1.5 Gbytes | 375 MBs | One MEM-1G (plus) One MEM-512 | Three MEM-512 |
|
2.0 Gbytes | 512 MBs | Two MEM-1G | One MEM-1G (plus) Two MEM-512 | Four MEM-512 |
3.0 Gbytes | 750 MBs | One MEM-2G (plus) One MEM-1G | One MEM-2G (plus) Two MEM-512 |
|
4.0 Gbytes | 1.0 GBs | Two MEM-2G | Four MEM-1G |
|
6.0 Gbytes | 1.5 GBs | Three MEM-2G | Two MEM-2G (plus) |
|
8.0 Gbytes | 2.0 GBs | Four MEM-2G |
|
|
CUSTOM MEMORY SIZES |
|
|
|
|
2.5 Gbytes | 625 MBs | One MEM-2G (plus) | Two MEM-1G (plus) |
|
3.5 Gbytes | 875 MBs | One MEM-2G (plus) | One MEM-2G (plus) |
|
4.5 Gbytes | 1.125 GBs | Two MEM-2G (plus) |
|
|
5.0 Gbytes | 1.25 GBs | Two MEM-2G (plus) | Two MEM-2G (plus) |
|
7.0 Gbytes | 1.75 GBs | Three MEM-2G (plus) |
|
|
To configure Fibre Channel disks follow these guidelines:
There are two methods of configuring Fibre Channel disks: JBOD and RAID.
D-bricks that reside within an SGI Origin 3000 series rack are configured as JBOD. RAID configurations are dropped shipped directly to the customer site from a separate integration facility. D-bricks configured as JBOD are configured at the factory and shipped as part of the system to the customer.
Features of a D-brick:
The D-brick is a dual-ported 4-U high brick.
A maximum of nine D-bricks can be placed in a 39-U disk rack.
The D-brick may be configured with 2-to-12 Fibre Channel (3.5" media) disk drives.
Each Fibre Channel loop configured as JBOD can support up to 84 disk drives.
The disk system performance that the customer requires determines the number of required D-bricks and the number of disk drives per D-brick. Follow these guidelines to determine the quantity of D-bricks and disk drives for a system:
Performance system - if the customer requires maximum bandwidth; configure the disk system with smaller capacity disks by using more D-brick enclosures. This creates more I/O channels, which increases the I/O bandwidth of the disk system.
Capacity system - if the customer wants large amounts of storage and bandwidth is not an issue, configure the disk system with large capacity disks that need fewer I/O channels.
RAID storage is ordered as part of the TP-9100 storage system. The TP-9100 is a separate 38-U high rack that holds a maximum of nine modules and can be configured as JBOD and/or RAID.
The goal of this section is to provide guidelines that support consistent configuration of I/O bricks. The PCI bus slots of an I or P-brick can support all of the various types of 3.3-volt PCI cards. No single slot is dedicated to a specific type of controller. Therefore, the guidelines serve to ensure an even distribution of bandwidth and to provide consistency from one configuration to the next.
There are two ways to configure a system: performance and capacity. The following guidelines are directed toward performance configuration:
DO NOT
Do not intermix different types of SCSI controllers on a single PCI bus.
Do not intermix Fibre Channel and SCSI controllers on a single PCI bus.
Do not mix 33-MHz and 66-MHz cards on the same 66 MHz bus (if possible).
Do not configure PCI or XIO cards so that the bandwidth of the brick is exceeded. This guideline can be violated for capacity configurations.
DO
When possible, intermix high and low bandwidth controllers within the same brick. This balances the bandwidth demands across bricks.
Install cards starting with the lowest numbered bus/slot.
Distribute I/O cards within the brick; ensure that all buses have one controller card installed before you place two controller cards on one bus.
To install I/O cards in systems with multiple I/O bricks, follow these guidelines:
Organize the I/O adapter cards by card type. Distribute the types of adapter cards evenly among I/O bricks. For example, if there are eight Fibre Channel controllers and two P-bricks, place 4 Fibre Channel controllers in each P-brick.
Four basic marketing codes define the SGI Origin 3200 system. These marketing codes are referred to as bundles.
2 Processor System
One short rack with trim
One power bay with three power supplies
One single-phase power distribution strip
One 2-processor C-brick without memory
One I-brick with Fibre Channel PCI card and cable
One 18-GB system disk
One 1-meter NUMAlink cable
Two 1.0-meter power cables
System software (IRIX) - SC4-ASE-6.5
4 Processor System (Single C-brick)
One short rack with trim
One power bay with three power supplies
One single-phase power distribution strip
One 4-processor C-brick without memory
One I-brick with Fibre Channel PCI card and cable
One 18-GB system disk
One 1-meter NUMAlink cable
Two 1.0-meter power cables
System software (IRIX) - SC4-ASE-6.5
4 Processor System (Dual C-bricks)
One short rack with trim
One power bay with three power supplies
One single-phase power distribution strip
Two 2-processor C-bricks without memory
One I-brick with Fibre Channel PCI card and cable
One 18-GB system disk
Two 1-meter NUMAlink cables
Three 1.0-meter power cables
System software (IRIX) - SC4-ASE-6.5
8 Processor System
One short rack with trim
One power bay with three power supplies
One single-phase power distribution strip
Two 4-processor C-bricks without memory
One I-brick with Fibre Channel PCI card and cable
One 18-GB system disk
Two 1-meter NUMAlink cables
Three 1.0-meter power cables
System software (IRIX) - SC4-ASE-6.5
Each of the four SGI Origin 3200 system bundles require that you select from following items to complete the system configuration:
Memory DIMMs for the C-bricks
Note: The following items are customer configurable options: Customer configurable PCI cards and optional disk drive for I-brick
One additional I-, P-, or X-brick
Customer configurable XIO cards, if an X-brick is configured
Customer configurable PCI cards, if a P-brick is configured
A D-brick and quantity of disk drives for additional disk storage
Additional software packages
Optional L2 or L3 controller
Four basic marketing codes define the SGI Origin 3400 system.
4 Processor System
One tall rack with trim
One power bay with four power supplies
One single-phase or three-phase PDU
One 4-processor C-brick without memory
Two R-bricks
One I-brick with Fibre Channel PCI card and cable
One 18-GB system disk
One L2 controller
Three 1-meter NUMAlink cables
One 2-meter NUMAlink cable
Three 1.0-meter power cords
One 2.0-meter power cord
System software (IRIX) - SC4-ASE-6.5
8 Processor System
One tall rack with trim
One power bay with four power supplies
One single-phase or three-phase PDU
Two 4-processor C-bricks without memory
Two R-bricks
One I-brick with Fibre Channel PCI card and cable
One 18-GB system disk
One L2 controller
Four 1-meter NUMAlink cables
One 2-meter NUMAlink cable
Three 1.0-meter power cords
Two 2.0-meter power cord
System software (IRIX) - SC4-ASE-6.5
16 Processor System
One tall rack with trim
One power bay with four power supplies
One single-phase or three-phase PDU
Four 4-processor C-bricks without memory
Two R-bricks
One I-brick with Fibre Channel PCI card and cable
One 18-GB system disk
One L2 controller
Six 1-meter NUMAlink cables
One 2-meter NUMAlink cable
Three 1.0-meter power cords
Four2.0-meter power cord
System software (IRIX) - SC4-ASE-6.5
32 Processor System
One tall rack with trim
Two power bays with eight power supplies
Two single-phase PDUs or one three-phase PDU
Eight 4-processor C-bricks without memory
Two R-bricks
One I-brick with Fibre Channel PCI card and cable
One 18-GB system disk
One L2 controller
Ten 1-meter NUMAlink cables
One 2-meter NUMAlink cable
Three 1.0-meter power cords
Eight 2.0-meter power cords
System software (IRIX) - SC4-ASE-6.5
Each of the four SGI Origin 3400 system bundles require that you select from the following items to complete the system configuration:
Select the memory DIMMs for the C-bricks
Note: The following items are customer configurable options: Customer configurable PCI cards for I-brick
Optional disk drive for the I-bricks
Additional I-, P-, or X-bricks
Customer configurable XIO cards, if an X-brick is configured
Customer configurable PCI cards, if P-brick is configured
Additional I/O racks if required (eight I/O bricks per rack)
A D-brick and the quantity of disk drives for additional disk storage
An additional 39-U rack if configurable space in the first rack is full
An additional 39-U rack for disk storage
Additional software packages
L3 controller
The SGI Origin 3800 system is configured with a minimum of two 39-U racks. One rack contains the C-bricks and R-bricks (compute rack) and the other rack contains the I-, P-, X-, and D-bricks (I/O rack). The SGI Origin 3800 system can have up to sixteen compute racks; the number of racks depends on the number of C-bricks in the system.The system size ranges from 4 to 128 C-bricks. The minimum system upgrade is done in one C-brick increments.
The base compute rack has the following basic components:
16 Processor System
One tall rack with trim
One power bay with four power supplies
One single-phase or three-phase PDU
Four 4-processor C-bricks without memory
Two R-bricks
One L2 controller
One Ethernet cable (L2)
Six 1-meter NUMAlink cables
Three 1.0-meter power cables
Five 2.0-meter power cables
System software (IRIX) - SC4-ASE-6.5
32 Processor System
One tall rack with trim
Two power bays with eight power supplies
Two single-phase PDUs or one three-phase PDU
Eight 4-processor C-bricks without memory
Two R-bricks
One L2 controller
Ten 1-meter NUMAlink cables
Three 1.0-meter power cables
Seven 2.0-meter power cables
System software (IRIX) - SC4-ASE-6.5
The base I/O rack has the following components:
One tall rack with trim
One power bay with five power supplies
One single-phase or three-phase PDU
One I-brick with Fibre Channel PCI card and cable
One 18-GB system disk
One P-brick
Two 2-meter NUMAlink cable
Two 2.0-meter power cable
To complete the SGI Origin 3800 system configuration select from the following items:
memory DIMMs for the C-bricks
Note: The following items are customer configurable options: Additional 4-processor C-bricks
Additional compute racks if required (eight C-bricks per rack)
Additional I-, P-, or X-brick
Customer configurable XIO cards, if an X-brick is configured
Customer configurable PCI cards, if P-brick is configured
Select customer configurable PCI cards for I-brick
Optional disk drive for the I-brick
D-bricks and the quantity of disk drives for additional disk storage
An additional 39-U rack if configurable space in the first rack is full
An additional 39-U rack for disk storage
Additional software packages
L3 controller