This guide provides an overview of the Silicon Graphics Prism Visualization System components and describes how to set up and operate this system.
The most basic Silicon Graphics Prism consists of a base compute module combined with an extensible graphics 2-processor capable node module (XG2N module). Larger systems use a base compute module, XG2N module(s), and other optional modules that are rackmounted together. The following optional modules are available:
A CPU expansion module provides zero, one or two additional 64-bit Intel processors and up to 24 GB of memory. No PCI or disk options are available in this module.
A CPU, memory and PCI/PCI-X expansion (CMPX) module provides zero, one or two optional processors, up to 24 GB of memory, and four PCI and PCI-X card slots.
A Router module provides eight NUMAlink-4 ports and functions as a high-speed switch to route network packets between base compute, XG2N, CPU expansion, and CMPX modules.
The SGI TP900 storage module provides additional disk storage to the system. For detailed information about this module, see SGI Total Performance 900 Storage System User's Guide (007-4428-00x). Note than an optional SCSI PCI card is required to use this option in a Silicon Graphics Prism.
This guide is written for owners, system administrators, and users of the Silicon Graphics Prism. It is written with the assumption that the reader has a good general knowledge of computer graphics and computer operations.
Your SGI system support engineer (SSE) should perform the addition or replacement of parts, cabling, and service of your Silicon Graphics Prism, with the exception of the following tasks that you may perform yourself:
Installing your system in a rack.
Cabling the system modules to each other.
Using your system console to enter commands and perform system functions such as powering on and powering off.
Using the On/Off, reset, and non-maskable interrupt (NMI) switches on the front panel of your system.
Removing and replacing XG2N graphics boards.
Installing and removing PCI and PCI–X cards.
Caution: Exception: Because the installation and removal of an IO10 PCI card, which installs in the lowermost slot, is more complicated and can cause damage to your system if not performed properly, it can only be installed and removed by a trained SGI system support engineer. Installing and removing disk drives.
Installing and removing power supplies.
Installing and removing DIMMs.
Installing and removing the L1 controller display.
Warning: To ensure your safety and protect your system, do not add or replace any components that this guide does not designate as customer replaceable. Contact your SGI system support engineer (SSE) to install any hardware components that are not designated as customer replaceable in this guide.
The following topics are covered in this guide:
Chapter 1, “Getting Started with the Silicon Graphics Prism” provides introductory information, instructions for cabling, and quick start operation of the Silicon Graphics Prism.
Chapter 2, “System Overview and Options” provides a general overview of the Silicon Graphics Prism and its topology. This chapter also includes a quick description of the various components and modules that can be part of a Silicon Graphics Prism.
Chapter 4, “Installing and Removing Customer-Replaceable Units” describes how to install and remove the following customer-replaceable units (CRUs):
PCI and PCI–X cards
Graphics boards
Disk drives
Power supplies
Memory (DIMMs)
L1 system controller display
Chapter 5, “Troubleshooting” describes how to troubleshoot your system by using the L1 controller and your system LEDs. Information on reconfiguring the system's XF86Config file for changes in hardware usage is included.
Appendix A, “Technical Specifications” contains environmental and physical specifications for the Silicon Graphics Prism, as well as pin assignments for non-proprietary connectors for the various modules that can be part of a Silicon Graphics Prism.
Appendix B, “Installing Silicon Graphics Prism Modules Into a Rack” provides instructions for rack mounting modules with optional slide rails.
Appendix C, “Installing Rack Systems” provides instructions for installing a pre-assembled rack system.
Appendix D, “Regulatory Specifications and Safety Information” contains regulatory specifications and safety information for the Silicon Graphics Prism.
An index completes this guide.
This section lists various information sources and explains how to access them. The following SGI publications relate to the Silicon Graphics Prism:
SGI L1 and L2 Controller Software User's Guide (007-3938-00x) (available online). This guide describes the L1 and L2 controller functions, commands, and error messages that you may need to operate and maintain your system.
SGI Total Performance 900 Storage System User's Guide (007-4428-00x) (optional). This guide describes the optional SGI TP900 storage module, which provides additional storage for the Silicon Graphics Prism.
SGIconsole Hardware Connectivity Guide (007–4340-00x) (optional). This guide describes how to connect an optional SGIconsole to SGI systems. You can use an optional SGIconsole to manage and monitor multiple Silicon Graphics systems.
SGI Altix 350 User's Guide (007-4660-00x). This guide contains detailed information on many of the same optional modules that you may use with your Silicon Graphics Prism.
You can obtain SGI documentation, release notes, or man pages in the following ways:
See the SGI Technical Publications Library at http://docs.sgi.com . Various formats are available. This library contains the most recent and most comprehensive set of online books, release notes, man pages, and other information.
SGI ProPack for Linux documentation, and all other documentation included in the RPMs on the distribution CDs can be found on the CD titled “SGI ProPack vX.X for Linux - Documentation CD.” To access the information on the documentation CD, open the index.html file with a web browser. Because this online file can be updated later in the release cycle than this document, you should check it for the latest information.
The release notes, which contain the latest information about software and documentation in this release, are on the SGI ProPack for Linux Documentation CD in the root directory, in a file named README.TXT.
Note: There are no command line grelnotes or relnotes available on an SGI Linux system. The InfoSearch tool is not available with Linux.
The following conventions are used throughout this document:
Convention | Meaning |
Command | This fixed-space font denotes literal items such as commands, files, routines, path names, signals, messages, and programming language structures. |
variable | The italic typeface denotes variable entries and words or concepts being defined. Italic typeface is also used for book titles. |
user input | This fixed-space font denotes literal items that the user enters in interactive sessions. Output is shown in nonbold, fixed-space font. |
[ ] | Brackets enclose optional portions of a command or directive line. |
... | Ellipses indicate that a preceding element can be repeated. |
man page(x) | Man page section identifiers appear in parentheses after man page names. |
GUI element | This font denotes the names of graphical user interface (GUI) elements such as windows, screens, dialog boxes, menus, toolbars, icons, buttons, boxes, fields, and lists. |
SGI provides a comprehensive product support and maintenance program for its products, as follows:
If you are in North America, contact the Technical Assistance Center at
1 (800) 800 4SGI or contact your authorized service provider.If you are outside North America, contact the SGI subsidiary or authorized distributor in your country.
If you have comments about the technical accuracy, content, or organization of this document, contact SGI. Be sure to include the title and document number of the manual with your comments. (Online, the document number is located in the front matter of the manual. In printed manuals, the document number is located at the bottom of each page.)
You can contact SGI in any of the following ways:
Send e-mail to the following address:
Use the Feedback option on the Technical Publications Library website:
Contact your customer service representative and ask that an incident be filed in the SGI incident tracking system.
Send mail to the following address:
Technical Publications
SGI
1500 Crittenden Lane, M/S 535
Mountain View, California 94043
SGI values your comments and will respond to them promptly.