Dell PowerEdge 4600

Course Review

Objective 1- Accurately identify the features of the PowerEdge 4600, including basic system technology and product benefits

• Improved Xeon™ dual processor performance, including NetBurst^TM micro-architecture and Hyper-Threading™ functionality
• DDR memory rate doubles transfer rate to 1.6 GB/s by transferring data on both sides of the clock.
• Compact, new 6U chassis with Active ID feature on front bezel, allowing for quick status checks.

• Availability
  
  • Power, cooling fans, and PCI slots are all hot-pluggable.
  • Power supplies, cooling fans, embedded NICs are redundant.
  • ChipKill™ and Spare Bank™ memory technologies allow for operation through memory chip failure.

• Scalability
  
  • Dual processor capable, currently has support for up to 2.2Ghz/400MHz Xeon processors.
  • Up to 12GB of 4-way interleaved main memory may be installed.
  • Support for up to 10 x 1.0" drives. Maximum internal storage capacity of 730GB (10x73GB).
  • Seven PCI slots

Objective 2- Accurately identify, configure and troubleshoot the PowerEdge 4600's factory-installed hardware components and features

• Processor and VRMs
  • The PowerEdge 4600 uses at least one Voltage Regulation Module (two for dual-processor systems). The VRM is plugged into the system board, adjacent to the processor. The VRM may be removed by pressing down and outward on the VRM until it pops free of the socket.
  • The system supports up to two 603-pin ZIF-socket Xeon processors. To remove a processor, press down on the heat-sink securing clips to release the clips from the ZIF socket's retaining tabs, remove the securing clips and heat sink, raise the socket lever, and remove the processor.

• System Board (including chipset)
  • The system board features a standard set of integrated ports and devices, including one Intel Pro 10/100 Network Interface Card port, one BroadCom 10/100/1000BASE-T port, and one ATI Rage XL video port.
  • To remove the system board, the front bezel, system cover, front fan assembly, cooling shroud, memory riser cards, back fan assembly, and data/power cables must all be removed. Remove the expansion-card bracket, loosen the system-board thumbscrews, slide the system board forward, lift out the expansion-card insulator, and remove the system board.

• Memory
  • The PowerEdge 4600 system utilizes either PC1600 or DDR200 memory.
  • Memory resides on two separate memory riser cards, which are attached to the system board via a single Slot-2 card edge connector.
  • To remove memory, first lift the memory riser card out of the chassis by grasping its extractor tabs, then press downward and outward on the memory module socket ejectors to remove the DIMMs.

• Video
  • The PowerEdge 4600 system board uses an integrated ATI Rage XL video device.
  • When troubleshooting video problems, verify the monitor is not the cause of the problem, then make sure to check for PC Anywhere or any similar program and remove it, verify the correct driver is installed, and try removing and reinstalling the driver and reapplying the Service Pack. If the problem persists, run Dell Diagnostics on the video adapter.

• Network Interface Cards
  • The Dell PowerEdge 4600 includes two integrated network adapters: a BroadCom 10/100/1000BASE-T NIC, and an Intel 82559 10/100 NIC.
  • Each of the NICs supports:
    • Wake-on-LAN support (WOL)
    • Network traffic load-balancing
    • Failover support
  • The two embedded NIC controllers and their support circuitry are independent Ethernet interface devices, increasing the bandwidth and allowing for better management of the network traffic.

• RAID controller (ROMB)
  • The PowerEdge 4600 has three SCSI channels on the system board-- a dual Ultra3/LVD (U160) primary channel, and an Ultra2/LVD (U80) secondary channel.
  • The Ultra3/LVD SCSI channels are based on the Adaptec 7899W host adapter IC.
  • The primary, 64-bit/66MHz channel interfaces to selected internal hard drives by means of either a 1 x 8 or 2 x 4 SCSI backplane
  • The secondary SCSI channel, based on the Adaptec 7890 chip, supports Ultra2 (Fast-40) speed SCSI transactions via a 2x1 SCSI backplane and is typically used for Tape Backup Units (TBU).
  • The PowerEdge 4600 may be equipped with an optional PERC 3/ Di. A RAID enabling kit must be purchased from Dell in order to activate the integrated RAID.

• Backplane and Daughter Card
  • The PowerEdge 4600's backplane consists of a backplane circuit board and an optional daughter board termination card. The daughter card allows the backplane can be split from a 1 x 8 to a 2 x 4.

Objective 3- Accurately identify the correct procedures for using and/or updating PowerEdge 4600 firmware and software

• BIOS and System Setup program
  • The PowerEdge 4600 features a one-page system setup, like that of the PowerEdge 1400 and PowerEdge 1550.
  • PXE
    • "PXE boot" allows networked computers that are not loaded with an operating system to be configured and booted remotely.
    • It is recommended that integrated NICs be used for PXE boot, as opposed to add-in NICs.
    • To enable a PXE boot on a Dell PowerEdge 4600, enter the System Setup and change the Network Interface Controller under Integrated Devices to the "On with PXE" setting.
  • Console Redirection
    • Console redirection allows a server to be maintained from a remote location by redirecting keyboard input and text output through the serial port. Tasks such as setting up a common BIOS configuration or setting up a RAID configuration can then be completed.
    • To implement console redirection, you must have:
      • An available COM port on the client system
      • An available COM port (COM port 1) on the server
      • A null modem cable to connect the server to the client system

• Dell Server Assistant CD support applications
  • Dell OpenManage Server Assistant (OMSA) version 7.0.1.
  • System Management CD version 3.0.1
  • Array Manager version 3.1.2
  • Dell Diagnostics
  • OpenManage Hard Drive Diagnostics (run through Windows 2000 Server Service Pack 1 or Windows NT Server Service Pack 6).