IBM eX5 Implementation Guide

314 IBM eX5 Implementation Guide

Figure 7-11 shows the back of the x3690 X5 with the MAX5 attached.

Figure 7-11 Lab photo of an x3690 X5 (top) attached to an eX5 MAX5 (bottom)

7.4.4 Accessing the DIMMs in the MAX5

To access the memory DIMMs in the MAX5, slide the memory board of the MAX5 forward out

the chassis of the MAX5. Use the following steps to access the DIMMs:

1. Remove ac power from all of the server’s power supplies and from the two MAX5 power

supplies. Because the QPI cables are already held in alignment by the memory expansion

chassis, it is not a requirement to remove the QPI cables before removing the memory

board.

2. Remove the front bezel of the MAX5 by pressing in on the tab buttons on both sides of the

bezel. The bezel then can be pulled away from the MAX5.

3. As shown in Figure 7-12 on page 315, there are two blue release tabs at the front of the

MAX5. When pressed to the sides of the enclosure, they allow you to pull out the cam

levers that are used to begin to pull out the memory tray.

Updating FPGA firmware: When attaching the MAX5 for the first time, you must reapply

the FPGA firmware using the IMM firmware update tool after the server is plugged into ac

power but prior to powering up the server.

Do not use Bootable Media Creator or USXPI to update the FPGA until the FPGA firmware

is a match between the server and the MAX5. Mismatched FPGA will make the server

unstable and it might power off during the flash, corrupting the FPGA.

This situation will

result in requiring a hardware replacement, because there is no recovery for corrupt

FPGA.

Important: With the server or MAX5 plugged into ac power and the scaled unit’s power

turned off, the QPI cables still have active dc power running through them.

You must only

plug in or unplug the QPI cable when the MAX5 and the server are not plugged into ac

power.

Failure to follow this rule will result in damaged circuits on either the MAX5 memory

board or the system board of the server.

Chapter 7. IBM System x3690 X5 315

Figure 7-12 Blue release tabs for the memory tray cam levers

4. You can then pull the memory tray out about 30% before it stops. This design allows you to

get a better grip on the tray on either side and then use your fingers to push in another set

of blue release tabs on either side of the tray, as shown in Figure 7-13.

Figure 7-13 Final release tab for removing the MAX5 memory tray

5. Slide the memory tray completely out and place it on a flat work surface to work on the

memory.

For the memory population order, see 4.8, “Memory” on page 131.

After the MAX5 is installed and configured properly, you can confirm a successful link

between the server and the MAX5 when both units power on and off as one complete unit

and the memory in the MAX5 can be seen by the server. You will also see the following

message during POST:

“System initializing memory with MAX5 memory scaling”

Power: You must remove the ac power from both the server and the attached MAX5 before

removing the memory tray. The FPGAs of both the server and the MAX5 are still active

components when the server is powered down but not removed from utility power. FPGA

components exist on both the server and the MAX5. Removing the memory board with ac

power still active damages the FPGA components of both the server and the MAX5.