Server Training

Basics and Hardware

Configuration

Learning Objectives

Definition of Server

Different Types of Server their Application and Benefits .

Client – Server Model

Hardware Components of Server

Types of RAID and their Concept

Server Processor Diagnostics

WHAT IS A SERVER ?• Definition - Server Is Computing Program

Running to serve the request of another program “The Clients”

• The server performs some computational tasks on behalf of Clients

• Physical Computer dedicated to running one or more such services (as a host) to serve the need of the other computers or clients

• The term server is used quite broadly in information technology. Despite the many server-branded products available in theory any computerized process that shares a resource to one or more client processes is a server.

• E.g. – Database Server, File Server, Mail Server, Print server, Web Server, Gaming Server etc

Servers in Data Center

Learning Objectives

Definition of Server

Different Types of Server their Applications and Benefits .

Client – Server Model

Hardware Components of Server

Types of RAID and their Concept

Server Processor Diagnostics

DIFFERENT TYPES OF SERVERS(BASED ON SIZES )

Rack Mount

Tower Server

Miniature

Server

Mini Rack

Server

Blade Server

• Rack server, also called a rack-mounted server, is a computer dedicated to use as a server and designed to be installed in a framework called a rack.

• Tower server is a computer intended for use as a server and

built in an upright cabinet that stands alone.

• Miniature server designed to provide a central hub to manage and share data between employees while making the most of the existing resources.

• A server that Bundles consists of everything you need to build a powerful and low power consumption application device.

• Blade server is a server chassis housing multiple thin, modular electronic circuit boards, known as server blades.

Rack Mount Server Rack contains multiple mounting slots called bays, each

designed to hold a hardware unit secured in place with screws.

Has a low-profile enclosure, which is built into an upright, standalone cabinet.

Multiple servers stacked one above the other, consolidating network resources and minimizing the required floor space

Rack server configuration also simplifies cabling among network components

Benefits of RACK mount server - Rack Provides a minimal modular and adaptable interface for developing high end applications.

E.g. IBM X3650, X3550.

Tower, Miniature, Mini Rack Server

Tower server- it is used where rack environment is not applicable. It performs same application level design as the rack mount servers . E.g. IBM X3200, X3400

• Miniature servers are basically small scale industry level servers and generally used in Telecom and Home environment. E.g. Apple MAC Mini servers.

• Mini rack servers are mountable on small racks as 1u and  work-stations, used for small level applications like Adobe CS 5. E.g. Work-stations HP Z1, HP Z400.

Blade Server

Each blade is a server in its own right, often dedicated to a single application. The blades are literally servers on a card, containing processors, memory, integrated network controllers, an optional Fiber Channel host bus adaptor (HBA) and other input/output (IO) ports.

Allows more processing power in less rack space, simplifying cabling and reducing power consumption.

Typically comes with one or two local ATA or SCSI drives.

For additional storage, blade servers can connect to a storage pool facilitated by a network-attached storage (NAS), Fiber Channel, or iSCSI storage-area network (SAN)

Used for consolidation of associated resources (like storage and networking equipment) into a smaller architecture that can be managed through a single interface.

So much less cabling, IT administrators can spend less time managing the infrastructure and more time ensuring high availability.

Blade servers can also be managed to include load balancing and failover capabilities.

Also referred to as a high-density server and is typically used in a clustering of servers that are dedicated to a single task, such as:

File sharing, Web page serving, SSL encrypting of Web communication, Streaming audio and video content.

E.g. IBM HS22, IBM HS21

Types of Servers based on Network Environment and Application.

• Application server, a server dedicated to running certain software applications

• Catalog server, a central search point for information across a distributed network

• Communications server, carrier-grade computing platform for communications networks

• Database server, provides database services to other computer programs or computers

• Fax server, provides fax services for clients• File server, provides remote access to files• Game server, a server that video game clients connect to in order to play

online together• Home server, a server for the home• Name server or DNS• Print server, provides printer services• Proxy server, acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking

resources from other servers• Sound server, provides multimedia broadcasting, streaming.• Standalone server, an emulator for client–server (web-based) programs

Learning Objectives

Definition of Server

Different Types of Server their Application and Benefits .

Client – Server Model

Hardware Components of Server

Types of RAID and their Concept

Server Processor Diagnostics

Client–Server Model• The client/server model is a computing model

that acts as distributed application which partitions tasks or workloads between the providers of a resource or service, called servers, and service requesters, called clients.

• A server machine is a host that is running one or more server programs which share their resources with clients. A client does not share any of its resources, but requests a server's content or service function. Clients therefore initiate communication sessions with servers which await incoming requests.

• Functions such as email exchange, web access and database access are built on the client/server model.

• The client–server model has become one of the central ideas of network computing. Many business applications being written today use the client–server model, as do the Internet's main application protocols, such as HTTP, SMTP, Telnet, and DNS.

Types of Clients - include web browsers, email clients,

and online chat clients.Types of servers include web servers, ftp servers,

application servers, database servers, name servers, mail servers, file servers, print servers, and terminal servers

Schematic Clients and Server Interaction

Learning Objectives

Definition of Server

Different Types of Server their Application and Benefits .

Client – Server Model

Hardware Components of Server

Types of RAID and their Concept

Server Processor Diagnostics

Different Hardware Components of Servers Hardware requirements for server vary depending on the server application Server duties to provide service to many users over a network lead to

different requirement such as fast network connections and high I/O throughput

To Increase reliability most of the servers used memory with ERROR DETECTION AND CORRECTION, redundant disks, redundant power supply and so on.

1)Planar 6) Memory

2) HDD Back Plane 7) Servers Memory

3) Hot Swappable fans 8) Cache RAM

4) RPS 9) RAID Controller

5) RPS Back Plane 10) LPD-Light Path Diagnostics

Planar The mother board which is

used in desktop is relevant to Planar in servers as they are non hot swap component but easily removed in tool less fashion.

• HDD Backplane

Backplane are a group of connectors, connected in parallel with each other, so that each pin of each connector is linked to the same relative pin of all the other connectors forming a computer bus.

• Hot Swappable fans – The hot swappable Fans

which have ORANGE tabs on it, used for moving the hot air from inner side of server to outside. Coolant for servers.

• RPS – Redundant Power Supply

used in servers as hot swappable power supply and also removed in tool less fashion.

• RPS Backplane – RPS Backplane used for

primary connecting hot spare power supply to the Planar of the servers which are connected parallel.

Server Memory

Chip kill Memory- Corrects upto 4-Bit memory errors, Hot spares if mirroring is done, just as Raid concept.

ECC Memory- Error Correcting code memory is a type of computer data storage that can detect and correct the more common kinds of internal data correction

Static Ram- They are Cache Rams and address is done through high speed devices.

Cache Ram

• It uses as a balance between high speed devices such as processor and slow speed devices such as hardware parts.

• There are two types of Cache rams:- (1) Write Through L2 Cache (2) write Back L2 cache

Write Through L2 cache Ram Write Back L2 Cache

In Write through L2 Cache CPU directly send DATA to RAM not through Cache. Acknowledgement send back to CPU through Cache.

In Write Back L2 Cache no acknowledgement send back to CPU so it is fast as compared to Write Through L2 Cache.

Raid Controller

• Redundant Array Of Independent Disks- It is Storage Technology that combine multiple disks drive component into a logical unit.

• There are two types of controller:- (1) On-Board (Internal) (2) External

On-Board Raid Controller• No External Hardware

required.• Supports minimum

configuration upto Raid 1 Technology.

• Easy to implement.• Only used on higher end

servers as the controllers are internally embedded.

• Minimum Hard disk configuration i.e. 2 nos is used.

• Configured and supported internally with the planars.

External Raid Controllers• Supports higher end raid

technology upto higher configurations.

• It is interface between External Hard disk and Planars.

Learning Objectives

Definition of Server

Different Types of Server their Application and Benefits .

Client – Server Model

Hardware Components of Server

Types of RAID and their Concept

Server Processor Diagnostics

Types Of Raids

• Raid 0• Raid 1• Raid 1 (enhanced)• Raid 0+1• Raid 5• Raid 6

RAID 0

Large Volume, No redundancy, No parity,

No Mirroring, min drive-2, space-2, fault tolerance-0

RAID 1

Mirroring without parity or striping , Excellent data redundancy, good read performance, min drive- 2, space-1/n , fault tolerance-n-1.

Raid 1 (E)

Combines mirroring and data striping, 50% of data capacity to be used, 100 % redundancy, high performance, min drive-3

Raid 0+1

Replicating and sharing data, Mirroring+Striping, min drive- 4, space-n/2.

Raid 5

Distributed parity, Lower read and write performance, Data striping, min drive- 3, space-1/1-n, fault tolerance- n-1

Raid 6

Block level striped with double distributed parity, min drive- 4, space- 1-2/n, fault tolerance- 2.

Hyper Threading

• Hyper Threading brings the concept of simultaneous multi-threading to the Intel architecture. It makes a single physical processor appear as two logical processors.

Learning Objectives

Definition of Server

Different Types of Server their Application and Benefits .

Client – Server Model

Hardware Components of Server

Types of RAID and their Concept

Server Processor Diagnostics

Service Processor Diagnostics

• LPD-Light Path Diagnostics ( in case of Rack Servers)• RSA-Remote Supervisor Architecture ( in case of Rack

servers)• AMM-Advance Management Module ( in case of Blade

Chassis).• ISMP-Integrated System management Processor (in case of

Rack Server & Tower Servers) • BMC-Baseboard Management Console (in case of high end -

Rack Servers) E.g. IBM X3650-M3

(1) LPD-Light Path Diagnostics

Diagnostics

Sr No

Light path diagnostics LED with the system-error LED or information LED

Description Action

1 OVERSPECLED

There is insufficient power to power the system. The LOG LED might also be lit.

1. Add a power supply if only one power supply is installed.

2. Use 220 volt (V) alternate current (AC) instead of 110 V AC.

3. Reseat the following components: a. Power supplyb. Power backplane

4. Remove optional devices.5. Replace the components one at a

time, in the order shown, restarting the server each time.

2 LOGLED

Information is present in the baseboard management controller (BMC) log and system-error log.

1. Save the log if necessary and clear.

2. Check the log for possible errors

3 LINKLED

There is a fault in an symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) Expansion Port or SMP Expansion cable (requires scalability enablement). Note: This LED remains lit until the problem is resolved and the server is turned off and restarted.If a fault occurs, the SMP Expansion Port link LED on the failed port is off.

1. Check the SMP Expansion Port link LEDs to find the failing port or cable.

2. Reseat the SMP Expansion cables.

3. Replace the SMP Expansion cables.

4. (Trained service technician only) Replace the microprocessor tray.

4 PSLED

A power supply has failed or has been removed. Note: In a redundant power configuration, the DC power LED on one power supply might be off.

1. Reinstall the removed power supply.2. Check the individual power-supply LEDs to find the

failing power supply.3. Reset the following components: A) Failing power supply B) Power backplane4. Make sure that the power cord is fully seated in the

power-supply inlet and the AC power source.5. Check the Western Telematic Inc. (WTI) power ports.

i. For Node A, 1 and 5 should be lit.ii. For Node B, 2 and 6 should be lit.

If not, the node has been fenced. See Checking the Western Telematic Inc. power ports to restore power.Replace the components one at a time, in the order shown, restarting the server each time.Disconnect the AC power cord for 20 seconds, then reconnect the AC power cord and restart the server.

5 PCILED

A peripheral component interface (PCI) adapter has failed. Note: The error LED next to the failing adapter on the I/O board shuttle is also lit.

See the BMC log or the system-error log. Resat the following

components one at a time, in the order shown, restarting the

server each time: a. Failing adapter b. I/O board shuttle

6 SPLED

The remote supervisor adapter (RSA) has failed or is missing or the planar cable is not connected.

1. Reset the RSA and planar cable. 2.Update the firmware for the

RSA.

3. Replace the RSA.

7 FANLED

A fan has failed or has been removed. Note: A failing fan can also cause the TEMP LED to be lit.

1. Reinstall the removed fan.2. If an individual fan LED is lit, replace the fan. Note: A failing fan might not cause the fan LED to be lit.3. (Trained service technician only) Reseat the microprocessor

tray.4. (Trained service technician only) Replace the microprocessor

tray.

8 TEMPLED

A system temperature or component has exceeded specifications. Note: A fan LED might also be lit.

1. See the BMC log or the system-error log for the source of the fault.2. Make sure that the airflow of the server is not blocked.3. If a fan LED is lit, reseat the fan.4. Replace the fan for which the LED is lit.5. Make sure that the room is neither too hot nor too cold.6. If one of the voltage regulator modules (VRMs) indicates hot, remove

AC power before you restore DC power.

9 MEM LED

Memory failure. 1. Remove the memory card that has a lit error LED, then press the light path diagnostics button on the memory card to identify the failed card or dual inline memory module (DIMM).

2. Reseat the DIMM.

10 NMILED

A hardware error has been reported to the operating system. Note: The peripheral component interface (PCI) or memory (MEM) LED might also be lit.

1. See the BMC log and the system-error log.2. If the peripheral component interface (PCI) LED is lit,

follow the instructions for that LED.3. If the memory (MEM) LED is lit, follow the instructions

for that LED.4. Restart the server.

11 CNFGLED

A configuration error has occurred. 1. Find the failing or missing component by checking the other light path diagnostics LEDs.

2. Make sure that the fans, power supplies, microprocessors, VRMs, and memory cards are installed in the correct sequence.

12 CPULED

A microprocessor has failed, is missing, or has been incorrectly installed.

1. Check the BMC log or the system-error log to determine the reason for the lit LED.

2. Find the failing, missing, or mismatched microprocessor by checking the LEDs on the microprocessor board.

3. Reset the following components: a. Failing microprocessorb. Microprocessor board

4. Replace the following components one at a time, in the order shown, restarting the server each time:

a.(Trained service technician only) Failing microprocessor

b. (Trained service technician only) Microprocessor board

13 BRDLED

The microprocessor board or I/O board has failed.

1. Find the failing board by checking the LEDs on the microprocessor board and I/O board.

2. Reseat the failing board3. Replace the failing board

14 RAIDLED

The RAID controller has indicated a fault.

1. Check the BMC log or the system-error log for information.

2. Reseat the following components: • RAID controller, if possible• Hard disk drives• I/O board shuttle assembly

3. Replace the components listed in the step above one at a time, in the order shown, restarting the server each time.

15 DASDLED

A hard disk drive has failed or has been removed. Note: The error LED on the failing hard disk drive is also lit.

1. Reinstall the removed drive. 2. Reset the following components:

• Failing hard disk drive• Serial attached SCSI (SAS) hard disk drive backplane• SAS signal cable• I/O board shuttle assembly

3. Replace the components listed in the step above one at a time, in the order shown, restarting the server each time.

16 VRMLED

A DC-DC regulator has failed or is missing.

1. Check the BMC log or the system-error log to determine the reason for the lit LED-for a voltage regulator module (VRM).

2. Find the failing or missing VRM by checking the LEDs on the microprocessor board.

3. Install any missing VRMs.4. Reseat the following components:

1. Failing VRM2. Microprocessor associated with the VRM3. Microprocessor board

5. Replace the following components one at a time, in the order shown, restarting the server each time:

1. Failing VRM2. (Trained service technician only) Microprocessor

associated with the VRM6. (Trained service technician only) Microprocessor board

(2) RSA-Remote Supervisor Architecture

• Remote control of hardware and operating systems

•  Web-based management with standard Web browsers (no other software is required)

• Scriptable command-line interface and text-based serial console redirect.

• System-independent graphical console redirection.

• Remote diskette and CD-ROM drive support

(3) Advanced Management Module Advanced Management Module

(AMM) are the central points of management for the IBM Blade Center chassis.As such, when the MM is not responsive, the ability to perform normal management on the chassis is significantly compromised.This document covers four different symptoms related to MM connectivity failures:(1) cannot login to the web or telnet interface because of USERID and/or PASSWORD failures. (2) cannot get any network response from the MM, and (3) the MM responds to network pings, but either the web interface or telnet interface does not respond. (4) MM failover does not work.

(4) ISMP-Integrated System management Processor

a. Type F2 and go to Diagnostics and save the DSA logs

b. Type F1 and go to BIOS settings to check the SEL (System Event Log)

• (5) BMC-Baseboard Management Console

“A baseboard management controller (BMC) is a specialized processor that monitors the physical state of a server using sensors and communicates with the system administrator through a special management connection. The BMC, part of the Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI), is usually mounted on the motherboard of the server that it monitors.”

Server Manufacturers

• IBM• Dell• HP• Fujitsu• Acer

Thank You