The base configuration can consist of 2 to 8 processors. A system that contains 2 or 4 processors requires one base compute module. With this system configuration, you can add one PCI expansion module or one MPX module to your system. If space is available in the rack, you can also add SGI TP900 storage modules to your system or you can add additional storage racks to your system.

A system that contains 6 or 8 processors requires one base compute module and one expansion compute module that are connected together with a NUMAlink cable. This system configuration does not allow you to add a PCI expansion module or an MPX module to your system. However, you can add TP900 storage modules or storage racks to your system.

The components of the base configuration can be placed on a table top or housed in a 17U rack or a 39U rack. Each rack can contain more than one system, as shown in Figure 2-6.

Figure 2-6. Examples of Base Configurations in 17U and 39U Racks

A NUMAlink configuration consists of one base compute module and up to seven expansion compute modules that are interconnected via the NUMAlink module, as shown in Figure 2-1. This configuration can be housed in a 17U rack or a 39U rack; however, the 17U rack can house only one NUMAlink module, one base compute module, and up to five expansion compute modules. The 39U rack can house one or two Origin 350 server systems, as shown in Figure 2-7.

In addition to the base and expansion compute modules, a NUMAlink configuration supports the following PCI expansion devices: the MPX module and the PCI expansion module. The number of each type of module is dependent on the following configuration rules:

For example, a NUMAlink configuration can consist of one base compute module, three expansion compute module, two MPX modules, and two PCI expansion modules.

The NUMAlink configuration also allows you to increase the amount of storage in your system. If space is available in the rack, you can add TP900 storage modules to your system or you can add additional storage racks to your system.

Figure 2-7. Examples of NUMAlink Configurations in 17U and 39U Racks

The base configuration can contain the following major components:

The NUMAlink configuration can contain the following major components (see Figure 2-8):

The compute module is a 2U AC-powered device that consists of the following:

The SCSI disk drives and the DVD-ROM require an IO9 PCI card.

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Note: A compute module is not limited to two disk drives or four PCI/PCI–X slots. The compute module can connect to external devices that expand the I/O and storage capabilities. For information about these devices, see “PCI Expansion Devices”.

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Each compute module also contains an L1 controller that provides the following services:

Figure 2-9 shows the front and rear views of an Origin 350 compute module. See Chapter 3, “Compute Module” for more information about this module.

Figure 2-9. Front and Rear Views of Compute Module

The NUMAlink module, shown in Figure 2-10, is a 2U AC-powered device that transfers messages between the compute modules via the NUMAlink 3 interconnect. This module is required for systems that contain more than two compute modules.

The NUMAlink module consists of eight ports; four ports can connect to four compute modules or four MPX modules. The other four ports, which carry USB signals, can connect to compute modules, MPX modules, or PCI expansion modules.

The NUMAlink module also contains an L1 controller that provides the following services:

See Chapter 5, “NUMAlink Module” for more information about the NUMAlink module.

Figure 2-10. NUMAlink Module

The memory and PCI expansion (MPX) module is a 2U AC-powered device that has 1 GB to 8 GB of memory and four PCI/PCI-X slots (see Figure 2-11). You can add one MPX module to a base configuration that contains one base compute module. In a NUMAlink configuration, you can add up to four MPX modules.

The MPX module also contains an L1 controller that provides the following services:

See Chapter 4, “Memory and PCI Expansion (MPX) Module” for more information about the MPX module.

Figure 2-11. MPX Module

A compute module contains four PCI/PCI–X slots; however, the base compute module has only two PCI/PCI–X slots and one PCI slot available because the lowermost slot is reserved for the IO9 PCI 66 MHz card, and the slot immediately above where the IO9 card is installed can only support PCI cards that run at a speed of 66 MHz or slower.

You can expand your I/O capabilities by adding PCI expansion devices to your system to increase the amount of PCI/PCI–X and PCI slots.

Two types of PCI expansion devices are available: the MPX module and the PCI expansion module. Both modules are peer-attached devices; they connect to the NI (network interface) port of the compute module's Bedrock ASIC via the compute module's NUMAlink connector or via the NUMAlink module.

The MPX module is a 2U AC-powered device that has four PCI/PCI-X slots (see Figure 2-11). In a base configuration that contains one compute module, you can add one MPX module to your system. In a NUMAlink configuration, you can add up to four MPX modules. See Chapter 4, “Memory and PCI Expansion (MPX) Module” for more information about the MPX module.

The PCI expansion module, shown in Figure 2-12, contains six PCI buses (buses 1 through 6) that can seat as many as twelve PCI cards. Each bus has two PCI slots (see Figure 2-13) that are labeled 1 and 2.

There are two versions of the PCI expansion module: one version has 12 slots that support 3.3-V or universal PCI cards, and the other version has 6 slots that support 5-V or universal PCI cards and 6 slots that support 3.3-V or universal PCI cards.

In the base configuration and in a NUMAlink configuration, the PCI expansion module must be paired with a compute module. Therefore, follow these guidelines:

For more information about the PCI expansion module, see PCI Expansion Module User's Guide (007-4499-00x).

Figure 2-12. PCI Expansion Module

Figure 2-13 shows the PCI card slot numbering on the PCI expansion module.

Figure 2-13. PCI Card Slot Numbering on the PCI Expansion Module

The base compute module contains two disk-drive bays; however, you can add additional storage to the system as follows:

The various storage devices are discussed in the subsections that follow.

SGI TP900 Storage Module

The TP900 storage module, shown in Figure 2-14, is a 2U-high 8-drive storage system that provides compact, high-capacity, high-availability JBOD storage. The enclosure backplane connects the 8 drives on one SCSI bus. As an option, the storage module can also be configured on two SCSI buses (2 strings of 4 drives).

This storage module has the following features:

• It mounts in a standard 19-inch rack; it is available in factory-installed configurations.

• It uses SCSI Parallel Interface 3 (SPI-3) capable Low Profile (1-inch high) 3.5-inch disk drives.

• Its drive carriers accept SGI-qualified 10,000- or 15,000-RPM U160 SCSI disk drives.

For more information about the TP900 storage module, see SGI Total Performance 900 Storage System User's Guide (007-4428-00x).

Figure 2-14. SGI TP900 Storage Module

2Gb SGI TP9100 Storage System

The 2Gb SGI TP9100, shown in Figure 2-15, is an affordable, entry-level RAID storage array that is easily expandable and comes in either a deskside tower or a rackmounted configuration. You can start with a basic JBOD configuration and later add RAID controllers, or you can start with a RAID configuration.

The 2Gb SGI TP9100 storage system connects to the compute module via a Fibre Channel PCI card. For more information about the SGI TP9100 storage system, see SGI Total Performance 9100 (2 Gb TP9100) Storage System User's Guide (007-4522-00x).

Figure 2-15. 2Gb SGI TP9100 Storage System

SGI TP9400 and SGI TP9500 Storage Systems

The SGI TP9400, shown in Figure 2-16, and the SGI TP9500 are highly scalable RAID storage subsystems. These storage systems have vast storage capacities and can grow to whatever size you require without disruption to normal processing activities. This continuous availability enables all active components to be configured redundantly and installed “hot” as customer-replaceable or expansion units.

The TP9400 and TP9500 storage systems connect to compute modules via Fibre Channel PCI cards.

For more information about the TP9400 and TP9500 storage systems, see SGI Total Performance 9400 and SGI Total Performance 9500 RAID User's Guide (007-4304-00x).

Figure 2-16. SGI TP9400 Storage System

The L2 controller, which is shown in Figure 2-17, is a rack-level controller that performs the following functions:

All components within a rack that have an L1 controller must connect to the L2 controller (see Figure 2-18 and Figure 2-19). For example, the NUMAlink, compute, MPX, and PCI expansion modules can connect to the L2 controller as follows:

The USB hub, shown in Figure 2-20, routes information between the L2 controller and the four compute modules and/or MPX modules that connect to NUMAlink module ports 1, 6, 7, and 8 (the ports that do not carry USB signals).

Figure 2-20. USB Hub

The Origin 350 server system can consist of the following power components:

Figure 2-23 shows the power connections for a sample Origin 350 server system.

Figure 2-23. Power Connections for a Sample Origin 350 Server System

The Origin 350 server system supports two rack types: a short rack and a tall rack. The racks are measured in standard units (U); one U is equal to 1.75 in. (4.45 cm). The short rack is a 17U rack and the tall rack is a 39U rack (see Figure 2-24).

The components within the rack are identified by the lowest U number that they occupy. For example, the NUMAlink modules shown in Figure 2-24 are identified as U8 in the short rack and U20 in the tall rack.

Figure 2-24. Unit Numbering within Rack

Both rack types are industry-standard 19-inch racks, and they support two types of mounting rails (slide rails and shelf rails - also known as fixed rails) that hold the modules within the rack. For example, the compute modules use slide mounting rails (see Figure 2-25).

Figure 2-25. Slide Mounting Rails

The NUMAlink module, PCI expansion module, and TP900 storage module are supported by two parallel L-shaped mounting rails within the rack called shelf rails (see Figure 2-26).

Figure 2-26. L-shaped Mounting Rails (Shelf Rails)

Both rack types, as shown in Figure 2-27, have front and rear doors that have keylocks to prevent unauthorized access of the system. The racks also have cable entry/exit areas at the bottom of the racks and cable management hardware in the rear of the racks.

Both rack types are mounted on four casters, two of which are swivel casters. The casters enable the rack to be rolled out of a shipping crate and to its placement at your site.

The base of the racks have seismic tie-down attachment points. The base of the tall rack also has leveling pads.

Figure 2-27. Front Views of Short and Tall Racks