topic Re: EM64T support for DL380G3 in Operating System - Linux

EM64T support for DL380G3

Rich Amick — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 10:27:27 GMT

I'm trying to set up a test cluster for 64-bit Oracle.

I have a couple of HP DL380G3's with SCSI direct attached MSA500 for storage.

I would like to install RHEL4 U5 x86_64 so that I can install 64-bit Oracle 10gR2.

I know the current CPU's cannot support EM64T - no lm flag in /proc/cpuinfo (this OS is RH AS2.1):
processor : 0
vendor_id : GenuineIntel
cpu family : 15
model : 2
model name : Intel(R) Xeon(TM) CPU 2.80GHz
stepping : 9
cpu MHz : 2783.991
cache size : 512 KB
physical id : -1179642544
siblings : 2
fdiv_bug : no
hlt_bug : no
f00f_bug : no
coma_bug : no
fpu : yes
fpu_exception : yes
cpuid level : 2
wp : yes
flags : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm
bogomips : 5557.45

Questions:
What CPU models can we buy that support EM64T for these DL380G3's?
Will this allow the install of RHEL4 U5 x86_64 and subsequently 64-bit Oracle 10gR2?

Re: EM64T support for DL380G3

Steven E. Protter — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 14:15:34 GMT

Shalom,

This is an easy question to answer. Just this morning, I accidentally booted a laptop with disk 1 of the 64 bit version of RHEL update 5. Since the laptop was not able to do the install (thank G-d I didn't want to) it gave a message clearly indicating that the CPU could not do the install.

So boot it and see.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say a DL380 G3 probably can't do the 64 bit OS, in case you want to take my intuition on it.

SEP

Re: EM64T support for DL380G3

Rich Amick — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 14:34:11 GMT

Thanks, the lack of the lm flag may be due to the age of the OS (kernel version 2.4.9-e.57), but given this and the age of these systems, I don't think the current systems will support a 64-bit OS.

I think these CPUs are socket 604?

I would like to know if I will be able to install a 64-bit OS before I buy the new CPUs.

Has anyone upgraded a DL380G3 with an EM64T capable CPU and installed a 64-bit OS successfully?

If so, what CPU did you upgrade to and what OS?

Re: EM64T support for DL380G3

Steven E. Protter — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 19:21:37 GMT

Shalom,

Chip upgrade. Totally unsupported. Near zero chance of working.

If you want a 64 bit OS you are going to have to buy 64 bit hardware.

http://h18002.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/11473_div/11473_div.HTML
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/11533_div/11533_div.html

This system sports a Xeon processor.

EM64T would require a new system board, not just a new processor.

SEP

Re: EM64T support for DL380G3

Rich Amick — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 20:40:59 GMT

Thanks again, Steven. Are you 100% sure?

The first link you provide is to the quickspecs for the DL380G3. It does indeed appear to be a Xeon socket 604 CPU. I find a socket 604 CPU which supports EM64T at:
http://www.xpcgear.com/intelxeon.html
Now, maybe the chipset and/or BIOS may have a problem with it, butâ ¦

The second link you posted is for Linux LifeKeeper - not necessary for an Oracle cluster post 9iR2 and not germane to this topic.

As for support, I don't really need support as this is not a production system, but your point is well taken.