RX7640 memory upgrade (OLAR?)

[Gerry Harney]

I have a server with the following memory map from cstm.

Memory Board Inventory

DIMM Location Size(MB) State Serial Num Part Num
-------------------- -------- ------- ---------------- ------------------
Cab 0 Cell 1 DIMM 0A 8192 Config PRY07514S9 AB456-60101
Cab 0 Cell 1 DIMM 0B 8192 Config PRY07514VN AB456-60101
Cab 0 Cell 1 DIMM 1A 8192 Config PRY07514SA AB456-60101
Cab 0 Cell 1 DIMM 1B 8192 Config PRY07514TR AB456-60101
Cab 0 Cell 1 DIMM 2A ---- ---- ---- ----
Cab 0 Cell 1 DIMM 2B ---- ---- ---- ----
Cab 0 Cell 1 DIMM 3A ---- ---- ---- ----
Cab 0 Cell 1 DIMM 3B ---- ---- ---- ----
Cab 0 Cell 1 DIMM 4A ---- ---- ---- ----
Cab 0 Cell 1 DIMM 4B ---- ---- ---- ----
Cab 0 Cell 1 DIMM 5A ---- ---- ---- ----
Cab 0 Cell 1 DIMM 5B ---- ---- ---- ----
Cab 0 Cell 1 DIMM 6A ---- ---- ---- ----
Cab 0 Cell 1 DIMM 6B ---- ---- ---- ----
Cab 0 Cell 1 DIMM 7A ---- ---- ---- ----
Cab 0 Cell 1 DIMM 7B ---- ---- ---- ----

Cab 0 Cell 1 Total: 32768 (MB)


Can I add 32GB of ram using 4 8GB DIMMs in slots without powering down the server?

[Sameer_Nirmal]

No, you can't. A DIMM is not a hot-plug/swap CRU neither OLAR compatible. Moreover to install DIMMs on the cell board, you need to remove the cell board out of the cabinet.

http://bizsupport2.austin.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c01883971/c01883971.pdf

[Matti_Kurkela · Accepted solution]

Without powering down the server? Tricky.

Unless you have a second cell board that is currently unused, no chance: you can't physically get at the DIMM slots of Cell 1 without pulling the cell board out.

You'll also have to be running the correct firmware and OS versions: you'll need HP-UX 11i v3 Update 1 or greater to support Dynamic nPar operations.

More information here:
http://docs.hp.com/en/10907/dynamic_nPars_WP.pdf

If your system is covered by a HP support agreement, you should let a HP engineer do it instead of doing it yourself: the cell boards are not considered Customer Replaceable Equipment, and fiddling with them could violate the terms of the support agreement.

Anyway, I understand the sequence of events would be like this:
1.) install the DIMMs to the new cell board
2.) use the MP to make sure the empty cell slot in the system is powered down
3.) plug in the new cell
4.) use the MP to power up the new cell
5.) wait for the new cell to perform self-tests
6.) make sure the firmware level of the new cell is OK for joining it with the existing cell (mis-matched firmware may cause problems)
7.) use the parolrad command to make the OS in the Cell 1 to take control of the new cell board

MK

[Gerry Harney]

Thanks for the quick reply. I already have gotten a quote for HP to come out and install. I was trying to determine if I needed to schedule downtime with the business. I recommended this machine for its ability to stay up 24/365 :(

[Gerry Harney]

Excellent, definitive, and accurate replies