Different memory installation order in Top Cover - IBM Flex System x240 Compute Node

Troubleshooting

Problem

[This abstract has been truncated due to length constraints] The top cover of the IBM Flex System x240 Compute Node differs from the IBM Flex Systems Information Center and Service Guide regarding memory installation order.

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H212889

Symptom

The top cover of the IBM Flex System x240 Compute Node differs from the IBM Flex Systems Information Center and Service Guide regarding memory installation order.

Pattern 1

Memory installation order:

For Microprocessor 1, install DIMMs in the following order, DIMM slots:

4,1,9,12,5,2,8,11,6,3,7,10

For Microprocessor 2, install DIMMs in the following order, DIMM slots:

24,21,13,16,23,20,14,17,22,19,15,18

The memory installation order for a two CPU configuration is as follows:

4,24,1,21,9,13,12,16,5,23,2,20,8,14,11,17,6,22,3,19,7,15,10,18

Pattern 2

Memory Installation order:

For Microprocessor 1, install DIMMs in the following order, DIMM slots:

4,9,1,12,5,8,2,11,6,7,3,10

For Microprocessor 2, install DIMMs in the following order, DIMM slots:

16,21,13,24,17,20,14,23,18,19,15,22

So the memory installation order for a two CPU configuration is as follows:

4,16,9,21,1,13,12,24,5,17,8,20,2,14,11,23,6,18,7,19,3,15,10,22

(where DIMM = Dual In-Line Memory Module)

Affected configurations

The system can be any of the following IBM servers:

Flex System x240 Compute Node, type 7863, any model
Flex System x240 Compute Node, type 7863 E5-xxxxV2, any model
Flex System x240 Compute Node, type 8737, any model
Flex System x240 Compute Node, type 8737 E5-xxxxV2, any model
Flex System x240 Compute Node, type 8738, any model

This tip is not software specific.

This tip is not option specific.

Solution

Any new orders as of October 2013 include the identical installation order for IBM Flex System x240 Compute Node top cover, as is listed in the IBM Flex Systems Information Center and Service Guide. The Configuration Options Guide (COG) will also need to be changed.

Workaround

There is no detrimental effect or performance issues to installing DIMMs in the order listed on the IBM Flex System x240 Compute Node, compared to what is listed in the IBM Flex Systems Information Center. The standard that should be followed for consistency purposes is Pattern 1.

Additional information

For the IBM Flex Systems Information Center:

This page describes Pattern 1, which should be followed for consistency purposes:

http://pic.dhe.ibm.com/infocenter/flexsys/information/index.jsp?topic=%2Fcom.ibm.acc.8737.doc%2Finstalling_the_dimm.html

For the Configuration Options Guide:

This page describes Pattern 2, which will need to be changed.

http://www.ibm.com/systems/xbc/cog/x240_8737/x240_8737mem.html

Document Location

Worldwide

Operating System

PureFlex System and Flex System:Operating system independent / None

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