Single-, dual-, and quad-rank dimms – HP ProLiant ML350p Gen8 Server User Manual

Page 62

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Hardware options installation 62

o

For rack models, extend the server from the rack (on page

24

).

5.

Remove the access panel (on page

23

).

6.

Remove the air baffle (on page

25

).

7.

Open the DIMM slot latches.

8.

Install the DIMM.

If you are installing DIMMs in lock-step configuration, configure this mode in RBSU ("

HP ROM-Based Setup

Utility

" on page

115

).

For more information about LEDs and troubleshooting failed DIMMs, see Systems Insight Display LED

combinations (on page

14

).

Single-, dual-, and quad-rank DIMMs

To understand and configure memory protection modes properly, an understanding of single-, dual-, and

quad-rank DIMMs is helpful. Some DIMM configuration requirements are based on these classifications.
A single-rank DIMM has one set of memory chips that is accessed while writing to or reading from the

memory. A dual-rank DIMM is similar to having two single-rank DIMMs on the same module, with only one

rank accessible at a time. A quad-rank DIMM is, effectively, two dual-rank DIMMs on the same module. Only
one rank is accessible at a time. The server memory control subsystem selects the proper rank within the

DIMM when writing to or reading from the DIMM.
Dual- and quad-rank DIMMs provide the greatest capacity with the existing memory technology. For

example, if current DRAM technology supports 8-GB single-rank DIMMs, a dual-rank DIMM would be 16
GB, and a quad-rank DIMM would be 32 GB.
LRDIMMs are labeled as quad-rank DIMMs; however, they function more like dual-rank DIMMs. There are

four ranks of DRAM on the DIMM, but the LRDIMM buffer creates an abstraction that allows the DIMM to

appear as a dual-rank DIMM to the system. The LRDIMM buffer also isolates the electrical loading of the
DRAM from the system to allow for faster operation. These two changes allow the system to support up to

three LRDIMMs per memory channel, providing for up to 50% greater memory capacity and higher memory

operating speed compared to quad-rank RDIMMs.

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