Dell PowerVault DP500 - Manual (Page 45)

Non-Optimal Memory Configurations
System performance can be affected if your memory configuration does not conform to the preceding installation guidelines. Your system may issue an error
message during startup stating that your memory configuration is non-optimal.
Memory Sparing Support
The system supports memory sparing if eight identical memory modules are installed in the system. The memory sparing feature must be enabled in the
System Setup program and can be used only if memory mirroring is not enabled.
Memory sparing allocates four ranks of DIMM memory to the spare bank. These four ranks consist of the first rank of memory in DIMM sockets 1 through 4. For
single-rank DIMMs, the entire capacity of the four DIMMs is allocated to sparing whereas for dual-rank DIMMs, only half of the four-DIMM capacity is allocated to
sparing.
Table 3 -2 shows how memory sparing splits the available and spared memory in each of the single- and dual-ranked memory module combinations.
Table 3-2. Memory Sparing Configurations
Memory Mirroring Support
The system supports memory mirroring if eight identical memory modules are installed in the system. Mirroring must be enabled in the System Setup program
and can be used only if memory sparing is not enabled. In a mirrored configuration, the total available system memory is one-half of the total installed
memory.
Installing Memory Modules
1. Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
2. Open the system. See Opening the System .
3. Remove the memory cooling shroud. See Removing the Cooling Shroud .
4. Locate the memory module sockets on the system board. See Figure 6 -2 .
5. Press the ejectors on the memory module socket down and out, as shown in Figure 3 -26 , to allow the memory module to be inserted into the socket.
Figure 3-26. Installing and Removing a Memory Module
DIMMs Size/Type Total Memory Available Spare
8 256-MB single-rank 2 GB 1 GB 1 GB
512-MB single-rank 4 GB 2 GB 2 GB
1-GB single-rank 8 GB 4 GB 4 GB
2-GB single-rank 16 GB 8 GB 8 GB
2-GB dual-rank 16 GB 12 GB 4 GB
4-GB dual-rank 32 GB 24 GB 8 GB
CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. See
your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against
electrostatic discharge.
NOTICE: Never remove the memory cooling shroud without first powering down the system. Overheating of the system can develop quickly resulting in
a shutdown of the system and the loss of data.
CAUTION: The DIMMs are hot to the touch for some time after the system has been powered down. Allow time for the DIMMs to cool before
handling them. Handle the DIMMs by the card edges and avoid touching the DIMM components.