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Altix 350
This page captures information specific to the Altix 350 model. Please see the SGI Altix series overview page for information about other models.
SGI Introduced the Altix 350 model at LinuxWorld in New York on January 20th, 2004. This model was a midrange complement to the Altix 3000 line introduced the previous year, and could be configured with as few as one Itanium 2 CPU in a single 2U module or "brick," to as many as 32 CPUs across 16 modules in a full 39U rack. Meanwhile the 350 provides the same single system image and software features found in the larger configurations, and runs the same operating systems and applications. The model was also offered as a cluster node using Ethernet and Infiniband interconnects.
System Architecture[edit]
The Altix 350 implements the IP57 processor, but follows the IP41 architecture from the earlier Altix 3000 systems. A system can include from 1 to 32 processors in up to 16 modules or bricks, with one or two [NUMAlink] routers connecting them. Configurations up to 8 modules can be organized in a ring topology without a router.
Brick or Module Types[edit]
Altix 350 systems can be composed of four different modules.
- Base Module
- CMPX Expansion Module ("Cpu Memory Pci/pci-X")
- CPU Expansion Module
- NUMAlink 4 Router Module (often labeled "NL4R")
These modules typically run on 110/220V AC power. Storage components were also often included in system configurations.
Every Altix 350 system must have at least one base module, and any system with more than 8 modules must include at least one router.
Base Module[edit]
CPU Options[edit]
Each Altix 350 Base Module will accommodate one or two Itanium 2 processors. The Altix 350 has been offered with a wide variety of Itanium2 processors. Examples have been seen with everything from early 1.0GHz units through the penultimate Madison parts at 1.6 GHz with 9MB of L3 cache, and several steps in between.
| Clock Speed | L3 Cache Size | S-Spec(s) | Part Number(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 GHz | 1.5 MB | SL754; SL67U, SL6P5 | YA80543KC00115M; YK80542KC00115M |
| 1.3 GHz | 3.0 MB | SL6XD, SL7SD, SL8CY | YA80543KC0133M |
| 1.4 GHz | 1.5, 3.0, or 4.0 MB | SL76K, SL7FP, SL6XE | YA80543KC01715M, YA80543KC0173M, YA80543KC0174M |
| 1.5 GHz | 4.0, 6.0 MB | SL7ED, SL8CX; SL6XF | YA80543KC0214M; YA80543KC0216M |
| 1.6 GHz | 3.0, 6.0, 9.0 MB | SL7EC, SL7FQ, SL8CW; SL7EB, SL8CV; SL87H, SL8CU | YA80543KC0253M; YA80543KC0256M; YA80543KC0259M |
All the processors shown above use Socket 611 (PAC611) and run at a bus speed of 400 MHz, and should be interchangeable. A bold S-spec indicates a processor that has been seen in a working Altix 350. For more details about each of these processors, check the listings at CPU World.
Intel's later dual-core Montecito CPUs support the older bus signaling used on Madison CPUs, but at this time it is unconfirmed whether or not SGI ever released firmware support for these CPUs. In any case, such an application would be giving up many advantages of the Montecito design - DDR2 memory, PCIe support, and three times the FSB throughput (in a system designed for Madison).
Memory Subsystem[edit]
Like other first-generation Altix systems, the Altix 350 uses registered DDR DIMMs with ECC, rated at 266MHz or faster, which are commonly referred to as PC2100, PC2700, etc. Memory is organized in three banks of four DIMMs each, or twelve slots total, providing up to 24GB of RAM total per base module. DIMMs of 512MB, 1GB, and 2GB are officially supported; it is unclear as of this writing if 4GB parts will work.
I/O Subsystem[edit]
Each Base module includes the following:
- Front panel LCD display and buttons
- Two NUMAlink ports
- L1 USB Type B connector
- L1 DB9 serial console port
The Base module provides two 64 bit PCI/PCI-X buses with two slots each, or a total of four PCI/PCI-X slots per module; however one slot is used for the required IO9/IO10 card. These buses can accommodate cards running at 33, 66, 100 or 133MHz, though the bus will run at the speed of the slowest card installed.
Base modules can be fitted with an internal slim-line optical drive as well as two 3.5" Ultra160 SCSI hard drives, or two 3.5" SATA hard drives. The IO9 controller supports Ultra160 SCSI devices and includes an externally-accessible VHDCI port, while the IO10 controller supports SATA devices and includes a high density serial connector. Both controllers include a separate IDE interface to support optical drives.
Either IO controller provides one 1000baseT Ethernet interface.
The IO9 or IO10 must always be installed in Slot 1, the bottom slot in the base module.
Hard Drive Carriers[edit]
The Origin/Onyx 350, Prism, Altix 350, and Altix 450/4x00 all use the same drive carriers. These are standard parts used by a number of manufacturers, notably Intel's SC5200, SRSH4, SR1300/2300, and SR1400/2400 and Sun's v60x and v65x servers.
The units carry "Assy A65278-00x" on a sticker, where the "-00x" may end in any digit though "-005" seems common. This assembly number can be useful when searching for parts in the Internet. According to SR1300/SR2300 support documents at intel.com, the Intel accessory part number for the drive carrier is FXX2DRVCARBLK, UPC code "7 35858 14621 0" and "MM #" 835853. However note that there is some indication that Intel may recycle these accessory part numbers in the FXX- form between different models.
As of early 2011 these drive sleds are commonly available on eBay for US$10.
CMPX Expansion Module[edit]
The "Cpu Memory Pci/pci-X" (CMPX) Expansion Module is very similar to the base module.
CPU Options[edit]
CPU options for the CMPX module are the same as for the Base module. The CMPX module may be fitted with 0, 1, or 2 CPUs.
Memory Options[edit]
Memory options for the CPMX module are the same as for the Base module. Memory may be omitted from this module according to the product datasheet.
I/O Subsystem[edit]
Each CMPX module includes the following:
- Front panel LCD display and buttons
- Two NUMAlink ports
- L1 USB Type B connector
- L1 DB9 serial console port
Each CMPX modules provide two 64 bit PCI/PCI-X buses with two slots each, or a total of four PCI/PCI-X slots per module. These buses can accommodate cards running at 33, 66, 100 or 133MHz.
Note that the CPMX module does not support internal mass storage options.
CPU Expansion Module[edit]
The CPU Expansion module is similar in appearance to the Base or CMPX module.
CPU Options[edit]
CPU options for the CPU Expansion module are the same as for the Base module. The CPU Expansion module may be fitted with 1 or 2 CPUs.
Memory Options[edit]
Memory options for the CPU Expansion module are the same as for the Base module. Memory may not be omitted from this module according to the product datasheet.
I/O Subsystem[edit]
Each CPU Expansion module includes the following:
- Front panel LCD display and buttons
- Two NUMAlink ports
- L1 USB Type B connector
- L1 DB9 serial console port
Note that the CPU Expansion module does not support internal mass storage or PCI/PCI-X options.
Router Module[edit]
The NUMAlink Router allows configurations of three to eight Base Compute Modules. It is a 2U module similar in appearance to the grey 2U Altix 350/3x00 modules with an hexagonal recess around the LCD display on the front bezel.
The Router Module includes the following features:
- Eight NUMAlink ports
- An L1 controller with front-mounted LCD display
- Two NUMAlink ports
- One USB Type A connector for the L1 controller
- One standard DB-9 serial port
- One power supply
Each of the eight NUMAlink ports can be connected to a Base Compute, Compute Expansion,
Topologies[edit]
There are several different ways to organize the modules in an Altix 350 system.
- Simple ring
- Single-plane
- Dual-plane
Add-On Options[edit]
Many PCI/PCI-X cards are available with support for Linux on Itanium.
Operating System Support[edit]
Linux[edit]
The Altix family was originally supported by SGI's Advanced Linux Environment, but eventually support was added to stock SuSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) or RedHat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) distributions for Itanium. As of mid-2013 SGI seems to only support SLES on any of their Itanium platforms, while both may be supported on their Xeon-based systems depending on model.
Several Altix 350 owners have reported success installing Debian Linux, and at least one has successfully built and installed Scientific Linux CERN 5.4 and CentOS 5.x through 5.9.
SGI offers the ProPack and SGI Foundation Software for Linux, which provides system management and performance monitoring tools beyond what ships with the base Linux distributions they support.
Troubleshooting and Repair[edit]
Engineers from SGI confirmed reports that a bug in older PROM versions would not work with the Linux 2.6 kernel. PROM version 4.43 is known to be compatible with SLES 11 SP1.
Replacement Parts[edit]
The Altix 350 uses a common Delta Electronics DPS-500EB modular power supply. While the DPS-500EB E variant is most commonly reported by 350 owners, others have successfully substituted DPS-500EB A units. However there is a known failure mode for earlier versions of these PSUs when run 24/7 for extended periods.
Mixed PROM Versions[edit]
If you have modules with different versions of the PROM connected to each other it could cause problems. In some cases it could even prevent your system from completing the power-on self test successfully and reaching the EFI Shell.
Further Reading[edit]
Wiki articles:
Forum threads:
- Altix 350 PROM update
- How to fix an Altix 350 with mixed PROM versions
- Installing Debian on the Altix 350
- Operating System Options for Altix/Prism Systems
- Warning:Origin 350 PSU may fail during sustained powered-on!
- Working RAM Part Numbers for 1st-gen Altix Systems
External References[edit]
SGI:
- SGI Altix 350 Quick Start Guide
- SGI Altix 350 System User's Guide
- SGI remarketing page for Altix 350
Other: