Memory options 72
As with hot-plug mirrored memory, hot-plug RAID memory allows failed or degraded DIMMs to be
replaced while the server is running without requiring server downtime. The memory board with the failed
DIMMs can be removed, failed DIMMs replaced, and the board re-inserted into the server without any
interruption to the operating system.
Hot-plug RAID memory is only supported if all four memory boards are installed. No operating system
support is required.
The following guidelines apply to hot-plug RAID memory:
•
All general memory requirements apply.
•
Hot-plug RAID memory is only supported with four memory boards.
•
All four memory boards must have the same amount of total memory. However, each board can
have different DIMM configurations as long as they have equal total size. Any deviation from this
rule results in the server defaulting to Advanced ECC ("
Advanced ECC memory
" on page
68
).
•
Hot-replace operations are supported.
•
If you remove a board while the server is running and do not replace it, the server defaults to
Advanced ECC on the next reboot.
Memory boards and DIMMs
Memory board and DIMM installation, removal, and replacement procedures can be either hot-plug or
non-hot-plug procedures, depending on how the server is configured. Hot-plug operations can be hot-add
or hot-replace. Hot-add makes additional memory resources available to the operating system. Hot-
replace allows failed or degraded DIMMs to be replaced while the server is running. Hot-add is only
supported with Microsoft® Windows® 2003 or later. Hot-replace has no operating system requirements.
The following table illustrates what AMP mode supports hot-plug features.
Advanced memory
protection mode
Hot-replace
supported
Hot-add
supported
Advanced ECC
X
Online spare memory
Hot-plug mirrored memory
X
Hot-plug RAID memory
X
When the server is configured for hot-plug mirrored memory or hot-plug RAID memory, you can perform a
hot-replacement procedure in the following manner without powering down the server or experiencing
server downtime:
1.
Remove a memory board.
2.
Replace failed or degraded DIMMs.
3.
Reinstall the memory board in the slot from which it was removed.
The replacement procedures in this section apply to both hot-plug and non-hot-plug memory procedures,
except as noted.
IMPORTANT:
Be sure to power down the server when performing board removal procedures
in a server that is not configured for Advanced ECC, hot-plug mirrored memory, or hot-plug
RAID memory.
