Apple xserve early 2008 User Manual

							Xserve (Late 2006) Take Apart — Opening the Top Cover 21
Unlocking the Server
If the Xserve is in the locked position (the yellow security LED on the front panel is on), use the 
Allen key that came with the Xserve to unlock it. The lock secures the Xserve enclosure top cover 
and all three drive modules.  You can also order spare keys using Apple part number 922-6144.
Important: An option in the Security pane of System Preferences lets you inactivate a connected 
keyboard and mouse when the enclosure lock is engaged.  This option is turned off by default.  
When the enclosure is locked (the light is on), the Xserve might not recognize peripheral devices 
such as a keyboard, mouse, or storage device. Unlock the lock to use those devices.
Shutting Down
You must shut down the Xserve before replacing or installing all parts except the hard drives and 
power supplies. Before shutting down, be sure to alert users that the Xserve will be unavailable 
for a period of time.
Warning: Always shut down the Xserve before opening it to avoid damaging its internal 
components or the components you want to install or remove. Don’t open the Xserve or try 
to install or remove items inside while it is turned on. Even after you shut down the Xserve, its 
internal components can be very hot. Let it cool down for 5 to 10 minutes before you open it..
Part Location
Procedure
Shut down the Xserve (see the Xserve User’s Guide for help) and then wait a few moments 
1.  
to let the Xserve internal components cool.
If the Xserve case is locked, use the enclosure key to unlock the security lock on the front 
2.  
panel.
Unplug all cables from the Xserve.  
3. 
Note: If you have trouble releasing a cable from the back panel, try using a small screwdriver 
or other flat tool to depress the tab on the cable connector. 
						

							Xserve (Late 2006) Take Apart — Opening the Top Cover 22
Loosen the thumbscrews at both ends of the front panel.
4.  
Grasp the thumbscrews and pull the Xserve forward until the safety latches engage (about 
5. 
halfway out of the rack).  
Latches
Thumbscrews
When the safety latches engage, grip the Xserve where it emerges from the rack, press down 
6.  
on the latch tabs with your thumbs, and slide the Xserve the rest of the way out of the rack 
rails. Set the Xserve on a flat surface. 
Loosen the thumbscrews at the back of the top cover and slide the cover back and up to 
7.  
remove it. If you have difficulty removing the cover, check the enclosure lock on the front 
panel.  
Important: To minimize the possibility of damage to Xserve components due to static 
discharge, wear an antistatic wrist strap while you work inside the Xserve.  
Unscrew the two
captive thumbscrews. Slide the cover back and lift it of
f.
 
When you’re finished working inside the Xserve, replace and secure the cover, slide the 
8.  
Xserve back into the rack, and tighten the front thumbscrews to secure the Xserve in the 
rack. If the server case was locked, use the enclosure key to lock the security lock on the front 
panel. 
						

							Xserve (Late 2006) Take Apart — FB-DIMM Memory 23
FB-DIMM Memory
The Xserve (Late 2006) has 8 memory slots. The systems come with at least 1 gigabyte (GB) of 
memory on two fully-buffered dual inline memory modules (FB-DIMMs). To improve performance 
and capacity, you can install additional DIMMs for a total of up to 32 GB of memory. The 8 
memory slots are labeled DIMM 1 through DIMM 8.
1234
56 78
You can use the following memory in the Xserve (Late 2006):
667 MHz DDR2 ECC FB-DIMMs 
• 
512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, or 4 GB in matching pairs (optimal, 4 or 8 identical DIMMs) 
• 
36 devices per DIMM, maximum 
• 
Error-correcting code (ECC) 
• 
Important: Apple recommends that you use Apple-approved FB-DIMMS. Other FB-DIMMs might 
degrade the performance of the Xserve. DIMMs from older Xserve systems are not compatible 
with this Xserve.
Note: Before you purchase DIMMs other than those recommended by Apple, make sure that 
the memory manufacturer conforms to the Joint Electronic Device Engineering Council (JEDEC) 
specification. Make sure that the DIMMs support the correct timing modes and that the Serial 
Presence Detect (SPD) feature has been implemented in accordance with the JEDEC specification. 
To check DIMM compatibility, see the Macintosh Products Guide on Apple’s website at www.
apple.com/guide. You can purchase Apple-approved memory online from the Apple Store at 
www.apple.com/store. 
						

							Xserve (Late 2006) Take Apart — FB-DIMM Memory 24
Installation Rules
You must install DIMMs in pairs, and the DIMMs in each pair must be identical (the same 
size, speed, etc.). The first pair is installed in slots 1 and 2. Install the next pair in slots 3 and 4. 
Subsequent pairs go in slots 5 and 6, and then slots 7 and 8. 
The server come s
with at least 2 DIMMs A
dd the ne xt pair
in these two slot s(Back
)
12 3456 78
(F ront )A
dd the ne xt pair
in these two slot sA
dd the ne xt pair
in these two slot s
For Best Performance
For the best performance, use identical DIMMs in all slots and fill up slots 1 through 4 before you 
install DIMMs in slots 5 through 8. If you don’t have eight identical DIMMs, install identical DIMMs 
in slots 1 through 4 and a second set of four identical DIMMs in slots 5 through 8. If you can, after 
you fill slots 1 through 4, add a full set of four DIMMs in slots 5 through 8 instead of just a pair in 
slots 5 and 6.
Tools
No tools are required for this procedure.
Preliminary Steps
Before you begin, open the Xserve and place the bottom housing on a sturdy, flat surface. 
						

							Xserve (Late 2006) Take Apart — FB-DIMM Memory 25
Part Location
DIMM slots (8)
Procedure
Push down the ejectors on the DIMM slot.
1.  
Holding the DIMM by both top corners, lift it straight up out of the Xserve.
2.  
Co nnec tors
Notc h
Ejec tors
Warning: When removing or installing the DIMM, handle it only by the edges. Do not touch 
its connectors. Lift the DIMM straight up from the connector to remove it, and insert it straight 
down into the connector to install it. Do not rock the DIMM from side to side.
Replacement Note: The DIMM is designed to fit into the slot only one way. Be sure to align the 
notch in the DIMM with the small rib inside the slot. 
						

							Xserve (Late 2006) Take Apart — PCI-X and PCI-E Riser Cards 26
PCI-X and PCI-E Riser Cards
This Xserve model uses two types of PCI riser cards to accommodate expansion card installation:A PCI-E riser card, which can go in either slot, and accepts only PCI-E cards 
• 
A PCI-X riser can go in slot 1, and accepts only PCI-X cards 
• 
Co nnec tor on PCI-X riser Connec tor on PCI-E riser
Tools
The only tool required for this procedure is a Phillips #1 screwdriver.
Preliminary Steps
Before you begin, open the Xserve and place the bottom housing on a sturdy, flat surface.
Important: Be sure the Xserve is turned off and unplugged before you install or remove an 
expansion card or riser.
Part Location
Expansion slot 1
(PCI-E or PCI-X) Expansion slot 2
(PCI-E) 
						

							Xserve (Late 2006) Take Apart — PCI-X and PCI-E Riser Cards 27
Procedure
Loosen the two captive screws that secure the riser bracket to the back panel. 
1.  
Captive screw s
Carefully pull up on the bracket and riser, to disconnect the riser from the logic board. If you 
2.  
are removing a blank riser card so that you can install a graphics card in the riser, do the 
following: Remove the screw on the riser bracket and remove the port access cover.
• 
 
 
Seat the PCI card in the riser slot and replace the screw to secure the card in the riser.  
• 
Screw
PCI card
PCI riser
 
If you are removing a riser card so that you can replace it with a new riser card, remove any 
3. 
expansion card installed in the original riser card and transfer the card to the replacement 
riser. 
						

							Xserve (Late 2006) Take Apart — PCI-X and PCI-E Expansion Cards 28
PCI-X and PCI-E Expansion 
Cards
This Xserve model has two expansion slots:Slot 1, which accepts full-length (9 inch) PCI-E or PCI-X cards
• 
Slot 2, which accepts half-length (6.6 inch) PCI-E cards 
• 
The server accepts expansion cards that meet these specifications: 
Slot 1:
Accepts 64-bit PCI-X 133 MHz cards (using a PCI-X riser) 
• 
Also accepts 32-bit or 64-bit 33, 66, or 100 MHz PCI or PCI-X cards with 3.3 volt universal 
• 
signaling 
Also accepts PCI-E x8 cards (using a PCI-E riser) 
• 
9 inch maximum length 
• 
25 Watt maximum power consumption 
• 
Slot 2:
Accepts PCI-Express x8 cards (using a PCI-E riser)
• 
6.6 inch maximum length 
• 
25 Watt maximum power consumption
• 
To install a card, you first insert it into a matching riser, and then install the riser into the slot. The 
type of card you can install depends on the riser you use:
A PCI-E riser can go in either slot, and accepts only PCI-E cards 
• 
A PCI-X riser can go in slot 1, and accepts only PCI-X cards 
• 
Tools
The only tool required for this procedure is a Phillips #1 screwdriver.
Preliminary Steps
Before you begin, open the Xserve and place the bottom housing on a sturdy, flat surface.
Important: Be sure the Xserve is turned off and unplugged before you install or remove an 
expansion card or riser. 
						

							Xserve (Late 2006) Take Apart — PCI-X and PCI-E Expansion Cards 29
Part Location
Expansion slot 1(PCI-E or PCI-X) Expansion slot 2
(PCI-E)
Procedure
Loosen the two captive screws that secure the riser bracket to the back panel.
1.  
Carefully pull up on the bracket and riser, with the expansion card still attached, to 
2.  
disconnect the riser from the logic board.  
Captive screws
Tilt the expansion card up so that its port clears the enclosure, and remove the card from the 
3. 
Xserve. 
						

							Xserve (Late 2006) Take Apart — PCI-X and PCI-E Expansion Cards 30
Remove the screw that secures the expansion card to the riser, and separate the card and 
4.  
riser by gently pulling them apart.
Screw
PCI card
PCI riser
WARNING: When removing or installing an expansion card, handle it only by the edges. Do not 
touch its connectors or any of the components on the card. Lift the card straight out from the 
connector to remove it, and insert it straight into the connector to install it. Do not rock the card 
from side to side and don’t force the card into the slot. Once the replacement card is installed, 
pull on it gently to check that it is properly connected.
Replacement Procedure
Seat the expansion card in the riser slot and replace the screw to secure the card in the riser.  
1.  
Screw
PCI card
PCI riser