Apple Xserve User Manual

							 
© 2003 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved. 
ð
 
  
Service Source
Xserve
 
Xserve, Xserve (Slot Load), and Xserve (Cluster Node)
Updated: 7 May 2003 
						

							 
© 2003 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved. 
ð
 
  
Service Source
       Take Apart
 
                  Xserve 
						

							 
Xserve Take Apart -   
1  
 General Information 
General Information
 
Overview
 
Xserve is a server designed to mount into a rack; Apple recommends that you remove the 
Xserve from the rack before replacing or installing all parts except hard drives. You can 
replace hard drives while the server is operating and still in the rack.
There are three versions of the Xserve server. To identify the versions, check the front 
panel. The original Xserve includes a tray-load optical drive on the far right side; Xserve 
(Slot Load) includes a slot-load optical drive. Xserve (Cluster Node) has no optical drive 
and just one hard drive.  
Note:  
 For the most part, the procedures in this chapter apply to all versions of the server. 
When different procedures are required, the version is speciÞed in the topic heading. 
						

							 
2 -  
Xserve Take Apart
 General Information 
Mounting in a Rack
 
For information on mounting Xserve in a rack, see the Xserve UserÕs Guide. 
Tools
 
Many take-apart procedures do not require tools. You may, however, Þnd a medium-sized 
ßatblade and Phillips screwdriver useful, as indicated at the beginning of some 
procedures. If the server is locked, you will also need the serverÕs Allen wrench key. 
Server IdentiÞer Light/Button
 
The identiÞer light on the serverÕs front panel turns on when internal sensors or a systems 
administrator detects a problem with the server. (The light can also be turned on by 
pressing the identiÞer button.) This indicator will help you locate which server in a rack 
needs servicing. In addition, you can use the identiÞer button on the Xserve (Slot Load) 
and Xserve (Cluster Node) to initiate several Þrmware commands to the system. See 
ÒEntering Firmware Boot Commands From the Front PanelÓ in the Troubleshooting 
chapter.  
Note:  
 A duplicate identiÞer light/button is on the serverÕs back panel. 
Before Opening the Server
 
Serial Number
 
Be sure to write down the serverÕs serial number before opening it. If the serverÕs software 
must be set up after service is complete, the serial number will be required for login.  
Unlocking the Server
 
If the server is in the locked position (the yellow security LED on the front panel is on), use 
the Allen key that came with the server to unlock it. 
Important: 
 When the lock on the serverÕs front panel is locked, the software ignores the 
optical drive, keyboard and mouse, and other peripherals connected to the USB and 
FireWire ports on the server. 
Shutting Down
 
You must shut down the server before replacing or installing all parts except the hard 
drives. Before shutting down, be sure to alert users that the server will be unavailable for a 
period of time. 
Warning: 
 After shutting down the server, you must wait a few minutes before servicing it 
to allow internal components to cool. 
						

							 
Xserve Take Apart -   
3  
 General Information 
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Precautions
 
Follow these steps to avoid damage from ESD before working inside the server. 
1. Shut down the server.
2. If the cable management arm is not in use, unplug all external cables except the 
power cord.
3. Touch the serverÕs metal case to discharge static electricity.
4. Unplug the power cord.
5. Slide the server open, remove it from the rack, and place it on a ßat surface, preferably 
covered by an ESD mat.
6. Put on an ESD wrist strap.
7. To avoid static electricity building back up in your body, do not walk around the room 
until after you have Þnished working and closed the server. 
Top Cover
 
The top cover is attached to the rack where the server is mounted. If you are replacing the 
top cover, you must remove it both from the server and from the rack. For detailed 
information on how the top cover is mounted in the rack, see the UserÕs Guide. 
						

							 
4 -  
Xserve Take Apart
 Hard Drive 
Hard Drive
 
The original Xserve and Xserve (Slot Load) include four hard drive bays at the front of the 
server; Xserve (Cluster Node) includes just one drive bay.  Drives come as modules 
attached to carriers; they are removed from or installed in the server as a unit. 
Note: 
 Blank drive carriers, which may Þll some of the hard drive bays, follow the same 
take-apart procedure as hard drives. If you are replacing a blank carrier with a drive 
module, instruct the serverÕs administrator to keep the blank for possible future use. Blank 
carriers must be installed in all empty bays to maintain proper airßow through the server. 
Tools
 
No tools are required for this procedure. 
Preliminary Steps
 
Before you begin, make sure the drives are in the unlocked position. No other preliminary 
steps are required. You can replace or install hard drives while the server is running; you 
do not need to shut down or open the server Þrst. 
Note: 
 There are two LED indicators on the front of each drive. 
¥ The upper LED shows drive status: a green light indicates the drive is good; a yellow 
or red light indicates the drive should be replaced.
¥ The lower LED shows drive activity: when the light is blinking, the system is reading 
from or writing to the drive. To avoid losing data, never remove a drive when the lower 
LED is blinking. 
WARNING: 
 Drives must be in the unlocked position before you attempt to remove a drive. 
If the drives are locked, pulling on the drive to remove it could damage the drive handle. 
Part Location 
						

							 
Xserve Take Apart -   
5  
 Hard Drive 
Procedure
 
1. Make sure the drive being replaced is not in use by any application and is not being 
shared by the server. (See the Mac OS X Server documentation for information about 
shared drives.)
2. Unmount the drive (by using the command-line tools or by dragging the disk icon to 
the Trash).
3. Press the handle on the front of the drive module so that the handle pops out.
4. Wait for the upper LED on the drive to go out. Then grasp the drive handle, and pull 
the drive module out of the server. 
						

							 
6 -  
Xserve Take Apart
 Opening the Server 
Opening the Server
 
The server slides open from the front of the rack. The serverÕs top cover remains in place 
in the rack; the bottom housing (containing all internal components) should be placed on a 
sturdy, ßat surface. 
Tools
 
No tools are required for this procedure. You may, however, Þnd a Phillips screwdriver 
useful in releasing the thumb screws in step 1 below. 
Preliminary Steps
 
Before you begin this procedure, write down the serverÕs serial number located on the 
back panel. If it is necessary to set up the serverÕs software after service is complete, the 
serial number will be required for login. 
						

							 
Xserve Take Apart -   
7  
 Opening the Server 
Procedure
 
1. Release the two thumb screws at the front of the server. 
Note: 
 The thumbscrews are captive and do not separate from the bottom housing.
2. Grasp the thumbscrews and slide the bottom housing forward part way to expose the 
two chassis levers.
3. While depressing both levers, pull the bottom housing all the way forward and remove 
it from the rack. Place the bottom housing on a sturdy, ßat surface and ESD mat. 
						

							 
8 -  
Xserve Take Apart
 DIMMs 
DIMMs
 
Xserve has four memory slots. For the original Xserve, DIMMs must be PC2100 double-
data-rate (DDR) SDRAM (also known as DDR-266 DIMMs). For the Xserve (Slot Load) 
and Xserve (Cluster Node), DIMMs must be PC2700 DDR SDRAM (also known as DDR-
333 DIMMs). The DIMMs from older Macintosh computers are not compatible with Xserve. 
Tools
 
No tools are required for this procedure. 
Preliminary Steps
 
Before you begin, open the server and place the bottom housing on a sturdy, ßat surface. 
Part Location