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Introduction: Dell PowerEdge 4400 Systems User's Guide
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Introduction: Dell™ PowerEdge™
4400 Systems User's Guide
The Dell PowerEdge 4400, which has an Intel® Pentium® III Xeon™ microprocessor,
is a feature-rich, enterprise class server that offers the highest performance,
availability, scalability, manageability, and investment protection features. The
PowerEdge 4400 includes a hot-pluggable 64-bit/66-megahertz (MHz) Peripheral Component
Interconnect (PCI) bus, an integrated Ultra 160/m small computer system interface
(SCSI), and an optional integrated redundant arrays of independent disks (RAID) with
battery back-up cache. The PowerEdge 4400 provides a robust, reliable, rack-optimized
platform on which large corporate customers can deploy their mission-critical
applications.
This section describes the major hardware and software features of the computer,
provides information about the indicators and controls on the computer's front panel, and
discusses connecting external devices to the computer.
PowerEdge 4400 systems offer the following major features:
- One or two Pentium III Xeon microprocessors.
The Processor Core option on Page 1 of
the System Setup program lists your system's processor speed. For more information,
see "Using the System Setup Program."
The Pentium III Xeon microprocessor includes MMX™ technology
designed to handle complex multimedia and communications software. This microprocessor
incorporates new instructions and data types as well as a technique called single
instruction, multiple data (SIMD) that allows the microprocessor to process multiple data
elements in parallel, thereby improving overall system performance.
A secondary level 2 (L2) cache of static random-access memory (SRAM) is included within
the single-edge contact (SEC) cartridge that contains the microprocessor. Math
coprocessor functions are provided by the microprocessor. A separate and external math
coprocessor chip is not used or required.
The size of the L2 cache is dependent on the processor
installed in the system. The first screen of the system setup program lists the system's
cache size. For more information, see "Using the System Setup
Program."
- Front side bus (FSB) with an external bus speed of 133 MHz.
- Support for symmetric multiprocessing is available by installing a second Pentium III
Xeon microprocessor. Symmetric multiprocessing greatly improves overall system performance
by dividing microprocessor operations between the two independent microprocessors. To take
advantage of this feature, you must use an operating system that supports multiprocessing,
such as Microsoft® Windows NT® Server 4.0 or Novell® NetWare® 4.2 (and later
versions).
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NOTE: If you decide to upgrade your
system by installing a second microprocessor, you must order a microprocessor upgrade kit
from Dell. Not all versions of the Pentium III Xeon microprocessor work properly as a
second microprocessor. The upgrade kit contains the correct version of the
microprocessor for use as a second microprocessor as well as instructions for performing
the upgrade. |
- A minimum of 128 megabytes (MB) of system memory, upgradable to a maximum of 4 gigabytes
(GB) by installing combinations of 64-, 128-, 256-, or 512 MB registered synchronous
dynamic RAM (SDRAM) dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs) in the eight DIMM sockets on the
system board. These DIMMs must be installed in equal pairs.
- A basic input/output system (BIOS) that resides in flash memory on the PCI bus that can
be upgraded if required.
- Eight 1-inch or six 1.6-inch, hot-pluggable, SCSI hard-disk drives.
- Two additional 1-inch drives can be installed in the optional
removable media bay via a 1 x 2 SCSI backplane board. If this backplane is configured as a
split backplane using two SCSI cable connections, these two drives are hot-pluggable.
- A power-supply distribution board to accommodate up to three independent power supplies.
Two power supplies are standard; a third can be added to make the system redundant.
- Redundant, hot-pluggable fans that run independently.
- A single, 1.44-MB 3.5-inch diskette drive.
- A 17/40x SCSI CD-ROM drive.
The system board includes the following integrated features:
- Seven PCI slots located on the system board. PCI slots 1 through 4 are hot-pluggable.
PCI slots 1 and 2 are 64-bit, 66-MHz PCI slots; PCI slots 3 and 4 are 64-bit, 33-MHz PCI
slots; PCI slots 5 and 6 are 64-bit, 33-MHz slots. Slot 7 provides a 32-bit, 33-MHz
PCI slot for use with the optional Dell OpenManage™ Remote Assistant Card (DRAC) or
other PCI accessories.
An integrated Intel PRO/100+ network interface controller (NIC), which provides an
Ethernet interface and failover and load balancing with single and dual ports.
An integrated Adaptec AIC-7899 dual-channel Ultra 160/m SCSI host
adapter that supports up to ten SCSI hard-disk drives (eight 1-inch hard disk drives via a
SCSI backplane board and two 1-inch hard-disk drives via an external SCSI hard-disk drive
media bay). The SCSI backplane automatically configures SCSI ID numbers and SCSI
termination on individual hard-disk drives, greatly simplifying drive installation.
An optional integrated PowerEdge Expandable RAID Controller (PERC) 3/Di that
supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, and 10. The Ultra 160/m SCSI host adapter can become RAID
capable with the addition of the PERC 3/Di.
An integrated Adaptec AIC-7880 Ultra/Wide SCSI secondary host adapter (implemented as
Ultra/Narrow) that supports up to three externally accessible SCSI devices in the external
hard-disk drive bays (for example, CD-ROM drive, tape drive unit).
An integrated video graphics array (VGA)-compatible video subsystem with an ATI RAGE IIC
video controller. This video subsystem contains 4 MB of synchronous dynamic RAM
(SDRAM) video memory (nonupgradable). Maximum resolutions are 1600 x 1200 x 65K
colors (noninterlaced). The maximum true-color resolution is 1152 x 864; 16.7 million
colors are available for true-color graphics.
An integrated National Semiconductor PC97317 super input/output (I/O) controller that
controls the bidirectional parallel port, two serial ports, keyboard, mouse, and the
diskette drive in the externally accessible front bay.
The parallel port can be set to operate in the following modes via the Parallel
Mode option in the System Setup program: output-only (AT-compatible),
bidirectional (Personal System/2 [PS/2]-compatible.
Integrated server management circuitry that monitors operation of the system fans as
well as critical system voltages and temperatures. The integrated server management
circuitry works in conjunction with the optional HP OpenView Network Node Manager Special
Edition (NNM SE) and the Dell OpenManage Hardware Instrumentation Package (HIP) software
package.
System board support for the Dell OpenManage Remote Assistant when the optional DRAC 2
is installed, which provides additional local and remote server management.
A PS/2-style keyboard port, dual Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, and a PS/2-compatible
mouse port.
Standard PowerEdge 4400 systems include a 3.5-inch diskette drive and a SCSI CD-ROM
drive installed in the externally accessible bays and a SCSI hard-disk drive installed in
slot 0.
The following software is included in your PowerEdge system:
The Resource Configuration Utility, which allows you to
configure installed expansion cards through software rather than on the hardware.
Enhanced security features available through either the System Setup program or the
Resource Configuration Utility, including a user password and a supervisor password.
Diagnostics for evaluating your computer's components and devices. For information on
using the system diagnostics, see "Using the Dell OpenManage
Server Assistant CD" or see "Running the Dell Diagnostics" in your
Installation and Troubleshooting Guide.
Dell supports the following network operating systems for use on PowerEdge 4400
systems:
- Windows NT Server 4.0, Service Pack 4 or later
- NetWare 4.2 and 5.0
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NOTE: Installation service and support for other
operating systems are available through Dell Plus. For more information, see "Getting
Help" in your Installation and Troubleshooting Guide. |
The following controls and indicators are behind the external drive door on the
computer's front panel (see Figure 1).
Figure 1. Front-Panel Features
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1 |
Power indicator |
2 |
Power button |
3 |
Hard-disk drive
keylock |
4 |
Drive access
indicators |
5 |
Fan/thermal
status indicator |
6 |
Power supply
status indicator |
7 |
CD-ROM drive |
8 |
Diskette drive |
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- The power button on the front panel controls the AC power input to the system's power
supply.
- The green power indicator in the center of the power button lights up when the power
supply is turned on and the system is receiving DC power.
The following indicators are on the system's front panel.
- The green fan/temperature status indicator blinks amber when a fan
failure is detected or temperature is out of bounds.
- The green power supply status indicator blinks amber if a fault is
detected with any of the power supplies or any system voltages.
The three indicator lights on each of the SCSI hard-disk drive
carriers provide the following information:
- The green hard-disk drive online indicator lights up when the hard-disk drive is
receiving power.
- The green hard-disk drive activity indicator lights up when data is being transferred to
or from the hard-disk drive.
- The amber hard-disk drive failure indicator blinks if a hard-disk drive failure is
detected.
Figure 2. Hard-Disk Drive Indicators
 |
| 1 |
Hard-disk drive online
indicator |
| 2 |
Hard-disk drive activity
indicator |
| 3 |
Hard-disk drive failure
indicator |
|
You can connect various external devices, such as a mouse and printer, to the I/O ports
and connectors on the computer’s back panel (see Figure 3).
Figure 3. Back-Panel Features
 |
1
|
Mouse connector |
2
|
Keyboard connector |
3 |
Power supplies (2 standard, 3
optional. Top supply is supply #1) |
4
|
Hot-plug PCI indicators (4)
(pushbutton switches are internally accessible) |
5
|
Expansion slots (7) |
6
|
Video connector |
7
|
Serial port 2 |
8
|
Parallel port connector |
9
|
Serial port 1 |
10
|
NIC connector |
11
|
USB connectors (2) |
12
|
Optional external SCSI
connectors (2) |
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The system BIOS detects the presence of external devices when you boot or reboot your
system. When you connect external devices to your computer, follow these guidelines:
- Check the documentation that accompanied the device for specific installation and
configuration instructions.
For example, most devices must be connected to a particular I/O port or connector to
operate properly. Also, external devices such as a mouse or printer usually require that
you load software files called device drivers into memory before they will work. These
software drivers help the computer recognize an external device and direct its operation.
Device drivers of this type are normally included with your operating system software.
- Always attach external devices while your computer is turned off. Then turn on any
external devices before turning on the computer unless the documentation for the device
specifies otherwise. (If the computer does not seem to recognize the device, try turning
on the computer before turning on the device.)
For information about enabling, disabling, or configuring I/O ports and connectors, see
"Using the System Setup Program" or "Using the Resource Configuration Utility." For detailed
descriptions and illustrations of each port and connector on the I/O panel, see "I/O Ports and Connectors."
A keylock behind the door on the front bezel prevents unauthorized access to the
hot-pluggable hard-disk drives. A second lock on the back of the unit prevents the top
cover from being removed.
PowerEdge 4400 systems also include a system intrusion switch that signals appropriate
server management software if the top cover is opened.
If at any time you do not understand a procedure described in this guide, or if your
system does not perform as expected, Dell provides a number of tools to help you. For more
information on these help tools, see "Getting Help" in your Installation and
Troubleshooting Guide.
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