Adding Ram To Server 1

[muralidharanengiri]

Hi

My x232 IBM server is having 512mb Ram(4X128).
I am dba in my company. I have requested my
management to upgrade that to 1gb. They also
said ok. But the system is having only 4 slots.

Am I need to buy 2 X 512mb Rams..?

We also wish to add one more Processor to that
1.1ghz.

Is both required..?
The database size is 16 gb.
Harddisk is 36 gbhotswap.

Please advice in detail.

Thanks
Giri

 

[techieGeek]

HI Giri,

Regarding the memory upgrade...

you can buy 2x256 MB RAM's or 4x256MB, If you go for the first option you should remember that you must install the blocks in slot 1 and 4 for them to work. YOu can then leave the 2x128 in slot 3+4 to add extra ram.

Regards

Martin

 

[dhauser]

If you are planning to add a processor you should know that IBM systems require a VRM to power the second processor. This needs to be purchased from IBM. It should come with the Processor if you buy it from IBM.

Dan

 

[muralidharanengiri]

ANy problem if i change the entire 128
with 2 X 512 MB ram.

Thanks for the previous feedbacks.
Giri

 

[ibmtech65]

No there is no problem using 2x512. They must be installed in dimms 1 and 4 and be PC133 ECC SDRAM RDIMM.

 

[muralidharanengiri]

Any suggestions about the additional processor?

My question is
1.Is it worth to add one more processor?

2.any precautious actions to taken before adding..
other than backup.
3.any overheads on maintainence.

Now we are having 1.1ghz pentium processor
bought from IBM.

Thanks
Giri

 

[ibmtech65]

Adding another CPU does not hurt because it will will help distributing the processing load between the processors.
Only precautions is to make sure that they have the same cache
size and type, and the same clock speed.
You also want to make sure your BIOS and ISMP are up to date.

http://www.pc.ibm.com/support

IBM/Intel Remote Technical Support Specialist
IBM Global Services
Atlanta Ga.

 

[ibmtech65]

Forgot to add that you will also need a VRM as well.

Ray Liles
IBM/Intel Remote Technical Support Specialist
IBM Global Services
Atlanta Ga.

 

[frl]

Hi,

I have the same question. We have IBM xSeries 232 (8668-41X). It has 2 x 128 Mb + 2 x 256 MB for 768MB total. I would like to upgrde to 1GB. So I will purchase 2 x 256 MB and replace the two 128 modules with 256 modules. So I will have 4 x 256 MB modules.
My question is: they charge a lot at our IBM dealer for ram and installation and I would like to do it myself. What should I be careful about? Do I just replace the 128 MB modules with the 256 ones or do I have to set anything else?
Thank you in advance!

 

[ibmtech65]

Just add the new ram and accept the changes.

 

[eositis]

hmm...

before you spend too much money, do some performance tests to identify problem areas. does the cpu get hammered and is frequently running at or near 100%. then you could add a second cpu to help the processing of parralel jobs. In my case, we found that the problem is throughput. cpu load maxing at 20%, but disks running like crazy. When you see a performance block, take a look at what function/query is running. how big are the tables/indexes? you can significantly improve performance by ensuring that you have enough ram allocated to the db and its buffer cache to hold the tables/indexes in full. If this will not fully solve your problem then you need to increase disk performance. If you have a raid controller, then doubling the number of disks will increase your read speed by about 50%. If my guess is correct, you probably have 3 18gb disks in a raid 5 config. SLOO

http://WWWWWW.

Go for 10 disks in a raid 5(e) config.