PCI slot info. reqd 1

[NavinB]

Is there any criteria or specific slot position(PCI slots) to which we have to connect the expansion cards(N/W card,Graphics card,SCSI card etc)on a SUN server(Enterprise Series)?If there is,then can we connect two cards of same type and specification on different slots?

Navin

 

[drathbone]

Hi,

You can certainly place two cards of the same type into different slots.

The only system which has any sort of 'good practice' with regard to where you place PCI cards is the E450 (which is quite likely what you have). You can place the cards anywhere but there are different speed PCI slots in there, as well as load balancing. All 10 PCI slots are handled by 3 chips (PSYCHO chips if you're interested). So if you're only putting 2 or 3 cards into the system, it's good practice to balance them across the different PCI controllers (PSYCHO's).

If this is the case, email me and I'll send you the slot/controller information.


Hope this help,

Darren Rathbone

 

[NavinB]

Hi,
Thanx a lot for providing the info.Actually I have to connect 2 Copper Gigabit ethernet cards on E220,E420,E450 and E4500.So it would be nice of u if u could provide me the slot info for connecting them.

 

[drathbone]

Hi,

The slot numbering for balancing across the controller chips is only applicable for the E450. The 220R/420R use only single Psycho chips, whereas the E4500 has an independant controller on the dual-PCI expansion board.

If you send me a mail (so I get your email address) I'll get the info sent over to you.

Regards,

Darren

 

[drathbone]

Hi,

Here is the information regarding PCI slot numbering on E450 :

10 - Psycho A1 - 32-Bit 33MHz 5V
9 - Psycho B1 - 32-Bit 33Mhz 5V
8 - Psycho B2 - 32-Bit 33Mhz 5V
7 - Psycho B3 - 32/64-Bit 33/66Mhz 5V
6 - Psycho B1 - 32/64-Bit 33/66Mhz 3.3V
5 - Psycho A1 - 32/64-Bit 33/66Mhz 3.3V
4 - Psycho C1 - 32/64-Bit 33/66Mhz 3.3V
3 - Psycho C1 - 32/64-Bit 33Mhz 5V
2 - Psycho C2 - 32/64-Bit 33Mhz 5V
1 - Psycho C3 - 32/64-Bit 33Mhz 5V

Well, that should give you any information you need. Please note that some of the slots are shared, for example 10 and 5 are both indicated as using Psycho A1, this is Psycho A, with both slots addressing the same. You can use both slots at the same time (as with B1 and C1) but there will be a greater performance hit.

Hope this has been of some use.

Darren

 

[NavinB]

Hi,
So u want to say that I have to connect the two cards of same type on slots 5 and 10 or is it the other way round?

 

[drathbone]

Hi,
Ideally you DON'T want to use 5 and 10 together. As I say, they will work, but any sharing the same controller address (i.e A1 & A1 or B1 & B1) should be used last. By all means use slot 5, but then don't use slot 10 until other slots are filled.

Hope this helps,
Darren Rathbone