Installing a flash DIMM

Use this information to install a flash DIMM.

About this task

This component can be installed as an optional device or as a CRU. The installation procedure is the same for the optional device and the CRU.

The following illustration shows the system-board components, including the DIMM connectors.

The following notes describe information that you must consider when you install flash DIMMs:

• Install only 200 GB flash DIMMs or only 400 GB flash DIMMs, mixing of capacities is not supported.
• Install only one flash DIMM per channel with one or two RDIMMs on the same channel.
• You can install 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, or 16 flash DIMMs.
• In two-node and four-node complexes, you can install 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, or 32 flash DIMMs.
• You can install flash DIMMs in only the two nodes in the lowest bay IDs in a four-node complex.
• Flash DIMMs are not supported if lockstep mode, mirrored-channel mode, or rank sparing is enabled.
• Flash DIMMs operate at the same DIMM frequency as the speed of the RDIMMs installed in the compute node.

If RDIMMs are installed, see Table 1 for one-node configurations or Table 2 for multi-node configurations.

Table 1. Flash DIMM population sequence in a one-node configuration with a maximum of 16 RDIMMs

DIMM order	DIMM connector	DIMM type
1	DIMM 28	RDIMM
2	DIMM 45	RDIMM
3	DIMM 10	RDIMM
4	DIMM 15	RDIMM
5	DIMM 4	RDIMM
6	DIMM 21	RDIMM
7	DIMM 33	RDIMM
8	DIMM 40	RDIMM
9	DIMM 25	RDIMM
10	DIMM 48	RDIMM
11	DIMM 7	RDIMM
12	DIMM 18	RDIMM
13	DIMM 1	RDIMM
14	DIMM 24	RDIMM
15	DIMM 36	RDIMM
16	DIMM 37	RDIMM
17	DIMM 29	Flash DIMM
2	DIMM 44	Flash DIMM
3	DIMM 11	Flash DIMM
4	DIMM 14	Flash DIMM
5	DIMM 5	Flash DIMM
6	DIMM 20	Flash DIMM
7	DIMM 26	Flash DIMM
8	DIMM 47	Flash DIMM
9	DIMM 8	Flash DIMM
10	DIMM 17	Flash DIMM
11	DIMM 2	Flash DIMM
12	DIMM 23	Flash DIMM
13	DIMM 30	Flash DIMM
14	DIMM 43	Flash DIMM
15	DIMM 27	Flash DIMM
16	DIMM 46	Flash DIMM

Table 2. Flash DIMM population sequence in a multi-node configuration with a maximum of 32 RDIMMs

DIMM order	DIMM connector	DIMM type
1	DIMM 28	RDIMM
2	DIMM 45	RDIMM
3	DIMM 10	RDIMM
4	DIMM 15	RDIMM
5	DIMM 4	RDIMM
6	DIMM 21	RDIMM
7	DIMM 33	RDIMM
8	DIMM 40	RDIMM
9	DIMM 25	RDIMM
10	DIMM 48	RDIMM
11	DIMM 7	RDIMM
12	DIMM 18	RDIMM
13	DIMM 1	RDIMM
14	DIMM 24	RDIMM
15	DIMM 36	RDIMM
16	DIMM 37	RDIMM
17	DIMM 29	Flash DIMM
18	DIMM 44	Flash DIMM
19	DIMM 11	RDIMM
20	DIMM 14	RDIMM
21	DIMM 5	RDIMM
22	DIMM 20	RDIMM
23	DIMM 32	RDIMM
24	DIMM 41	RDIMM
25	DIMM 26	Flash DIMM
26	DIMM 47	Flash DIMM
27	DIMM 8	RDIMM
28	DIMM 17	RDIMM
29	DIMM 2	RDIMM
30	DIMM 23	RDIMM
31	DIMM 35	RDIMM
32	DIMM 38	RDIMM
33	DIMM 30	Flash DIMM
34	DIMM 43	Flash DIMM
35	DIMM 12	Flash DIMM
36	DIMM 13	Flash DIMM
37	DIMM 6	Flash DIMM
38	DIMM 19	Flash DIMM
39	DIMM 31	RDIMM
40	DIMM 42	RDIMM
41	DIMM 27	Flash DIMM
42	DIMM 46	Flash DIMM
43	DIMM 9	Flash DIMM
44	DIMM 16	Flash DIMM
45	DIMM 3	Flash DIMM
46	DIMM 22	Flash DIMM
47	DIMM 34	RDIMM
48	DIMM 39	RDIMM

To install a flash DIMM, complete the following steps:

1. Remove the cover (see Removing the compute node cover).
2. Read the documentation that comes with the flash DIMM.
3. Remove the air baffle installed over the DIMM connector.
4. Locate the DIMM connectors (see System-board connectors). Determine in which DIMM connector you want to install the flash DIMM.
5. Touch the static-protective package that contains the flash DIMM to any unpainted metal surface on the Flex System chassis or any unpainted metal surface on any other grounded rack component in the rack in which you are installing the flash DIMM for at least 2 seconds; then, remove the flash DIMM from the package.
   
6. Make sure that both retaining clips on the DIMM connector are in the open position.
7. Turn the flash DIMM so that the flash DIMM keys align correctly with the DIMM connector on the system board.
   Attention: To avoid breaking the retaining clips or damaging the DIMM connector, handle the clips gently.
8. Press the flash DIMM into the DIMM connector. The retaining clips lock the flash DIMM into the connector.
9. Make sure that the small tabs on the retaining clips engage the notches on the flash DIMM. If there is a gap between the flash DIMM and the retaining clips, the flash DIMM has not been correctly installed. Press the flash DIMM firmly into the connector, and then press the retaining clips toward the flash DIMM until the tabs are fully seated. When the flash DIMM is correctly installed, the retaining clips are parallel to the sides of the flash DIMM.
10. Install the air baffle over the DIMM connector.
    Attention:

    • Install the air baffles with the arrow indicating air flow direction pointing to the rear of the compute node.
    • To maintain proper system cooling, do not operate the compute node without air baffles installed over the DIMM connectors.