[rescue] Sun E4K CPU Upgrade

[Richard]

Hi Mike

Thanks for this and the other replies. Off to audit my machine.....and then start to work out the lowest common denominator and work from there...FWIW I am running Solaris 8

Another question I have is the PCI I/O board (didn't come with my machine but I picked one up) does anyone know if there is a minimum firmware etc that is required?

Cheers

Richard

On Wed, 27 Jun 2018, at 7:22 PM, Mike Spooner wrote:
> Hi Richard,
> 
> There are four critical parts: (1) the backplane, (2) the clock board, and
> (3) the CPU/memory boards, and (4) the I/O boards.
> 
> The *very* early 8-slot backplanes were officially rated for
> backplane-clock-frequency range 71.5-93 MHz.
> The later 8-slot backplanes were officially rated for up to 100MHz.
> 
> Some Ex00 clock-boards provide CPU-multiplier ratios of 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1.
> Some (later) Ex00 clock-boards provide additional an CPU-multiplier ratio
> of 5:1.
> 
> Early CPU/memory boards have a maximum bus-clock frequency of 84MHz, later
> ones 100MHz.
> 
> Some I/O board models/versions may not be suitable for a 100MHz backplane
> frequency.
> I would also check the model number of any disk-boards you have, just in
> case.
> 
> You *will* need to catalog the whole set of boards you have, to see what
> you can do, and whether the CPUs will
> run at 400MHz or be down-clocked. Any such down-clocking could be caused by
> an I/O board, CPU/memory-board,
> or (perhaps) disk-board that won't run at 100MHz, in the presence of a
> clock-board that does not support 5:1 ratio.
> 
> On Solaris 2.6/7/8/9 (not sure about S10), the prtdiag command can be used
> to get a list of boards present, with their FRU part numbers and versions.
> 
> Regards,
> -- Mike
> 
> On 27 June 2018 at 00:56, Richard <ejb at trick-1.net> wrote:
> 
> > Hi Folks
> >
> > Looking for experience/guidance on CPU upgrade for my E4K.
> >
> > My E4K currently has
> > - 3xCPU boards with a total of 6x 336Mhz CPU's on board.
> > - I have 2x new CPU boards coming and they have 400Mhz CPU already on
> > board.
> > - I also have an additional 4x 400Mhz CPU's on the shelf.
> >
> > I am therefore thinking/ looking to purchase 2 more 400Mhz CPU's so I can
> > upgrade all CPU's to the 400Mhz versions.
> >
> > when I look at the parts list for the E4K http://shrubbery.net/~heas/
> > sun-feh-2_1/Systems/4u-Server/E4000.html
> >
> > I see there are a number of options
> >
> > 400MHz UltraSPARC II Module
> >  501-4995
> >  501-5425
> >  501-5585
> >  501-5235
> >  501-5661
> >  501-5762
> >
> > when I go to eBay I have found some different numbers for the CPU Module
> > i.e. 501-6009 or 501-5838 .
> >
> > I further note that the compatibility statements exist for each CPU such
> > as this for 501-5235
> >
> > Clock 501-2975 is not supported.
> > The E6000 and E6500 require Clock 501-5365 for a 5:1 clock ratio.
> > The E3x00, E4x00, and E5x00 require Clock 501-5365 for a 5:1 clock ratio
> > if 84MHz system boards are installed.
> > Clock 501-4286 or 501-4946 is supported in the E3x00, E4x00, and E5x00 if
> > the centerplane and all system boards are 100MHz.
> > Clock 501-5365 is supported if 84MHz or 100MHz system boards are installed
> > in the E3x00, E4x00, and E5x00.
> >
> > Is it just a mater of inventorying my machine and working out which
> > modules are compatible with what is in there already or is there an easier
> > way?
> >
> > Appreciate thoughts/insights.
> >
> > Regards
> >
> > Richard
> > _______________________________________________
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