[rescue] Re: Sun E4K CPU Upgrade

[Mike Spooner]

Hi Richard,

Probably, but goodness only knows what versions were available even then,
never mind now!

Another tip: each CPU/memory board has it's own firmware (in flashrom),
and there is a specific OBP command to copy firmware from one CPU/memory
board to the others - needed if you pick up new boards of unknown
history. Just make sure you don't accidentally downrev the one with the
most recent firmware!! IIRC (it's been a looong time since I played with
my E6000), a copy of CPU/memory-board firmware is also stored on the
clock-board too, and can be copied from there also. But be careful with
"which-one-holds-which-version"...

-- Mike Spooner

--------- Original Message ---------
From: Richard
To: rescue at sunhelp.org
Date: Wed Jun 27 10:54:37 GMT+01:00 2018
Subject: Re: [rescue] Sun E4K CPU Upgrade
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
> > _______________________________________________
> > rescue list - http://www.sunhelp.org/mailman/listinfo/rescue
> _______________________________________________
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