System Overview: Dell PowerEdge 2550 Systems Service Manual

System Overview: Dell™ PowerEdge™ 2550 Systems Service Manual

	Overview		Service Features
	System Features		Technical Specifications

Overview

The system, which has single or dual Intel® Pentium® III microprocessors, is an ultra-slimline, full-featured, rack-mounted server. The system provides a robust, reliable, rack-optimized platform on which both large and small customers can deploy their mission-critical applications.

This section describes the system’s major hardware and software features, provides information about the indicators and controls on the system's front panel, and discusses connecting external devices.

System Features

The system offers the following major features:

One or two Pentium III microprocessors.

This microprocessor incorporates new instructions and data types as well as a technique called single instruction, multiple data (SIMD) that allows the microprocessor to process multiple data elements in parallel, thereby improving overall system performance.

256KB of SRAM level 2 (L2) cache is on die and runs at the microprocessor's core speed. Math coprocessor functions are provided by the microprocessor. A separate and external math coprocessor chip is not used or required.

The first screen of the System Setup program lists the microprocessor speed, front-side bus (processor bus), and the L2 cache size. For more information, see "Using the System Setup Program."
Front side bus with an external bus speed of 133 MHz.
Support for symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) is available by installing a second Pentium III microprocessor. SMP greatly improves overall system performance by dividing microprocessor operations between the two independent microprocessors. To take advantage of this feature, you must use an operating system that supports SMP, such as Microsoft® Windows NT® Server 4.0 (or later version) or Novell® NetWare® 4.2 (or later version).

NOTE: If you decide to upgrade the system by installing a second microprocessor, you must order a microprocessor upgrade kit from Dell. Not all versions of the Pentium III microprocessor work properly as a second microprocessor. The upgrade kit from Dell contains the correct version of the microprocessor for use as a second microprocessor as well as instructions for performing the upgrade. Both microprocessors must have the same part number, revision (or stepping) code, internal operating frequency, and cache size.

A minimum of 128 MB of system memory, upgradable to a maximum of 4 GB by installing matched pairs of 64-, 128-, 256-, 512-MB, or 1-GB registered synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM) dual in-line memory modules in the four sockets on the system board.
A BIOS that resides in flash memory and can be upgraded if required.
Up to five 1-inch hot-pluggable SCSI hard-disk drives.
A power supply distribution board to accommodate up to two independent power supplies. One power supply is standard; a second can be added to make the system redundant.
A single 1.44-MB 3.5-inch diskette drive.
An IDE CD-ROM drive.

The system board includes the following features:

Three full-length 64-bit, 33-MHz PCI slots, located in a removable expansion-card cage.
An integrated Intel 82559 10/100-Mbps NIC, which provides an Ethernet interface.
A Gigabit 64-bit/66-MHz PCI Ethernet controller.
An integrated Adaptec AIC-7899 Ultra3 160/m SCSI host adapter that provides two SCSI channels and supports up to five SCSI hard-disk drives (four 1-inch hard-disk drives via a SCSI backplane board and one 1-inch hard-disk drive via the peripheral bay). The SCSI backplane automatically configures SCSI ID numbers and SCSI termination on individual hard-disk drives, greatly simplifying drive installation.
An optional integrated RAID controller.
An integrated VGA-compatible video subsystem with an ATI RAGE XL video controller. This video subsystem contains 8 MB of SDRAM video memory (nonupgradable). Maximum resolution is 1600 x 1200 x 16.7 million colors (noninterlaced).
An integrated National Semiconductor PC97317 super I/O controller that controls the bidirectional parallel port, two serial ports, keyboard, mouse, and diskette drive. The parallel port can be set to operate in the following modes via the Parallel Mode option in the System Setup program: output-only (AT-compatible), bidirectional (PS/2-compatible).
Integrated server management circuitry that monitors operation of the system fans as well as critical system voltages and temperatures. The integrated server management circuitry works in conjunction with the Dell OpenManage™ Server Agent software.
System board support for the Dell OpenManage™ Remote Assistant software when the optional Dell OpenManage Remote Assistant Card II (DRAC II) is installed, which provides additional local and remote server management.
PS/2-style keyboard and mouse ports, dual USB ports, and two 9-pin serial ports.

Standard systems include a combined 3.5-inch diskette drive and an IDE CD-ROM drive installed in an externally accessible bay and a SCSI hard-disk drive installed in slot 0.

The following software is included in the system:

Video drivers for displaying many popular application programs in high-resolution modes. For more information on these drivers, see “Using the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD” in the User's Guide.
SCSI device drivers that allow the operating system to communicate with devices attached to the integrated SCSI subsystem. For more information on these drivers, see "Installing and Configuring SCSI Drivers" in the User's Guide.
The System Setup program, which can be accessed at system boot to quickly view and change the system configuration information.
Enhanced security features, including a system password and a setup password, are available through the System Setup program.
Diagnostics for evaluating the system's components and devices. For information on using the system diagnostics, see “Using the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD” in the User's Guide or “Running the Dell Diagnostics.”

Service Features

The system includes the following service features to make troubleshooting and repair easy and effective, in most cases without tools or service aids:

Dell Diagnostics, which checks for hardware problems (if the system can boot).
Embedded server management hardware, which monitors temperatures and voltages throughout the system and notifies you if the system overheats, if a system cooling fan malfunctions, or if a power supply fails.
Optional redundant, hot-pluggable power supplies.
Optional redundant, hot-pluggable RAID hard-disk drives.

The system chassis simplifies removing and replacing system components. You can replace microprocessors or memory modules without removing the system board. The Dell-designed SCSI backplane board and hard-disk drive carriers eliminate the extensive cabling and drive configuration usually required for a SCSI subsystem.

Technical Specifications

Processor
Microprocessor type	dual Intel Pentium III microprocessors with a minimum internal operating frequency of 933 MHz
Front side bus	133 MHz
Internal cache	256KB of SDRAM internal to microprocessor
Math coprocessor	internal to microprocessor

Expansion Bus
Bus types	PCI bus
Expansion slots	three full-length dedicated 64 bit 33 MHz PCI slots: PCI1 through PCI3

Memory
DIMM sockets	four 72-bit wide, 168-pin sockets
DIMM capacities	64-, 128-, 256-, 512-MB, or 1-GB registered SDRAM DIMMs; must be certified for 133-MHz operation
Minimum RAM	128 MB
Maximum RAM	4 GB (using 1-GB registered SDRAM DIMMs)
External cache	none
Drives
Diskette drive	3.5-inch, 1.44-MB diskette drive included with standard system
Tape drive	20 GB and higher (optional)
SCSI hard-disk drives	up to four slots in hard-disk drive bay support formatted capacities of 9 GB and higher
SCSI devices	an internal SCSI backplane provides a physical connection, hot-plug capability with RAID controller, termination, and automatic configuration for up to five internal SCSI hard-disk drives; an integrated Adaptec Ultra3 AIC-7899 SCSI host adapter
CD-ROM drive	24X enhanced IDE CD-ROM drive included with standard system
External Ports and Connectors
Serial	two 9-pin connectors
Parallel (bidirectional)	25-pin connector
Video	15-pin connector
PS/2-style keyboard	six-pin mini-DIN connector
PS/2-compatible mouse	six-pin mini-DIN connector
USB	two USB-compliant 4-pin connectors
Ethernet	two RJ45 connectors for connection to the integrated NIC (Intel 82559 10/100-Mbps Ethernet controller) and Gigabit Ethernet controller

Video
Video type	integrated ATI-RAGE XL PCI video controller; VGA connector
Video memory	8-MB SDRAM
Power
Hot-pluggable DC power supply:
Wattage	330 W (each supply)
Heat dissipation	1580 BTU/hr (maximum)
Input voltage	100 to 240 V at 50–60 Hz autoranging
Output voltages and maximum current	+5 VDC at 35 A +3.3 VDC at 10 A +12 VDC at 18 A –12 VDC at 0.8 A –5 VDC at 0.3 A +5 Vfp (volts flea power) at 1.2 A
Backup battery	3-V CR2032 lithium coin cell

Physical
Rack mount (2U):
Height	8.4 cm (3.3 inches)
Width	42.4 cm (16.7 inches)
Depth	66.8 cm (26.3 inches)
Weight	15.87 kg (35.0 lb) minimum configuration 24.94 kg (55.0 lb) maximum configuration

Environmental
Temperature:
Operating	10°C to 35°C (50°F to 95°F)
Storage	–40°C to 65°C (–40°F to 149°F)
Relative humidity:
Operating	8% to 80% (noncondensing) 10% per hour gradient
Storage	5% to 95% (noncondensing)
Maximum vibration:
Operating	0.25 G (half-sine wave) at a sweep of 3 to 200 Hz for 15 minutes
Storage	0.5 G at 3 to 200 Hz for 15 minutes
Maximum shock:
Operating	six consecutive shock pulses in the positive and negative x, y, and z axes (one pulse on each side of the system) at 41 G for 2 milliseconds

Storage (non-operational)	six consecutive shock pulses in the positive and negative x, y, and z axes (one pulse on each side of the system) at 71 G for 2 milliseconds
Altitude:
Operating	–16 to 3048 m (–50 to 10,000 ft)
Storage	–16 to 10,600 m (–50 to 35,000 ft)

Back to Contents Page