SUMMARY: Alpha 2100 CPU Upgrade

From: <simon.millard_at_gemini.barclays.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 14:26:11 +0000

Thanks to the following who replied. My original question is at the
bottom:

First of All, Doctor Tom Blinn, tpb_at_zk3.dec.com

>>There should be UNIX specific information with the CPU. I forgot to
mention that the system is owned by a third party and have not had
sight >>of it yet. He would be amazed if the hardware group had any
documentation specific to DU 3.2

Next, Mandell.Degerness_at_gems2.gov.bc.ca replied

>>I don't know about reference material, but you had better make sure
you have the latest patches installed. I know that 4.0D without
patches >>could not handle multiple CPU's and AdvFS. It even bit me
when I went to install some equipment because the generic kernel did
not include >>the patches and I had forgotten about the problem.
Fortunately, I was able to disable the AdvFS file systems for the
duration of the hardware >>install and configure process.

I did mention that the system was running DU 3.2!

>>Todd Acheson, acheson_at_ohiou.edu, mentioned that each CPU requires
licensing. I asked my client and the answer was - I think so!
>>Probably means they haven't.

speno_at_isc.upenn.edu provided the following information and urls to
check:
>>
>>If you are going from a 4/xxx module to a 5/xxx module it involves
much more. You should check the archives of this mailing list for
>>details.
>>
>><URL:http://www.bucks.edu/alpha-osf-managers/>
>><URL:http://www.ornl.gov/its/archives/mailing-lists/>
>>
>>And there are docs available on digital's web site regarding cpu
upgrades for the 2100's.
>>
>><URL:http://www.digital.com/info/alphaserver/tech_docs/alphasrv2100/>
>>
>>Also, check the firmware docs for the 4/xxx to 5/xxx upgrades.

Malcolm Dunnet, DUNNETT_at_mala.bc.ca answered:

>>The short answer is "plug them in and they work" ( we're running 3.2g
in a dual CPU Alphaserver 2100 4/200 ). Depending on your
>>memory configuration you can go up to 4 CPUs.
>>
>>Some operations (such as AdvFS metadata update) are single threaded
on DU 3.2 so you won't get the full benefit of multiple CPUs until
>>you upgrade to DU 4.
>>
>>Is there some specific concern you had?

The specific concern I had was that I had never done this before and
was looking for pointers for information regarding the installation
procedure.

Finally, Norm Thomas, normt_at_ix.netcom.com, gave the following:

>>What are you looking for in documentation?? There is a guide on what
CPU goes where right inside the panel. I don't believe there is a
>>kernel reconfig necessary but I can't think of anything else besides
a generic kernel rebuild. It should install very easy for you.

As mentioned previously, I haven't seen the damm thing yet. But Norm's
answer seems to summarize to solution.

In a nutshell, I plan to get DEC/Compaq to fit the CPU. Boot from
genvmunix into single user mode and run sizer to determine my running
kernel configuration. Use the information in the system specific
kernel then re-build it.


------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------

Original Question

Hi Alpha Managers

Does anyone know any good reference material regarding adding
additional CPU's to a Alpha 2100 running DU 3.2

I know 3.2 is old, but there is a planned upgrade taking place early
next year.

Any clues would be appreciated.



Simon Millard


Simon.Millard_at_barclays.co.uk

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CAS - GES/Open Systems Support External: (01202) 601155 ext 2417
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Received on Wed Nov 18 1998 - 14:28:03 NZDT

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