Systemax Mission 6502

Rack-server development is normally quick to react to new technologies, so it didn't take long for vendors to squeeze the latest Xeon processors into ever-slimmer chassis. But this can't be said of Itanium 2 processors. Despite a July 2002 launch, it's only now we're seeing significant numbers of rack servers incorporating Intel's newest 64-bit solution.

The Mission 6502 represents Systemax's first Itanium 2, and the company claims it's the world's first viable 1U platform to support this CPU. It also delivers our first sight of Intel's new model, designed for dual-processing in both server and high-end workstations. The processor runs at 1.4GHz, comes with a smaller 1.5MB on-die Level 3 cache and is offered as a cost-effective alternative to RISC-based systems.

Aimed at data-intensive applications such as HPC (high-performance computing) and server clustering, the system comprises a Supermicro SC813-500S chassis and i2DMR-8G2 motherboard. The chassis bears more than a passing resemblance to the SC812 used by the Xeon-based servers, but has a few significant modifications. The motherboard doesn't support legacy devices, so the floppy disk drive, PS/2 mouse and keyboard ports are replaced by six USB ports. A 24x low-profile CD-ROM is still at the top of the front panel. Storage is well catered for, with a quartet of hot-swap bays all occupied by 73GB Ultra320 SCSI hard disks.

Initially, the motherboard appears similar to those of Supermicro's Xeon systems, but a closer look shows a far busier surface. Both Itanium 2 processors sport chunky passive heatsinks and have individual power pods. The processors sit close to twin blower fans, which are far noisier than those in the HP Integrity rx2600 (see p166), but we were assured that the final product will be quieter. There are eight DIMM sockets behind the processors, and as the E8870 chipset supports four-way memory, interleaving identical modules must be installed in sets of two pairs. The system was equipped with four 512MB modules of PC2100 memory and the slots are colour coded to aid installation. Up to 16GB of memory is supported, but even now 2GB modules haven't been certified by Supermicro for use in its motherboards.

Storage is handled by an integrated dual-channel Adaptec Ultra320 chipset, with one channel routed to the rear panel for external devices. RAID options were somewhat vague at the time of writing, as Adaptec is expected to support this system with a ZCR (zero-channel RAID) card but had yet to announce product.

ATi looks after the graphics and Intel supplies a single embedded network controller with two Gigabit Ethernet adaptors. The group of six BIOS chips shows that the new EFI (extensible firmware interface) is supported, and these provide a full 6MB of storage. Initially introduced in 2000, EFI defines a completely new interface between the OS and the system firmware, and does away with the standard BIOS startup screen and menu. It functions as an independent OS that's accessible during startup and has its own Command Prompt. It also provides full access to installed hard disks and CD-ROMs, allows programs to be run and can be set up to give access to multiple OSes. Being non-volatile, system configuration information may be stored by the EFI and you can, for example, load drivers into it ready for a new OS installation.

Expansion options are more limited than for Xeon rack servers. A riser card provides a single 64-bit PCI-X slot, which is likely to be occupied by Adaptec's ZCR solution when it becomes available. But server management features are extensive, as a mini-PCI slot accepts Supermicro's new baseboard controller, which delivers support for the expected IPMI (intelligent platform management interface) 2. The previous spec introduced network support with 'IPMI over LAN', along with improved hardware monitoring. IPMI 2 adds enhanced network security with authentication, VLAN support, encryption and a firmware firewall. Other new features include improved network-discovery tools and 'Serial over LAN', which provides serial redirection and support for multiple serial connections to the same port. General management will be provided by Supermicro's SuperO Doctor III utility, which delivers a browser interface offering plenty of information. RAID will be handled by Adaptec's browser-based Storage Manager, offering local and remote array administration tools.