Server Basics

Foreword

⚫ Servers are the foundation of all service platforms, including cloud computing
platforms. But what is a server? What are the key technologies for servers? Let's find
the answers in this course, and start our learning journey into cloud computing.

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 Objectives

⚫ Upon completion of this course, you will be familiar with servers':

 Role and features
 Types
 Hardware components
 Key technologies

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 Contents

1. Introduction to Servers
◼ What Is a Server?
 Server Development History
 Server Types
 Server Hardware

2. Key Server Technologies

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Server Definition and Features
⚫ Definition
 A server is a type of computer. It runs faster, carries more loads, and costs more than ordinary computers.
 A server provides services to users (centralized computing, information release, and data management services).
 There are file servers, database servers, and application servers.
 Can share drives, printers and modems with network users

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Server Definition and Features
 R: Reliability – the duration that the server
operates consecutively
 A: Availability – percentage of normal system Availability
uptime and use time
Reliability Scalability
 S: Scalability – including hardware expansion and Features
operating system (OS) support capabilities
 U: Usability – easy to maintain and restore server Manageability
Usability
hardware and software
 M: Manageability – monitoring and alarm
reporting of server running status, and intelligent
automatic fault processing
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Server Application Scenarios
1. Client/Server
• Client – front-end GUI and Application
interaction operations of users Web DNS
• Server – background service
logic and request data
Email Proxy
2. Browser/Server
• User – install a browser
• Server – application logic
...
Database Server use cases

File

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 Contents

1. Introduction to Servers
 What Is a Server?
◼ Server Development History
 Server Types
 Server Hardware

2. Key Server Technologies

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Server Development History
1940 - 1970 1970 - 1980 1978 - 2007 2008 - now
Mainframe and
midrange Microcomputers x86 servers Cloud computing
computers

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A Leap from Computing 1.0 to Computing 3.0

Computing 1.0 Computing 2.0 Computing 3.0

Dedicated General-purpose Intelligent

computing computing computing
Mainframe/midrange Data center, x86 Full-stack, all-
computer architecture scenario

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 Contents

1. Introduction to Servers
 What Is a Server?
 Server Development History
◼ Server Types
 Server Hardware

2. Key Server Technologies

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Server Classification - Hardware Form

Server Category

Midrange
Mainframe Tower server Blade server Rack server
computer

Hardware form

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Server Classification - Service Scale

Server Category

Department-level
Entry-level server Work group server Enterprise-level server
server

Low-end server that

Service scale Similar to a PC High-end server that is
provides small-scale Mid-range server that
server accessed by hundreds of
services (about 50 serves about 100 clients
clients
clients)

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 Contents

1. Introduction to Servers
 What Is a Server?
 Server Development History
 Server Types
◼ Server Hardware

2. Key Server Technologies

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 Contents

Server Hardware
◼ Hardware Structure
 CPU
 Memory
 Drive
 RAID Controller Card
 NIC
 PSU and Fan Module

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Hardware Structure
⚫ Huawei TaiShan 200 server

1 Chassis
2 Motherboard
9
3 Memory
6 5
4 CPU
7 5 CPU heat sink
6 Power supply unit (PSU)
8
3 7 Fan
4 2 8 Drive
9 Air duct
1

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 Contents

Server Hardware
▫ Hardware Structure
◼ CPU

▫ Memory

▫ Drive

▫ RAID Controller Card

▫ NIC

▫ PSU and Fan Module

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CPU Definition and Components
⚫ Definition
 The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the computing and control core of a computer.
 The CPU, internal storage, and input/output devices are key components of a computer.
 The CPU interprets computer instructions and processes computer software data.
 Primary indicator for measuring server performance.

⚫ Components
 The CPU consists of a logic operation unit, a control unit, and a storage unit.

Register

Input Arithmetic Output

device logic unit device
(ALU)

Controller
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CPU Frequency – measure CPU performance
⚫ Dominant frequency
 The dominant frequency is also called clock speed. It indicates, in MHz or GHz, the frequency at which a CPU
computes and processes data.
⚫ External frequency
 The external frequency is the reference frequency of a CPU, measured in MHz. The CPU external frequency
determines the speed of the motherboard.
⚫ Bus frequency
 The bus frequency directly affects the speed of data exchange between a CPU and a dual in-line memory module
(DIMM).
⚫ Multiplication factor
 The multiplication factor is the ratio of the dominant frequency to the external frequency.

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 Contents

Server Hardware
 Hardware Structure
 CPU
◼ Memory
 Drive
 RAID Controller Card
 NIC
 PSU and Fan Module

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Memory
⚫ Definition
 Storage is classified, by purpose, into main memory and external
storage. Main memory, referred to as internal storage, is the
storage space that the CPU can address.

 Memory is used to temporarily store CPU operation data and the

data exchanged with external storage devices such as hard drives.

 Memory, one of important computer components, communicates

with the CPU.

 Memory consists of the memory chip, circuit card, and edge

connector.

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Memory
⚫ DIMM slots and configuration principles:
 DIMMs on the same server must be of the same model.
 At least one DIMM must be configured in slots
supported by CPU 1.
 Optimal memory performance can be achieved if the
processors in a server are configured with the same
number of DIMMs and the DIMMs are evenly distributed
among the memory channels. Unbalanced configuration
impacts memory performance and is not recommended.

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 Contents

Server Hardware
 Hardware Structure
 CPU
 Memory
◼ Drive
 RAID Controller Card
 NIC
 PSU and Fan Module

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Drive
⚫ The drive is the most important storage device of a computer.
⚫ The drive interface, connecting a drive to a host, is used to transmit data between the drive cache and the host memory. The drive
interface type determines the connection speed between the drive and the computer, how quickly programs run, and overall
system performance.

SATA SAS NL-SAS SSD

Rotational speed
7,200 15,000/10,000 7,200 N/A
(RPM)
Serial/Parallel Serial Serial Serial Serial

Capacity (TB) 1 TB/2 TB/3 TB 0.6 TB/0.9 TB 2 TB/3 TB/4 TB 0.6 TB/0.8 TB/1.2 TB/1.6 TB
MTBF (h) 1,200,000 1,600,000 1,200,000 2,000,000

Developed from ATA drives, SAS drives are designed to meet

An NL-SAS drive is an enterprise- A solid-state drive (SSD) is a hard drive housing a
SATA 3.0 supports data high-performance enterprise
level SATA drive with a SAS solid-state electronic storage chip array. An SSD
transfer up to 600 MB/s. requirements and are compatible
interface. It is used to implement consists of a control unit and a storage unit (flash
with SATA drives. The transfer rate
tiered storage in a drive array, or DRAM chip).
Remarks The annual failure rate of SATA ranges from 3.0 Gbit/s to 6.0 Gbit/s, simplifying drive array design.
drives is about 2%. and can increase to 12.0 Gbit/s.
An SSD is the same as a common hard drive in
The annual failure rate of NL-SAS terms of interface specifications and definition,
The annual failure rate of SAS drives
drives is about 2%. function, usage, and product shape and size.
is less than 2%.

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 Contents

Server Hardware
 Hardware Structure
 CPU
 Memory
 Drive
◼ RAID Controller Card
 NIC
 PSU and Fan Module

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RAID Controller Card
⚫ Also called the disk RAID card.
⚫ Functions of the RAID controller card:
 Combines multiple drives into a system managed by the array controller according to requirements.
 Improves drive subsystem performance and reliability.

LSI SAS3108
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RAID
⚫ Definition
 Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) is a data storage virtualization technology that combines multiple physical disk
drive components into one or more logical units for the purposes of data redundancy, performance improvement, or both.

--Wikipedia

Logical drive

Physical Physical Physical Physical

drive drive drive drive

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RAID Hot Spare and Reconstruction
⚫ Hot spare definition
 If a drive in a RAID array fails, a hot spare is used to automatically replace the failed drive to maintain the RAID array's
redundancy and data continuity.
⚫ Hot spare types
 Global: The spare drive is shared by all RAID arrays in the system.
 Dedicated: The spare drive is used only by a specific RAID array.

⚫ Data Parity
A0 Reconstruction XOR
 Redundant data is used to detect and rectify
data errors Failure

 Through Hamming check or XOR operations.

A0 A1 A2 P
Replace-
ment
Data drive Data drive Data drive Parity drive

Hot spare
drive
Reconstruction
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RAID Implementation - Hardware

Server Server Drive array

CPU CPU

SCSI bus
PCI bus PCI bus
SCSI
RAID controller
card
bus
RAID
SCSI card controller
SCSI bus

Hardware RAID mode 1: built-in Hardware RAID mode 2: external

plug-in card independent drive array

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RAID Implementation - Software

⚫ Definition

 Software RAID implements RAID functions by installing software on the operating system.

⚫ Characteristics

 Software RAID does not require expensive RAID controller cards, reducing the cost.

 RAID functions are performed by CPUs, requiring significant CPU resources, such as for large numbers of RAID 5

XOR operations.

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RAID Implementation - Software

⚫ Software RAID does not provide the following functions:

 Hot swap of drives

 Drive hot spare

 Remote array management

 Support for bootable arrays

 Array configuration on drives

 S.M.A.R.T. for disks (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology)

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RAID Implementation - Mode Comparison

Mode Software RAID Built-in RAID External RAID

External RAID, connecting to a server through a

All RAID functions are Built-in RAID improves performance by
standard controller, is independent of the
Characteristics implemented by CPUs, resulting reducing host CPU usage caused by intensive
operating system. All RAID functions are
in high CPU usage and reduced RAID operations.
implemented by the microprocessor on the
system performance.
external RAID storage subsystem.

 Provides ultra-large-capacity storage

 Data protection and high speed
systems for high-end servers.
 Better fault tolerance and performance
 Low implementation cost  Configures dual controllers to improve data
Advantages than software RAID
 Flexible configurations throughput or provide shared storage for
 More cost-effective than external RAID
the two-node cluster.
 Support for bootable arrays  Supports hot swapping.
 Delivers better scalability.

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 Contents

Server Hardware
 Hardware Structure
 CPU
 Memory
 Drive
 RAID Controller Card
◼ NIC
 PSU and Fan Module

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NIC Definition and Functions
⚫ Definition
 A network interface card (NIC or network adapter) is an indispensable part of a computer
network system. An NIC enables a computer to access networks.

⚫ Functions
 Fixed network address
 Data sending and receiving
 Data encapsulation and decapsulation Data Application layer

 Link management TCP header Data Transport layer

 Encoding and decoding IP header TCP header Data Network layer

MAC header IP header TCP header Data Data link layer

Physical layer

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Huawei Server NICs
⚫ LOM card
 It is embedded directly into the PCH chip on the server motherboard
LOM card
and cannot be replaced.
 It provides two external GE electrical ports + two 10 Gbit/s
optical/electrical ports. LOM cards do not occupy PCIe slots.
⚫ PCIe card PCIe card
 Huawei has both self-developed and purchased PCIe cards. They can be
installed in standard PCIe slots.
⚫ FlexIO card
FlexIO card
 Huawei-developed, non-standard PCIe card, which can only be used
with Huawei rack servers.
⚫ Mezzanine card
 Mezzanine cards are only used on the compute nodes of Huawei E9000
Mezzanine card
blade servers.

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 Contents

Server Hardware
 Hardware Structure
 CPU
 Memory
 Drive
 RAID Controller Card
 NIC
◼ PSU and Fan Module

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PSU and Fan Module
⚫ Supplies power to servers.
⚫ Supports redundancy to prevent power supply failures.
 Fault warning and prevention
 Pre-fault preventive maintenance
 Non-disruptive server services

⚫ The power supply subsystem includes:

 Intelligent PSU
 Fan module
PSU Fan module

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PSU and Fan Module

⚫ Power supply redundancy modes:

 1+1: In this mode, each module provides 50% of the output power. When one module is removed, the other
provides 100% of the output power.
 2+1: In this mode, three modes are required. Each module provides 1/3 of the output power. When one module
is removed, each of the other two modules provides 50% of the output power.

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 Contents

1. Server Introduction

2. Key Server Technologies

◼ BMC
 BIOS

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What Is IPMI?
⚫ Definition
 The Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) is a set of open and standard hardware management interface
specifications that defines specific methods for communication between embedded management subsystems.
 Users can use the IPMI to monitor the physical health status of servers, such as the temperature, voltage, fan status, and power
status.
 IPMI information is exchanged using the baseboard management controller (BMC). Entry-level intelligent hardware, not the OS,
handles management.

The IPMI is embedded into the

BMC on the server motherboard. Supports the IPMI
management tool.

Client
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BMC
⚫ Definition
 The BMC complies with the IPMI specification. It collects, processes, and stores sensor signals, and monitors component
operating status. It supplies the chassis management module with managed objects' hardware status and alarm information.
The management module uses this information to manage the devices.
⚫ The BMC provides the following functions:
 Remote control
 Alarm management
 Status check
 Device information management
 Heat dissipation control
 Support for IPMItool
 Web-based management
 Centralized account management

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iBMC
⚫ The Huawei Intelligent Baseboard Management Controller (iBMC) is a Huawei proprietary embedded server
management system designed for the whole server lifecycle.

Status monitoring
 Items that can be monitored:
CPU, memory, hard drive, SSD,
PCIe, RAID, fan, PSU,
temperature, and voltage

Diagnosis assistance Fault diagnosis

 Power-on/off recording  CPU CATERR events
 Serial port voice recording iBMC  PSU faults
 Last screenshot  Overtemperature
 Last video  Fan subhealth
 Storage medium faults

 Black box - Kbox

 Parsing tool - HWKbox

Run records

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 Contents

1. Introduction to Servers

2. Key Server Technologies

 BMC
◼ BIOS

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BIOS
⚫ Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)
⚫ The BIOS is a system's foundation: a group of programs providing the most direct control of system
hardware.

BIOS functions:
Applications  Hardware detection and initialization
Operating environment  OS boot
 Advanced power management
Operating system kernel  Software upgrade and loading
 Basic Operation, Administration and
Maintenance (OAM) functions
BIOS Hardware driver  Serial port management
 Fault recovery
 Error Checking and Correcting (ECC)
Hardware management
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 Hardware diagnosis
 Quiz
1. Which of the following statements are true about the NICs of Huawei servers?
A. The LOM card is embedded into the PCH chip on the server motherboard and cannot be replaced.
B. Huawei-developed PCIe cards can be installed in standard PCIe slots.
C. A FlexIO card is integrated with the server panel for front-end service connection.
D. Mezzanine cards can be used with Huawei rack servers.
2. The BMC complies with the IPMI specification. It collects, processes, and stores sensor signals, and
monitors component operating status.
A. True
B. False

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 Summary

⚫ In this course, we have learned the basic concepts, development history, hardware
components, and key technologies of servers. In the following course, we will learn
about storage technologies. Stay tuned.

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 Recommendations

⚫ Huawei iLearning
 https://e.huawei.com/en/talent/portal/#/

⚫ Huawei Support Case Library

 https://support.huawei.com/enterprise/en/knowledge?lang=en

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Acronyms and Abbreviations
⚫ BIOS: Basic Input/Output System
⚫ BMC: Baseboard Management Controller
⚫ B/S: browser/server architecture
⚫ C/S: client/server architecture
⚫ CPU: Central Processing Unit
⚫ iBMC: Huawei Intelligent Baseboard Management Controller
⚫ IPMI: Intelligent Platform Management Interface
⚫ MTBF: Mean Time Between Failures
⚫ NIC: Network Interface Card
⚫ RAID: Redundant Array of Independent Disks

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Thank you. 把数字世界带入每个人、每个家庭、
每个组织，构建万物互联的智能世界。
Bring digital to every person, home, and
organization for a fully connected,
intelligent world.

Copyright©2022 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.

All Rights Reserved.

The information in this document may contain predictive

statements including, without limitation, statements regarding
the future financial and operating results, future product
portfolio, new technology, etc. There are a number of factors that
could cause actual results and developments to differ materially
from those expressed or implied in the predictive statements.
Therefore, such information is provided for reference purpose
only and constitutes neither an offer nor an acceptance. Huawei
may change the information at any time without notice.