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. There are file servers, database servers, and application servers.

Availabilit
y
Reliabili Scalabilit
ty y
Features

Manageabili
Usability ty

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Server Application Scenarios

Application
Web DNS

Email Proxy

...
Databas Server use
e 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

Mainframe and
Microcomputer Cloud
midrange x86 servers
s computing
computers

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A Leap from Computing 1.0 to Computing 3.0

Computing 1.0 Computing Computing 3.0

2.0

Dedicated General- Intelligent

computing purpose computing
Mainframe/midrange
computing
Data center, x86 Full-stack,
computer architecture all-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
Mainfram Tower Blade Rack
compute
e server server server
r

Hardware
form

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Server Classification - Service Scale

Server Category

Entry-level Work group Department-level Enterprise-level

server server server server

Service scale Low-end server that

Similar to a PC Mid-range server High-end server that
provides small-
server that serves about is accessed by
scale services
100 clients hundreds of clients
(about 50 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
5 CPU heat sink
7
6 Power supply unit
8 (PSU)
3
4 7 Fan
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.

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

Register
Arithmeti
Input c logic Output
device unit device
(ALU)
Controlle
r

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CPU Frequency

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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 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
7,200 15,000/10,000 7,200 N/A
speed (RPM)
Serial/
Serial Serial Serial Serial
Parallel
Capacity
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
(TB)
MTBF (h) 1,200,000 1,600,000 1,200,000 2,000,000
SAS drives are designed to
An NL-SAS drive is an A solid-state drive (SSD) is a hard drive
Developed from ATA meet high-performance
enterprise-level SATA drive housing a solid-state electronic storage
drives, SATA 3.0 enterprise requirements and
with a SAS interface. It is chip array. An SSD consists of a control
supports data transfer are compatible with SATA
used to implement tiered unit and a storage unit (flash or DRAM
up to 600 MB/s. drives. The transfer rate
storage in a drive array, chip).
Remarks ranges from 3.0 Gbit/s to 6.0
simplifying drive array
The annual failure rate Gbit/s, and can increase to
design. An SSD is the same as a common hard
of SATA drives is about 12.0 Gbit/s.
drive in terms of interface specifications
2%.
The annual failure rate of and definition, function, usage, and
The annual failure rate of SAS
NL-SAS drives is about 2%. product shape and size.
drives 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 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 Implementation - Hardware

Server Server Drive array

CPU CPU

SCSI bus
PCI bus PCI bus
RAID SCSI
controller bus RAID
card SCSI card controlle
r
SCSI bus

Hardware RAID mode 2:

Hardware RAID mode 1:
external independent drive
built-in plug-in card
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 - Mode Comparison

Mode Software RAID Built-in RAID External RAID

External RAID, connecting to a server

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

 Provides ultra-large-capacity
 Data protection and high speed storage systems for high-end
 Better fault tolerance and servers.
 Low implementation
performance than software RAID  Configures dual controllers to
Advantages cost  More cost-effective than external improve data throughput or provide
 Flexible configurations
RAID shared storage for the two-node
 Support for bootable arrays cluster.
 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 Application
Data layer

Data encapsulation and decapsulation TCP Transport
header Data
layer

Link management IP TCP
Data Network layer
header header

Encoding and decoding MAC IP TCP
Data Data link layer
header header header
Physical layer

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Huawei Server NICs

LOM card

It is embedded directly into the PCH chip on the server
LOM card
motherboard 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

FlexIO card card

Huawei-developed, non-standard PCIe card, which can
only be used with Huawei rack servers.

Mezzanine card Mezzanine

Mezzanine cards are only used on the compute nodes of card
Huawei E9000 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
Fan
PSU
module

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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.

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.

Clien
Serve t
r
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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.

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

Applications

Operating environment
BIOS functions:
Operating system kernel  Hardware detection
and initialization
Hardware
 OS boot
BIOS driver  Advanced power
management

Hardware

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 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.