ADLINK NuPRO-900A Dual Xeon ePCI-X Motherboard Deployment Guide

ADLINK NuPRO-900A Dual Xeon ePCI-X System Motherboard Hardware Deployment and Configuration Guide

In high-end telecommunications equipment, data center servers, and complex industrial control systems, high bandwidth and high reliability computing platforms are the foundation for supporting critical businesses. The NuPRO-900A launched by ADLINK is a full-size system motherboard that complies with the PICMG 1.2 (ePCI-X) standard and supports dual Intel channels ®  Xeon ™  The processor, combined with the E7501 chipset, provides up to 8GB of DDR ECC memory and 64 bit/133MHz PCI-X expansion capability. This board is designed specifically for application scenarios that require ultimate computing performance and high availability, making it an ideal choice for the next generation PCI-X platform. This article will provide a detailed technical reference for system integration engineers from the aspects of hardware architecture, interface definition, installation steps, BIOS configuration, driver deployment, and watchdog function.

Overview of Product Positioning and Technical Specifications

The NuPRO-900A follows the PICMG 1.2 Rev 1.0 (Embedded PCI-X) specification, with a board size of 338.6mm × 122mm (full-size), supports Xeon processors in dual FC-MPGA2-604 packages, FSB supports 400/533MHz, with a maximum clock frequency of 3.06GHz, and is equipped with 512KB L2 cache. The chipset is manufactured by Intel ®  Composed of E7501 MCH (Memory Control Hub), 82801CA ICH3-S (I/O Control Hub), and 82870P2 P64H2 (PCI/PCI-X Bridge), it provides powerful data throughput capabilities.

Core specifications:

Memory: 4 184 pin DIMM slots, supporting 144 bit width, 200/266MHz registered ECC DDR, with a maximum capacity of 8GB (must be installed in pairs and of the same type and density);

Network: Dual Intel ®  82546EB Gigabit Ethernet Controller (64 bit/133MHz PCI-X), supporting 10/100/1000Base-T adaptation;

Display: Onboard ATI Rage XL (8MB SDRAM), connected through a 32-bit/33MHz Mini PCI interface, supporting up to 1600 × 1200@16 Positional color;

Storage: Dual channel Ultra ATA -100 IDE controller (primary/secondary), supporting two IDE devices;

I/O interfaces: two RS-232 serial ports (COM1/COM2), one parallel port (IEEE-1284), two USB 1.1 ports, PS/2 keyboard/mouse, floppy drive interface;

Expansion: Mini PCI socket (supports mPCI-8750 VGA daughter card);

Management: Winbond W83627HF Super I/O provides hardware monitoring (temperature, voltage, fan speed) and watchdog timer (1-255 seconds/minute programmable).

Detailed explanation of board layout and interface definition

1. Distribution of onboard connectors (refer to manual diagram)

The main connectors on the board include:

CPU: CPU0/CPU1 (dual Xeon sockets with locking rod);

Memory: DM1/DM2/DM3/DM4 (four DIMM slots, to be used in pairs);

IDE: CN1 (Primary), CN2 (Secondary), 40 pin standard interface;

FDD: CN8 (34 pin floppy drive interface);

Serial ports: CN11 (COM1), CN14 (COM2), both with 2x5 pin rows (requiring adapter bracket);

Parallel port: CN12 (26 pin pin, requires adapter bracket);

USB: CN7 (dual port 2x5 pin);

Network: CN4 (LAN1), CN5 (LAN2), RJ-45 with LED;

VGA: CN3 (DB-15 panel straight out);

Keyboard/Mouse: CN6 (PS/2 circular DIN, can be connected to both keyboard and mouse simultaneously through Y wire);

Front panel: CN13 (2x10 pin arrangement, including power LED, HDD LED, reset/power button, speakers, keyboard lock, etc.) WDT LED）；

Fans: CN16 (CPU0 fan), CN18 (CPU1 fan), 3-pin with speed measurement;

ATX power supply: CN17 (standard ATX power interface);

Chassis open detection: CN15 (Case Open signal);

Mini PCI: CN10 (124 pin socket for VGA or other Mini PCI devices).

2. Key points of key signal pins

Serial port (COM1/COM2): Standard DTE configuration, 9-pin RS-232 signal (DCD, RXD, TXD, DTR, GND, DSR, RTS, CTS, RI), default COM1=3F8h/IRQ4, COM2=2F8h/IRQ3.

Parallel port: Supports SPP/EPP/ECP mode, default LPT1=378h/IRQ7.

USB: Two ports, each port can provide 5V@0.5A Equipped with overcurrent protection.

Front panel pin arrangement: includes power button (PWRBT), reset button (RESETBT), power LED (PLED), HDD LED, speaker (SPKR), keyboard lock (KEYLOCK), WDT LED, and ATX power control signals (PWRON, 5VSB, PME #).

Gigabit Ethernet: RJ-45 integrated speed and link indicator light - green light on indicates 1000Mbps, green light off indicates 100Mbps; The flashing yellow light indicates activity, while the constant light indicates a link.

Detailed explanation of hardware installation steps

1. CPU installation (single or dual)

The board supports single or dual Xeon processors. When using a single channel, only CPU0 can be plugged in without the need for an additional terminal.

Installation steps: Lift the socket locking rod, align the Pin 1 triangle mark of the CPU with the socket triangle mark, gently insert it into the socket, and press down the locking rod until it "clicks" into place.

Apply thermal conductive silicone grease, install the heat sink (high-efficiency fan/heat sink must be used), and connect the fan 3-pin wire to CN16 (CPU0) or CN18 (CPU1).

Key reminder: When configuring with dual channels, the two CPUs must be of the same model, frequency, and cache, otherwise the system cannot operate normally.