SINGLE PROCESSOR BLADES

Do Cubix servers use industry-standard components and interfaces?

Yes. Cubix uses Intel® processors, PCI chipsets and the Intel Ethernet adapter. Cubix uses standard PC-100 or PC133 ECC SDRAM DIMMs for memory. Cubix also uses the S3 video chipset and the Symbios SCSI chipset.  All of these are industry-standard components and interfaces.  Since it's a standard Intel platform, the Density System is compatible with popular operating systems and applications.

Do Cubix blade servers communicate with one another inside the Density enclosure?

No. Cubix server blades communicate with one another and with other nodes on the network via an integrated Ethernet connection. Cubix blades provide two Ethernet connectors that auto-detect full duplex 10Mbps or 100 Mbps. The only communication that takes place inside Density is for management and KVM switching.

Why does Cubix use ECC SDRAM?

ECC SDRAM provides a higher level of data integrity than non-ECC memory modules. Since Cubix computers are used as servers, data integrity is essential.

Are the dual 10/100 Ethernet controllers auto-detecting?

Yes. The Intel Ethernet chipset provides dual Ethernet controllers that automatically detect a 10Mbps or 100Mbps transfer rate. Cubix integrates dual Ethernet controllers on its blades so that the PCI slot is free for other adapters, such as a RAID controller.

STORAGE OPTIONS

Does each blade server have its own hard drive?

Yes. Each Cubix server blade is a single-board computer with its own hard drive. Cubix servers do not share hard drives within a Density enclosure. Cubix servers share access to the floppy disk drive and the CD-ROM drive, because servers access these devices only occasionally. Sharing peripherals lowers system costs and reduces space requirements.

How do drives connect to a Cubix server within the Density chassis?

Drives are mounted on a metal carrier called a drive tray. Each drive is linked to a connector on the tray which mates with an individual blade. You just slide the drive tray along nylon guides at the front of the Density system and plug the tray connector into the server blade.

Can I configure external storage systems with the Density system?

Yes. A RAID controller can reside in each Cubix server's PCI expansion slot. A SCSI cable plugs into the external connector on the RAID controller and runs to the drive array in the external storage system.

KVM SWITCH

How do I get keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) access to an individual Cubix server?

Cubix has integrated a KVM switch within each Density chassis. You simply push a button on the Density front panel which switches the KVM and floppy drive to that individual server blade.

Why does Cubix integrate a KVM switch into every Density System?

KVM switches eliminate monitors, keyboards, and mice, and the heat, space and cost associated with them. Cubix’s internal KVM switch reduces cost even further because there is no need to buy additional third-party KVM switches, which also take up additional rack space. Cubix’s internal KVM is an efficient design, using internal circuitry to route KVM signals rather than three bulky cables per PC as would be needed with a third-party KVM switch product. A KVM cable runs from the back of the Density system to a small KVM connector box where you plug in the monitor, keyboard and mouse. 

How many systems can be connected to one monitor, keyboard and mouse?

Up to 8 Density chassis can be daisy chained into one monitor, keyboard, and mouse. A single cable runs from the "video out" connector on the back of the Density system to a "video in" connector on the next Density system. This can be repeated up to the eighth chassis without significant signal attenuation.

Can Cubix internal KVM switch be used in conjunction with a third-party KVM switch?

Yes. In fact only one connector is required on the third-party switch to support multiple Density chassis. You can see the details of this configuration by clicking here.

FRONT PANEL CONTROLS

How do I access a floppy disk drive?

The up/down button on the front panel of the Density system that switches the KVM signal from blade to blade also assigns the floppy drive to the blade that you are viewing.

How do I access a CD-ROM drive?

The Density front panel features a recessed button for assigning the CD-ROM drive to an individual Cubix server. You select the CD-ROM separately from the KVM selection. The reason it was designed on a separate assignment path was to allow you to assign the CD-ROM to a server, for a time-consuming software copy for example, while still allowing you to move the KVM from blade to blade.

How do I assign a CD-ROM drive to a specific Cubix server blade within Density?

Once you have selected a server blade by pushing the button on the Density front panel, you push a recessed button to assign the CD-ROM drive to that particular blade.

Can I shut off an individual server blade without affecting other servers in the Density chassis?

Yes. Cubix designed Density to allow each blade to be powered off or on without affecting other blades within the Density chassis.

How do I shut off or turn on a particular Cubix server blade?

Once you have selected a server blade by pushing the Density front panel button, you push a recessed button to turn on or turn off that specific blade.

How do I reset a particular Cubix blade?

Once you have selected a blade by pushing the Density front panel button, you push a recessed button to reset that specific blade.

POWER

Does Cubix Density provide redundant power?

Yes. Each Density provides 3 power supplies. Any two are required to run the system.

Are Density power supplies hot swappable?

Yes. You can remove and replace a Density power supply while the servers are running.

Does Density have redundant power cords?

Yes. Each Density provides 3 power cords. Any two will provide continuous power. This also means you only need 3 outlets to power 8 servers.

How much power does each Density system require?

The typical power requirement for a Density fully loaded with computers, drives and adapter cards is about 450 Watts AC power. The system maximum is 600W. Compare this to stand-alone computers, which typically consume 150W to 250W apiece.

How should I size my UPS for a Density system?

Just as you would for any computer: add up the total Watts for all computers, adapters and drives within each system, add up the total Watts for all the systems, multiply the total Watts by 2.2 to account for power factors and power supply efficiencies to arrive at the total Volt-Amperes (VA) for all systems. All UPS vendors size their products using VA or KiloVA (KVA).

COOLING

Does Density provide adequate cooling?

Yes. Cubix uses three system fans and a fan within each of the three power supplies for a total of six fans. This provides more than adequate cooling for a Density system, even though it is fully loaded with computers, drives and adapters.

MANAGEMENT

Are there cost advantages to Cubix's management architecture?

Yes.  Many server manufacturers require a dedicated management subsystem for each server, which drives up their cost.  In contrast, a single, authorized Cubix GlobalVision™ supervisor subsystem can manage up to 31 Density chassis for a total of up to 248 server blades.  Click here to link to a GlobalVision datasheet that explains the features and capabilities of GlobalVision.

Why do I need GlobalVision if I have the Density front panel controls?

GlobalVision allows you to remotely perform most of the functions found on the front panel.  In fact, a graphic display of the front panel is remotely controllable by the network administrator.  Through the GlobalVision Remote Console, you can manage the Cubix server blades and Density chassis across the LAN or WAN.

Will GlobalVision work if the network is down?

Yes. Cubix provides an alternative to a site's local network called the Cubix Data Highway. This Data Highway is running as long as the Cubix Density chassis have power. You can manage in two ways: (1) the local GlobalVision console can see and manage every Density chassis and server blade across the Data Highway, even if the network is down or excessively busy; and (2) an authorized remote GlobalVision console can use dial-up networking to dial into a modem connected to the local GlobalVision console and manage the Cubix Density chassis and blades as well.

How many copies of GlobalVision do I need to purchase?

You need one local copy per site where your Cubix equipment is located. A single GlobalVision local console can manage 31 Density chassis. You can install as many copies of the GlobalVision Console as you wish, anywhere you wish, as long as they are running on Windows 2000 Pro and as long as the network administrator uses GlobalVision's IP filtering feature to authorize each remote GlobalVision console to have access.

RACK MOUNTING DENSITY

Can I rackmount Density within my existing racks?

Yes, as long as your racks can support front- and rear-mounted slide rails. Density uses the standard rackmount width of 19 inches.

Does Cubix offer rackmount cabinets?

Yes. Cubix offers cabinets that can mount three, four or six Density chassis with proper power and cooling.

Do Cubix rackmount cabinets support third-party equipment?

Yes. The equipment should adhere to the rackmount standard of 19 inches wide.

Are Cubix rackmount cabinets fault tolerant like the Density chassis?

Yes. Each cabinet provides three or four power cords. Any one of them can be disconnected or can fail, and all Density chassis in the cabinet will continue running.