Amulet Hotkey DXF-EXP Quick Start Manual

DXF-EXP Quad-Expansion module
Remote Workstation solutions for Dell FX2s FC630/FC640 blade servers
Quick Start Guide
The CoreStation VFC640 and WFC640 are based on the Dell EMC PowerEdge
FC640 blade server with an Amulet Hotkey PCIe Quad-Expansion module. The
Quad-Expansion module can provide the functionality for one-to-one (1:1) host
workstations, or VDI to deliver superior scalability, reliability and performance.
This guide tells you how to install a Quad-Expansion module into a FX2s chassis.
Expansion modules can provide VDI solutions: All Quad-Expansion modules
■
use DXF-G GPU cards. Some of these DXF-G cards implement VDI solutions
by using high power GPUs such as the NVIDIA® Tesla® P6.
Expansion modules can provide 1:1 solutions: These modules use a
■
combination of DXF-G cards and DXF-H4 PCoIP host cards to provide remote
workstation solutions. Typically there are network ports on the module.

Assign four module slots to two blades

Each Quad-Expansion module contains four cards that map to one or two blades
installed in the top/bottom positions in the same side at the front of the FX2s
chassis. No action is required to select this default configuration.
Figure 1: Four blade configuration example
In Figure 1 the two cards in position A,B at the top of the Quad-Expansion
module connect with a blade in the bottom Compute position. The remaining
two (C & D) connect to the blade in the top Compute position. So Compute 1
connects through to C & D, Compute 3 to A & B on the RHS (at the rear).
Note: On the chassis and in the CMC, slots are enumerated 1 to 8 with PCIe A on
the LHS equivalent to slot 1 and PCIe D on the RHS equivalent to slot 8.

Assign four module slots to one blade

If only one blade is used on half of the chassis, the space below can be empty,
contain a storage sled, or a compute sled with no PCIe expansion requirement.
In Figure 2, all four cards in the Quad-Expansion module connect with a single
blade in the top Compute position. So Compute 1 connects to A, B, C & D on the
RHS (rear). Compute 2 connects to A, B, C & D on the LHS (rear).
Figure 2: Two blade configuration example
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Quad-Expansion module
with quad DXF-G cards

How to select the alternate mapping for four modules:

1. Login to the CMC with the IP address, username and password.
2. Select PCIe Overview from the left-hand menu and click the Setup tab.
3. Make sure the Enable PCIe Slot Reassignment box is checked. See
Front view
Note: This selection is automatic when a storage sled is installed.
Rear view
Figure 3: Reconfigure the iDRAC for alternative slot reassignment

Prepare the blades in the Dell FC640

1. For a new install, power down all the blades.
2. For an existing configuration:
a. shut down or migrate all VMs hosted by the blades;
b. in the VMware vSphere client, locate the ESXi server in the Inventory and
put it in to Maintenance Mode;
c. power down any blades that will connect to the quad expansion modules.
3. Remove any PCIe modules that occupy the slots where DXF-EXP modules go.

Install a Quad-Expansion module in the Left or Right Hand Side (LHS, RHS)

The Quad-Expansion module installs easily into the rear of the FX2s chassis on
either the Left Hand Side (LHS) or Right Hand Side (RHS) of the expansion bay.
Important! Always use anti-static handling procedures to handle a Quad-
Expansion module. Keep liquids away from the area.
Front view
1. Remove all packaging and the connector protector from the module.
2. Read the label on the Quad-Expansion module(s) and identify the cards that
it contains. DXF-G signifies a GPU card. DXF-H4 signifies a DXH4 host card.
3. Decide which is the correct position (LHS or RHS) to install the module(s).
Make sure you install the Quad-Expansion module in the correct side of the
Rear view
expansion bay for your configuration.
4. Align the connectors on the rear of the module with the four expansion
connectors at the rear of the FC640 blade.
5. Push the module into the expansion bay so it is almost fully installed.
6. Push the card-puller lever up until you hear a click. The module is installed.
AMULET
HOTKEY
(Figure 4).
DXF-EXP Module Quick Start Guide v1.1 February 2019
®
Figure 3.
QS-DXFE-0001