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6 Installing Additional Boards
Introduction
The HP NetServer E 60 includes six PCI slots and one ISA slot that is shared
with PCI slot 6. PCI slots 3-6 have a slot guide for full-sized boards (as shown in
Figure 6-1).
This chapter tells how to use the six available expansion slots. For the latest
information on accessory cards for the E 60, including slot recommendations, see
the Readme file and Configuration Advisor on your
HP NetServer Navigator
CD-ROM
(for instructions, see Chapter 9).
Tools Required
You will need:
•
T15 Torx or ¼-inch flat blade screw driver.
•
An anti-static service kit (3M
8501/8502/8503 or equivalent). This kit
includes a static-dissipating work surface, a chassis clip lead, and a wrist
strap.
Installation Basics
For every accessory board you install, the system needs to set aside available
resources to support it. An accessory board typically requires resources such as an
IRQ (Interrupt Request) and port address. When installing PCI accessories, the
system uses their Plug-and-Play feature to correctly assign these resources
automatically. In the case of some ISA cards, you may need to do this manually
(see "Configuring an ISA Non-Plug-and-Play Board" in Chapter 11 for details).
Interrupt Sharing
Since system IRQs are limited, the system allows IRQ sharing. This means that
two devices (for example, two PCI accessory slots) may share the same interrupt.
Using this scheme the system is capable of supporting more accessory devices
and avoiding internal conflicts; however, interrupt sharing results in a small
performance loss as the operating system has to resolve which of the devices