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June 3rd, 2004 12:00
Poweredge with extra processors
I have two PE 6650's, but one of them has an interesting problem. It displays 8 processors in the task manager. The server only has 4.
This may seem like a minor problem, but when it comes to licences, it gets expensive per CPU.
If I use the Server Manager utilities, it confirms 4 processors.
I've installed Windows 2000, NT4, and 2003 Server, and they all show 8 processors. All Firmware is up to date, including A15 BIOS from last week.
Any suggestions?
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HKMonaro
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June 3rd, 2004 13:00
Task Manager will show twice as many processors if
the processors contain hyperthreading
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June 3rd, 2004 14:00
The PowerEdge 6650 system supports a technology known as hyper-threading. Hyper-threading allows one processor to act as two logical processors by providing two different data paths on the same chipset. Thus, with one physical processor in the system, the OS sees two logical processors.
For more information on hyper-threading technology from the Intel website, please click this link:
Hyper-Threading Technology for Servers
FYI for licensing issues with hyper-threading technology, read this document from Microsoft:
Microsoft Windows-Based Servers and Intel Hyper-Threading Technology
Please see the following Dell Knowledge Base article below for a full explanation of Hyper-threading:
What is Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology, How Do I Determine if My Dell™ Computer Has It, and How Do I Enable or Disable It?
Thanks for using the Dell Community Forums!
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June 3rd, 2004 15:00
The System BIOS is a little confusing, it is not labeled Hyper-Threading, it is labeled CPU Information and then Logical Processor. I would guess one machine is off and the other is on.
Even the documentation is confusing, it says there are no user configurable settings.
But it is clarified in this Information Update.
I would also recommend you have the latest System BIOS and ESM Firmware on each system:
Dell Server System BIOS, PowerEdge 6650, A15
FileName: PE6650-BIOSA15.EXE [557 KB]  Release Date: 5/26/2004
Dell ESM Firmware, PowerEdge 6650, A33
FileName: PE6650-ESMA33.exe [224 KB]  Release Date: 11/25/2003
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ColbyJax
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June 3rd, 2004 15:00
Unfortunatly, both of my machines are identical, yet only one is acting up. I did suspect hyperthreading as the cause, but there is no way to turn it off or on in the bios....
Still think that's the problem?
ColbyJax
5 Posts
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June 3rd, 2004 16:00
Both machines have those ESM and Bios patches, so that can't be it.
As you wrote your reply, I was looking through the BIOS's side by side of each machine, and they are identical. I read the article on Logical Processors, and they are both enabled. I thought for sure that'd be it...
Hmm, installing the Open Manager on the one without the processor problem. Maybe I can find a clue in there.