What is the minimum required HW configuration on the PowerEdge MX840c to POST?

Question

Options

• A1 processor in socket CPU1
• B1 processor in each CPU socket
• C1 processor in any CPU socket
• D1 processor in socket CPU2

• A
  88% (42)
• B
  2% (1)
• C
  2% (1)
• D
  8% (4)

Explanation

On the Dell PowerEdge MX840c, the system requires exactly one processor installed in socket CPU1 (the primary/bootstrap socket) to complete POST. The MX840c is a multi-processor blade server, but like most multi-socket x86 systems, it designates one socket as the boot-strap processor (BSP) - CPU1 - which initializes firmware and hands off control during POST.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• B is wrong because installing a processor in every socket is not required - extra sockets can remain empty during POST.
• C is wrong because not just any socket will do - the system firmware specifically looks to CPU1 as the initiating processor; booting from an arbitrary socket is not supported.
• D is wrong for the same reason as C: CPU2 (and CPU3/CPU4 on the MX840c's 4-socket design) are secondary processors and cannot drive POST alone.

Memory tip: Think "1 comes first" - socket CPU1 is slot number one, and the system always starts with number one. On virtually all multi-socket Dell PowerEdge servers, CPU1 is the mandatory primary socket for POST, which makes A a safe default answer for any similar question about Dell's multi-socket blades.

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