Presale device preparation and validation

Introduction

This document describes the preparation (assembly, flashing and verification) procedure of the Gigabyte MZ33-AR1 with specified components in requirements.

Requirements

Part	Model Name	Image
Motherboard	Gigabyte MZ33-AR1
CPU	AMD EPYC™ 9015
Cooling	Arctic Freezer 4U-SP5
RAM	Kingston 16GB DDR5 ECC KSM48R40BS8KMM-16HMR
Power Supply	Seasonic Vertex GX 850W 80 Plus Gold
Storage	SSD Kingston KC3000 512 GB M.2 2280 NVMe
Enclosure	SilverStone RM42-502 4U Rack Chassis
TPM	GIGABYTE CTM012 TPM 2.0

You will need a screwdriver with bits P1, T20, and small pliers. Remember to make all connections with the grounding strap.

Device assembly

Full set assembly

The section below describes the procedure for the complete assembly of the working station.

1. Place the motherboard in front of you. This is the component with which most operations will be performed. It’s best to put something soft under the board to avoid damage during RAM installation and other steps.

   

2. (Optional)The unique BMC password can be found on the cpu dummy cover and the motherboard box. You might want to write it down. Default BMC login is admin.

3. Loosen the captive screw securing the CPU cover with a T20 screwdriver.

   

4. Flip open the CPU cover.

   

5. Flip open the CPU carrier using the two handles.

   

6. Remove the CPU socket cover.

   

7. Remove the CPU carrier cover.

   

8. Insert the CPU(already inside the blue frame) into the carrier. NOTE: Ensure the CPU is installed in the carrier in the correct orientation, with the triangle on the CPU(might be hidden under the blue frame) aligned to the top left corner of the carrier.

   

9. Flip the CPU carrier into place in the CPU socket

   

10. Flip the CPU cover into place and tighten the T20 screw holding it.

    

11. CPU installation complete.

    

12. Install the memory modules into the DIMM slots.

    DIMM slots can be identified using this image.

    

    To insert a single module, open the latches on both sides. Then insert the RAM and gently press downward until the latches close automatically. NOTE: DDR5 STICKS HAVE A NOTCH THAT MUST LINE UP WITH THE RIDGE IN THE DIMM SLOT. INSTALLING THE STICK IN THE WRONG ORIENTATION WILL CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE.

    Install memory according to the table. For example, if installing 1 stick place it in slot A1, if installing 4 sticks - in slots C1, A1, G1, I1.

    

    

13. Prepare the CPU cooler for installation on socket LGA 6096 SP5(installation kit should be found in the cooler set). Afterwards peel off the protective peel on the bottom of the cooler.

    

14. Apply thermal paste in an X pattern to the CPU.

    (image from different platform)

15. Gently place the cooler onto the CPU lining it up with the six screw holes. Tighten the six screws securing the cooler around halfway, then tighten the opposite corners fully. This is crucial for good contact between the CPU and the socket.

    

16. Do not install the cooler fans yet as they would interfere with the motherboard mounting screws.

17. Using pliers, unscrew the SSD standoff and screw it back in one hole closer to the M.2 slot. Install the M.2 solid-state drive (SSD) into the M.2 slot and tighten the screw holding it. (You may need an additional M3 screw for that)

    

18. Install the M.2 heatsink(if provided). Thermal pad should be applied to the underside of the heatsink. Make sure the protective tape is removed from the thermal pad. Apply the heatsink on top of the M.2 drive and secure both the M.2 drive and the heatsink using the M3 screw.

    

19. If installing M.2 drive without a heatsink, simply secure the drive using the M3 screw.

    

20. (Optional)Install the TPM module in the slot marked "SPI_TPM". Pay attention to the no-pin placement.

    

21. Open the chassis by removing four screws from both sides of the top panel and remove the metal PCIe cards holder by unscrewing four screws on the left and right sides (not the top).

    

22. Install the IO shield by inserting it from inside the enclosure and pressing it lightly.

    

23. Prepare the screws and standoffs set for the motherboard installation. Install the standoffs in all the correct spots, as shown in the picture.

    

24. Carefully place the motherboard into the chassis, aligning the screw holes with the standoffs and ports with holes in the IO shield. Screw in the motherboard using the 9 screws from the set.

    

25. After motherboard is screwed in, CPU cooler fans can be installed by snapping them on. The fan with the Arctic logo on the front(intake fan) should be facing the front of the chassis.

    

26. Connect the CPU cooler fans using the connector found on the front(intake) fan. Plug in the connector from the front fan into the motherboard CPU0_FAN1 connector.

    

27. Prepare the screw set for PSU. It should contain 4 screws.

    

28. Before installing the power supply, locate and plug in the correct cables into the PSU - PCIe 6pin, ATX 24pin, two CPU cables.

    

29. Install the PSU in the case by placing it in its slot on the right side of the case and securing it with four screws at the back.

30. Plug in the four PSU cables into the motherboard. The two CPU cables connect to P12V_AUX1 and P12V_AUX2 connectors. Pay attention to the orientation of the cable - the plastic lock on the cable should align with the plastic lock on the connector.

    

31. Connect the front-panel cables. There are 7 cables to connect:

    • Case intrusion, into the CASE_OPEN connector
    • RESET SW
    • POWER SW
    • HDD LED
    • POWER LED-
    • POWER LED+
    • USB3

    

    Install them as shown in the pictures. Pay attention to the cable orientation.

    

    

    

    

32. Fasten the front-panel cables using zip ties as shown in the picture.

    

33. Connect the back case fan as shown in the picture.

    

34. Connect the front case fan as shown in the picture.

    

35. Install the metal PCIe holder back into its slot. It might be easier to first unscrew it from the mounting brackets on the opposite ends and install those first.

    

36. Before closing the case make sure to organize the cables in a way they won't interfere with other components such as fans.

    

37. Close the case by reinstalling all four screws.

38. Attach case keys to the front of the case to prevent loss or damage during shipping.

    

Stock Firmware verification

Once the platform gets assembled, it is crucial to verify its functionality before attempting to flash Dasharo firmware. This is to exclude the possibility of the platform not booting due to bad hardware configuration.

Here's a list of steps that need to be performed:

1. Download the latest DTS version (pre-release (rc) included) from releases and flash the image to the flash drive. For non-technical users, it is recommended to use Etcher to flash the image onto the flash drive.

2. Plug the main power cable, video output cable and ethernet cable as shown in the picture

   

3. Open the front panel using the attached key.

   

4. Plug the previously prepared flash drive into one of the available USB ports.

   

5. Power on the device with the button located on the front panel.

6. Make the platform boot from the flash drive.
7. Once DTS boots, run the HCL report with an option to send the logs to 3mdeb.
8. Power off the device.

Flashing Dasharo Firmware

The Dasharo firmware is flashed internally via BMC(recommended) or externally via RTE/SPI. All methods are described in detail in the recovery guide.

The BMC ip is shown when booting or in BIOS under "Server Management -> BMC Network Configuration". Write it down.

Obtaining the firmware

1. Obtain the newest firmware for the platform. Log in to Minio, and go to the dasharo-gigabyte-mz33-ar1-uefi/gigabyte-mz33-ar1 directory. The directory stores all available firmware versions. Go to the directory containing the newest available firmware version. Depending on the flashing method used, you will need different files:

   • BMC: .rbu
   • RTE/SPI: .rom

2. Download the chosen file and its respective sha256 signature file(.sha256).

3. Verify the downloaded file's signature, refer to Signature verification.

Flashing and verification

BMC

1. Detailed instructions can be found at Flashing via BMC

Once steps from the BMC flashing guide are complete, the firmware is flashed successfully.

RTE/SPI

1. Detailed instructions can be found at External flashing

2. Flash the firmware onto the BIOS memory chip and reinstall it into the socket by following the recovery guide. Use the firmware .rom file downloaded and verified above as the binary to flash. NOTE THAT THIS ACTION IS DESTRUCTIVE. THE DEFAULT FIRMWARE WILL BE ERASED!

3. Supply the power to the platform, and follow the procedure from the "Stock Firmware Verification".

   The platform will take some time to boot for the first time, and it might switch on and off multiple times during the procedure.

   When DTS is booted, verify that the proper firmware version has been flashed.

   

   The picture above showcases the DTS menu. The firmware information and version shall be listed as in the image above. Note that the version shown in the picture is just an example.

When all steps were performed, the platform is ready to be backed up and shipped.

Useful content

• Building manual - documentation contains information on how to build Dasharo compatible with Gigabyte MZ33-AR1.
• Board Manual - documentation contains detailed information about the motherboard and its operations.