Need to populate a dual socket server with Dual Processors E5-2673 v4 (SR2KE), Should the processor have the SAME FPO Code?

[JHadd7]

• I do have 2 Processors  E5-2673 v4 (SR2KE), one has an FPO Code of L637G195 and the other has the FPO Code L823E470. The server will be virtualized with VMware esxi, it will run at least 16 VMs (Windows 2019, Ubuntu and Centos 7), would it be safe to use 2 processors with FPO codes?

If the answer is grey (neither firm yes nor firm no), please clarify what would be the risk that i would be taken should I use these two processors.

I appreciate a clear answer.

Joe

[Emeth_O_Intel]

Hello,

Thank you for contacting Intel Xeon Community Support.

I would like to let you know that the Finished Process Order (FPO) is used in order to verify the warranty of the Intel Processor.

The serial number of a processor is typically a combination of the finished process order (FPO) number and the assembly test process order (ATPO) number. Please check the following below article about this information in order to have a better understanding:

How to Identify My Intel® Xeon® Processor Markings for Warranty Requests

The FPO and ATPO numbers are not going to affect the performance of your implementation.

Nevertheless, it is very important to verify if your processor supports the features of virtualization such as:

1. Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x).
2. Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d).
3. Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT).

If you have any other questions or additional information, please do not hesitate and let me know and I will be more than happy to assist you.

Have a wonderful day.

Best regards,

Emeth O.

Intel® Server Specialist 

A Contingent Worker at Intel.

[JHadd7]

Hi, Thank you for your prompt response. I appreciate your point that “The FPO and ATPO numbers are not going to affect the performance of my implementation”. However, I still need your confirmation on the following: * The Processors I have are: E5-2673 v4 (SR2KE), besides being both of the same family, speed, generation, what else should be considered when deploying two of them in the same two-socket server? Are there some markings on the Processors that must be the same apart from the above?, if yes, please provide their name and description please. In the past, we used to require that the two identical processors do have the same “code” – one of the markings on the processor package- I don’t remember what the technical name for that code is, but I do know that all major players (HP, IBM, Dell, etc.) would deliver their servers with that rule applied. Did that rule change? I appreciate your prompt follow-up Joe

[Emeth_O_Intel · Accepted solution]

Hello,

Thank you for replying back.

As a matter of fact, as additional information that we need to verify in order to deploy an implementation of two Intel Xeon Processors into the same Intel Server Board will be the "S-spec Code".

I was reviewing the S-spec Code of the (L637G195) and it is SR2KE.

Nevertheless, for the second one (L823E470) I was unable to verify the information.

If you already confirm that the S-spec Code for both processors is SR2KE, you should be able to accomplish this implementation without any problem.

Our best recommendation will be to contact the corresponding OEM that provided you the system in order to be completely sure about the S-spec Code.

I hope this information helps you to have a better understanding of your questions.

Best regards,

Emeth O.

Intel® Server Specialist 

A Contingent Worker at Intel.

[JHadd7]

Thank you Emeth: Actually as I earlier stated, Both processors do have the marking: SR2KE. The interpretation that I was hoping to get clarification on is the flg. - I thus far has hesitated to write about it since I am not so sure of its accuracy, nevertheless here is what I have: * Intel produces these processors in batches and that for better homogeneity between each two processors (deployed in the same dual socket server), the best practice is to select the two processors from the same Batch. Is the above statement true or false please? To explain further, I am afraid the flg interpretation could be true: (is it?) - Finished Process Order numbers as well as batches of serial numbers – are assigned in the way they are, does not only help identifying warranty matters but it also helps identifying production batches, each of which may have SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT SPECS (I do not know which specific specs parameter maybe different). If this statement is true, then the markings starting with L (L637G195 and L823E470) are better be the same on the two processors deployed in the same two-socket server. That is exactly what I was hoping to get clarification on. I just am not sure, therefore my decision to seek clarifications directly from Intel. If there is any doubt that your answer may not be 100% yes or 100% no, I would greatly appreciate if you could escalate the question to the proper parties at Intel so to give me peace of mind in my project that will actually have many servers running the same two processors where the ONLY difference is the ”L” marking. I apologize for my long message, and Thank you very much for following up. Joe

[Emeth_O_Intel]

Hello,

Thank you so much for all the information provided.

As a matter of fact, the information provided is totally correct.

The code that really matters in order to verify the compatibility with this type of implementations will be the "S-Spec Codes" using the FPOs of both the processors. However, as you mentioned the FPO could be different but under each FPO; Intel has the possibility to verify those details of "SPEC TYPE" and "SPEC CODE" and also the OEM in charge of the batches respectively.

I hope the information provided helps you to have a better understanding of this. Please if you have more questions do not hesitate and let me know and I will be more than happy to assist you.

Have a wonderful day.

Best regards,

Emeth O.

Intel® Server Specialist 

A Contingent Worker at Intel.

[JHadd7]

Thank you again, so in layman’s words, may I say this statement is true, and is approved by Intel engineers?: a confirmed marking showing “E5-2673 v4 (SR2KE)” on each of the two processors can assure me of the highest level of homogeneity for two processors to operate in tandem in the same server. Joe Haddad [logo] American Computer Int’l L.L.C./ WebFacility Business Solutions 15581 Product Lane, Suite C-7 Huntington Beach, CA 92649 Phone: +1 213.840.0000 Skype: WebFacility www.WebFacility.com<http://webfacility.com/>

[Emeth_O_Intel]

Hello Joe,

Yes, the information I have provided was confirmed by the experts on this matter.

As a conclusion, the important code in order to verify the compatibility with this type of implementations will be the "S-Spec Codes" using the FPOs of both the processors. Also, it is important to mention that it is not completely necessary that the processors were designed the same tray's batches and also the FPO could be different.

So, the "S-Spec Codes" under the FPOs would be the first details to verify.

Joe, if you have more questions or if there is anything else I can help you with do not hesitate and let me know and I will be more than happy to assist you for that reason I am here in order to provide you the most accurate information.

I hope the information provided helps you to have a better understanding of those details.

Have a great day.

Regards,

Emeth O.

Intel® Server Specialist 

A Contingent Worker at Intel.