HP BladeSystem c-Class architecture Technology brief, 4th edition

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Figure 3: BladeSystem c-Class form factors, scaling vertically with half-height and full-height blades
You can use two full-height bays in combination for a full-height double-wide blade form factor. For
example, HP Integrity server blades can combine multiple blades to create 2-, 4-, or 8-socket systems,
as shown in Figure 4. Each base server blade has a Blade Link connector. The Blade Link connector
joins selected QPI (Quick Path Interconnect) ports among processors, the required clock signals, and
side band signals for the system to operate as a scale-up multiprocessor system. Blade Link is
available only with Integrity blades.
Figure 4: Horizontal scaling with Integrity blades and Blade Link connections
Midplane connectors
on the same PCB
Full-Height
Blade
Half-Height
Blades
Vertical memory DIMMs
(90º to PCB)
Room for tall
heat sink
2-socket
Blade
8-socket Blade
4-socket
Blade
Blade Link connect