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Reset or Change NUTANIX NXS2U1NL06G610 BMC Password

I came across what appears to be a rebranded Supermicro server. This is a NUTANIX NXS2U1NL06G610. Unfortunately despite many attempts and various user/pass combos I was unable to get into the BMC. This post will explain how to manually set the BMC password using Ubuntu and IPMITOOL. This is not something you can do in the BIOS like Dell or HP.

For starters get a copy of Ubuntu and make a bootable USB drive.

Once booted you can open a terminal and install IPMITOOL. The following command will update the package repositories and install the utility automatically:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y ipmitool

My recommendation is to perform a complete factory reset of the BMC. This will ensure a clean slate. It’s possible you have a server with a non-default password. You can reset and try the defaults once more. This did not work for me but maybe it will for you.

sudo ipmitool raw 0x3c 0x40

There won’t be any output for this command but you will hear the fans spin up, indicating that the server is resetting.

Once reset you can attempt the default credentials again, otherwise proceed to set a manual password of your own.

List the user accounts on the system with the following command. You should see a user called ADMIN:

sudo ipmitool user list 1

The most important column is the ID field. In my case the ADMIN account corresponds to ID field 2.

Now we can set a password of our own:

sudo ipmitool user set password 2 NewPassword!

Here we instruct ipmitool to set a new password by giving it the ID of the admin user, in our case 2, and then setting the new password.

This command will tell you if it was successful or not. Sometimes there’s rules on the length and complexity of the password you can use. If you get errors just try other passwords until it lets you through.

Now you can login in to the BMC interface without problems.

July 7, 2026

Why Server RAM Runs Slower Than Rated Speed | Configured Memory Speed Explained

Server RAM rarely runs at its rated speed. Real-world data from Dell PowerEdge and HPE ProLiant systems shows consistent memory downclocking due to CPU and platform limits.

Most people expect RAM speed to behave like a spec sheet promise. Install DDR4-3200 and you should get 3200 MT/s. In practice, that almost never happens in enterprise servers.

What actually matters is not the speed printed on the DIMM, but the speed the system ends up configuring at boot. That is the number you see as “Configured RAM Speed,” and it is almost always lower.

Across a dataset of Dell PowerEdge, HPE ProLiant, and related platforms, a consistent pattern appears: memory is routinely downclocked based on CPU generation, memory population rules, and platform design.

I pulled the following data from real-world server builds:

CPU	Chassis Model	RAM Speed	Configured RAM Speed
1 x AMD EPYC 7502 32-Core Processor	ProLiant DL325 Gen10	8 x 3200 MT/s	8 x 2933 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Silver 4215 CPU @ 2.50GHz	PowerEdge R640	6 x 2666 MT/s	6 x 2400 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Silver 4112 CPU @ 2.60GHz	PowerEdge R540	2 x 2666 MT/s	2 x 2400 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2643 v3 @ 3.40GHz	PowerEdge R430	1 x 2666 MT/s	1 x 2133 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 6246 CPU @ 3.30GHz	PowerEdge R740	6 x 3200 MT/s	6 x 2933 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2670 v3 @ 2.30GHz	PowerEdge R730xd	2 x 2666 MT/s	2 x 2133 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 5120 CPU @ 2.20GHz	PowerEdge R440	8 x 2666 MT/s	8 x 2400 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2680 v4 @ 2.40GHz	PowerEdge R730xd	8 x 2666 MT/s	8 x 2400 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2687W v3 @ 3.10GHz	ProLiant DL360 Gen9	2 x 2600 MT/s	2 x 2133 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 6248R CPU @ 3.00GHz	PowerEdge R740xd	12 x 3200 MT/s	12 x 2933 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Bronze 3204 CPU @ 1.90GHz	PowerEdge R740xd	2 x 2400 MT/s	2 x 2133 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 6226 CPU @ 2.70GHz	PowerFlex appliance R640 S	12 x 3200 MT/s	12 x 2933 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Silver 4208 CPU @ 2.10GHz	ProLiant DL380 Gen10	2 x 2666 MT/s	2 x 2400 MT/s
1 x AMD EPYC 7281 16-Core Processor	ProLiant DL325 Gen10	2 x 2666 MT/s	2 x 2400 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 5115 CPU @ 2.40GHz	PowerEdge R640	6 x 2933 MT/s	6 x 2400 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Silver 4214 CPU @ 2.20GHz	PowerEdge R740xd	2 x 3200 MT/s	2 x 2400 MT/s
2 x AMD EPYC 7502 32-Core Processor	ProLiant DL385 Gen10	4 x 3200 MT/s	4 x 2933 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2640 v3 @ 2.60GHz	PowerEdge R630	4 x 2133 MT/s	4 x 1866 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2630L v3 @ 1.80GHz	ProLiant DL360 Gen9	2 x 2133 MT/s	2 x 1866 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2623 v3 @ 3.00GHz	PowerEdge R730xd	2 x 2133 MT/s	2 x 1866 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2620 v3 @ 2.40GHz	PowerEdge R730xd	6 x 2400 MT/s	6 x 1866 MT/s
2 x AMD EPYC 9534 64-Core Processor	PowerEdge R7625	4 x 5600 MT/s	4 x 4800 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2620 v3 @ 2.40GHz	PowerEdge R430	1 x 2133 MT/s	1 x 1866 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 6234 CPU @ 3.30GHz	PowerEdge R440	2 x 2933 MT/s	2 x 2666 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Silver 4210R CPU @ 2.40GHz	PowerEdge R740xd	2 x 2666 MT/s	2 x 2400 MT/s
4 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E7-8870 v3 @ 2.10GHz	ProLiant DL580 Gen9	48 x 2133 MT/s	48 x 1600 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 5118 CPU @ 2.30GHz	PowerEdge R640	1 x 2666 MT/s	1 x 2400 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2630 v3 @ 2.40GHz	PowerEdge R730xd	2 x 2133 MT/s	2 x 1866 MT/s
4 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E7-8890 v3 @ 2.50GHz	PowerEdge R930	24 x Unknown, 72 x 2133 MT/s	96 x 1333 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2650 v3 @ 2.30GHz	ProLiant DL380 Gen9	11 x 2133 MT/s	11 x 1600 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2609 v4 @ 1.70GHz	PowerEdge R730xd	12 x 2133 MT/s	12 x 1866 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2660 v3 @ 2.60GHz	PowerEdge R730	12 x 2133 MT/s	12 x 1866 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2660 v4 @ 2.00GHz	PowerEdge R730	22 x 2133 MT/s	22 x 1866 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2603 v3 @ 1.60GHz	PowerEdge R530	1 x 2133 MT/s	1 x 1600 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 5220 CPU @ 2.20GHz	ProLiant DL360 Gen10	1 x Unknown, 1 x 2133 MT/s	2 x 2133 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Silver 4216 CPU @ 2.10GHz	PowerEdge R440	2 x 2666 MT/s	2 x 2400 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 6130 CPU @ 2.10GHz	R640 IDPA	12 x 3200 MT/s	12 x 2666 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2603 v4 @ 1.70GHz	PowerEdge R430	1 x 2133 MT/s	1 x 1866 MT/s
1 x AMD EPYC 7F52 16-Core Processor	ProLiant DL325 Gen10	8 x 3200 MT/s	8 x 2933 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E3-1280 v5 @ 3.70GHz	PowerEdge R230	3 x 2400 MT/s	3 x 2133 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2630L v3 @ 1.80GHz	PowerEdge R730xd	2 x 2133 MT/s	2 x 1866 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2630 v3 @ 2.40GHz	ProLiant DL380 Gen9	1 x 2133 MT/s	1 x 1866 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2643 v3 @ 3.40GHz	PowerEdge T630	17 x Unknown, 7 x 2133 MT/s	24 x 1866 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E3-1230 v5 @ 3.40GHz	PowerEdge R330	4 x 2400 MT/s	4 x 2133 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Silver 4216 CPU @ 2.10GHz	PowerEdge R640	1 x 3200 MT/s	1 x 2400 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Bronze 3204 CPU @ 1.90GHz	StoreEasy 1860 Storage	1 x 3200 MT/s	1 x 2133 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 6330N CPU @ 2.20GHz	PowerEdge R650	4 x 3200 MT/s	4 x 2666 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Silver 4208 CPU @ 2.10GHz	SYS-5019P-WTR	2 x 2933 MT/s	2 x 2400 MT/s
4 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 6254 CPU @ 3.10GHz	PowerEdge R940	8 x 3200 MT/s	8 x 2933 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 5120 CPU @ 2.20GHz	PowerEdge R740xd	2 x 3200 MT/s	2 x 2400 MT/s
4 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 5115 CPU @ 2.40GHz	PowerEdge R840	4 x 2666 MT/s	4 x 2400 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Silver 4215R CPU @ 3.20GHz	PowerEdge R640	1 x 2666 MT/s	1 x 2400 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2609 v3 @ 1.90GHz	AIR-CT5520-K9	1 x 2133 MT/s	1 x 1600 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2603 v3 @ 1.60GHz	PowerEdge R730xd	2 x 2133 MT/s	2 x 1600 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2623 v3 @ 3.00GHz	PowerEdge R530	1 x 2133 MT/s	1 x 1866 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Silver 4309Y CPU @ 2.80GHz	PowerEdge R650	4 x 2933 MT/s	4 x 2666 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 5115 CPU @ 2.40GHz	PowerEdge R740xd	1 x 2666 MT/s	1 x 2400 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2695 v3 @ 2.30GHz	PowerEdge R730xd	8 x 2666 MT/s	8 x 2133 MT/s
1 x AMD EPYC 7551P 32-Core Processor	PowerEdge R6415	8 x 2666 MT/s	8 x 2400 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2637 v4 @ 3.50GHz	PowerEdge R730xd	2 x 2666 MT/s	2 x 2400 MT/s
4 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Platinum 8168 CPU @ 2.70GHz	PowerEdge R940	8 x 3200 MT/s	8 x 2666 MT/s
1 x AMD EPYC 7452 32-Core Processor	PowerEdge R7515	16 x 3200 MT/s	16 x 2933 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Bronze 3104 CPU @ 1.70GHz	PowerEdge R440	2 x 2666 MT/s	2 x 2133 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Silver 4108 CPU @ 1.80GHz	PowerEdge R640	8 x 2666 MT/s	8 x 2400 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Silver 4108 CPU @ 1.80GHz	PowerEdge R640	2 x 2666 MT/s	2 x 2400 MT/s
4 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E7-4850 v4 @ 2.10GHz	PowerEdge R930	8 x 2400 MT/s	8 x 1333 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2699 v3 @ 2.30GHz	Dell XC630-10	16 x 2400 MT/s	16 x 2133 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 6154 CPU @ 3.00GHz	PowerEdge R740	2 x 2933 MT/s	2 x 2666 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2699A v4 @ 2.40GHz	PowerEdge R730xd	6 x 2666 MT/s	6 x 2400 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5620 @ 2.40GHz	PowerVault NX3000	6 x 1333 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2630 v4 @ 2.20GHz	PowerEdge R430	1 x 2400 MT/s	1 x 2133 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2699 v3 @ 2.30GHz	PowerEdge R730xd	2 x 2400 MT/s	2 x 2133 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2603 v4 @ 1.70GHz	PowerEdge R730	2 x 2400 MT/s	2 x 1866 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5620 @ 2.40GHz	ProLiant DL360 G7	1 x 1333 MT/s	1 x 1066 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU X5677 @ 3.47GHz	PowerEdge R710	1 x 1333 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU X5670 @ 2.93GHz	PowerEdge R710	1 x 1333 MT/s
4 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E7-4809 v4 @ 2.10GHz	PowerEdge R930	1 x 2400 MT/s	1 x 1333 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2690 v3 @ 2.60GHz	PowerEdge R730xd	2 x 2400 MT/s	2 x 2133 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Bronze 3106 CPU @ 1.70GHz	ECSv3_R740XD	4 x 2666 MT/s	4 x 2133 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2637 v3 @ 3.50GHz	PowerEdge R730xd	1 x 2400 MT/s	1 x 2133 MT/s
4 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 5118 CPU @ 2.30GHz	PowerEdge R940	21 x 2666 MT/s, 3 x 2933 MT/s	24 x 2400 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Silver 4116 CPU @ 2.10GHz	PowerEdge R540	4 x 2666 MT/s	4 x 2400 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Silver 4112 CPU @ 2.60GHz	PowerEdge R640	1 x 2666 MT/s	1 x 2400 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 6248 CPU @ 2.50GHz	PowerEdge R640	10 x 3200 MT/s	10 x 2933 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 6252 CPU @ 2.10GHz	PowerEdge R640	10 x 3200 MT/s	10 x 2933 MT/s
1 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) E-2244G CPU @ 3.80GHz	PowerEdge T340	1 x 3200 MT/s	1 x 2666 MT/s
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 5320 CPU @ 2.20GHz	PowerEdge R650	8 x 3200 MT/s	8 x 2933 MT/s
2 x AMD Opteron(tm) X3216 APU	ProLiant MicroServer Gen10	2 x 2400 MT/s	2 x 1600 MT/s
2 x AMD Opteron(tm) Processor 6344	AS -2022TG-HTRF	4 x 1600 MT/s

The most common behavior in modern systems is DDR4-3200 running at 2933 MT/s. This shows up repeatedly in platforms like the PowerEdge R740, R940, R7515, and HPE DL325 Gen10. Nothing is wrong in these cases. It simply reflects the limits of the CPU memory controller and how many DIMMs are installed per channel. The memory is capable of 3200, but the system chooses stability over maximum frequency.

A step down from that, DDR4-2666 frequently runs at 2400 MT/s across midrange servers such as the PowerEdge R640, R540, R440, and HPE DL380 Gen10. This is one of the most common real-world configurations in enterprise environments. It typically occurs when CPUs are not top-bin models or when memory channels are not evenly populated. Again, the system is not failing to perform; it is following architectural constraints.

Older Xeon platforms show even more reduction. DDR4-2133 often runs at 1866 or 1600 MT/s in systems like the PowerEdge R730 series and HPE Gen9 platforms. At this point, the limiting factor is the memory controller architecture itself rather than configuration choices. These platforms were designed for lower baseline memory speeds, and the behavior is expected.

Even newer technologies follow the same pattern. DDR5-5600, for example, can run at 4800 MT/s in systems like the PowerEdge R7625. The absolute numbers are higher, but the relationship between rated speed and configured speed remains unchanged.

What this data consistently shows is that memory speed is not a fixed property. It is negotiated at boot time between the CPU, the motherboard, and the installed DIMM configuration. The CPU memory controller sets the upper limit, and population rules can reduce it further when multiple DIMMs are installed per channel or when configurations are mixed.

From a practical standpoint, this matters because it changes how memory upgrades should be interpreted. Adding faster RAM does not guarantee higher performance. In many cases, adding more capacity can even reduce memory frequency. Likewise, two systems with identical DIMMs can run at different speeds depending on CPU generation and slot population.

The takeaway is straightforward. RAM speed on the label describes capability, not reality. Configured RAM speed is the real operating condition, and across enterprise servers it is almost always lower than the advertised specification. This is not a defect or misconfiguration in most cases—it is simply how server memory architectures are designed to behave.

July 6, 2026

R740xd – Loud Fans With Rear Flex Bay

This post will be short and sweet. If you have an R740xd with a rear flex bay you need high performance fans installed otherwise fan speed will remain at 100%. I’ve seen this behavior time and time again.

Here’s a screenshot of the fans with standard cooling fans installed:

And here is a screenshot right after the installation of high performance fans:

It may be necessary to reset iDRAC after installation of high performance fans.

July 1, 2026
No memory found – Dell PowerEdge Server and Intel Xeon 2nd Gen CPU
If you upgrade your 14 gen DELL server to an Intel Xeon Scalable 2nd Gen CPU, you may receive this error.

Common second gen CPUs:
- Xeon Gold 5218 (16 cores)
- Xeon Gold 5220 (18 cores)
- Xeon Gold 6240 (18 cores)
- Xeon Gold 6252 (24 cores)
- Xeon Platinum 8253 (16 cores)
- Xeon Platinum 8276 (28 cores)
Chances are your BIOS is outdated and doesn’t support second gen processors. DELL did not introduce support for these processors until BIOS version 2.2.10. If you have a version below that you will receive this error without a doubt.

What you’ll have to do is install a first GEN CPU, update the BIOS, and then reinstall the second GEN processors.

Examples of first gen processors you can use:
- Xeon Bronze 3104
- Xeon Bronze 3106
- Xeon Silver 4108
- Xeon Gold 6126
- Xeon Gold 6148 (20 cores)
- Xeon Platinum 8176 (28 cores)
Quick way to identify the generation
- 31xx, 41xx, 51xx, 61xx, 81xx → 1st Generation (Skylake)
- 32xx, 42xx, 52xx, 62xx, 82xx → 2nd Generation (Cascade Lake)
Just update the BIOS and you’ll be good to go.
June 30, 2026
HP DL 380 24 Bay G10 SAS Expander Tutorial

The 16 and 24 bay models of the DL 380 G10 require a SAS expander to supply the front drive bays with SAS lanes. The 8 bay model does not require such a setup. The backplane is simply connected directly to the RAID controller. It’s actually quite rare to not see the SAS expander built into server backplanes but that was the design choice by HP for this model.

You are first going to need the SAS expander itself which looks like the following:

P/N AEC-83605/hp2

On the card are 9 ports. It installs into Riser 1.

The cables you need will route from the backplane to the SAS expander, and then connect to your RAID controller. You will actually notice 3 separate backplanes on this server. Each section of backplane are known as bays.

From this view you can see 24 bays are split into 3 backplanes

You have Bay 1, Bay 2, and Bay 3.

The required cables will plug into Bay 1 ports 1/2, Bay 2 ports 1/2, and Bay 3 ports 1/2.

Here’s the first set of cables:

P/N 776402-001

These plug into the first ports labeled Bay 1 Ports 1 and 2. They will route along the left side of the chassis On the expander you’ll plug these into ports 3 and 4. These are for the first 8 drive bays on the server. Note, ports 1 and 2 are reserved for the cables that go from the expander to the RAID controller. We will plug those in later.

The next 2 bays will use the same cable. We call this the octopus cable.

P/N 874686-001

It has 4 Mini SAS connectors on both ends of the cable. One side plugs into the other 2 backplanes on the server. The other side plugs into the SAS expander on ports 5, 6, 7, and 8. The cable will be labeled so you know what goes where.

It’s easiest to have the SAS expander card out of the riser when you begin plugging in the cables.

Lastly, you have ports 1 and 2. These are individual cables that go from the SAS expander to your RAID controller. They can vary in length. There are shorter cables designed to just go from the expander to a PCIe controller in the same riser. There are also longer cables designed to reach further out to a controller installed in the Mezzanine.

Here you can see I’m using the short cables to go from the expander right to a PCIe controller. Both the expander and RAID controller are now installed in riser 1.

Once you’re cabled up turn it on and verify that your server can see the RAID controller and your drives. If it’s only seeing drives in some drive bays you may have a loose cable, the wrong cable, or a cable plugged into the wrong port.

June 24, 2026