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Difficulty: MediumRAM Types and Characteristics

A systems administrator is configuring a database server that requires high-density memory expansion across all motherboard channels while maintaining fault tolerance against memory corruption. The current setup experiences system crashes due to memory controller overload when additional modules are populated. Which of the following RAM types should the administrator install to buffer control signals, reduce memory controller load, and automatically correct single-bit memory errors?

  1. Registered ECC DIMM (RDIMM)Answer
  2. B
    ECC SO-DIMM
  3. C
    Unbuffered Non-ECC DIMM (UDIMM)
  4. D
    Non-ECC Load-Reduced DIMM (LRDIMM)

Answer

Registered ECC DIMM (RDIMM) is the correct choice because it provides an onboard register to buffer control and address lines—reducing the electrical load on the memory controller—while ECC logic detects and corrects single-bit memory errors.
Registered ECC DIMMs (RDIMM) contain a register chip that buffers command and address signals between the memory controller and DRAM chips. This reduces electrical load on the memory controller, enabling high-density configurations across memory channels, while ECC logic detects and corrects single-bit memory errors to prevent system crashes.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the key server requirements
The server needs memory that buffers control signals to handle high slot population without overloading the memory controller, plus fault-tolerance against data corruption.
Standard unbuffered memory leads to signal degradation and instability when populating multiple channels.
2
Evaluate memory module architecture and buffering features
Registered DIMMs (RDIMMs) place a register chip between the memory controller and the DRAM modules to buffer address/control signals.
Buffering reduces electrical loading on the memory controller, enabling stable operation across dense multi-channel configurations.
3
Verify error-checking capabilities and form factor compatibility
ECC capabilities allow detection and correction of single-bit memory errors, and standard DIMM form factors fit enterprise server motherboards.
Combining ECC with RDIMM architecture satisfies both signal integrity and data stability requirements for enterprise hardware.

Key Concept

Registered (Buffered) Memory and Error-Correcting Code (ECC) RAM Characteristics
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Topics

RAM Types and Characteristics

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