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Installation guidelines

Use these guidelines before you install the storage expansion node or optional devices.

  • Before you begin, read Safety and Handling static-sensitive devices. This information will help you work safely.
  • Before you install your new storage expansion node, take the opportunity to download and apply the most recent firmware updates to the associated compute node. This step will help to ensure that any known issues are addressed and that your system is ready to function at maximum levels of performance.

    To download firmware updates for your compute node, go to the the Fix Central website to display the matrix of downloadable files for the compute node.

    Attention
    Before you connect a compute node to the storage expansion node, you must make sure that the integrated management module II (IMM2) primary and backup firmware in the compute node is at level ibm_fw_imm2_1aoo34x-1.xx_anyos_noarch or later. If the IMM2 firmware in the compute node is at an earlier level when you connect the compute node to the storage expansion node, the firmware in the storage expansion node will become corrupted and unrecoverable, and you will have to replace the storage expansion node. For information about updating the firmware in the compute node, see the compute node Installation and Service Guide.
  • Observe good housekeeping in the area where you are working. Place removed covers and other parts in a safe place.
  • Back up all important data before you make changes to disk drives.
  • Before you remove a compute node from the Flex System Enterprise Chassis, you must shut down the operating system and turn off the compute node. You do not have to shut down the chassis itself.
  • Blue on a component indicates touch points, where you can grip the component to remove it from or install it in the compute node, open or close a latch, and so on.
  • Orange on a component or an orange label on or near a component indicates that the component can be hot-swapped, which means that if the compute node and operating system support hot-swap capability, you can remove or install the component while the compute node is running. (Orange can also indicate touchpoints on hot-swap components.) See the instructions for removing or installing a specific hot-swap component for any additional procedures that you might have to perform before you remove or install the component.
  • For a list of supported optional devices for the compute node, see the IBM ServerProven website.