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2.5-inch drive backplane cable routing

Follow instructions in this section to route the cables for the 2.5-inch drive backplane.

Note
  • Depending on the specific configuration, the information in this topic might not apply to your node.

  • Connections between connectors; 1↔1, 2↔2, 3↔3, ... n↔n

  • When routing the cables, make sure that all cables are routed appropriately through the corresponding cable guides and cable clips.

  • Strictly observe the following instructions to avoid damaging cable sockets on the system board. Any damage to the cable sockets might require replacing the system board.

    • Connect cable connectors vertically or horizontally in alignment with the orientations of the corresponding cable sockets, avoiding any tilt.

    • To disconnect cables from the system board, do as follows:

      1. Press and hold all latches, release tabs, or locks on cable connectors to release the cable connectors.

      2. Remove the cable connectors vertically or horizontally in alignment with the orientations of the corresponding cable sockets, avoiding any tilt.
        Note
        The cable connectors might look different from those in the illustration, but the removal procedure is the same.






The 2.5-inch drive backplane cable routing contains the following configurations:

Configuration without CFF RAID​

For this configuration, connect all the four cables as listed and illustrated below.

Figure 1. Drive backplane power cable routing
2.5-inch drive cable routing – BP power cable
From (2.5-inch drive backplane)To (system board)Cable
1a power connector1 Backplane power connectorPower 2x4 (640 mm)to power 2x8
1b Sideband connectorPower 2x10 (550 mm)
Figure 2. NVMe cable routing
2.5-inch drive cable routing – NVMe cables
From (2.5-inch drive backplane)To (system board)Cable
2 NVMe 0-12 NVMe 0-1 connector (Gen5)MCIO x8 to MCIO x8 (450 mm)
3a NVMe 2-33 NVMe 2-5 connector (Gen5) MCIO x8 (85 mm)to MCIO x16
3b NVMe 4-5MCIO x8 (110 mm)
Figure 3. SATA cable routing– Configuration without CFF RAID
2.5-inch drive cable routing – SATA cables
From (2.5-inch drive backplane)To (system board)Cable
4a SAS/SATA 0-34 SATA connectorSlimSAS x4 (65 mm)to low-profile SlimSAS x8
4b SAS/SATA 4-5SlimSAS x4 (110 mm)

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Configuration with CFF RAID​

Follow the steps below to connect and route the cables for this configuration.

  1. Route and connect the drive power cable (1, 1a and 1b) and NVMe cables (2, 3, 3a and 3b) between the drive backplane and system board.

    Figure 4. Drive backplane power cable routing
    2.5-inch drive cable routing – BP power cable
    From (2.5-inch drive backplane)To (system board)Cable
    1a power connector1 Backplane power connectorPower 2x4 (640 mm)to power 2x8
    1b Sideband connectorPower 2x10 (550 mm)
    Figure 5. NVMe cable routing
    2.5-inch drive cable routing – NVMe cables
    From (2.5-inch drive backplane)To (system board)Cable
    2 NVMe 0-12 NVMe 0-1 connector (Gen5)MCIO x8 to MCIO x8 (450 mm)
    3a NVMe 2-33 NVMe 2-5 connector (Gen5) MCIO x8 (85 mm)to MCIO x16
    3b NVMe 4-5MCIO x8 (110 mm)
  2. Connect the SATA cables (4 and 5) to the drive backplane.
    Figure 6. SATA cables on drive backplane
    SATA cables on drive backplane

  3. Install the drive cage assembly to the node (see Install a drive cage assembly).

  4. Connect the RAID power cable (6) and RAID signal cable (7) to the system board; then, install the internal adapter bracket with the CFF RAID adapter on it to the node (see Install an internal adapter bracket).

  5. Route and connect the SATA cables (4 and 5), RAID power cable (6), and RAID signal cable (7) to the connectors on the CFF RAID adapter.

    Figure 7. SATA and CFF RAID cable routing
    SATA cables and CFF RAID cables
    FromTo (CFF RAID adapter)Cable
    4 SAS/SATA 0-3, 2.5-inch drive backplane4 C0SlimSAS x4 to SlimSAS x4 (590 mm)
    5 SAS/SATA 4-5, 2.5-inch drive backplane5 C1SlimSAS x4 to SlimSAS x4 (520 mm)
    6 RAID power connector, system board6 Power connectorMicro-Fit 3.0 power 2x5 to Micro-Fit 3.0 power 2x5 (150 mm)
    7 RAID signal connector, system board7 Signal connectorLow-profile SlimSAS x8 to SlimLine x8 (140 mm)
  6. (Optional) If necessary, install the flash power module to the front air baffle after the front air baffle has been installed (see Install a flash power module); then, connect the flash power module cable and its extension cable to the CFF RAID adapter.
    Figure 8. Flash power module extension cable
    Flash power module extension cable
    Figure 9. CFF RAID and flash power module cable
    CFF RAID and flash power module cable

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