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Install a hot-swap drive

Use this information to install a hot-swap drive.

Read the installation GuidelinesATTENTION: Static Sensitive Device Ground package before opening

The following notes describe the type of drives that your server supports and other information that you must consider when you install a drive.

  • Depending on your server models, your server supports the following drive types:

    • NVMe SSD

    • SAS/SATA SSD

    • SAS/SATA HDD

    For a list of supported drives, see: Lenovo ServerProven website

  • The drive bays are numbered to indicate the installation order (starting from number 0). Follow the installation order when you install a drive. See Front view.

  • You can mix drives of different types, different sizes, and different capacities in one system, but not in one RAID array. The following order is recommended when installing the drives:

    • Drive type priority: NVMe SSD, SAS SSD, SATA SSD, SAS HDD, SATA HDD

    • Drive size priority: 2.5 inch, 3.5 inch

    • Drive capacity priority: the lowest capacity first

  • The drives in a single RAID array must be the same type, same size, and same capacity.

  • Some server models support NVMe drives and the installed bays for NVMe drives vary by model:

    • For eight-2.5-inch-drive-bay models that support NVMe drives, you can install up to four NVMe drives in the bays 4–7.

    • For sixteen-2.5-inch-drive-bay models that support NVMe drives, you can install up to four NVMe drives in the bays 4–7.

    • For twelve-3.5-inch-drive-bay model that supports NVMe drives, you can install up to four NVMe drives in the bays 8–11.

Before installing a hot-swap drive:
  1. Press the two tabs toward each other to remove the drive filler from the drive bay. Keep the drive filler in a safe place.
    Figure 1. 2.5-inch drive filler removal
    2.5-inch drive filler removal
    Figure 2. 3.5-inch drive filler removal
    3.5-inch drive filler removal

  2. Touch the static-protective package that contains the new drive to any unpainted surface on the outside of the server. Then, take the new drive out of the package and place it on a static-protective surface.

To install a hot-swap drive, complete the following steps:

Watch the procedure

A video of this procedure is available at YouTube.

Figure 3. 2.5-inch hot-swap drive installation
2.5-inch hot-swap drive installation
Figure 4. 3.5-inch hot-swap drive installation
3.5-inch hot-swap drive installation

  1. Ensure that the drive tray handle is in the open position. Slide the drive into the drive bay until it snaps into position.
  2. Close the drive tray handle to lock the drive in place.
  3. Check the drive status LED to verify that the drive is operating correctly.

    • If the yellow drive status LED is lit continuously, that drive is faulty and must be replaced.

    • If the green drive activity LED is flashing, the drive is being accessed.

  4. Continue to install additional hot-swap drives if necessary.

After installing all hot-swap drives:

  1. Reinstall the security bezel. See Install the security bezel.

  2. Configure RAID information if necessary.