Skip to main content

Install a hot-swap drive

Install a hot-swap drive by sliding it into the drive bay and closing the drive bay handle.

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 and place it on a static-protective surface.

  • 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 with the same capacity.

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

    • For server models with a 2.5-inch AnyBay backplane installed, you can install up to four NVMe drives in the bays 4–7.

    • For server models with a 3.5-inch AnyBay backplane installed, you can install up to four NVMe drives in the bays 8–11.

Before installing a hot-swap drive:

  1. Determine the available drive bays based on the drive bay labels. The following labels indicate the drive bays that can support NVMe drives. Otherwise, only SAS/SATA drives can be supported.

    Figure 1. Drive bay labels for NVMe drives
    Drive bay labels for NVMe drives

    Important
    Ensure that you install the correct type of drives into corresponding drive bays. Drive type information is available on the bottom of the front side of a drive.
  2. Remove the drive filler, and keep the drive filler in a safe place for future use.
    Figure 2. 2.5-inch drive filler removal
    2.5-inch drive filler removal
    Figure 3. 3.5-inch drive filler removal
    3.5-inch drive filler removal

  3. 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 4. 2.5-inch hot-swap drive installation
2.5-inch hot-swap drive installation
Figure 5. 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.