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Install the M.2 backplane

Use this information to install the M.2 backplane.

About this task

Attention

  • Read Installation Guidelines and Safety inspection checklist to ensure that you work safely.

  • Power off the server and peripheral devices and disconnect the power cords and all external cables. See Power off the server.

  • Prevent exposure to static electricity, which might lead to system halt and loss of data, by keeping static-sensitive components in their static-protective packages until installation, and handling these devices with an electrostatic-discharge wrist strap or other grounding system.

  • Before you remove or make changes to drives, drive controllers (including controllers that are integrated on the system board assembly), drive backplanes or drive cables, back up all important data that is stored on drives.

Firmware and driver download: You might need to update the firmware or driver after replacing a component.

Procedure

  1. Touch the static-protective package that contains the new part to any unpainted surface on the outside of the server. Then, take the new part out of the package and place it on a static-protective surface.
  2. Install the M.2 backplane.
    M.2 backplane on the air baffle

    1. Install the M.2 backplane on the air baffle.

      Figure 1. Installing the M.2 backplane on the air baffle
      Installing the M.2 backplane to the air baffle

      1. Open the retention clip on the air baffle.

      2. Align the guide holes on the M.2 backplane with the guide pins on the air baffle, and insert the backplane into the air baffle.

      3. Rotate the M.2 backplane downward into place.

      4. Tighten the screw to secure the M.2 backplane.

    2. Install the M.2 drive on the M.2 backplane. See Install an M.2 drive.

    M.2 backplane on the middle drive cage
    1. Install the M.2 backplane on the middle drive cage.
      Figure 2. Installing the M.2 backplane on the middle drive cage
      Installing the M.2 backplane to the middle drive cage

      1. Align the screws on the M.2 backplane with the screw holes on the drive cage, and insert the backplane into the drive cage.

      2. Tighten the screw on the middle of the M.2 backplane.

      3. Tighten the screw on the end of the M.2 backplane.

    2. Install the M.2 drive on the M.2 backplane. See Install an M.2 drive.

    3. Press the latch as shown and close the handle.

      Figure 3. Closing the handle of the middle drive cage
      Closing the handle of the middle drive cage

  3. Connect the M.2 backplane cables to M.2 backplane.
    Figure 4. Connecting M.2 cables to M.2 x4 non-RAID SATA/NVMe 2-bay backplane

    Figure 5. Connecting M.2 cables to M.2 x1 RAID NVMe 2-bay backplane

    1. Tilt the connector at an angle of 20 degrees or lower, and insert it until its bottom surface reaches the ramp.

    2. Press the connector down flat.

    3. Tighten the screw on the signal cable.

    4. Connect the power cable.

    Figure 6. Connecting M.2 cables to M.2 RAID SATA/NVME 2-bay backplane

    1. Connect the M.2 cable to the M.2 backplane.

    2. Rotate the latch on the cable as illustrated, and press the latch down until it clicks into place.

After you finish

Complete the parts replacement. See Complete the parts replacement.

Demo video

Watch the procedure on YouTube