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Install the middle drive backplane and drive cage

Follow the instructions in this section to install the 2.5-inch middle drive backplane and drive cage.

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.

  • The middle drive cage is supported on some server models with thermal requirements. See Thermal rules to ensure that the server is under permitted ambient temperature and the correct heat sink and system fans are used. If needed, replace your heat sink or system fan first.

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. (Optional) Install two middle brackets.
    Figure 1. Installing middle brackets


    1. Align two holes in the lower part of the middle bracket with the pins on the chassis, and install the middle brackets into the chassis.
    2. Install the screws to secure the middle brackets.
  3. Install the drive backplane into the middle drive cage.
    Figure 2. Installing the 2.5-inch middle drive backplane
    Installing the 2.5-inch middle drive backplane
    1. Align the bottom of the backplane with the studs at the bottom of the drive cage, and lower the backplane into the drive cage.
    2. Push the top of the backplane forward until it clicks in place. Ensure that the holes in the backplane pass through the pins on the drive cage, and the release latches secure the backplane in position.
  4. Connect cables to the middle drive backplane. See Internal cable routing.
  5. Install the middle drive cage and drives.
    Note
    If any cables need to go through beneath the middle drive cage, route the cables before installing the cage.
    Figure 3. Installing the middle drive cage and drives
    Installing the middle drive cage and drives
    1. Align the pins on the middle cage with the corresponding slots on the chassis, and lower the drive cage down into place.
    2. Install drives into the middle drive cage. See Install a 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch hot-swap drive.
    3. Press the latch as shown and close the handle.
    4. Twist the blue plungers to secure the drive cage in place.

After you finish

Complete the parts replacement. See Complete the parts replacement.

Demo video

Watch the procedure on YouTube