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Install an M.2 drive

Follow the instructions in this section to install an M.2 drive.

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.

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. (Optional) Adjust the retainer on the M.2 backplane to accommodate the particular size of the M.2 drive you wish to install.
    Figure 1. Adjusting the M.2 retainer
    Adjusting the M.2 retainer

    1. Press both sides of the retainer.
    2. Move the retainer to the larger opening of the keyhole.
    3. Take the retainer out of the keyhole.
    4. Insert the retainer into the suitable keyhole.
    5. Press both sides of the retainer.
    6. Slide the retainer until it is seated into the smaller opening of the keyhole.
  3. Locate the M.2 drive slot on the M.2 backplane.
    Note

    Some M.2 backplanes support two identical M.2 drives. Install the M.2 drive in slot 0 first.

    Figure 2. M.2 drive slots
    M.2 drive slot
    • 1 Slot 0
    • 2 Slot 1
  4. Install the M.2 drive on the M.2 backplane.
    Figure 3. Installing the M.2 drive
    Installing the M.2 drive on the M.2 backplane

    1. Insert the M.2 drive at an angle of approximately 30 degrees into the connector.
    2. Rotate the M.2 drive down until the notch 1 catches on the lip of the retainer 2.
    3. Slide the retainer toward the connector to secure the M.2 drive into place.

After you finish

Complete the parts replacement. See Complete the parts replacement.

Demo video

Watch the procedure on YouTube