Install the 3.5-inch-drive backplane

Use this information to install the 3.5-inch-drive backplane. This topic applies only to server models that support 3.5-inch-drive backplanes.

Read the installation Guidelines

Power off the server for this task

ATTENTION: Static Sensitive Device Ground package before opening

Note

• The procedure is based on the scenario that you want to install the backplane for up to twelve 3.5-inch drives. The procedure is similar for the backplane for up to eight 3.5-inch drives.

• If you are installing the 3.5-inch-drive backplane with expander and the 8i HBA/RAID adapter for the server models with twelve 3.5-inch-drive bays, GPU is not supported, the maximum supported processor TDP is 165 watts, and you need to create the RAID volume to avoid the disorder of the HDD sequence. Besides, if the rear hot-swap drive is installed, the server performance might be degraded.

Before installing the 3.5-inch-drive backplane, touch the static-protective package that contains the new backplane to any unpainted surface on the outside of the server. Then, take the new backplane out of the package and place it on a static-protective surface.

To install the 3.5-inch-drive backplane, complete the following steps:

Figure 1. 3.5-inch-drive backplane installation

1. Connect the cables to the backplane.
2. Align the backplane with the chassis and lower it into the chassis. Then, put the backplane into place with it leaning backward slightly.
3. Rotate the backplane to vertical position to ensure that the four hooks on the chassis pass through the corresponding holes in the backplane. Then, slide the new backplane as shown until it is secured into place.
4. Apply the drive bay label based on the type of the installed backplanes. The drive bay label comes with each type of the supported drive backplane:

   • 0–7

     Apply this label to the chassis if an 8-bay backplane is installed.

   • 0–11

     Apply this label to the chassis if a 12-bay backplane is installed.

   • 0–11 (NVMe)

     Apply this label to the chassis if an AnyBay 12-bay backplane is installed.

     Note

     NVMe drives are supported in drive bays 8–11.

   The following illustration shows the location for applying the drive bay label to the server models with a 12-bay backplane installed. The location is the same for applying the drive bay label to server models with an 8-bay backplane or an AnyBay 12-bay backplane installed. Ensure that the drive bay label is stuck in the correct location. The label helps you to locate the correct drive during problem determination.

   Figure 2. Drive bay label for server models with a 12-bay backplane installed