Skip to main content

Backplanes: server models with 3.5-inch front drive bays

This section provides backplane cable connection information for server models with 3.5-inch front drive bays.

Before you start​

Ensure below parts are removed before starting cable routing for front backplanes.
Note

For the server with a performance heat sink (T-shape), remove the heat sink first before disconnecting or connecting the cables which connect to PCIe 1, PCIe 2, PCIe 3, PCIe 4, PCIe 7, or PCIe 8 connectors (see the table below). After disconnecting or connecting the cables, install the heat sink back to the server. See Remove a heat sink and Install a heat sink



  • 1 PCIe 1 Connector

  • 2 PCIe 2 Connector

  • 3 PCIe 4 Connector

  • 4 PCIe 3 Connector

  • 5 PCIe 7 Connector

  • 6 PCIe 8 Connector

Power cable connections​

For the 3.5-inch drive bay chassis, the following backplanes are supported and connect the power cables for the supported drive backplanes as illustrated.

Table 1. Supported backplanes
Front drive backplaneMiddle drive backplaneRear drive backplane

  • 8 x 3.5-inch SAS/SATA backplane

  • 12 x 3.5-inch SAS/SATA backplane

  • 12 x 3.5-inch AnyBay backplane

  • 12 x 3.5-inch SAS/SATA expander backplane

  • 4 x 2.5-inch SAS/SATA backplane

  • 4 x 2.5-inch NVMe backplane

  • 4 x 2.5-inch AnyBay backplane

  • 4 x 3.5-inch SAS/SATA backplane

  • 2 x 3.5-inch SAS/SATA backplane

  • 4 x 3.5-inch SAS/SATA backplane

  • 4 x 2.5-inch AnyBay backplane

Figure 1. Power cable routing for the 8 x 3.5-inch SAS/SATA drive backplane
Power cable routing for the 8 x 3.5-inch SAS/SATA drive backplane

FromTo
1 Power connector on the backplane1 Backplane 1 power connector on the system board assembly
Figure 2. Power cable routing for the 12 x 3.5-inch SAS/SATA and AnyBay drive backplane
Power cable routing for the 12 x 3.5-inch AnyBay drive backplane

FromTo
1 Power connector 1 on the backplane1 Backplane 1 power connector on the system board assembly
2 Power connector 2 on the backplane2 Backplane 2 power connector on the system board assembly
Figure 3. Power cable routing for the 12 x 3.5-inch SAS/SATA expander front drive backplane

FromTo
1 Power connector on the backplane1 Backplane 1 power connector on the system board assembly
Figure 4. Power cable routing for the 2 x 3.5-inch and 4 x 2.5-inch rear drive backplane

FromTo
1 Power connector on the backplane1 Rear backplane power connector and sideband connector on the system board assembly
Figure 5. Power cable routing for the 4 x 3.5-inch rear drive backplane

FromTo
1 Power connector on the backplane1 Rear backplane power connector and sideband connector on the system board assembly
Figure 6. Power cable routing for one 4 x 2.5-inch or 4 x 3.5-inch middle drive backplane

FromTo
1 Power connector on the backplane1 Middle backplane power connector on the system board assembly
Figure 7. Power cable routing two 4 x 2.5-inch middle drive backplanes

FromTo
1 Power connectors on the backplanes1 Middle backplane power connector on the system board assembly

Signal cable connections​

Refer to the specific topic for signal cable connections depending on the backplane installed.