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Install the M.2 backplane

Follow instructions in this section 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.

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.
    Figure 1. Installing the M.2 backplane on the air baffle
    Installing the M.2 backplane on the air baffle
    1. 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.
    2. Slide and hold the retention clip on the air baffle.
    3. Rotate the M.2 backplane downward into place.
    4. Release the retention clip. The retention clip will engage automatically.
    5. Tighten the screw to secure the M.2 backplane.
    Figure 2. Installing the M.2 backplane on the middle drive cage
    Installing the M.2 backplane on the middle drive cage
    1. Align the notch of the M.2 backplane with the pin on the middle drive cage, and then lower the M.2 backplane onto the middle drive cage.
    2. Tighten the screw on the end of the M.2 backplane.
    3. Tighten the screw on the middle of the M.2 backplane.
  3. Connect the M.2 cables.
    Figure 3. Connecting M.2 cables to ThinkSystem M.2 SATA/NVMe 2-Bay Enablement Kit or ThinkSystem M.2 NVMe 2-Bay RAID Enablement Kit
    Connecting M.2 cables to M.2 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 4. Connecting M.2 cables to ThinkSystem M.2 SATA/x4 NVMe 2-Bay Enablement Kit
    Connecting M.2 cables to M.2 backplane
    Figure 5. Connecting M.2 cables to ThinkSystem M.2 RAID B540i-2i SATA/NVMe Enablement Kit
    Connecting M.2 cables to M.2 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.
  4. Install the M.2 drive on the M.2 backplane. See Install an M.2 drive.

After you finish

Complete the parts replacement. See Complete the parts replacement.

Demo video

Watch the procedure on YouTube