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Install a hot-swap drive

Use this information to install a hot-swap drive.

The following notes describe the type of drives that your server supports and other information that you must consider when you install a drive.

  • Depending on your server models, your server supports the following drive types:
    • NVMe SSD

    • SAS/SATA SSD

    • SAS/SATA HDD

    Note
    For the middle/rear drive cage with an NVMe backplane, only 7 mm NVMe drives (installed in the 15 mm-height drive trays) are supported. The 15 mm drives are not supported.

    For a list of supported drives, see: Lenovo ServerProven website

  • The drive bays are numbered to indicate the installation order (starting from number 0). Follow the installation order when you install a drive. See Front view.

  • You can mix drives of different types, different sizes, and different capacities in one system, but not in one RAID array. The following priority is recommended for installing the drives:
    • Drive type priority: NVMe SSD, SAS SSD, SATA SSD, SAS HDD, SATA HDD

    • Drive size priority: 2.5 inch, 3.5 inch

    • Drive capacity priority: the lowest capacity first

  • The drives in a single RAID array must be the same type, same size, and same capacity.

  • The type and number of supported drives vary by server model and backplane configuration. For more information, see Drive bay configurations and requirements.

Before installing a hot-swap drive:
  1. If the drive bay has a drive filler installed, pinch the two tabs to remove the drive filler. Keep the drive filler in a safe place.
    Figure 1. 2.5-inch drive filler removal
    2.5-inch drive filler removal

    Figure 2. 3.5-inch drive filler removal
    3.5-inch drive filler removal

  2. Touch the static-protective package that contains the new drive to any unpainted surface on the outside of the server. Then, take the new drive out of the package and place it on a static-protective surface.

To install a hot-swap drive, complete the following steps:

Watch the procedure. A video of the installation and removal process is available at YouTube

Figure 3. 2.5-inch hot-swap drive installation
2.5-inch hot-swap drive installation

Figure 4. 3.5-inch hot-swap drive installation
3.5-inch hot-swap drive installation

  1. Ensure that the drive tray handle is in the open position. Slide the drive into the drive bay until it snaps into position.
  2. Close the drive tray handle to lock the drive in place.
  3. Check the drive status LED to verify that the drive is operating correctly.
    • If the yellow drive status LED is lit continuously, that drive is faulty and must be replaced.

    • If the green drive activity LED is flashing, the drive is being accessed.

  4. Continue to install additional hot-swap drives if necessary.