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Install an M.2 drive

Follow 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 want to install.
    Figure 1. Adjusting the M.2 retainer
    Adjust the M.2 retainer.
    1. Press both sides of the retainer.
    2. Move the retainer forward until it is in the large opening of the keyhole.
    3. Take the retainer out of the keyhole.
    4. Insert the retainer into the correct keyhole.
    5. Press both sides of the retainer.
    6. Slide the retainer backwards (toward the small opening of the keyhole) until it is seated in place.
  3. Locate the connector on the M.2 backplane.
    Note

    • Your M.2 backplane might look different from the following illustrations, but the installation method is the same.

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

    Figure 2. M.2 drive slot
    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
    Install the M.2 drive on the M.2 backplane.
    1. Hold the M.2 drive at an angle, and insert it into the M.2 slot.
    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 M.2 drive to secure it in place.

After you finish

Complete the parts replacement. See Complete the parts replacement.

Demo video

Watch the procedure on YouTube (on air baffle)

Watch the procedure on YouTube (on middle drive cage)