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Front I/O module

The front I/O module provides controls, connectors, and LEDs. The front I/O module varies by model.

Front I/O module (on rack latch)


Front I/O module (on rack latch)

Front I/O module (on media bay)


Front I/O module (on media bay)

Table 1. Components on the front I/O module
CalloutCallout
1 USB 3 (5 Gbps) connector2 USB 2.0 connector with XClarity Controller management
3 Power button with power status LED4 Network activity LED (for OCP module)
5 System ID button with system ID LED6 System error LED
7 Front operator panel or integrated diagnostics panel 

1 USB 3 (5 Gbps) connector

The USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) connector can be used to attach a USB-compatible device, such as a USB keyboard, USB mouse, or USB storage device.

2 USB 2.0 connector with XClarity Controller management

Depending on the setting, this connector supports USB 2.0 function, XClarity Controller management function, or both. It is the only USB port that supports USB automation update of the firmware and RoT security module.

  • If the connector is set for USB 2.0 function, it can be used to attach a USB-compatible device, such as a USB keyboard, USB mouse, or USB storage device.

  • If the connector is set for XClarity Controller management function, it can be used to connect the server to an android or iOS device, where you can then install and launch the Lenovo XClarity Mobile app to manage the system using XClarity Controller.

    For details about using the Lenovo XClarity Mobile app, refer to Lenovo XClarity Administrator Mobile app online documentation.

  • If the connector is set to have both functions, you can press the system ID button for three seconds to switch between the two functions.

3 Power button with power status LED

You can press this button to turn the server on and off manually. The power status LED helps you determine the current power status.
StatusColorDescription
OffNonePower is not present, or the power supply unit has failed.
Fast blinking (about four flashes per second)Green

  • The server is off, but the XClarity Controller is initializing, and the server is not ready to be powered on.

  • System-board-assembly power has failed.

Slow blinking (about one flash per second)GreenThe server is off and is ready to be powered on (standby state).
Solid onGreenThe server is on and running.

4 Network activity LED

Compatibility of the NIC adapter and the network activity LED:
NIC adapterNetwork activity LED
OCP moduleSupport
PCIe NIC adapterNot support
When an OCP module is installed, the network activity LED on the front I/O assembly helps you identify the network connectivity and activity. If no OCP module is installed, this LED is off.
StatusColorDescription
OnGreenThe server is connected to a network.
BlinkingGreenThe network is connected and active.
OffNoneThe server is disconnected from the network.
Note
If the network activity LED is off when an OCP module is installed, check the network ports in the rear of your server to determine which port is disconnected.

5 System ID button with system ID LED

Use this system ID button and the blue system ID LED to visually locate the server. Each time you press the system ID button, the state of the system ID LED changes. The LED can be changed to on, blinking, or off. You can also use the Lenovo XClarity Controller or a remote management program to change the state of the system ID LED to assist in visually locating the server among other servers.

If the XClarity Controller USB connector is set to have both the USB 2.0 function and XClarity Controller management function, you can press the system ID button for three seconds to switch between the two functions.

6 System error LED

The system error LED provides basic diagnostic functions for your server. If the system error LED is lit, one or more LEDs elsewhere in the server might also be lit to direct you to the source of the error.

StatusColorDescriptionAction
OnYellowAn error has been detected on the server. Causes might include but are not limited to the following errors:

  • A fan failure

  • A memory error

  • A storage failure

  • A PCIe device failure

  • A power supply failure

  • A processor error

  • A system I/O board or processor board error

  • Check the Lenovo XClarity Controller event log and the system event log to determine the exact cause of the error.

  • Check if additional LEDs elsewhere in the server are also lit that will direct you to the source of the error. See Troubleshooting by system LEDs and diagnostics display.

  • Save the log if necessary.

OffNoneThe server is off, or the server is on and is working correctly.None.

7 Front operator panel or integrated diagnostics panel

Depending on the server model, the server comes with the front operator panel (without LCD display) or the integrated diagnostics panel (with LCD display).

The integrated diagnostic panel provides an LCD display to quickly access system information such as active errors, system status, firmware information, network information, and health information. For details, see Integrated diagnostics panel.

Figure 1. Integrated diagnostics panel (with LCD display)
Integrated diagnostics panel (with LCD display)

Figure 2. Front operator panel (without LCD display)
Front operator panel (without LCD display)