Skip to main content

Install a RAID adapter in the I/O expansion cage

Use the following information to install a RAID adapter on the I/O expansion cage.

Note
The process for installing most RAID adapters in the I/O expansion cage is the same, with one exception: the RAID 930-8i adapter. The RAID 930-8i requires the RAID 930-8i supercapacitor (called a supercap), which is used as a backup for the NAND flash memory on the adapter. Before installing a RAID 930-8i adapter, make sure that you have installed a RAID 930-8i supercap (including the supercap retention bracket). See Install the RAID 930-8i supercap.
Before installing a PCIe adapter on the I/O expansion cage:

  1. Disconnect power cords from both power supplies.

  2. Disconnect all cables from the front of the PCIe adapters that are installed in the I/O expansion cage.

  3. Loosen the two captive screws located on the front of the server.

  4. Pull the server forward until the slide rails click into place.

  5. Remove the top cover. See Remove the top cover.

  6. Remove the air baffle. See Remove the air baffle.

  7. Remove the fan cage. See Remove the system fan cage.

  8. Remove the I/O expansion cage (see Remove the I/O expansion cage).

    1. Lift the blue retention tabs at the back of the I/O expansion cage.

    2. Slide the I/O expansion cage back and then lift it away from the server chassis.

    3. Rotate the I/O expansion cage so that the screw for the expansion cage cover is facing up; then, carefully remove the P1 screw for the I/O expansion cage cover.

    4. Push the I/O expansion cage cover out of the way.

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

  10. Connect the RAID adapter power cable from the RAID adapter supercap to the RAID adapter.

To install a RAID adapter on the I/O expansion cage, complete the following steps:

Figure 1. Installing a PCIe adapter (ThinkSystem 930-8i)
Removing a PCIe adapter from the I/O expansion cage

  1. Remove the adapter filler by removing the adapter retention screw for the filler and lifting it away from the I/O expansion cage.
  2. Align the PCIe adapter with the PCIe slot on the I/O expansion cage. Then, carefully press the PCIe adapter straight into the slot until it is securely seated and its bracket also is secured.
    Note
    Carefully handle the PCIe adapter by its edges.
  3. If you are installing a RAID 930-8i adapter, connect the RAID adapter power cable from the RAID supercap power connector (3) to the RAID adapter connector (1).
    Figure 2. RAID 930-8i adapter connectors
  4. Connect the SAS cables from the SAS 0 and SAS 1 connectors on the drive cage backplane to the RAID adapter (2).
  5. Install the adapter retention screw to secure the adapter in place.
  6. Reinstall the I/O expansion cage cover.
After installing the PCIe adapter on the I/O expansion cage:

  1. Connect the cables back to the PCIe adapter.

  2. Install the I/O expansion cage. See Install the I/O expansion cage.

  3. Install the fan cage. See Install the system fan cage.

  4. Install the air baffle. See Install the air baffle.

  5. Install the top cover. See Install the top cover.

  6. Push up on the latches on the slide rails and push the server back into the rack.

  7. Tighten the two captive screws located on the front of the server to secure the server in the rack.

    Note
    Always secure the system in the rack if your are moving the rack.

  8. Connect all cables to the ports on the front of the server, including the management port, if necessary, and all PCIe adapter ports. The management port and PCIe adapter ports are located in the I/O expansion cage.

  9. Connect power cords to both power supplies, which are located at the rear of the server.