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Remove the M.2 backplane

Follow instructions in this section to remove 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.
  • If the server is installed in a rack, slide the server out on its rack slide rails to gain access to the top cover, or remove the server from the rack. See Remove the server from rack.
  • If one or more NVMe solid-state drives are to be removed, it is recommended to disable them beforehand via the operating system.
  • Before you remove or make changes to drives, drive controllers (including controllers that are integrated on the system board assembly), drive backplanes or drive cables, back up all important data that is stored on drives.
  • Before you remove any component of a RAID array (drive, RAID card, etc.), back up all RAID configuration information.

Procedure

  1. Make preparation for this task.
    1. Remove the top cover. See Remove the top cover.
    2. Remove the M.2 drives. See Remove an M.2 drive.
    3. Depending on the configuration, disconnect the M.2 backplane cables from the system board assembly or the RAID adapter.
    4. Remove the air baffle from the server and place it on a static-protective surface. See Remove the air baffle.
  2. Remove the M.2 backplane.
    1. Remove the screw that secures the end of the M.2 backplane to the air baffle.
    2. Remove the screw that secures the middle of the M.2 backplane to the air baffle
    3. Slide the M.2 backplane backward, and lift it out of the air baffle.
      Figure 1. M.2 backplane removal
      M.2 backplane removal
  3. If needed, disconnect the M.2 backplane cables from the M.2 backplane.

    • SATA/NVMe or NVMe RAID M.2 backplane

      1. Loosen the screw on the signal cable.
      2. Tilt the connector and remove it.
      3. Remove the power cable.
        Figure 2. SATA/NVMe or NVMe RAID M.2 backplane cable disconnection
        SATA/NVMe or NVMe RAID M.2 backplane cable disconnection

    • SATA/x4 NVMe M.2 backplane

      Disconnect the M.2 backplane cables from the M.2 backplane.

      Figure 3. SATA/x4 NVMe M.2 backplane cable disconnection
      SATA/x4 NVMe M.2 backplane cable disconnection

After you finish

If you are instructed to return the component or optional device, follow all packaging instructions, and use any packaging materials for shipping that are supplied to you.

Demo video

Watch the procedure on YouTube