Skip to main content

Front panel

The front panel of the server provides controls, connectors, and LEDs.

The following illustration shows the control, connectors, and LEDs on the front panel of the server.

Figure 1. Front panel
Front panel
Table 1. Components on the front panel
1 Power button with power status LED (green)5 System error LED (yellow)
2 Simple-swap drive activity LED (green)6 USB 3.2 Gen 1 connector
3 Network activity LED (green)7 USB 2.0 connector with Lenovo XClarity Controller management
4 System ID button with system ID LED (blue) 

1 Power button with power status LED (green)

Press this button to turn the server on and off manually. The states of the power LED are as follows:
  • Off: No power supply is properly installed, or the LED itself has failed.
  • Flashing rapidly (four times per second): The server is turned off and is not ready to be turned on. The power-control button is disabled. This will last approximately 5 to 10 seconds.
  • Flashing slowly (once per second): The server is turned off and is ready to be turned on. You can press the power-control button to turn on the server.
  • Lit: The server is turned on.

2 Simple-swap drive activity LED (green)

The simple-swap drive activity LED is only for server models with simple-swap storage drives.

StatusColorDescription
Solid onGreenThe simple-swap drive is active.
OffNoneThe simple-swap drive is not active.

3 Network activity LED (green)

The network activity LED on the front panel helps you identify the network connectivity and activity.

StatusColorDescription
OnGreenThe server is connected to a network.
BlinkingGreenThe network is connected and active.
OffNoneThe server is disconnected from the network.

4 System ID button with system ID LED (blue)

Use this system ID button and the blue system ID LED to visually locate the server. A system ID LED is also located on the rear of the server. Each time you press the system ID button, the state of both the system ID LEDs changes. The LEDs 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 LEDs 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.

5 System error LED (yellow)

The system error LED provides basic diagnostic functions for your server.

StatusColorDescriptionAction
OnYellowAn error has been detected on the server. Causes might include one or more of the following errors:

  • The temperature of the server reached the non-critical temperature threshold.

  • The voltage of the server reached the non-critical voltage threshold.

  • A fan has been detected to be running at low speed.

  • A fan has been removed.

  • The power supply has a critical error.

  • The power supply is not connected to the power.

Check the event log to determine the exact cause of the error.
OffNoneThe server is off or the server is on and is working correctly.None.

6 USB 3.2 Gen 1 connector

Used to attach a device that requires a USB 2.0 or 3.2 Gen 1 connection, such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a USB flash drive.

7 USB 2.0 connector with Lenovo XClarity Controller management

Depending on the setting, this connector supports USB 2.0 function, XClarity Controller management function, or both.

  • If the connector is set for USB 2.0 function, you can attach a device that requires a USB 2.0 connection, such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a USB storage device.

  • If the connector is set for XClarity Controller management function, you can attach a mobile device installed with the application to run XClarity Controller event logs.

  • 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.