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Installing an adapter

Use this information to install an adapter.

The following notes describe the types of adapters that the server supports and other information that you must consider when you install an adapter:
  • To confirm that the server supports the adapter that you are installing, see the Lenovo ServerProven website.
  • Locate the documentation that comes with the adapter and follow those instructions in addition to the instructions in this section.
  • Do not set the maximum digital video adapter resolution above 1600 x 1200 at 75 Hz for an LCD monitor. This is the highest resolution that is supported for any add-on video adapter that you install in the server.
  • Avoid touching the components and gold-edge connectors on the adapter.
  • The server uses a rotational interrupt technique to configure PCI adapters so that you can install PCI adapters that do not support sharing of PCI interrupts.
Attention
Static electricity that is released to internal server components when the server is powered-on might cause the server to stop, which might result in the loss of data. To avoid this potential problem, always use an electrostatic-discharge wrist strap or other grounding system when working inside the server with the power on.

Read the safety information in Safety and Installation guidelines.

If you are replacing a server component in the server, you need to turn off the server and peripheral devices, and disconnect the power cords and all external cables.

Read the following table before installing memory modules when any NVIDIA adapters is installed.
Table 1. NVIDIA video adapter configurations.

DescriptionSupported maximum total memory size
NVIDIA Tesla K8, K40c, and M60 (Active)1 TB
NVIDIA Quadro K620, K5200, K6000, M5000, and M60001 TB
Note

  • If your adapter was previously configured, backup or record its configuration information, if possible, before replacing the adapter. See the documentation for your adapter for information and instructions.

  • If you are replacing a ServeRAID adapter, import your RAID configuration to the replacement adapter as a foreign configuration after you finish the replacement. See the ServeRAID-M Software User Guide for instructions.

  • The Intel X710 2x10GbE SFP+ Adapter supports 10-Gbps transfer rate only.

To install an adapter, complete the following steps.

  1. Carefully turn the server on its side so that it is lying flat, with the cover facing up.
    Attention
    Do not allow the server to fall over.
  2. Unlock and remove the left-side cover (see Removing the left-side cover).
  3. See the documentation that comes with the adapter for any cabling instructions and information about jumper or switch settings. (It might be easier for you to route cables before you install the adapter.)
  4. Touch the static-protective package that contains the adapter to any unpainted metal surface on the server; then, remove the adapter from the package.
  5. Remove the air baffle (see Removing the air baffle).
  6. Determine the PCI slot into which you will install the adapter.
  7. Press down the adapter-retention brackets to the open position.
    Figure 1. Rotate the adapter-retention brackets to the open position
    Rotate the adapter-retention brackets to the open position
  8. Remove the expansion slot cover, if installed. Keep the slot cover in a safe place for potential future use.
  9. Press the adapter firmly into the expansion slot.
    Attention
    Incomplete insertion might cause damage to the system board or the adapter.
  10. Close the adapter-retention bracket.
  11. Connect the adapter cables (see Internal cable routing and connectors).
  12. Perform any configuration tasks that are required for the adapter.
  13. Reinstall the air baffle (see Replacing the air baffle).
  14. Install and lock the left-side cover (see Installing the left-side cover).

If you have replaced a server component or installed an optional device in the server, you need to reconnect the power cords and all external cables, and turn on the server and peripheral devices.