Remove a Storage Drive (CRU)

Use this procedure to remove a storage drive from the server.

Before You Begin

• For serviceability considerations, see Component Serviceability.

• For storage drive designation information, see DVD, Storage Drive, and USB Designations.

• NVMe storage drives must first be prepared using operating system commands to prevent data loss and an operating system crash.

1. Determine whether you can replace the storage drive using the hot-plug or hot-swap procedure or whether you need to power off the server and use the cold-swap procedure.

   A cold-swap is required if the storage drive:

   • Contains the operating system, and the operating system is not mirrored on another drive.
   • Cannot be logically isolated from the online operations of the server.
2. Do one of the following:
   • To hot-plug a SAS drive:
     1. Take the drive offline.

        This removes the logical software links to the drive and prevents any applications from accessing it. To take a storage drive offline, use OS-specific commands or the HBA software (MegaRAID or StorCLI).

     2. Prepare the server for service.

        See Prepare the Server for Hot Service.

   • To hot-plug an NVMe drive:
     1. Use operating system commands to prepare the drive for removal:

        • Removing and Replacing an NVMe Storage Drive Using Oracle Solaris

        • Removing and Replacing an NVMe Storage Drive Using Oracle Linux

     2. Prepare the server for service.

        See Prepare the Server for Hot Service.

   • To cold-swap a drive:
     1. Power off the server.

        Use one of the power-off options described in Prepare the Server for Cold Service.

3. Once physically at the server, If necessary, press the Locator indicator button to deactivate the indicator.
4. Identify the storage drive you want to remove.

   If you are hot-plugging a drive, ensure that the blue Ready to Remove indicator is lit.

   See Storage Drive Reference.

5. Push the storage drive's release button to open the latch.
6. Grasp the latch and pull the drive out of the drive slot.
   
7. Consider your next steps:

   • If you are replacing the drive, continue to Install a Storage Drive (CRU).

   • If you are not replacing the drive, Install a Storage Drive Filler Panel (CRU) in the empty drive slot to maintain proper airflow and perform administrative tasks to configure the server to operate without the drive.

     If you performed a cold-service procedure, power on the server.