14 Servicing the Disk Backplane

This section describes how to service the 4-Drive backplane and 12-Drive backplane.

The disk backplane (DBP) is a replaceable component that requires you to power off the server before servicing. Perform the 4-Drive backplane or 12-Drive backplane procedures. For more information about replaceable components, see Illustrated Parts Breakdown and Replaceable Components.

Caution:

Ensure that all power is removed from the server before removing or installing the disk backplane. You must disconnect the power cables before performing this procedure.

Caution:

These procedures require that you handle components that are sensitive to electrostatic discharge. This sensitivity can cause the component to fail. To avoid damage, ensure that you follow electrostatic discharge safety measures and antistatic practices. See Electrostatic Discharge Safety.

Remove the 4-Drive Backplane

To remove the storage drive cage and 4-Drive disk backplane (DBP):

1. Prepare the server for service.
   1. Power off the server.

      See Powering Down the Server.

   2. Disconnect the power cords from the power supplies.

      See Disconnect Cables From the Server.

   3. Extend the server into the maintenance position.

      See Extend the Server to the Maintenance Position.

   4. Attach an antistatic wrist strap to your wrist, and then to a metal area on the chassis.

      See Take Antistatic Measures.

   5. Remove the server top cover.

      See Remove the Server Top Cover.

   6. Remove the air baffle.

      See Remove the Air Baffle.

   7. Remove the fan modules from the server.

      See Remove a Fan Module.

   8. Remove the fan tray from the server.

      See Remove the Fan Tray.

2. Remove all NVMe storage drives from the server front panel and set them aside on an antistatic mat.

   See Remove a Storage Drive.

   Note:

   Make a note of each storage drive location so that you can reinstall each storage drive in the same location.
3. Remove the storage drive cage from the chassis.
   
   

   

   
   
   1. Disconnect the DBP power cable and the DBP auxiliary signal cable from the motherboard connectors, and remove the DBP auxiliary signal cable from the left-side cable trough [1].

      Note:

      Do not disconnect the DBP power cable and DBP auxiliary signal cable from the disk backplane at this time.
   2. Using a Torx T15 screwdriver, loosen the two spring-mounted screws that secure the storage drive cage in to the chassis [2].
   3. Ensure that the DBP power cable and DBP auxiliary signal cable are free from snagging motherboard components and gently pull the storage drive cage with cables attached through the front panel of the chassis [3].

      See also Remove the Disk Backplane Signal Cable.

4. Remove the 4-Drive disk backplane from the storage drive cage.
   1. Disconnect the DBP power cable and the DBP auxiliary signal cable from the disk backplane and set them aside [4].

      Note:

      Press and hold the button on the connector to disengage the locking mechanism, then gently pull the connector from the disk backplane.
   2. Using a Torx T15 screwdriver, loosen the two spring-mounted screws that secure the disk backplane to the storage drive cage [5].
   3. Gently remove the disk backplane from the storage drive cage [6].
   4. Place the disk backplane on an antistatic mat.

Install the 4-Drive Backplane

To install the 4-Drive disk backplane (DBP) and storage drive cage:

1. Install the 4-Drive disk backplane on to the storage drive cage.
   1. Align the replacement disk backplane with the rear of the storage drive cage. Using a Torx T15 screwdriver, tighten the two spring-mounted screws to secure the disk backplane to the storage drive cage [1, 2].
      
      

      

      
      
   2. Reconnect the DBP power cable and the DBP auxiliary signal cable to the disk backplane [3].
2. Install the storage drive cage in to the chassis.
   1. Align the storage drive cage with the opening in the front panel of the server. Pull the attached DBP power cable and DBP auxiliary signal cable through the opening while gently pushing the storage drive cage in to the chassis until it is fully seated in the chassis [4].
   2. Using a Torx T15 screwdriver, tighten the two spring-mounted screws to secure the storage drive cage to the chassis [5].
   3. Gently insert the DBP auxiliary signal cable in to the left-side cable trough. Reconnect the DBP auxiliary signal cable and DBP power cable to the motherboard connectors [6].

      See also Install the Disk Backplane Signal Cable.

   4. Reinstall the storage drives in to the front
3. Reinstall all NVMe storage drives into the server front panel storage drive cage.

   See Install a Storage Drive.

4. Return the server to operation.
   1. Install the fan tray.

      See Install the Fan Tray.

   2. Install the fan modules.

      See Install a Fan Module.

   3. Install the air baffle.

      See Install the Air Baffle.

   4. Install the server top cover.

      See Install the Server Top Cover.

   5. Return the server to the normal rack position.

      See Return the Server to the Normal Rack Position.

   6. Reconnect the power cords to the power supplies, and power on the server.

      See Reconnect Power and Data Cables and Power On the Server.

   7. Verify that the power supply AC OK LED is lit.

   Note:

   IMPORTANT: When the disk backplane is replaced, the key identity properties (KIP) of the backplane is programmed by Oracle ILOM to contain the same KIP as the other quorum member components. If you removed other quorum member components, you might need to manually program the product serial number (PSN) into the new backplane. For more information, see FRU Key Identity Properties (KIP) Automated Update.

Remove the 12-Drive Backplane

To remove the 12-Drive backplane (DBP):

1. Prepare the server for service.
   1. Power off the server.

      See Powering Down the Server.

   2. Disconnect the power cords from the power supplies.

      See Disconnect Cables From the Server.

   3. Extend the server into the maintenance position.

      See Extend the Server to the Maintenance Position.

   4. Attach an antistatic wrist strap to your wrist, and then to a metal area on the chassis.

      See Take Antistatic Measures.

   5. Remove the server top cover.

      See Remove the Server Top Cover.

   6. Remove the air baffle.

      See Remove the Air Baffle.

   7. Remove the fan modules from the server.

      See Remove a Fan Module.

   8. Remove the fan tray from the server.

      See Remove the Fan Tray.

2. Pull each storage drive out far enough to disengage it from the backplane.

   See Remove a Storage Drive.

   Note:

   It is not necessary to completely remove the storage drives from the server; simply pull them out far enough to disengage them from the backplane. If you do remove the storage drives from the server, make a note of their locations so that you can reinstall them in the same locations.
3. Disconnect the cables from the disk backplane.

   Ensure all cables are moved out of the way so they do not interfere with the disk backplane removal procedure.

   1. Disconnect the three SAS cables from the 12-Drive backplane [1].

      See also Remove SAS Storage Drive Cables.

   2. Disconnect the two power cables from the 12-Drive backplane [2].

      Press and hold the button on the connector to disengage the locking mechanism, then gently pull the connector from the disk backplane. Note the cable connections in order to ease proper reconnection of the cables.

      
   3. Disconnect the DBP auxiliary signal cable from the 12-Drive backplane [3].

      See also Remove the Disk Backplane Signal Cable.

4. Using a Torx T15 screwdriver, loosen the right-side and left-side spring-mounted screws that secure the 12-Drive backplane to the chassis [4].
5. Lift the 12-Drive backplane up to release it from the standoff hooks and out of the chassis [5 and 6].
6. Place the 12-Drive backplane on an antistatic mat.

Install the 12-Drive Backplane

To install the 12-Drive backplane (DBP):

1. Lower the 12-Drive backplane into the server, and position it to engage the standoff hooks [1 and 2].
   
2. Using a Torx T15 screwdriver, tighten the right-side and left-side spring-mounted screws to secure the 12-Drive backplane to the chassis [3].
3. Reconnect the cables to the disk backplane.
   1. Reconnect the DBP auxiliary signal cable to the 12-Drive backplane [4].

      See also Install the Disk Backplane Signal Cable.

   2. Reconnect the two power cables to the disk backplane [5].
   3. Reconnect the three SAS cables to the 12-Drive backplane [6].

      To ensure proper SAS cable connections, see the SAS cabling reference table in Step 3 in Install SAS Storage Drive Cables.

4. Return the server to operation.
   1. Install the fan tray.

      See Install the Fan Tray.

   2. Install the fan modules.

      See Install a Fan Module.

   3. Install the air baffle.

      See Install the Air Baffle.

   4. Install the server top cover.

      See Install the Server Top Cover.

   5. Install all storage drives into the storage drive cage.

      When reinstalling storage drives, start with the top row and go from left to right.

      See Install a Storage Drive.

   6. Return the server to the normal rack position.

      See Return the Server to the Normal Rack Position.

   7. Reconnect the power cords to the power supplies, and power on the server.

      See Reconnect Power and Data Cables and Power On the Server.

   8. Verify that the power supply AC OK LED is lit.

   Note:

   IMPORTANT: When the disk backplane is replaced, the key identity properties (KIP) of the backplane is programmed by Oracle ILOM to contain the same KIP as the other quorum member components. If you removed other quorum member components, you might need to manually program the product serial number (PSN) into the new backplane. For more information, see FRU Key Identity Properties (KIP) Automated Update.

Remove the Disk Backplane Signal Cable

Before removing the disk backplane signal cable, review the procedures for removing the 4 or 12 disk backplane from the server. See Remove the 4-Drive Backplane and Remove the 12-Drive Backplane.

1. Prepare the server for service.
   1. Power off the server.

      See Powering Down the Server.

   2. Disconnect the power cords from the power supplies.

      See Disconnect Cables From the Server.

   3. Extend the server to the maintenance position.

      See Extend the Server to the Maintenance Position.

   4. Attach an antistatic wrist strap.

      See Take Antistatic Measures.

   5. Remove the server top cover.

      See Remove the Server Top Cover.

   6. Remove the air baffle.

      See Remove the Air Baffle.

   7. Remove the fan modules from the server.

      See Remove a Fan Module.

   8. Remove the fan tray from the server.

      See Remove the Fan Tray.

2. Locate the disk backplane signal cable.

   The disk backplane signal cable is connected between the 4 or 12 disk backplane and the motherboard connector, which is located between PCIe slot 4 and the motherboard handle. The signal cable is routed from the disk backplane, through the left-side cable trough, and then through the motherboard handle before connecting to the motherboard [1, 2].

   
   

   

   
   
3. Disconnect and remove the disk backplane signal cable from the server.
   1. Disconnect the signal cable from the disk backplane and the motherboard [1].

      At each end of the signal cable, press and hold the connector to disengage the locking mechanism, then gently lift the connector from the disk backplane and motherboard.

      Note:

      For information on disconnecting the disk backplane signal cable from the 4-disk backplane, see Remove the 4-Drive Backplane.
   2. Remove the cable from the server.

      Gently direct the cable through the motherboard handle and then lift the cable from the left-side cable trough [2].

      Ensure that the disk backplane signal cable is free from snagging motherboard components and other cables in the server. You might need to remove the SAS cables from the left-side cable trough before removing the disk backplane signal cable. See Remove SAS Storage Drive Cables.

Install the Disk Backplane Signal Cable

Before installing the disk backplane signal cable, review the procedures for installing the 4 or 12 disk backplane in the server. See Install the 4-Drive Backplane and Install the 12-Drive Backplane.

1. Unpack the replacement disk backplane signal cable and place it on an antistatic mat.
2. Install the disk backplane signal cable between the disk backplane and motherboard connectors [1].

   Route the signal cable through the left-side cable trough and then through the motherboard handle.

   
   

   

   
   

   Ensure that the disk backplane signal cable is free from snagging motherboard components and other cables in the server. You might need to remove the SAS cables from the left-side cable trough before installing the disk backplane signal cable. See Remove SAS Storage Drive Cables.

3. Reconnect the disk backplane signal cable to the disk backplane and the motherboard. Plug each end of the cable into its connector until you hear an audible click [2].

   Note:

   For information on reconnecting the disk backplane signal cable to the 4-disk backplane, see Install the 4-Drive Backplane.
4. If necessary, reinstall SAS cables in the left-side cable trough.

   See Install SAS Storage Drive Cables.

5. Return the server to operation.
   1. Install the fan tray.

      See Install the Fan Tray.

   2. Install the fan modules.

      See Install a Fan Module.

   3. Install the air baffle.

      See Install the Air Baffle.

   4. Install the server top cover.

      See Install the Server Top Cover.

   5. Return the server to the normal rack position.

      See Return the Server to the Normal Rack Position.

   6. Reconnect the power cords to the power supplies, and power on the server.

      See Reconnect Power and Data Cables and Power On the Server.

   7. Verify that the power supply AC OK LED is lit.