Installing an I/O expansion adapter

Use this information to install an I/O expansion adapter.

Before you install an I/O expansion adapter, complete the following steps:
  1. Read Safety and Installation guidelines.
  2. If the compute node is installed in a Lenovo Flex System chassis, remove it (see Removing a compute node from a chassis for instructions).
  3. Carefully lay the compute node on a flat, static-protective surface, orienting the compute node with the bezel pointing toward you.
The following notes describe information that you must consider when you install an I/O expansion adapter:
  • This component can be installed as an optional device or as a CRU. The installation procedure is the same for the optional device and the CRU.
  • Install the ServeRAID M5115 controller in I/O expansion connector 3 only.
  • The following adapters are supported only in I/O expansion connector 1 and connector 2:
    • Flex System CN4054 10 Gb Virtual Fabric Adapter
    • Flex System CN4058 8-port 10 Gb Virtual Fabric Adapter
    • Flex System EN2024 4-port 1 Gb Ethernet Adapter
    • Flex System FC5054 4-port 16 Gb FC Adapter
  • To consider any maximum I/O limitations for the Flex System x480 X6 and x880 X6 compute node, see http://www.ibm.com/systems/info/x86servers/serverproven/compat/us/nos/flexmatrix.shtml.

  • 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.

To install an I/O expansion adapter, complete the following steps.


IO card installation

  1. Remove the cover (see Removing the compute node cover).
  2. Locate the I/O expansion connectors (see System-board connectors).
  3. Remove the expansion cover 1 from the connector, if one is present.
  4. Touch the static-protective package that contains the adapter to any unpainted metal surface on the Lenovo Flex System chassis or any unpainted metal surface on any other grounded rack component; then, remove the adapter from the package.
  5. Open the retention clips if they are closed.
  6. Orient the connector on the expansion adapter with the I/O expansion connector and alignment pins on the system board 2; then, press the adapter into the I/O expansion connector.
  7. Firmly press on the indicated locations to seat the expansion adapter in the connector and over the alignment pins.
  8. Close the retention clips 3.
  9. If you are replacing a ServeRAID adapter, import your RAID configuration to the replacement adapter as a foreign configuration. See the ServeRAID-M Software User Guide at ServeRAID-M Software User Guide for instructions.
After you install the I/O expansion adapter, complete the following steps:
  1. Install the cover onto the compute node (see Installing the compute node cover for instructions).
  2. Install the compute node into the chassis (see Installing a compute node in a chassis for instructions).
  3. See the documentation that comes with the expansion adapter for device-driver and configuration information to complete the installation.
Parent topic: Removing and replacing Tier 1 customer replaceable units (CRUs)