Dell IoMemory Hardware Installation Guide For IoMemory VSL 3.2.15 2017-04-11
Dell IoMemory Hardware Installation Guide For IoMemory VSL 3.2.15 2017-04-11
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IOMEMORY HARDWARE INSTALLATION GUIDE
Table of Contents 2
Dell ioMemory Hardware Installation Guide for Fusion ioMemory VSL 3.2.15 4
Legal Notices 4
SAFETY— General 5
Introduction 7
Overview 7
Software Compatibility 7
Hardware Requirements 7
Firmware Requirements 11
In the Box 11
Installation Instructions 13
Peak Performance 18
Dell Support 24
Contacting Dell 24
Legal Notices
The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.
Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly
forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell™, the DELL logo, PowerEdge™ are trademarks of Dell Inc.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this publication to refer to either the entities claiming the
marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names
other than its own.
The following information boxes are used throughout the user guide to present important information:
NOTE-
Indicates a special note.
ATTENTION!
Indicates cautions to take into consideration when using the device and software.
WARNING!
Indicates warnings to take into consideration when using the device and software.
Use the following safety guidelines to help ensure your own personal safety and to help protect your system and
working environment from potential
NOTE-
For complete information on U.S. Terms and Conditions of Sale, Limited Warranties and Returns, Export
Regulations, Software License Agreement, Safety, Environmental and Ergonomic Instructions, Regulatory
Notices, and Recycling Information, see the Safety, Environmental and Regulatory Information (SERI), End
User License Agreement (EULA), and Warranty and Support Information (WSI) that shipped with your
system.
You can also take the following steps to prevent damage from electrostatic discharge:
l When unpacking a static-sensitive component from its shipping carton, do not remove the component from
the antistatic packing material until you are ready to install the component. Just before unwrapping the
antistatic package, be sure to discharge static electricity from your body.
l When transporting a sensitive component, first place it in an antistatic container or packaging.
l Handle all electrostatic sensitive components in a static-safe area.
SAFETY— General
l Observe and follow service markings. Do not service any product except as explained in your user
documentation. Opening or removing covers that are marked with the triangular symbol with a lightning
bolt may expose you to electrical shock. Components inside the compartments must be serviced only by a
trained service technician.
l If any of the following conditions occur, unplug the product from the electrical outlet, and replace the part
or contact your trained service provider:
o The power cable, extension cable, or plug is damaged.
o An object has fallen in the product.
o The product has been exposed to water.
o The product has been dropped or damaged.
o The product does not operate correctly when you follow the operating instructions.
o Use the product only with approved equipment.
ATTENTION!
Except as expressly otherwise instructed in Dell documentation, only trained service technicians are
authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system.
NOTE-
To help avoid possible damage to the system board, wait 5 seconds after turning off the system before
removing a component from the system board or disconnecting a peripheral device.
l When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on its strain-relief loop, not on the cable itself. Some
cables have a connector with locking tabs. If you are disconnecting this type of cable, press in on the locking
tabs before disconnecting the cable. As you pull connectors apart, keep them evenly aligned to avoid
bending any connector pins. Also, when you connect a cable, make sure both connectors are correctly
oriented and aligned.
l Handle components and cards with care. Do not touch the components or contacts on a card. Hold a card
by its edges or by its metal mounting bracket. Hold a component such as a microprocessor chip by its edges,
not by its pins.
Overview
Congratulations on your purchase of a Dell | SanDisk solid-state storage device. This guide explains how to install
your Fusion ioMemory device.
For information on installing software for your device, consult the Dell Fusion ioMemory VSL User Guide for your
operating system.
NOTE-
Throughout this manual, when you see a reference to an Fusion ioMemory device, you may substitute
your particular device(s), such as Fusion ioMemory ioDrive2 devices or Fusion ioMemory ioDrive Duo
devices.
Software Compatibility
Compatible Software (Driver)
The Fusion ioMemory VSL software is more than just a hardware driver, it is the "secret sauce" that gives Fusion
ioMemory devices their amazing performance. Each release of the Fusion ioMemory VSL software is compatible
with certain Fusion ioMemory devices.
For a list of devices that are compatible with the version of the Fusion ioMemory VSL software that you are
installing, consult the Dell Fusion ioMemory VSL Release Notes for that version.
For more information, consult the Dell Fusion ioMemory VSL Release Notes.
Hardware Requirements
Before you install your Fusion ioMemory device(s) make sure your computer hardware meets these requirements.
ATTENTION!
Once you have installed the Fusion ioMemory VSL software, you can use the fio-pci-check utility on
most operating systems to see if the PCIe slot meets the bandwidth requirements.
l A PCI-Express (PCIe) Gen1 x4 slot, with at least 4 lanes that are electrically active.
l A PCI-Express (PCIe) Gen2 x8 slot, with at least 4 lanes that are electrically active.
NOTE-
3.0TB Fusion ioMemory ioDrive2 devices require A minimum of a full-height, half-length slot.
Without additional power, function will be limited with Fusion ioMemory ioDrive2 Duo devices. For more
information on providing additional power via a power cable, see Installing Power Cables on page 18.
Products with multiple Fusion ioMemory devices, such as the Fusion ioMemory ioDrive Duo device, require more
power than products with a single Fusion ioMemory device.
Fusion ioMemory ioDrive Duo devices may benefit from improved performance when additional power is
provided. Fusion ioMemory ioDrive2 Duo devices, require more power than the minimum 25W provided by PCIe
Gen2 slots to properly function, and therefore must receive additional power. Without additional power, function
will be limited.
You may increase power to the device by doing one of the following:
l Power Cable: Connect the device to an auxiliary power source via the external power connector and the
external power cable. See Installing Power Cables on page 18 for more details.
l Enabling Full Slot Power Draw: Some PCIe slots provide additional power (often up to 75W of power). If
your slot is rated to provide at least 55W, then you may allow the device to draw full power from the PCIe
slot by setting a VSL module parameter. For more information on enabling this override parameter, see the
Enabling PCIe Power Override section in the Dell Fusion ioMemory VSL User Guide for your operating
system.
NOTE-
This parameter overrides the setting that prevents device(s) from drawing more than 25W from
the PCIe slot. The parameter is enabled per device (using device serial numbers). Once the setting
is overridden, each device may draw up to the full 55W needed for peak performance.
WARNING!
WARNING
If the slot is not capable of providing the needed amount of power, then enabling full power draw
from the PCIe slot may result in malfunction or even damage server hardware. You are
responsible for any damage to equipment due to improper use of this override parameter and
Dell expressly disclaims any liability for any damage arising from such improper use. Contact
Customer Support if you have any questions or concerns about the override parameter use.
Before you enable this override parameter, ensure that each PCIe slot you will use is rated to provide enough
power for all slots, devices, and server accessories. Refer to the 12G PowerEdge Server Slot Support Matrix PDF
located at http://dell.fusionio.com for information on supported 75W PCIe slots.
ATTENTION!
Refer to the matrix to determine if your slot provides 75W. The fio-status and fio-pci-check
utilities may incorrectly display a 75W slot as a 25W slot.
l If you are installing more than one dual Fusion ioMemory device, and enabling the override parameter for
each device, make sure the motherboard is rated to provide 55W power to each slot used.
ATTENTION!
For example, some motherboards safely provide up to 75W to any one slot, but run into power
constraints when multiple slots are used to provide that much power. Installing multiple devices in
l The override parameter, if enabled correctly, will persist in the system, and will enable full power draw on
an enabled device even if the device is removed and then placed in a different slot within the same system.
If the device is placed in a slot that is not rated to provide 55W of power, then you may damage your server
hardware.
l This override parameter is a setting for the Fusion ioMemory VSL software per server, and is not stored in
the device. When moved to a new server, the device will default to the 25W power limit until an external
power cable is added or this override parameter is enabled for that device in the new server. Consult with
the manufacturer to determine the total PCIe slot power available for the new server.
55°C Maximum: The ambient air temperature around the device should not exceed 55°C.
Device Thermal Monitoring: In order to protect against thermal damage, all Fusion ioMemory devices monitor the
temperature of its onboard controller chip (This is reported by the fio-status command-line utility as
Internal temperature). Newer devices, such as Fusion ioMemory ioDrive2 devices, also monitor the NAND
boards to prevent overheating of the NAND flash components (reported by fio-status, using the -fj or -fx
options, as nand_thermal_deg_c). If your device is throttled or shuts down due to thermal issues, the fio-
status utility will print a warning and indicate whether the cause was the FPGA Junction (controller) or the
NAND Temperature.
l In an attempt to contain temperatures within an optimal range, the Fusion ioMemory VSL software will start
throttling write performance once the controller temperature or NAND board reaches a set temperature.
l If the controller or NAND board temperature continues to rise, the software will shut down the device
once the maximum operating temperature is reached.
The throttling and shutdown temperature depends on the device. Some devices detect the NAND board
temperature, while others do not.
Controller Controller
NAND Board NAND Board
Devices Throttle Shutdown
Throttle Temp. Shutdown Temp.
Temp. Temp.
Fusion ioMemory ioDrive2 devices and
93°C 100°C 78°C* 83°C*
Fusion ioMemory ioDrive2 Duo devices
Fusion ioMemory ioDrive devices and Fusion
78°C 85°C N/A N/A
ioMemory ioDrive Duo devices
* Some devices may report a nand_thermal_deg_c value of 0. This means that the particular device is not set
to throttle or shut down based on the NAND board temperature.
ATTENTION!
High Performance/Power Mode
If your BIOS has a High Performance/Power Mode, enable it when using Fusion ioMemory devices. Also
disable any power-saving modes. This improves performance in two ways:
1. Prevents operating systems and the BIOS from suspending PCIe devices (using ASPM), including
Fusion ioMemory devices. Fusion ioMemory devices do not support ASPM.
For more information, including a chart on RAM required per GB of Fusion ioMemory device capacity, consult the
Dell Fusion ioMemory VSL Release Notes for the version of Fusion ioMemory VSL software that you will install with
the device(s).
Firmware Requirements
The Fusion ioMemory device must have a certain level of firmware in order to work with particular versions of the
Fusion ioMemory VSL software. Consult the Upgrade Notes section of http://support.dell.com for upgrade
considerations.
WARNING!
Do not downgrade the Fusion ioMemory device to an earlier version of the firmware. Earlier versions of
the firmware may not be compatible with the device, and downgrading the firmware will result in data
loss. Contact Customer Support if you have issues with your upgrade.
In the Box
Your Fusion ioMemory device comes with these items:
Depending on your device, these additional items may be included (consult the installation instructions for item
information):
NOTE-
The external power cables are only compatible with the M610X or R910 servers. See Installing Power
Cables on page 18 for more information.
NOTE-
Please read the Hardware Requirements on page 7 if you have not done so.
WARNING!
Upgrade Previous Devices First
If you have Fusion ioMemory ioDrive devices configured for ioMemory VSL 2.x or earlier that you wish to
use with Fusion ioMemory VSL software version 3.x, you must upgrade the firmware on the previously
installed devices before installing new devices in the system. See the Dell Fusion ioMemory VSL Release
Notes for full Upgrade Notes.
WARNING!
Only Transport This Product in the Dell Provided Packaging or a Safe Shipping Configuration
We recommend saving the product box and electrostatic discharge (ESD) bag in case you need to store,
transport, or return your device. The Fusion ioMemory device product box is the safest way to store or
transport your Fusion ioMemory device. It is made of ESD-safe materials and protects the device from
damage in shipping.
Do not transport the Fusion ioMemory device without replacing it in the Dell provided packaging, unless
you have ensured that the alternative mode of transportation is safe and will not damage the Fusion
ioMemory device. Specifically, transporting a Fusion ioMemory device once it has been installed into a
server or workstation (as applicable) may damage the device or interfere with its proper installation and
operation. Transportation configurations should be tested carefully prior to putting the Fusion ioMemory
device at risk of damage. Damage to the Fusion ioMemory device caused when transported within a
server or workstation, transported in inadequate packaging, or resulting from general physical
mishandling will void the warranty for the product.
Installation Instructions
ATTENTION!
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage electronic components. Be sure that you are properly grounded
before beginning any hardware installation procedure.
ATTENTION!
Do Not Disassemble the Device
If you disassemble your Fusion ioMemory device, you will void the product warranty. Removing (and
replacing) the bracket as instructed in this guide is not considered disassembly.
These installation instructions are for any Dell Fusion ioMemory device.
NOTE-
The serial number label(s) will have a number and a barcode.
NOTE-
Visible in fio-status
Once the Fusion ioMemory VSL software is installed, the device's serial number(s) will be visible
in the fio-status Fusion ioMemory VSL software utility.
3. Remove the computer's access panel. Locate an available PCIe slot compatible with the device. See
Hardware Requirements on page 7 for PCIe slot requirements.
NOTE-
Consult your computer's documentation for details on removing the panel and identifying PCIe
slots.
5. Optional Half-height Bracket: If your product includes a half-height bracket (included with products that
has one Fusion ioMemory device), and you are installing the device in a low-profile system, replace the full-
height bracket before installing the device. Follow the installation instructions in Installing the Half-Height
Bracket on page 16 and then return to this section.
6. Power Cable: If your device includes a power cable (included with some products), you may install it now.
ATTENTION!
Additional power (through the cable or through the PCIe slot) is required for newer products with
multiple Fusion ioMemory devices.
For best results, plug in the power cable. See Installing Power Cables on page 18 for instructions and to see
if the power cable is required for your device. For more information on using the PCIe slot to provide
additional power, see Adequate Power for Fusion ioMemory ioDrive2 Duo devices on page 8.
7. Grasp the Fusion ioMemory device by the top edge and seat it gently but firmly in the available PCIe slot, for
example:
ATTENTION!
Apply pressure only to the circuit board and/or bracket. Do not apply pressure to the heat sink or
any other components that are attached to the circuit board (with the exception of the bracket).
8. Secure the Fusion ioMemory device's retaining bracket using a screw, lever, clasp, or other method
(depending on how your hardware is configured, consult your computer's documentation).
10. Plug in the computer's power cable and turn on the computer.
11. Your operating system may detect the Fusion ioMemory device and ask if you want it to install a hardware
driver for the device. In that case, click Cancel.
To remove the Fusion ioMemory device, follow the above instructions in reverse. Be sure to place the
device in an ESD-safe package.
You are now ready to install the driver and utilities software. See the Dell Fusion ioMemory VSL User Guide based
on your operating system.
ATTENTION!
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage electronic components. Be sure you are properly grounded
before starting any hardware installation procedure.
ATTENTION!
Use care in removing the retaining screws. Do not twist or pull on the bracket until both screws
are out as this can cause damage to the components.
2. To prevent damage to the Fusion ioMemory device, use only a Philips #1 tip screwdriver. Remove the two
screws holding the full-height bracket to the Fusion ioMemory device
ATTENTION!
Take note of the position of the screws and how the bracket screw holes were inserted in the
device. You must insert the half-height bracket holes in the same manner.
4. Align the LEDs on the Fusion ioMemory device with the holes in the half-height bracket. Insert the bracket
screw holes in the same manner as the full height bracket was inserted. Refer to the example below that
matches your device configuration.
Peak Performance
Regardless of whether the external power cable is optional or required for your Fusion ioMemory device, the
cable will ensure that the dual device has all of the power it needs to maintain peak performance (if more power is
required, especially under heavy write workloads).
As a best practice, install the external power cables to ensure your device will function properly. If you wish to not
install the cable(s), see the illustrations below to see if additional power is optional for your device.
If additional power (beyond the standard 25W) is required, and using the power cable is not an option, you may be
able to enable full power draw from the PCIe slot. See Adequate Power for Fusion ioMemory ioDrive2 Duo devices
on page 8 for more information.
Additional power is required on these devices, either through the external power cable or through the PCIe slot.
When the power cable is used, the device will draw 55 watts from the 12V rail over the external cable. Make sure
your system has sufficient power for the installed devices.
The external power cable is optional on the following devices (as is additional power through the PCIe slot). If the
external power cable is used, the device can pull up to 36 watts from the 12V rail over the external cable. Make
sure your system has sufficient power for the installed devices.
Plug the product end of the cable (shown above) into the device. Plug the other end of the cable (shown below)
into an available power source cable. Consult your server documentation for available power options. Some
servers may require alternative power sources and adapters to connect with the cable.
In 2002 the European Union introduced the Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). The
main aim of the Directive is to ensure that WEEE is collected and treated separately. WEEE may contain hazardous
substances that should not end-up in the (human) environment and can have adverse effects on it if they do.
Furthermore, WEEE is a vast source of raw materials. With the ever rising worldwide demand for new equipment
and the ever decreasing volume of natural raw materials, letting this potential source go to waste is unacceptable.
If equipment is collected separately, the equipment can be recycled and up to 85 to 90% of the equipment can be
re-used as new material, saving the use of virgin raw materials and energy of producing these.
For above reasons, Dell expects end-users to dispose of the material in an environmentally friendly way. Electrical
and Electronic Equipment is labeled with the following "crossed-out wheeled bin" symbol indicating that the
equipment should be disposed of, by the end-user, separate from other types of waste.
The EU Directive and national legislation define various situations and financing options for doing so.
End-users should contact their sales representative/dealer/distributor and our company on disposal, collection and
recycling options and terms and conditions in your country.
Example Label:
The first two numbers on the label indicate the last two numbers of the calendar year, and the next two numbers
indicate the week of that year.
Contacting Dell
Dell provides several online and telephone-based support and service options. Availability varies by country and
product, and some services may not be available in your area. To get help with your ioDrive and ioDrive Duo,
contact your Dell Technical Service representative or access the Dell Support website at http://support.dell.com.
NOTE-
The safety information that shipped with your system provides important safety and regulatory
information. Warranty information may be included within this document or as a separate document. To
access Dell documentation, go to http://support.dell.com/manuals.
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