Dell PowerEdge M830

Owner's Manual

Regulatory Model: FHB

Regulatory Type: FHB008
August 2020
Rev. A03
Notes, cautions, and warnings

NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your product.

CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid
the problem.

WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.

© 2017 2020 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell, EMC, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Other trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners.
 Contents

Chapter 1: Dell PowerEdge M830 system overview........................................................................ 7

Supported configurations for the PowerEdge M830 system................................................................................... 7
Front panel............................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Front panel view—2.5-inch hard drive or SSD system........................................................................................9
Front panel view—1.8-inch SSD system................................................................................................................ 10
Using USB diskette or USB DVD or CD drives........................................................................................................... 10
Diagnostic indicators on the front panel....................................................................................................................... 11
Hard drive or SSD indicator patterns.......................................................................................................................11
iDRAC Direct LED indicator codes............................................................................................................................11
Locating service tag of your system............................................................................................................................. 12

Chapter 2: Documentation resources........................................................................................... 13

Chapter 3: Technical specifications............................................................................................. 16

Chassis dimensions............................................................................................................................................................ 16
Chassis weight....................................................................................................................................................................16
Processor specification.................................................................................................................................................... 16
System battery specification...........................................................................................................................................16
Memory specifications......................................................................................................................................................16
RAID controller specifications......................................................................................................................................... 17
Drive specifications............................................................................................................................................................17
Hard drives.....................................................................................................................................................................17
Optical drives.................................................................................................................................................................17
Flash drive...................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Ports and connectors specifications............................................................................................................................. 17
USB ports....................................................................................................................................................................... 17
SD cards......................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Mezzanine card specification..........................................................................................................................................18
Video specifications...........................................................................................................................................................18
Environmental specifications...........................................................................................................................................18
Particulate and gaseous contamination specifications ...................................................................................... 19
Expanded operating temperature............................................................................................................................20
Expanded operating temperature restrictions......................................................................................................20

Chapter 4: Initial system setup and configuration........................................................................ 21

Setting up your system.....................................................................................................................................................21
iDRAC configuration.......................................................................................................................................................... 21
Options to set up iDRAC IP address........................................................................................................................21
Options to install the operating system....................................................................................................................... 22
Methods to download firmware and drivers......................................................................................................... 22

Chapter 5: Pre-operating system management applications........................................................ 24

Options to manage the pre-operating system applications.................................................................................... 24
System Setup..................................................................................................................................................................... 24

Contents 3
 Viewing System Setup............................................................................................................................................... 25
System Setup details..................................................................................................................................................25
System BIOS.................................................................................................................................................................25
iDRAC Settings utility................................................................................................................................................. 49
Device Settings............................................................................................................................................................50
Dell Lifecycle Controller...................................................................................................................................................50
Embedded systems management............................................................................................................................50
Boot Manager.................................................................................................................................................................... 50
Viewing Boot Manager................................................................................................................................................51
Boot Manager main menu.......................................................................................................................................... 51
PXE boot............................................................................................................................................................................. 52

Chapter 6: Installing and removing blade components................................................................. 53

Safety instructions............................................................................................................................................................53
Before working inside your system......................................................................................................................... 53
After working inside your system............................................................................................................................ 54
Recommended tools......................................................................................................................................................... 54
Removing and installing a blade.....................................................................................................................................54
Removing the blade.................................................................................................................................................... 54
Installing a blade.......................................................................................................................................................... 56
System cover......................................................................................................................................................................57
Removing the system cover..................................................................................................................................... 57
Installing the system cover....................................................................................................................................... 58
Inside the blade..................................................................................................................................................................60
Cooling shroud................................................................................................................................................................... 60
Removing the cooling shroud................................................................................................................................... 60
Installing the cooling shroud...................................................................................................................................... 61
System memory................................................................................................................................................................. 62
General memory module installation guidelines....................................................................................................64
Mode-specific guidelines........................................................................................................................................... 65
Sample memory configurations................................................................................................................................66
Removing memory modules...................................................................................................................................... 68
Installing memory modules........................................................................................................................................ 69
I/O module mezzanine cards...........................................................................................................................................71
Mezzanine card installation guidelines.................................................................................................................... 71
Removing a mezzanine card...................................................................................................................................... 71
Installing a mezzanine card....................................................................................................................................... 72
Mezzanine card support bracket................................................................................................................................... 74
Removing the mezzanine card support bracket.................................................................................................. 74
Installing the mezzanine card support bracket.................................................................................................... 75
Internal dual SD module (optional)................................................................................................................................76
Replacing an SD card..................................................................................................................................................77
Internal USB key.......................................................................................................................................................... 78
Removing the IDSDM card........................................................................................................................................79
Installing the IDSDM card..........................................................................................................................................80
rSPI card (optional).......................................................................................................................................................... 82
Removing the optional rSPI card............................................................................................................................. 82
Installing the optional rSPI card............................................................................................................................... 83
SD vFlash card................................................................................................................................................................... 84
Replacing the SD vFlash card...................................................................................................................................84

4 Contents
Network daughter card....................................................................................................................................................86
Removing the NDC..................................................................................................................................................... 86
Installing the NDC........................................................................................................................................................88
Processor blank and DIMM blank.................................................................................................................................. 89
Removing a processor blank and DIMM blank..................................................................................................... 89
Installing a processor blank and DIMM blank........................................................................................................90
Processors........................................................................................................................................................................... 91
Removing a heat sink.................................................................................................................................................. 91
Removing a processor................................................................................................................................................92
Installing a processor.................................................................................................................................................. 96
Installing a heat sink....................................................................................................................................................97
Hard drives or SSDs......................................................................................................................................................... 98
Hard drive or SSD bay numbering........................................................................................................................... 99
Hard drive or SSD installation guidelines............................................................................................................... 99
Removing a hard drive or SSD............................................................................................................................... 100
Installing a hard drive or SSD...................................................................................................................................101
Removing a hard drive or SSD blank.....................................................................................................................103
Installing a hard drive or SSD blank.......................................................................................................................104
Shutdown procedure for servicing a hard drive or SSD...................................................................................106
Configuring the boot drive...................................................................................................................................... 106
Removing a 2.5-inch hard drive or SSD from a 2.5-inch hard drive or SSD carrier..................................106
Installing a 2.5-inch hard drive or SSD in a 2.5-inch hard-drive or SSD carrier......................................... 107
Removing a 1.8-inch SSD from a 1.8-inch SSD carrier .................................................................................... 108
Installing a 1.8-inch SSD in a 1.8-inch SSD carrier............................................................................................. 109
Hard-drive or SSD cage..................................................................................................................................................110
Removing a hard-drive or SSD cage......................................................................................................................110
Installing a hard-drive or SSD cage.........................................................................................................................111
Hard-drive or SSD backplane........................................................................................................................................ 113
Removing a 2.5-inch (x4) SAS hard-drive or SSD backplane......................................................................... 114
Installing a 2.5-inch (x4) SAS hard-drive or SSD backplane........................................................................... 115
Removing a 2.5-inch (x4) SATA hard-drive or SSD backplane.......................................................................116
Installing a 2.5-inch (x4) SATA hard-drive or SSD backplane.........................................................................118
Removing a 2.5-inch (x2) SATA hard drive or SSD plus 2.5-inch (x2) PCIe SSD backplane..................119
Installing a 2.5-inch (x2) SATA hard drive or SSD plus 2.5-inch (x2) PCIe SSD backplane....................121
Removing a 1.8-inch (x12) SAS SSD backplane................................................................................................. 122
Installing a 1.8-inch (x12) SAS SSD backplane....................................................................................................124
System battery.................................................................................................................................................................126
Replacing the NVRAM backup battery.................................................................................................................126
Storage controller card...................................................................................................................................................127
Removing the storage controller card.................................................................................................................. 127
Installing the storage controller card.................................................................................................................... 129
Expander card................................................................................................................................................................... 131
Removing an expander card.....................................................................................................................................131
Installing an expander card...................................................................................................................................... 133
System board....................................................................................................................................................................135
Removing the system board................................................................................................................................... 135
Installing the system board...................................................................................................................................... 137
Restoring the Service Tag by using the Easy Restore feature.......................................................................140
Entering the system Service Tag by using System Setup............................................................................... 140
Trusted Platform Module................................................................................................................................................141

Contents 5
 Installing the Trusted Platform Module.................................................................................................................141
Initializing the TPM for BitLocker users............................................................................................................... 142
Initializing the TPM for TXT users......................................................................................................................... 142

Chapter 7: Using system diagnostics..........................................................................................143

Dell Online Diagnostics................................................................................................................................................... 143
Dell Embedded System Diagnostics............................................................................................................................ 143
When to use the Embedded System Diagnostics.............................................................................................. 143
Running the Embedded System Diagnostics.......................................................................................................143
System diagnostics controls................................................................................................................................... 144

Chapter 8: Jumpers and connectors...........................................................................................145

System board jumper settings......................................................................................................................................145
System board connectors..............................................................................................................................................146
Disabling a forgotten password....................................................................................................................................147

Chapter 9: Troubleshooting your system....................................................................................148

Troubleshooting system memory.................................................................................................................................148
Troubleshooting hard drives..........................................................................................................................................149
Troubleshooting Solid State Drives............................................................................................................................. 149
Troubleshooting USB devices.......................................................................................................................................150
Troubleshooting an internal SD card........................................................................................................................... 151
Troubleshooting processors...........................................................................................................................................151
Troubleshooting the blade system board...................................................................................................................152
Troubleshooting the NVRAM backup battery.......................................................................................................... 152
System messages............................................................................................................................................................ 153
Warning messages.....................................................................................................................................................153
Diagnostic messages.................................................................................................................................................153
Alert messages........................................................................................................................................................... 153

Chapter 10: Getting help............................................................................................................ 154

Contacting Dell EMC...................................................................................................................................................... 154
Accessing system information by using QRL............................................................................................................154
Quick Resource Locator...........................................................................................................................................154

6 Contents
 1
Dell PowerEdge M830 system overview
The Dell PowerEdge M830 system is a full-height blade that is configured for the PowerEdge M1000e enclosure. The Dell
PowerEdge M830 system supports up to:
● Four Intel Xeon E5-4600 v4 or v3 processors
● 48 DIMMs
● Four 2.5-inch hot-swappable hard drives or SSDs
● Twelve 1.8-inch hot-swappable SSDs
Topics:
• Supported configurations for the PowerEdge M830 system
• Front panel
• Using USB diskette or USB DVD or CD drives
• Diagnostic indicators on the front panel
• Locating service tag of your system

Supported configurations for the PowerEdge M830

system
The Dell PowerEdge M830 system supports the following configurations:

Dell PowerEdge M830 system overview 7

Figure 1. Supported configurations for the Dell PowerEdge M830 system

8 Dell PowerEdge M830 system overview

Front panel
The front panel provides access to the features available on the front of the server, such as the power button, status indicator,
management indicator, and USB ports. The diagnostic LEDs or the LCD panel is prominently on the front panel. The hot-
swappable hard drives are accessible from the front panel.

Front panel view—2.5-inch hard drive or SSD system

Figure 2. Front panel view—2.5 inch hard drive or SSD system

Table 1. Front panel features and indicators—2.5-inch hard drive or SSD system
Item Indicator, Button, or Icon Description
Connector
1 Hard drives or SSDs Four 2.5-inch hot-swappable SAS/SATA/PCIe
SSDs or SAS/SATA hard drives.
2 USB port Enables you to connect USB devices to the blade.

3 USB management port or Enables you to connect USB devices to the blade
iDRAC Direct port or provides access to the iDRAC Direct features.
For more information about iDRAC, see the iDRAC
Guide at Dell.com/idracmanuals.

4 Management indicator The management indicator glows when the iDRAC

controls the USB connector for management
functions.
5 Status indicator Indicates the status of the system.
6 Blade power-on indicator, The power-on indicator glows when the blade is
power button turned on. The power button controls the power
supply output to the system.
7 Blade handle Used to slide the blade out of the enclosure.

Dell PowerEdge M830 system overview 9

Front panel view—1.8-inch SSD system

Figure 3. Front panel features and indicators—1.8-inch SSD system

Table 2. Front panel features and indicators—1.8-inch SSD system

Item Indicator, Button, or Icon Description
Connector
1 SSDs Twelve 1.8-inch hot-swappable SAS SSDs.
2 USB port Enables you to connect USB devices to the blade.

3 USB management port or Enables you to connect USB devices to the blade
iDRAC Direct port or provides access to the iDRAC Direct features.
For more information about iDRAC, see the iDRAC
Guide at Dell.com/idracmanuals.

4 Management indicator The management indicator glows when the iDRAC

controls the USB connector for management
functions.
5 Status indicator Indicates the status of the system.
6 Blade power-on indicator, The power-on indicator glows when the blade is
power button turned on. The power button controls the power
supply output to the system.
7 Blade handle Used to slide the blade out of the enclosure.

Using USB diskette or USB DVD or CD drives

The blade has USB ports on the front which allows you to connect a USB diskette drive, USB flash drive, USB DVD or CD drive,
keyboard, or mouse device. The USB drives can be used to configure the blade.
To designate the USB diskette drive as the boot drive:
1. Connect the USB drive
2. Restart the system
3. Enter System Setup
4. Set the drive as first in the boot sequence
The USB device is displayed in the Boot Order Setup screen only if it is attached to the system before you run the System
Setup. You can also select the boot device by pressing F11 during system start-up and selecting a boot device for the current
boot sequence.

10 Dell PowerEdge M830 system overview

Diagnostic indicators on the front panel

Hard drive or SSD indicator patterns

The hard drive or SSD (Solid-State Drives) indicators display different patterns as drive events occur in the system.
NOTE: The blade must have a hard drive or SSD or a hard drive blank installed in each drive bay.

Figure 4. Hard drive or SSD indicators

1. drive activity indicator (green)
2. drive status indicator (green and amber)
NOTE: If the drive is in Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI) mode, the status LED (on the right side) does not
function and remains off.

Table 3. Drive status indicator codes

Drive-status indicator pattern Condition
Flashes green twice per second Identifying drive or preparing for removal.
Off Drive ready for insertion or removal.
NOTE: The drive status indicator remains off until all hard
drives are initialized after the system is turned on. Drives are
not ready for insertion or removal during this time.

Flashes green, amber, and turns off Predicted drive failure

Flashes amber four times per second Drive failed
Steady green Drive online
Flashes green for three seconds, amber for three Rebuild aborted
seconds, and turns off after six seconds

iDRAC Direct LED indicator codes

NOTE: The iDRAC Direct LED indicator does not turn on when the USB port is used in the USB mode.

Dell PowerEdge M830 system overview 11

Figure 5. iDRAC Direct LED indicator
1. iDRAC Direct status indicator
The iDRAC Direct LED indicator table describes iDRAC Direct activity when configuring iDRAC Direct by using the management
port (USB XML Import).

Table 4. iDRAC Direct LED indicator

Convention iDRAC Direct LED Condition
indicator
A Green Turns green for a minimum of two seconds to indicate the start and end of a file
transfer.
B Flashing green Indicates file transfer or any operation tasks.
C Green and turns off Indicates that the file transfer is complete.
D Not lit Indicates that the USB is ready to be removed or that a task is complete.

The iDRAC Direct LED indicator table describes iDRAC Direct activity when configuring iDRAC Direct by using your laptop and
cable (Laptop Connect):

Table 5. iDRAC Direct LED indicator

iDRAC Direct LED Condition
indicator
Solid green for two Indicates that the laptop is connected.
seconds
Flashing green (on for Indicates that the laptop connected is recognized.
two seconds and off for
two seconds)
Turns off Indicates that the laptop is unplugged.

Locating service tag of your system

Your system is identified by a unique Express Service Code and Service Tag number. The Express Service Code is and Service
Tag are found on the front of the system by pulling out the information tag. Alternatively, the information may be on a sticker on
the chassis of the system. This information is used by Dell to route support calls to the appropriate personnel.

12 Dell PowerEdge M830 system overview

 2
Documentation resources
This section provides information about the documentation resources for your system.
To view the document that is listed in the documentation resources table:
● From the Dell EMC support site:
1. Click the documentation link that is provided in the Location column in the table.
2. Click the required product or product version.
NOTE: To locate the product name and model, see the front of your system.
3. On the Product Support page, click Manuals & documents.
● Using search engines:
○ Type the name and version of the document in the search box.

Table 6. Additional documentation resources for your system

Task Document Location
Setting up your For more information about www.dell.com/poweredgemanuals
system installing and securing the system
into a rack, see the Rail Installation
Guide included with your rack
solution.
For information about setting up
your system, see the Getting
Started Guide document that is
shipped with your system.

Configuring your For information about the iDRAC www.dell.com/poweredgemanuals

system features, configuring and logging
in to iDRAC, and managing your
system remotely, see the
Integrated Dell Remote Access
Controller User's Guide.
For information about
understanding Remote Access
Controller Admin (RACADM)
subcommands and supported
RACADM interfaces, see the
RACADM CLI Guide for iDRAC.
For information about Redfish and
its protocol, supported schema,
and Redfish Eventing are
implemented in iDRAC, see the
Redfish API Guide.
For information about iDRAC
property database group and
object descriptions, see the
Attribute Registry Guide.

For information about earlier www.dell.com/idracmanuals

versions of the iDRAC documents,
see the iDRAC documentation.

Documentation resources 13
Table 6. Additional documentation resources for your system (continued)
Task Document Location

To identify the version of iDRAC

available on your system, on the
iDRAC web interface, click ? >
About.

For information about installing the www.dell.com/

operating system, see the operatingsystemmanuals
operating system documentation.
For information about updating www.dell.com/support/drivers
drivers and firmware, see the
Methods to download firmware
and drivers section in this
document.
Managing your For information about systems www.dell.com/poweredgemanuals
system management software offered by
Dell, see the Dell OpenManage
Systems Management Overview
Guide.
For information about setting up, www.dell.com/
using, and troubleshooting openmanagemanuals >
OpenManage, see the Dell OpenManage Server Administrator
OpenManage Server Administrator
User’s Guide.
For information about installing, www.dell.com/
using, and troubleshooting Dell openmanagemanuals >
OpenManage Essentials, see the OpenManage Essentials
Dell OpenManage Essentials User’s
Guide.
For information about installing, www.dell.com/
using, and troubleshooting Dell openmanagemanuals >
OpenManage Enterprise, see the OpenManage Enterprise
Dell OpenManage Enterprise
User’s Guide.
For information about installing https://www.dell.com/
and using Dell SupportAssist, see serviceabilitytools
the Dell EMC SupportAssist
Enterprise User’s Guide.
For information about partner www.dell.com/
programs enterprise systems openmanagemanuals
management, see the
OpenManage Connections
Enterprise Systems Management
documents.
Working with the Dell PowerEdge For information about www.dell.com/
RAID controllers understanding the features of the storagecontrollermanuals
Dell PowerEdge RAID controllers
(PERC), Software RAID
controllers, or BOSS card and
deploying the cards, see the
Storage controller documentation.
Understanding event For information about the event www.dell.com/qrl
and error messages and error messages that are
generated by the system firmware
and agents that monitor system

14 Documentation resources
Table 6. Additional documentation resources for your system (continued)
Task Document Location
components, see the Error Code
Lookup.
Troubleshooting your For information about identifying www.dell.com/poweredgemanuals
system and troubleshooting the
PowerEdge server issues, see the
Server Troubleshooting Guide.

Documentation resources 15
 3
Technical specifications
The technical and environmental specifications of your system are outlined in this section.
Topics:
• Chassis dimensions
• Chassis weight
• Processor specification
• System battery specification
• Memory specifications
• RAID controller specifications
• Drive specifications
• Ports and connectors specifications
• Mezzanine card specification
• Video specifications
• Environmental specifications

Chassis dimensions
Table 7. Dimensions of the Dell PowerEdge M830 system
Dimension in mm
System
X Y Z
M830 395.20 50.35 545.0

Chassis weight
Maximum chassis weight of the PowerEdge M830 system is 14.5 kg (31.9 lb).

Processor specification
The PowerEdge M830 system supports up to four Intel Xeon E5-4600 v3 or v4 product family processors.

System battery specification

The PowerEdge M830 system supports CR 2032 3.0-V lithium coin cell system battery.

Memory specifications
The PowerEdge M830 system supports DDR4 registered DIMMs and LR-DDR4 DIMMs at 2400 MT/s, 2133 MT/s, and 1866
MT/s.

16 Technical specifications
Table 8. Memory specifications
Memory module socket Memory capacity Minimum RAM Maximum RAM
Forty-eight 240-pin ● 4 GB single rank 4 GB with dual processor 3 TB with four processor
(RDIMMs)
● 8 GB, 16 GB or 32 GB dual
rank (RDIMMs)
● 32 GB or 64 GB quad rank
(LRDIMMs)

RAID controller specifications

The PowerEdge M830 system supports PERC H330, PERC H730, and PERC H730P controllers.

Drive specifications
Hard drives
The PowerEdge M830 system supports:
● Up to four 2.5-inch SAS/SATA/PCIe SSDs or SAS/SATA hard drives
● Up to twelve 1.8-inch SAS SSDs

Optical drives
The PowerEdge M830 system supports external optional USB DVD optical drive.
NOTE: DVD devices support only data.

Flash drive
The PowerEdge M830 system supports:
● Internal optional USB
● Internal optional SD card
● Optional vFlash card (with integrated iDRAC Enterprise)

Ports and connectors specifications

USB ports
The PowerEdge M830 system supports:
● One 4-pin, USB 2.0-compliant and one 9-pin, USB 3.0-compliant on the front panel
● Internal two 4-pin, USB 2.0-compliant

SD cards
The PowerEdge M830 system supports two internal SD cards dedicated for the hypervisor.
NOTE: One SD card is dedicated for future vFlash support.

Technical specifications 17
Mezzanine card specification
The PowerEdge M830 system supports four PCIe x8 Gen 3 slots mezzanine card supporting dual-port 10 Gb Ethernet, quad
port 1 Gb, FC8 Fiber Channel, FC16 Fiber Channel, or Infiniband mezzanine cards.

Video specifications
The PowerEdge M830 system supports Matrox G200 VGA controller integrated with iDRAC and 2 GB video memory is shared
with iDRAC application memory.

Environmental specifications
NOTE: For additional information about environmental measurements for specific system configurations, see Dell.com/
environmental_datasheets.

Table 9. Temperature specifications

Temperature Specifications
Storage –40°C to 65°C (–40°F to 149°F)
Continuous operation (for altitude less than 950 10°C to 35°C (50°F to 95°F) with no direct sunlight on the equipment
m or 3117 ft)
Fresh air For information about fresh air, see the Expanded Operating Temperature
section.
Maximum temperature gradient (operating and 20°C/h (36°F/h)
storage)

Table 10. Relative humidity specifications

Relative humidity Specifications
Storage 5% to 95% RH with 33°C (91°F) maximum dew point. Atmosphere must be
non-condensing at all times.
Operating 10% to 80% RH with 29°C (84.2°F) maximum dew point.

Table 11. Maximum vibration specifications

Maximum vibration Specifications
Operating 0.26 G rms at 5 Hz to 350 Hz (all operation orientations)
Storage 1.88 G rms at 10 Hz to 500 Hz for 15 minutes (all six sides tested)

Table 12. Maximum shock pulse specifications

Maximum shock pulse Specifications
Operating Six consecutively executed shock pulses in the positive and negative x, y,
and z axes of 40 G for up to 2.3 ms.
Storage Six consecutively executed shock pulses in the positive and negative x, y,
and z axes (one pulse on each side of the system) of 71 G for up to 2 ms.

Table 13. Maximum altitude specifications

Maximum altitude Specifications
Operating 3048 m (10,000 ft)
Storage 12,000 m (39,370 ft)

18 Technical specifications
Table 14. Operating temperature de-rating specification
Operating temperature de-rating Specifications
Up to 35°C (95°F) Maximum temperature is reduced by 1°C/300 m (1°F/547 ft), above 950
m (3,117 ft).
35 °C to 40 °C (95 °F to 104 °F) Maximum temperature is reduced by 1°C/175 m (1°F/319 ft), above 950 m
(3,117 ft).
40 °C to 45 °C (104 °F to 113 °F) Maximum temperature is reduced by 1°C/125 m (1°F/228 ft), above 950 m
(3,117 ft).

Particulate and gaseous contamination specifications

The following table defines the limitations that will help avoid any damages to the IT equipment and/or failure from particulates
and gaseous contamination. If the levels of particulates or gaseous pollution exceed the specified limitations and result in
equipment damage or failure, you may need to rectify the environmental conditions. Re-mediation of environmental conditions is
the responsibility of the customer.

Table 15. Particulate contamination specifications

Particulate contamination Specifications
Air Filtration Data center air filtration as defined by ISO Class 8 per ISO 14644-1 with a
95% upper confidence limit.
NOTE: This condition applies to data center environments only. Air
filtration requirements do not apply to IT equipment designed to be
used outside a data center, in environments such as an office or factory
floor.

NOTE: Air entering the data center must have MERV11 or MERV13
filtration.

Conductive dust Air must be free of conductive dust, zinc whiskers, or other conductive
particles.
NOTE: This condition applies to data center and nondata center
environments.

Corrosive dust ● Air must be free of corrosive dust.

● Residual dust present in the air must have a deliquescent point less than
60% relative humidity.
NOTE: This condition applies to data center and nondata center
environments.

Table 16. Gaseous contamination specifications

Gaseous contamination Specifications
Copper Coupon Corrosion <300 Å/month per Class G1 as defined by ANSI/ISA71.04-1985.
Silver Coupon Corrosion <200 Å/month as defined by AHSRAE TC9.9.

NOTE: Maximum corrosive contaminant levels measured at ≤50% relative humidity.

Technical specifications 19
Expanded operating temperature
Table 17. Expanded operating temperature specifications
Expanded operating temperature Specifications
Continuous operation 5°C to 40°C at 5% to 85% RH with 29°C dew point.
NOTE: Outside the standard operating temperature (10°C
to 35°C), the system can operate continuously in
temperatures as low as 5°C and as high as 40°C.
For temperatures between 35°C and 40°C, de-rate maximum
allowable temperature by 1°C per 175 m (1°F per 319 ft.)
above 950 m (3,1171 ft.).

≤ 1% of annual operating hours –5°C to 45°C at 5% to 90% RH with 29°C dew point.
NOTE: Outside the standard operating temperature (10°C
to 35°C), the system can operate down to –5°C or up to
45°C for a maximum of 1% of its annual operating hours.
For temperatures between 40°C and 45°C, de-rate maximum
allowable temperature by 1°C per 125 m (1°F per 228 ft.)
above 950 m (3.117 ft.).

NOTE: When operating in the expanded temperature range, the performance of the system may be impacted.

NOTE: When operating in the expanded temperature range, ambient temperature warnings may be reported on the LCD
panel and in the System Event Log.

Expanded operating temperature restrictions

1. Do not perform a cold startup below 5 °C
2. Install only 94 mm wide heat sinks
3. Do not install more than 40 DIMMs
4. The following do not support expanded operating temperature range:
a. PCIe SSD
b. Express flash
c. LRDIMMs
d. 130 W or 120 W all core processors
e. Non Dell-qualified peripheral cards and/or peripheral cards greater than 25 W

20 Technical specifications
 4
Initial system setup and configuration
Topics:
• Setting up your system
• iDRAC configuration
• Options to install the operating system

Setting up your system

Complete the following steps to set up your system:

Steps
1. Unpack the .
2. Remove the I/O connector cover from the connectors.
CAUTION: While installing the , ensure that it is properly aligned with the slot on the enclosure to prevent
damage to the connectors.

3. Install the in the enclosure.

4. Turn on the enclosure.
NOTE: Wait for the chassis to initialize before you press the power button.

5. Turn on the by pressing the power button on the .

Alternatively, you can also turn on the by using:
● The iDRAC. For more information, see the Log in to iDRAC section.
● The enclosure Chassis Management Controller (CMC), after the iDRAC is configured on the CMC. For more information,
see the CMC User’s Guide at Dell.com/idracmanuals.

Related references
Log in to iDRAC on page 22

iDRAC configuration
The Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) is designed to make system administrators more productive and improve
the overall availability of Dell EMC systems. iDRAC alerts administrators to system issues, helps them perform remote system
management, and reduces the need for physical access to the system.

Options to set up iDRAC IP address

You must configure the initial network settings based on your network infrastructure to enable the communication to and from
iDRAC. You can set up the IP address by using one of the following interfaces:

Interfaces Document/Section
iDRAC Settings See iDRAC User's Guide available at https://www.dell.com/idracmanuals
utility

Initial system setup and configuration 21

Interfaces Document/Section
Dell Deployment See OpenManage Deployment Toolkit User's Guide available at https://www.dell.com/
Toolkit openmanagemanuals
Dell Lifecycle See Lifecycle Controller User's Guide available at https://www.dell.com/idracmanuals
Controller
Chassis or Server See the LCD panel section
LCD panel

You must use the default iDRAC IP address 192.168.0.120 to configure the initial network settings, including setting up DHCP or
a static IP for iDRAC.
NOTE: To access iDRAC, ensure that you install the iDRAC port card or connect the network cable to the Ethernet
connector 1 on the system board.

NOTE: Ensure that you change the default user name and password after setting up the iDRAC IP address.

Log in to iDRAC
You can log in to iDRAC as:
● iDRAC user
● Microsoft Active Directory user
● Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) user
The default user name and password are root and calvin. You can also log in by using Single Sign-On or Smart Card.

NOTE: You must have iDRAC credentials to log in to iDRAC.

For more information about logging in to iDRAC and iDRAC licenses, see the latest Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller
User's Guide at Dell.com/idracmanuals.

Options to install the operating system

If the system is shipped without an operating system, install the supported operating system by using one of the following
resources:

Table 18. Resources to install the operating system

Resources Location
Dell Systems Management Tools and Documentation media https://www.dell.com/operatingsystemmanuals
Dell Lifecycle Controller https://www.dell.com/idracmanuals
Dell OpenManage Deployment Toolkit https://www.dell.com/openmanagemanuals
Dell certified VMware ESXi https://www.dell.com/virtualizationsolutions
Supported operating systems on Dell PowerEdge systems www.dell.com/ossupport
Installation and How-to videos for supported operating https://www.youtube.com/playlist?
systems on Dell PowerEdge systems list=PLe5xhhyFjDPfTCaDRFflB_VsoLpL8x84G

Methods to download firmware and drivers

You can download the firmware and drivers by using any of the following methods:

Table 19. Firmware and drivers

Methods Location
From the Dell Support site Global Technical Support

22 Initial system setup and configuration

Table 19. Firmware and drivers (continued)
Methods Location
Using Dell Remote Access Controller Lifecycle Controller Dell.com/idracmanuals
(iDRAC with LC)
Using Dell Repository Manager (DRM) Dell.com/openmanagemanuals > OpenManage Deployment
Toolkit
Using Dell OpenManage Essentials (OME) Dell.com/openmanagemanuals > OpenManage Deployment
Toolkit
Using Dell Server Update Utility (SUU) Dell.com/openmanagemanuals > OpenManage Deployment
Toolkit
Using Dell OpenManage Deployment Toolkit (DTK) Dell.com/openmanagemanuals > OpenManage Deployment
Toolkit

Downloading the drivers and firmware

Dell EMC recommends that you download and install the latest BIOS, drivers, and systems management firmware on your
system.

Prerequisites
Ensure that you clear the web browser cache before downloading the drivers and firmware.

Steps
1. Go to Dell.com/support/drivers.
2. In the Drivers & Downloads section, type the Service Tag of your system in the Service Tag or Express Service Code
box, and then click Submit.
NOTE: If you do not have the Service Tag, select Detect My Product to allow the system to automatically detect your
Service Tag, or in General support, navigate to your product.

3. Click Drivers & Downloads.

The drivers that are applicable to your selection are displayed.
4. Download the drivers to a USB drive, CD, or DVD.

Initial system setup and configuration 23

 5
Pre-operating system management
applications
You can manage basic settings and features of a system without booting to the operating system by using the system firmware.
Topics:
• Options to manage the pre-operating system applications
• System Setup
• Dell Lifecycle Controller
• Boot Manager
• PXE boot

Options to manage the pre-operating system

applications
Your system has the following options to manage the pre-operating system applications:
● System Setup
● Boot Manager
● Dell Lifecycle Controller
● Preboot Execution Environment (PXE)

Related concepts
System Setup on page 24
Boot Manager on page 50
Dell Lifecycle Controller on page 50
PXE boot on page 52

System Setup
By using the System Setup screen, you can configure the BIOS settings, iDRAC settings, and device settings of your system.
NOTE: Help text for the selected field is displayed in the graphical browser by default. To view the help text in the text
browser, press F1.
You can access system setup by using two methods:
● Standard graphical browser — The browser is enabled by default.
● Text browser — The browser is enabled by using Console Redirection.

Related references
System Setup details on page 25

Related tasks
Viewing System Setup on page 25

24 Pre-operating system management applications

Viewing System Setup
To view the System Setup screen, perform the following steps:

Steps
1. Turn on, or restart your system.
2. Press F2 immediately after you see the following message:

F2 = System Setup

NOTE: If your operating system begins to load before you press F2, wait for the system to finish booting, and then
restart your system and try again.

Related concepts
System Setup on page 24

Related references
System Setup details on page 25

System Setup details

The System Setup Main Menu screen details are explained as follows:

Option Description
System BIOS Enables you to configure BIOS settings.
iDRAC Settings Enables you to configure iDRAC settings.
The iDRAC settings utility is an interface to set up and configure the iDRAC parameters by using UEFI
(Unified Extensible Firmware Interface). You can enable or disable various iDRAC parameters by using the
iDRAC settings utility. For more information about this utility, see Integrated Dell Remote Access
Controller User’s Guide at Dell.com/idracmanuals.

Device Settings Enables you to configure device settings.

Related concepts
System Setup on page 24
System BIOS on page 25

Related references
iDRAC Settings utility on page 49
Device Settings on page 50

Related tasks
Viewing System Setup on page 25

System BIOS
You can use the System BIOS screen to edit specific functions such as boot order, system password, setup password, set the
RAID mode, and enable or disable USB ports.

Related references
System BIOS Settings details on page 26

Pre-operating system management applications 25

Boot Settings on page 27
Network Settings on page 29
System Security on page 31
System Information on page 35
Memory Settings on page 37
Processor Settings on page 38
SATA Settings on page 40
Integrated Devices on page 43
Serial Communication on page 45
System Profile Settings on page 46
Miscellaneous Settings on page 48
iDRAC Settings utility on page 49
Device Settings on page 50

Related tasks
Viewing System BIOS on page 26

Viewing System BIOS

To view the System BIOS screen, perform the following steps:

Steps
1. Turn on, or restart your system.
2. Press F2 immediately after you see the following message:

F2 = System Setup

NOTE: If your operating system begins to load before you press F2, wait for the system to finish booting, and then
restart your system and try again.

3. On the System Setup Main Menu screen, click System BIOS.

Related references
System BIOS on page 25
System BIOS Settings details on page 26

System BIOS Settings details

About this task
The System BIOS Settings screen details are explained as follows:

Option Description
System Specifies information about the system such as the system model name, BIOS version, and Service Tag.
Information
Memory Settings Specifies information and options related to the installed memory.
Processor Specifies information and options related to the processor such as speed and cache size.
Settings
SATA Settings Specifies options to enable or disable the integrated SATA controller and ports.
Boot Settings Specifies options to specify the boot mode (BIOS or UEFI). Enables you to modify UEFI and BIOS boot
settings.
Network Settings Specifies options to change the network settings.

26 Pre-operating system management applications

Option Description
Integrated Specifies options to manage integrated device controllers and ports and specify related features and
Devices options.
Serial Specifies options to manage the serial ports and specify related features and options.
Communication
System Profile Specifies options to change the processor power management settings, memory frequency, and so on.
Settings
System Security Specifies options to configure the system security settings, such as system password, setup password,
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) security. It also manages the power and NMI buttons on the system.
Miscellaneous Specifies options to change the system date, time, and so on.
Settings

Related references
System BIOS on page 25

Related tasks
Viewing System BIOS on page 26

Boot Settings
You can use the Boot Settings screen to set the boot mode to either BIOS or UEFI. It also enables you to specify the boot
order.

Related references
System BIOS on page 25
Choosing the system boot mode on page 28

Related tasks
Boot Settings details on page 28
Viewing Boot Settings on page 27
Changing the boot order on page 29

Viewing Boot Settings

To view the Boot Settings screen, perform the following steps:

Steps
1. Turn on, or restart your system.
2. Press F2 immediately after you see the following message:

F2 = System Setup

NOTE: If your operating system begins to load before you press F2, wait for the system to finish booting, and then
restart your system and try again.

3. On the System Setup Main Menu screen, click System BIOS.

4. On the System BIOS screen, click Boot Settings.

Related references
Boot Settings on page 27
Choosing the system boot mode on page 28

Pre-operating system management applications 27

Related tasks
Boot Settings details on page 28
Changing the boot order on page 29

Boot Settings details

About this task

The Boot Settings screen details are explained as follows:

Option Description
Boot Mode Enables you to set the boot mode of the system.
CAUTION: Switching the boot mode may prevent the system from booting if the operating
system is not installed in the same boot mode.
If the operating system supports UEFI, you can set this option to UEFI. Setting this field to BIOS allows
compatibility with non-UEFI operating systems. This option is set to BIOS by default.
NOTE: Setting this field to UEFI disables the BIOS Boot Settings menu. Setting this field to BIOS
disables the UEFI Boot Settings menu.

Boot Sequence Enables or disables the Boot Sequence Retry feature. If this option is set to Enabled and the system fails
Retry to boot, the system reattempts the boot sequence after 30 seconds. This option is set to Enabled by
default.
Hard-Disk Specifies the hard drive that is booted in the event of a hard drive failure. The devices are selected in the
Failover Hard-Disk Drive Sequence on the Boot Option Setting menu. When this option is set to Disabled,
only the first hard drive in the list is attempted to boot. When this option is set to Enabled, all hard drives
are attempted to boot in the order selected in the Hard-Disk Drive Sequence. This option is not enabled
for UEFI Boot Mode.
Boot Option Configures the boot sequence and the boot devices.
Settings

Related references
Boot Settings on page 27
Choosing the system boot mode on page 28

Related tasks
Viewing Boot Settings on page 27
Changing the boot order on page 29

Choosing the system boot mode

System Setup enables you to specify one of the following boot modes for installing your operating system:
● BIOS boot mode (the default) is the standard BIOS-level boot interface.
● Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) (the default) boot mode is an enhanced 64-bit boot interface. If you have
configured your system to boot to UEFI mode, it replaces the system BIOS.
1. From the System Setup Main Menu, click Boot Settings, and select Boot Mode.
2. Select the boot mode you want the system to boot into.
CAUTION: Switching the boot mode may prevent the system from booting if the operating system is not
installed in the same boot mode.
3. After the system boots in the specified boot mode, proceed to install your operating system from that mode.
NOTE:

● Operating systems must be UEFI-compatible to be installed from the UEFI boot mode. DOS and 32-bit operating
systems do not support UEFI and can only be installed from the BIOS boot mode.
● For the latest information about supported operating systems, go to Dell.com/ossupport.

28 Pre-operating system management applications

Related references
Boot Settings on page 27

Related tasks
Boot Settings details on page 28
Viewing Boot Settings on page 27

Changing the boot order

About this task

You may have to change the boot order if you want to boot from a USB key or an optical drive. The following instructions may
vary if you have selected BIOS for Boot Mode.

Steps
1. On the System Setup Main Menu screen, click System BIOS > Boot Settings.
2. Click Boot Option Settings > Boot Sequence.
3. Use the arrow keys to select a boot device, and use the plus (+) and minus (-) sign keys to move the device down or up in
the order.
4. Click Exit, and then click Yes to save the settings on exit.

Related references
Boot Settings on page 27

Related tasks
Boot Settings details on page 28
Viewing Boot Settings on page 27

Network Settings
You can use the Network Settings screen to modify PXE device settings. The network settings option is available only in the
UEFI mode.
NOTE: The BIOS does not control network settings in the BIOS mode. For the BIOS boot mode, the optional Boot ROM of
the network controllers handles the network settings.

Related concepts
UEFI iSCSI Settings on page 30

Related references
Network Settings screen details on page 30
UEFI iSCSI Settings details on page 31
System BIOS on page 25

Related tasks
Viewing Network Settings on page 30
Viewing UEFI iSCSI Settings on page 31

Pre-operating system management applications 29

Viewing Network Settings
To view the Network Settings screen, perform the following steps:

Steps
1. Turn on, or restart your system.
2. Press F2 immediately after you see the following message:

F2 = System Setup

NOTE: If your operating system begins to load before you press F2, wait for the system to finish booting, and then
restart your system and try again.

3. On the System Setup Main Menu screen, click System BIOS.

4. On the System BIOS screen, click Network Settings.

Related references
Network Settings on page 29
Network Settings screen details on page 30

Network Settings screen details

The Network Settings screen details are explained as follows:

About this task

Option Description
PXE Device n (n Enables or disables the device. When enabled, a UEFI boot option is created for the device.
= 1 to 4)
PXE Device n Enables you to control the configuration of the PXE device.
Settings(n = 1 to
4)

Related references
Network Settings on page 29

Related tasks
Viewing Network Settings on page 30

UEFI iSCSI Settings

You can use the iSCSI Settings screen to modify iSCSI device settings. The iSCSI Settings option is available only in the UEFI
boot mode. BIOS does not control network settings in the BIOS boot mode. For the BIOS boot mode, the option ROM of the
network controller handles the network settings.

Related references
UEFI iSCSI Settings details on page 31

Related tasks
Viewing UEFI iSCSI Settings on page 31

30 Pre-operating system management applications

Viewing UEFI iSCSI Settings
To view the UEFI iSCSI Settings screen, perform the following steps:

Steps
1. Turn on, or restart your system.
2. Press F2 immediately after you see the following message:

F2 = System Setup

NOTE: If your operating system begins to load before you press F2, wait for the system to finish booting, and then
restart your system and try again.

3. On the System Setup Main Menu screen, click System BIOS.

4. On the System BIOS screen, click Network Settings.
5. On the Network Settings screen, click UEFI iSCSI Settings.

Related concepts
UEFI iSCSI Settings on page 30

Related references
UEFI iSCSI Settings details on page 31

UEFI iSCSI Settings details

The UEFI ISCSI Settings screen details are explained as follows:

Option Description
ISCSI Initiator Specifies the name of the iSCSI initiator (iqn format).
Name
ISCSI Device n (n Enables or disables the iSCSI device. When disabled, a UEFI boot option is created for the iSCSI device
= 1 to 4) automatically.

Related concepts
UEFI iSCSI Settings on page 30

Related tasks
Viewing UEFI iSCSI Settings on page 31

System Security
You can use the System Security screen to perform specific functions such as setting the system password, setup password
and disabling the power button.

Related references
Operating with a setup password enabled on page 34
System BIOS on page 25

Related tasks
System Security Settings details on page 32
Viewing System Security on page 32
Creating a system and setup password on page 33
Using your system password to secure your system on page 34

Pre-operating system management applications 31

Deleting or changing system and setup password on page 34

Viewing System Security

To view the System Security screen, perform the following steps:

Steps
1. Turn on, or restart your system.
2. Press F2 immediately after you see the following message:

F2 = System Setup

NOTE: If your operating system begins to load before you press F2, wait for the system to finish booting, and then
restart your system and try again.

3. On the System Setup Main Menu screen, click System BIOS.

4. On the System BIOS screen, click System Security.

Related references
System Security on page 31

Related tasks
System Security Settings details on page 32

System Security Settings details

About this task

The System Security Settings screen details are explained as follows:

Option Description
Intel AES-NI Improves the speed of applications by performing encryption and decryption by using the Advanced
Encryption Standard Instruction Set (AES-NI). This option is set to Enabled by default.
System Sets the system password. This option is set to Enabled by default and is read-only if the password
Password jumper is not installed in the system.
Setup Password Sets the setup password. This option is read-only if the password jumper is not installed in the system.
Password Status Locks the system password. This option is set to Unlocked by default.
TPM Security NOTE: The TPM menu is available only when the TPM module is installed.

Enables you to control the reporting mode of the TPM. The TPM Security option is set to Off by
default. You can only modify the TPM Status, TPM Activation, and Intel TXT fields if the TPM Status
field is set to either On with Pre-boot Measurements or On without Pre-boot Measurements.
TPM Information Changes the operational state of the TPM. This option is set to No Change by default.
TPM Status Specifies the TPM status.
TPM Command CAUTION: Clearing the TPM results in the loss of all keys in the TPM. The loss of TPM keys
may affect booting to the operating system.
Clears all the contents of the TPM. The TPM Clear option is set to No by default.
Intel TXT Enables or disables the Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) option. To enable the Intel TXT option,
virtualization technology and TPM Security must be enabled with Pre-boot measurements. This option is
set to Off by default.
Power Button Enables or disables the power button on the front of the system. This option is set to Enabled by default.

32 Pre-operating system management applications

Option Description
AC Power Sets how the system behaves after AC power is restored to the system. This option is set to Last by
Recovery default.
UEFI Variable Provides varying degrees of securing UEFI variables. When set to Standard (the default), UEFI variables
Access are accessible in the operating system per the UEFI specification. When set to Controlled, selected UEFI
variables are protected in the environment and new UEFI boot entries are forced to be at the end of the
current boot order.
Secure Boot When Secure Boot policy is set to Standard, the BIOS uses the system manufacturer’s key and
Policy certificates to authenticate pre-boot images. When Secure Boot policy is set to Custom, the BIOS uses
the user-defined key and certificates. Secure Boot policy is set to Standard by default.
Secure Boot Specifies the list of certificates and hashes that secure boot uses to authenticate images.
Policy Summary

Related references
System Security on page 31

Related tasks
Viewing System Security on page 32

Creating a system and setup password

Prerequisites
Ensure that the password jumper is enabled. The password jumper enables or disables the system password and setup password
features. For more information, see the System board jumper settings section.
NOTE: If the password jumper setting is disabled, the existing system password and setup password are deleted and you
need not provide the system password to boot the system.

Steps
1. To enter System Setup, press F2 immediately after turning on or rebooting your system.
2. On the System Setup Main Menu screen, click System BIOS > System Security.
3. On the System Security screen, verify that Password Status is set to Unlocked.
4. In the System Password field, type your system password, and press Enter or Tab.
Use the following guidelines to assign the system password:
● A password can have up to 32 characters.
● The password can contain the numbers 0 through 9.
● Only the following special characters are allowed: space, (”), (+), (,), (-), (.), (/), (;), ([), (\), (]), (`).

A message prompts you to reenter the system password.

5. Reenter the system password, and click OK.
6. In the Setup Password field, type your setup password and press Enter or Tab.
A message prompts you to reenter the setup password.
7. Reenter the setup password, and click OK.
8. Press Esc to return to the System BIOS screen. Press Esc again.
A message prompts you to save the changes.
NOTE: Password protection does not take effect until the system reboots.

Related references
System Security on page 31

Pre-operating system management applications 33

Using your system password to secure your system

About this task

If you have assigned a setup password, the system accepts your setup password as an alternate system password.

Steps
1. Turn on or reboot your system.
2. Type the system password and press Enter.

Next steps
When Password Status is set to Locked, type the system password and press Enter when prompted at reboot.
NOTE: If an incorrect system password is typed, the system displays a message and prompts you to reenter your password.
You have three attempts to type the correct password. After the third unsuccessful attempt, the system displays an error
message that the system has stopped functioning and must be turned off. Even after you turn off and restart the system,
the error message is displayed until the correct password is entered.

Related references
System Security on page 31

Deleting or changing system and setup password

Prerequisites

NOTE: You cannot delete or change an existing system or setup password if the Password Status is set to Locked.

Steps
1. To enter System Setup, press F2 immediately after turning on or restarting your system.
2. On the System Setup Main Menu screen, click System BIOS > System Security.
3. On the System Security screen, ensure that Password Status is set to Unlocked.
4. In the System Password field, alter or delete the existing system password, and then press Enter or Tab.
5. In the Setup Password field, alter or delete the existing setup password, and then press Enter or Tab.
If you change the system and setup password, a message prompts you to reenter the new password. If you delete the
system and setup password, a message prompts you to confirm the deletion.
6. Press Esc to return to the System BIOS screen. Press Esc again, and a message prompts you to save the changes.

Related references
System Security on page 31

Operating with a setup password enabled

If Setup Password is set to Enabled, type the correct setup password before modifying the system setup options.
If you do not type the correct password in three attempts, the system displays the following message:

Invalid Password! Number of unsuccessful password attempts: <x> System Halted! Must
power down.

Even after you turn off and restart the system, the error message is displayed until the correct password is typed. The following
options are exceptions:
● If System Password is not set to Enabled and is not locked through the Password Status option, you can assign a
system password. For more information, see the System Security Settings screen section.

34 Pre-operating system management applications

● You cannot disable or change an existing system password.
NOTE: You can use the password status option with the setup password option to protect the system password from
unauthorized changes.

Related references
System Security on page 31

Secure Boot Custom Policy Settings

Secure Boot Custom Policy Settings is displayed only when Secure Boot Policy is set to Custom.

Viewing Secure Boot Custom Policy Settings

To view the Secure Boot Custom Policy Settings screen, perform the following steps:

Steps
1. Turn on, or restart your system.
2. Press F2 immediately after you see the following message:

F2 = System Setup

NOTE: If your operating system begins to load before you press F2, wait for the system to finish booting, and then
restart your system and try again.

3. On the System Setup Main Menu screen, click System BIOS.

4. On the System BIOS screen, click System Security.
5. On the System Security screen, click Secure Boot Custom Policy Settings.

Secure Boot Custom Policy Settings details

The Secure Boot Custom Policy Settings screen details are explained as follows:

Option Description
Platform Key Imports, exports, deletes, or restores the platform key (PK).
Key Exchange Enables you to import, export, delete, or restore entries in the Key Exchange Key (KEK) Database.
Key Database
Authorized Imports, exports, deletes, or restores entries in the Authorized Signature Database (db).
Signature
Database
Forbidden Imports, exports, deletes, or restores entries in the Forbidden Signature Database (dbx).
Signature
Database

System Information
You can use the System Information screen to view system properties such as Service Tag, system model name, and the BIOS
version.

Related references
System Information details on page 36
System BIOS on page 25

Pre-operating system management applications 35

Related tasks
Viewing System Information on page 36

Viewing System Information

To view the System Information screen, perform the following steps:

Steps
1. Turn on, or restart your system.
2. Press F2 immediately after you see the following message:

F2 = System Setup

NOTE: If your operating system begins to load before you press F2, wait for the system to finish booting, and then
restart your system and try again.

3. On the System Setup Main Menu screen, click System BIOS.

4. On the System BIOS screen, click System Information.

Related references
System Information on page 35

System Information details

About this task

The System Information screen details are explained as follows:

Option Description
System Model Specifies the system model name.
Name
System BIOS Specifies the BIOS version installed on the system.
Version
System Specifies the current version of the Management Engine firmware.
Management
Engine Version
System Service Specifies the system Service Tag.
Tag
System Specifies the name of the system manufacturer.
Manufacturer
System Specifies the contact information of the system manufacturer.
Manufacturer
Contact
Information
System CPLD Specifies the current version of the system complex programmable logic device (CPLD) firmware.
Version
UEFI Compliance Specifies the UEFI compliance level of the system firmware.
Version

Related references
System Information on page 35
System Information details on page 36

36 Pre-operating system management applications

Related tasks
Viewing System Information on page 36

Memory Settings
You can use the Memory Settings screen to view all the memory settings and enable or disable specific memory functions,
such as memory testing and node interleaving.

Related references
Memory Settings details on page 37
System BIOS on page 25

Related tasks
Viewing Memory Settings on page 37

Viewing Memory Settings

To view the Memory Settings screen, perform the following steps:

Steps
1. Turn on, or restart your system.
2. Press F2 immediately after you see the following message:

F2 = System Setup

NOTE: If your operating system begins to load before you press F2, wait for the system to finish booting, and then
restart your system and try again.

3. On the System Setup Main Menu screen, click System BIOS.

4. On the System BIOS screen, click Memory Settings.

Related references
Memory Settings on page 37
Memory Settings details on page 37

Memory Settings details

About this task

The Memory Settings screen details are explained as follows:

Option Description
System Memory Specifies the memory size in the system.
Size
System Memory Specifies the type of memory installed in the system.
Type
System Memory Specifies the memory speed.
Speed
System Memory Specifies the memory voltage.
Voltage
Video Memory Specifies the amount of video memory.
System Memory Specifies whether the memory tests are run during system boot. Options are Enabled and Disabled. This
Testing option is set to Disabled by default.

Pre-operating system management applications 37

Option Description
Memory Specifies the memory operating mode. The options available are Optimizer Mode, Advanced ECC
Operating Mode Mode, Mirror Mode, Spare Mode, Spare with Advanced ECC Mode, Dell Fault Resilient Mode and
Dell NUMA Fault Resilient Mode. This option is set to Optimizer Mode by default.
NOTE: The Memory Operating Mode option can have different default and available options based
on the memory configuration of your system.

NOTE: The Dell Fault Resilient Mode option establishes an area of memory that is fault resilient.
This mode can be used by an operating system that supports the feature to load critical applications
or enables the operating system kernel to maximize system availability.

Node Interleaving Specifies if the Non-Uniform Memory Architecture (NUMA) is supported. If this field is set to Enabled,
memory interleaving is supported if a symmetric memory configuration is installed. If the field is set to
Disabled, the system supports NUMA (asymmetric) memory configurations. This option is set to
Disabled by default.
Snoop Mode Specifies the Snoop Mode options. The Snoop Mode options available are Home Snoop, Early Snoop,
and Cluster on Die. This option is set to Early Snoop by default. This field is available only when the
Node Interleaving is set to Disabled.

Related references
Memory Settings on page 37

Related tasks
Viewing Memory Settings on page 37

Processor Settings
You can use the Processor Settings screen to view the processor settings, and perform specific functions such as enabling
virtualization technology, hardware prefetcher, and logical processor idling.

Related references
Processor Settings details on page 39
System BIOS on page 25

Related tasks
Viewing Processor Settings on page 38

Viewing Processor Settings

To view the Processor Settings screen, perform the following steps:

Steps
1. Turn on, or restart your system.
2. Press F2 immediately after you see the following message:

F2 = System Setup

NOTE: If your operating system begins to load before you press F2, wait for the system to finish booting, and then
restart your system and try again.

3. On the System Setup Main Menu screen, click System BIOS.

4. On the System BIOS screen, click Processor Settings.

38 Pre-operating system management applications

Related references
Processor Settings on page 38
Processor Settings details on page 39

Processor Settings details

About this task

The Processor Settings screen details are explained as follows:

Option Description
Logical Enables or disables the logical processors and displays the number of logical processors. If this option is
Processor set to Enabled, the BIOS displays all the logical processors. If this option is set to Disabled, the BIOS
displays only one logical processor per core. This option is set to Enabled by default.

Alternate RTID Modifies Requestor Transaction IDs, which are QPI resources. This option is set to Disabled by default.
(Requestor NOTE: Enabling this option may negatively impact the overall system performance.
Transaction ID)
Setting
Virtualization Enables or disables the additional hardware capabilities provided for virtualization. This option is set to
Technology Enabled by default.
Address Defines the Address Translation Cache (ATC) for devices to cache the DMA transactions. This option
Translation provides an interface between CPU and DMA Memory Management to a chipset's Address Translation
Service (ATS) and Protection Table to translate DMA addresses to host addresses. This option is set to Enabled by
default.
Adjacent Cache Optimizes the system for applications that need high utilization of sequential memory access. This option
Line Prefetch is set to Enabled by default. You can disable this option for applications that need high utilization of
random memory access.
Hardware Enables or disables the hardware prefetcher. This option is set to Enabled by default.
Prefetcher
DCU Streamer Enables or disables the Data Cache Unit (DCU) streamer prefetcher. This option is set to Enabled by
Prefetcher default.
DCU IP Enables or disables the Data Cache Unit (DCU) IP prefetcher. This option is set to Enabled by default.
Prefetcher
Execute Disable Enables you to run the disable memory protection technology. This option is set to Enabled by default.
Logical Enables you to improve the energy efficiency of a system. It uses the operating system core parking
Processor Idling algorithm and parks some of the logical processors in the system which in turn allows the corresponding
processor cores to transition into a lower power idle state. This option can only be enabled if the
operating system supports it. It is set to Disabled by default.
Configurable TDP Enables you to reconfigure the processor Thermal Design Power (TDP) levels during POST based on the
power and thermal delivery capabilities of the system. TDP verifies the maximum heat the cooling system
is needed to dissipate. This option is set to Nominal by default.
NOTE: This option is only available on certain stock keeping units (SKUs) of the processors.

X2Apic Mode Enables or disables the X2Apic mode.

Dell Controlled Controls the turbo engagement. Enable this option only when System Profile is set to Performance.
Turbo NOTE: Depending on the number of installed CPUs, there may be up to four processor listings.

Number of Cores Controls the number of enabled cores in each processor. This option is set to All by default.
per Processor
Processor 64-bit Specifies if the processor(s) support 64-bit extensions.
Support
Processor Core Specifies the maximum core frequency of the processor.
Speed

Pre-operating system management applications 39

Option Description
Processor 1 NOTE: Depending on the number of CPUs, there may be up to four processors listed.

The following settings are displayed for each processor installed in the system:

Option Description
Family-Model- Specifies the family, model, and stepping of the processor as defined by Intel.
Stepping
Brand Specifies the brand name.
Level 2 Cache Specifies the total L2 cache.
Level 3 Cache Specifies the total L3 cache.
Number of Cores Specifies the number of cores per processor.

Related references
Processor Settings on page 38

Related tasks
Viewing Processor Settings on page 38

SATA Settings
You can use the SATA Settings screen to view the SATA settings of SATA devices and enable RAID on your system.

Related references
System BIOS on page 25

Related tasks
SATA Settings details on page 41
Viewing SATA Settings on page 40

Viewing SATA Settings

To view the SATA Settings screen, perform the following steps:

Steps
1. Turn on, or restart your system.
2. Press F2 immediately after you see the following message:

F2 = System Setup

NOTE: If your operating system begins to load before you press F2, wait for the system to finish booting, and then
restart your system and try again.

3. On the System Setup Main Menu screen, click System BIOS.

4. On the System BIOS screen, click SATA Settings.

Related references
SATA Settings on page 40

40 Pre-operating system management applications

Related tasks
SATA Settings details on page 41

SATA Settings details

About this task

The SATA Settings screen details are explained as follows:

Option Description
Embedded SATA Enables the embedded SATA option to be set to Off, ATA, AHCI, or RAID modes. This option is set to
AHCI by default.
Security Freeze Sends Security Freeze Lock command to the Embedded SATA drives during POST. This option is
Lock applicable only for ATA and AHCI modes.
Write Cache Enables or disables the command for Embedded SATA drives during POST.
Port A Sets the drive type of the selected device. For Embedded SATA settings in ATA mode, set this field to
Auto to enable BIOS support. Set it to OFF to turn off BIOS support.
For AHCI or RAID mode, BIOS support is always enabled.

Option Description
Model Specifies the drive model of the selected device.
Drive Type Specifies the type of drive attached to the SATA port.
Capacity Specifies the total capacity of the hard drive. This field is undefined for removable
media devices such as optical drives.

Port B Sets the drive type of the selected device. For Embedded SATA settings in ATA mode, set this field to
Auto to enable BIOS support. Set it to OFF to turn off BIOS support.
For AHCI or RAID mode, BIOS support is always enabled.

Option Description
Model Specifies the drive model of the selected device.
Drive Type Specifies the type of drive attached to the SATA port.
Capacity Specifies the total capacity of the hard drive. This field is undefined for removable
media devices such as optical drives.

Port C Sets the drive type of the selected device. For Embedded SATA settings in ATA mode, set this field to
Auto to enable BIOS support. Set it to OFF to turn off BIOS support.
For AHCI or RAID mode, BIOS support is always enabled.

Option Description
Model Specifies the drive model of the selected device.
Drive Type Specifies the type of drive attached to the SATA port.
Capacity Specifies the total capacity of the hard drive. This field is undefined for removable
media devices such as optical drives.

Port D Sets the drive type of the selected device. For Embedded SATA settings in ATA mode, set this field to
Auto to enable BIOS support. Set it to OFF to turn off BIOS support.
For AHCI or RAID mode, BIOS support is always enabled.

Option Description
Model Specifies the drive model of the selected device.
Drive Type Specifies the type of drive attached to the SATA port.

Pre-operating system management applications 41

Option Description

Option Description
Capacity Specifies the total capacity of the hard drive. This field is undefined for removable
media devices such as optical drives.

Port E Sets the drive type of the selected device. For Embedded SATA settings in ATA mode, set this field to
Auto to enable BIOS support. Set it to OFF to turn off BIOS support.
For AHCI or RAID mode, BIOS support is always enabled.

Option Description
Model Specifies the drive model of the selected device.
Drive Type Specifies the type of drive attached to the SATA port.
Capacity Specifies the total capacity of the hard drive. This field is undefined for removable
media devices such as optical drives.

Port F Sets the drive type of the selected device. For Embedded SATA settings in ATA mode, set this field to
Auto to enable BIOS support. Set it to OFF to turn off BIOS support.
For AHCI or RAID mode, BIOS support is always enabled.

Option Description
Model Specifies the drive model of the selected device.
Drive Type Specifies the type of drive attached to the SATA port.
Capacity Specifies the total capacity of the hard drive. This field is undefined for removable
media devices such as optical drives.

Port G Sets the drive type of the selected device. For Embedded SATA settings in ATA mode, set this field to
Auto to enable BIOS support. Set it to OFF to turn off BIOS support.
For AHCI or RAID mode, BIOS support is always enabled.

Option Description
Model Specifies the drive model of the selected device.
Drive Type Specifies the type of drive attached to the SATA port.
Capacity Specifies the total capacity of the hard drive. This field is undefined for removable
media devices such as optical drives.

Port H Sets the drive type of the selected device. For Embedded SATA settings in ATA mode, set this field to
Auto to enable BIOS support. Set it to OFF to turn off BIOS support.
For AHCI or RAID mode, BIOS support is always enabled.

Option Description
Model Specifies the drive model of the selected device.
Drive Type Specifies the type of drive attached to the SATA port.
Capacity Specifies the total capacity of the hard drive. This field is undefined for removable
media devices such as optical drives.

Port I Sets the drive type of the selected device. For Embedded SATA settings in ATA mode, set this field to
Auto to enable BIOS support. Set it to OFF to turn off BIOS support.
For AHCI or RAID mode, BIOS support is always enabled.

Option Description
Model Specifies the drive model of the selected device.

42 Pre-operating system management applications

Option Description

Option Description
Drive Type Specifies the type of drive attached to the SATA port.
Capacity Specifies the total capacity of the hard drive. This field is undefined for removable
media devices such as optical drives.

Port J Sets the drive type of the selected device. For Embedded SATA settings in ATA mode, set this field to
Auto to enable BIOS support. Set it to OFF to turn off BIOS support.
For AHCI or RAID mode, BIOS support is always enabled.

Option Description
Model Specifies the drive model of the selected device.
Drive Type Specifies the type of drive attached to the SATA port.
Capacity Specifies the total capacity of the hard drive. This field is undefined for removable
media devices such as optical drives.

Related references
SATA Settings on page 40

Related tasks
Viewing SATA Settings on page 40

Integrated Devices
You can use the Integrated Devices screen to view and configure the settings of all integrated devices including the video
controller, integrated RAID controller, and the USB ports.

Related references
System BIOS on page 25

Related tasks
Integrated Devices details on page 44
Viewing Integrated Devices on page 43

Viewing Integrated Devices

To view the Integrated Devices screen, perform the following steps:

Steps
1. Turn on, or restart your system.
2. Press F2 immediately after you see the following message:

F2 = System Setup

NOTE: If your operating system begins to load before you press F2, wait for the system to finish booting, and then
restart your system and try again.

3. On the System Setup Main Menu screen, click System BIOS.

4. On the System BIOS screen, click Integrated Devices.

Pre-operating system management applications 43

Related references
Integrated Devices on page 43

Related tasks
Integrated Devices details on page 44

Integrated Devices details

About this task

The Integrated Devices screen details are explained as follows:

Option Description
USB 3.0 Setting Enables or disables the USB 3.0 support. Enable this option only if your operating system supports USB
3.0. If you disable this option, devices operate at USB 2.0 speed. USB 3.0 is enabled by default.
User Accessible Enables or disables the USB ports. Selecting Only Back Ports On disables the front USB ports, selecting
USB Ports All Ports Off disables all USB ports. The USB keyboard and mouse operate during boot process in certain
operating systems. After the boot process is complete, the USB keyboard and mouse do not work if the
ports are disabled.
NOTE: Selecting Only Back Ports On and All Ports Off disables the USB management port and
also restricts access to iDRAC features.

Internal USB Enables or disables the internal USB port. This option is set to Enabled by default.
Port
Integrated RAID Enables or disables the integrated RAID controller. This option is set to Enabled by default.
Controller
Integrated Enables or disables the integrated network card.
Network Card 1
I/OAT DMA Enables or disables the I/OAT option. Enable only if the hardware and software support the feature.
Engine
I/O Snoop Selects the number of cycles PCI I/O can withhold snoop requests from the CPU, to allow time to
Holdoff complete its own write to LLC. This setting can help improve performance on workloads where
Response throughput and latency are critical.
Embedded Video Enables or disables the Embedded Video Controller option. This option is set to Enabled by default.
Controller
Current State of Displays the current state of the embedded video controller. The Current State of Embedded Video
Embedded Video Controller option is a read-only field. If the Embedded Video Controller is the only display capability in the
Controller system (that is, no add-in graphics card is installed), then the Embedded Video Controller is automatically
used as the primary display even if the Embedded Video Controller setting is set to Disabled.
SR-IOV Global Enables or disables the BIOS configuration of Single Root I/O Virtualization (SR-IOV) devices. This option
Enable is set to Disabled by default.
OS Watchdog If your system stops responding, this watchdog timer aids in the recovery of your operating system. When
Timer this option is set to Enabled, the operating system initializes the timer. When this option is set to
Disabled (the default), the timer does not have any effect on the system.
Memory Mapped Enables or disables the support for PCIe devices that need large amounts of memory. This option is set to
I/O above 4 GB Enabled by default.
Mezzanine Slot The Slot Disablement feature controls the configuration of mezzanine cards installed in the specified
Disablement slots. Only mezzanine card slots that are present on your system are available for control.

Related references
Integrated Devices on page 43

Related tasks
Viewing Integrated Devices on page 43

44 Pre-operating system management applications

Serial Communication
You can use the Serial Communication screen to view the properties of the serial communication port.

Related references
System BIOS on page 25

Related tasks
Serial Communication details on page 45
Viewing Serial Communication on page 45

Viewing Serial Communication

To view the Serial Communication screen, perform the following steps:

Steps
1. Turn on, or restart your system.
2. Press F2 immediately after you see the following message:

F2 = System Setup

NOTE: If your operating system begins to load before you press F2, wait for the system to finish booting, and then
restart your system and try again.

3. On the System Setup Main Menu screen, click System BIOS.

4. On the System BIOS screen, click Serial Communication.

Related references
Serial Communication on page 45

Related tasks
Serial Communication details on page 45

Serial Communication details

About this task

The Serial Communication screen details are explained as follows:

Option Description
Serial Enables the COM port or Console Redirection options. This option is set to Off by default.
Communication
Serial Port Enables you to set the port address for serial devices. This option is set to Serial Device 1=COM2,
Address Serial Device 2=COM1 by default.
NOTE: You can use only Serial Device 2 for the Serial Over LAN (SOL) feature. To use console
redirection by SOL, configure the same port address for console redirection and the serial device.

External Serial Enables you to associate the External Serial Connector to Serial Device 1.
Connector
Failsafe Baud Specifies the failsafe baud rate for console redirection. The BIOS attempts to determine the baud rate
Rate automatically. This failsafe baud rate is used only if the attempt fails, and the value must not be changed.
This option is set to 115200 by default.
Remote Terminal Sets the remote console terminal type. This option is set to VT 100/VT 220 by default.
Type

Pre-operating system management applications 45

Option Description
Redirection After Enables or disables the BIOS console redirection when the operating system is loaded. This option is set
Boot to Enabled by default.

Related references
Serial Communication on page 45

Related tasks
Viewing Serial Communication on page 45

System Profile Settings

You can use the System Profile Settings screen to enable specific system performance settings such as power management.

Related references
System BIOS on page 25

Related tasks
System Profile Settings details on page 46
Viewing System Profile Settings on page 46

Viewing System Profile Settings

To view the System Profile Settings screen, perform the following steps:

Steps
1. Turn on, or restart your system.
2. Press F2 immediately after you see the following message:

F2 = System Setup

NOTE: If your operating system begins to load before you press F2, wait for the system to finish booting, and then
restart your system and try again.

3. On the System Setup Main Menu screen, click System BIOS.

4. On the System BIOS screen, click System Profile Settings.

Related references
System Profile Settings on page 46

Related tasks
System Profile Settings details on page 46

System Profile Settings details

About this task

The System Profile Settings screen details are explained as follows:

Option Description
System Profile Sets the system profile. If you set the System Profile option to a mode other than Custom, the BIOS
automatically sets the rest of the options. You can only change the rest of the options if the mode is set

46 Pre-operating system management applications

Option Description
to Custom. This option is set to Performance Per Watt Optimized (DAPC) by default. DAPC is Dell
Active Power Controller.
NOTE: All the parameters on the system profile setting screen are available only when the System
Profile option is set to Custom.

CPU Power Sets the CPU power management. This option is set to System DBPM (DAPC) by default.
Management
Memory Sets the speed of the memory. You can select Maximum Performance, Maximum Reliability, or a
Frequency specific speed.
Turbo Boost Enables or disables the processor to operate in the turbo boost mode. This option is set to Enabled by
default.
Energy Efficient Enables or disables the Energy Efficient Turbo option.
Turbo
Energy Efficient Turbo (EET) is a mode of operation where a processor’s core frequency is adjusted to be
within the turbo range based on workload.

C1E Enables or disables the processor to switch to a minimum performance state when it is idle. This option is
set to Enabled by default.
C States Enables or disables the processor to operate in all available power states. This option is set to Enabled by
default.
Collaborative Enables or disables the CPU power management option. When set to Enabled, the CPU power
CPU management is controlled by the OS DBPM and the System DBPM (DAPC). This option is set to
Performance Disabled by default.
Control
Memory Patrol Sets the memory patrol scrub frequency. This option is set to Standard by default.
Scrub
Memory Refresh Sets the memory refresh rate to either 1x or 2x. This option is set to 1x by default.
Rate
Uncore Enables you to select the Processor Uncore Frequency option.
Frequency
Dynamic mode enables the processor to optimize power resources across the cores and uncore during
runtime. The optimization of the uncore frequency to either save power or optimize performance is
influenced by the setting of the Energy Efficiency Policy option.

Energy Efficient Enables you to select the Energy Efficient Policy option.
Policy
The CPU uses the setting to manipulate the internal behavior of the processor and determines whether to
target higher performance or better power savings.

Number of Turbo NOTE: If there are two processors installed in the system, you see an entry for Number of Turbo
Boot Enabled Boost Enabled Cores for Processor 2.
Cores for
Processor 1 Controls the number of turbo boost enabled cores for processor 1. The maximum number of cores is
enabled by default.
Monitor/Mwait Enables the Monitor/Mwait instructions in the processor. This option is set to Enabled for all system
profiles, except Custom by default.
NOTE: This option can be disabled only if the C States option in the Custom mode is set to
disabled.

NOTE: When C States is set to Enabled in the Custom mode, changing the Monitor/Mwait setting
does not impact the system power or performance.

Related references
System Profile Settings on page 46

Related tasks
Viewing System Profile Settings on page 46

Pre-operating system management applications 47

Miscellaneous Settings
You can use the Miscellaneous Settings screen to perform specific functions such as updating the asset tag and changing the
system date and time.

Related references
System BIOS on page 25

Related tasks
Miscellaneous Settings details on page 48
Viewing Miscellaneous Settings on page 48

Viewing Miscellaneous Settings

To view the Miscellaneous Settings screen, perform the following steps:

Steps
1. Turn on, or restart your system.
2. Press F2 immediately after you see the following message:

F2 = System Setup

NOTE: If your operating system begins to load before you press F2, wait for the system to finish booting, and then
restart your system and try again.

3. On the System Setup Main Menu screen, click System BIOS.

4. On the System BIOS screen, click Miscellaneous Settings.

Related references
Miscellaneous Settings on page 48

Related tasks
Miscellaneous Settings details on page 48

Miscellaneous Settings details

About this task

The Miscellaneous Settings screen details are explained as follows:

Option Description
System Time Enables you to set the time on the system.
System Date Enables you to set the date on the system.
Asset Tag Specifies the asset tag and enables you to modify it for security and tracking purposes.
Keyboard Enables you to set whether the system boots with the NumLock enabled or disabled. This option is set to
NumLock On by default.
NOTE: This option does not apply to 84-key keyboards.

F1/F2 Prompt on Enables or disables the F1/F2 prompt on error. This option is set to Enabled by default. The F1/F2
Error prompt also includes keyboard errors.
Load Legacy Enables you to determine whether the system BIOS loads the legacy video (INT 10H) option ROM from
Video Option the video controller. Selecting Enabled in the operating system does not support UEFI video output
ROM

48 Pre-operating system management applications

Option Description
standards. This field is available only for UEFI boot mode. You cannot set the option to Enabled if UEFI
Secure Boot mode is enabled.
In-System Enables or disables In-System Characterization. This option is set to Disabled by default. The two
Characterization other options are Enabled and Enabled - No Reboot.
NOTE: The default setting for In-System Characterization is subject to change in future BIOS
releases.
When enabled, In-System Characterization (ISC) executes during POST upon detecting relevant changes
in system configuration to optimize system power and performance. ISC takes about 20 seconds to
execute, and system reset is needed for ISC results to be applied. The Enabled - No Reboot option
executes ISC and continues without applying ISC results until the next time system reset occurs. The
Enabled option executes ISC and forces an immediate system reset so that ISC results can be applied. It
takes the system longer to be ready due to the forced system reset. When disabled, ISC does not
execute.

Related references
Miscellaneous Settings on page 48

Related tasks
Viewing Miscellaneous Settings on page 48

iDRAC Settings utility

The iDRAC settings utility is an interface to set up and configure the iDRAC parameters by using UEFI. You can enable or disable
various iDRAC parameters by using the iDRAC settings utility.
NOTE: Accessing some of the features on the iDRAC settings utility needs the iDRAC Enterprise License upgrade.

For more information about using iDRAC, see Dell Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller User's Guide at Dell.com/
idracmanuals.

Related concepts
Device Settings on page 50

Related references
System BIOS on page 25

Related tasks
Entering the iDRAC Settings utility on page 49
Changing the thermal settings on page 50

Entering the iDRAC Settings utility

Steps
1. Turn on or restart the managed system.
2. Press F2 during Power-on Self-test (POST).
3. On the System Setup Main Menu page, click iDRAC Settings.
The iDRAC Settings screen is displayed.

Related references
iDRAC Settings utility on page 49

Pre-operating system management applications 49

Changing the thermal settings
The iDRAC settings utility enables you to select and customize the thermal control settings for your system.
1. Click iDRAC Settings > Thermal.
2. Under SYSTEM THERMAL PROFILE > Thermal Profile, select one of the following options:
● Default Thermal Profile Settings
● Maximum Performance (Performance Optimized)
● Minimum Power (Performance per Watt Optimized)
3. Under USER COOLING OPTIONS, set the Fan Speed Offset, Minimum Fan Speed, and Custom Minimum Fan Speed.
4. Click Back > Finish > Yes.

Related references
iDRAC Settings utility on page 49

Device Settings
Device Settings enables you to configure device parameters.

Related references
System BIOS on page 25

Dell Lifecycle Controller

Dell Lifecycle Controller (LC) provides advanced embedded system management capabilities including system deployment,
configuration, update, maintenance, and diagnosis. LC is delivered as part of the iDRAC out-of-band solution and Dell EMC
system embedded Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) applications.

Related references
Embedded systems management on page 50

Embedded systems management

The Dell Lifecycle Controller provides advanced embedded systems management throughout the lifecycle of the system. The
Dell Lifecycle Controller can be started during the boot sequence and can function independently of the operating system.

NOTE: Certain platform configurations may not support the full set of features provided by the Dell Lifecycle Controller.

For more information about setting up the Dell Lifecycle Controller, configuring hardware and firmware, and deploying the
operating system, see the Dell Lifecycle Controller documentation at Dell.com/idracmanuals.

Related references
Dell Lifecycle Controller on page 50

Boot Manager
The Boot Manager screen enables you to select boot options and diagnostic utilities.

Related references
Boot Manager main menu on page 51
System BIOS on page 25

50 Pre-operating system management applications

Related tasks
Viewing Boot Manager on page 51

Viewing Boot Manager

To enter Boot Manager:

Steps
1. Turn on, or restart your system.
2. Press F11 when you see the following message:

F11 = Boot Manager

If your operating system begins to load before you press F11, allow the system to complete the booting, and then restart
your system and try again.

Related references
Boot Manager on page 50
Boot Manager main menu on page 51

Boot Manager main menu

Menu item Description
Continue Normal The system attempts to boot to devices starting with the first item in the boot order. If the boot attempt
Boot fails, the system continues with the next item in the boot order until the boot is successful or no more
boot options are found.
One-shot Boot Enables you to access boot menu, where you can select a one-time boot device to boot from.
Menu
Launch System Enables you to access System Setup.
Setup
Launch Lifecycle Exits the Boot Manager and invokes the Dell Lifecycle Controller program.
Controller
System Utilities Enables you to launch System Utilities menu such as System Diagnostics and UEFI shell.

Related references
Boot Manager on page 50

Related tasks
Viewing Boot Manager on page 51

One-shot BIOS boot menu

One-shot BIOS boot menu enables you to select a boot device to boot from.

Related references
Boot Manager on page 50

System Utilities
System Utilities contains the following utilities that can be launched:

Pre-operating system management applications 51

● Launch Diagnostics
● BIOS/UEFI Update File Explorer
● Reboot System

NOTE: Depending on the boot mode selected, you might have BIOS or UEFI Update File Explorer.

Related references
Boot Manager on page 50

PXE boot
You can use the Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) option to boot and configure the networked systems, remotely.
NOTE: To access the PXE boot option, boot the system and then press F12. The system scans and displays the active
networked systems.

52 Pre-operating system management applications

 6
Installing and removing blade components
This section provides information about installing and removing the blade components. For information about installing and
removing the enclosure components, see the enclosure Owner's Manual at Dell.com/poweredgemanuals.
Topics:
• Safety instructions
• Recommended tools
• Removing and installing a blade
• System cover
• Inside the blade
• Cooling shroud
• System memory
• I/O module mezzanine cards
• Mezzanine card support bracket
• Internal dual SD module (optional)
• rSPI card (optional)
• SD vFlash card
• Network daughter card
• Processor blank and DIMM blank
• Processors
• Hard drives or SSDs
• Hard-drive or SSD cage
• Hard-drive or SSD backplane
• System battery
• Storage controller card
• Expander card
• System board
• Trusted Platform Module

Safety instructions
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.

NOTE: Dell recommends that you always use an antistatic mat and antistatic wrist strap while working on components
inside the system.

CAUTION: Operating the system without the system cover can result in component damage

NOTE: To ensure proper operation and cooling, all bays in the system must be populated always with either a system
component or with a blank.

Before working inside your system

Steps
1. Turn off the blade using the CMC.
2. Remove the blade from the enclosure.

Installing and removing blade components 53

3. Install the I/O connector cover.
4. Remove the system cover.

After working inside your system

Prerequisites
Follow the safety guidelines listed in safety instructions section.

Steps
1. Install the system cover.
2. Install the blade in the enclosure.
3. Turn on the blade.

Recommended tools
You need the following tools to perform the removal and installation procedures:
● Key to the bezel lock.
The key is needed only if your system includes a bezel.
● Phillips #1 screwdriver
● Phillips #2 screwdriver
● Torx #T8 and #T10 screwdrivers
● 5 mm and 6 mm Hex nut drivers
● Wrist grounding strap

Removing and installing a blade

CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.

NOTE: These procedures are applicable only for full-height and half-height blades. For information about removing and
installing quarter-height blades from a sleeve, see the blade's Owner's Manual at Dell.com/poweredgemanuals.

Removing the blade

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Power down the blade using OS commands or the CMC, and ensure that the blade's power is off.
When a blade is powered off, its front-panel power indicator is off.
4. Before removing the blades from full-height blade slots 3 or 4, rotate the LCD panel to the storage position to prevent
accidental damage to the LCD screen.

54 Installing and removing blade components

 CAUTION: To protect the I/O connector pins, install the I/O connector cover any time a blade is removed from
the enclosure.

CAUTION: If you are permanently removing the blade, install a blade blank. Operating the system for extended
periods of time without a blade blank installed can cause the enclosure to overheat.

Steps
1. Press the release button on the handle.
2. Pull out the handle to unlock the blade from the enclosure.
3. Slide the blade out of the enclosure.
4. Install the I/O connector cover over the I/O connector.

Figure 6. Removing the blade

a. release button
b. blade
c. enclosure

Next steps
Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Installing a blade on page 56
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing and removing blade components 55

Installing a blade
Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.

Steps
1. If you are installing a new blade, remove the plastic cover from the I/O connector(s) and save for future use.
2. Orient the blade so that the handle is on the left side of the blade.
3. If you are installing the full-height blade in bays 3 or 4, rotate the LCD module to the horizontal storage position to prevent
accidental damage to the LCD screen.
4. Align the guide rail on the upper edge of the blade so that the rail fits between the plastic guides on the enclosure.
5. Slide the blade into the enclosure until the handle engages and locks the blade in place.

Figure 7. Installing a blade

a. blade
b. enclosure

Next steps
Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing the blade on page 54
After working inside your system on page 54

56 Installing and removing blade components

System cover
The system cover protects the innyards of the server, while also help maintaining proper flow of air inside the server. The
removal of the system cover also actuate the intrusion switch and this aids in maintaining system security.

Removing the system cover

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: You must remove the system cover to service other components inside the system.

1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.

2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Turn off the blade using CMC.
4. Remove the blade from the enclosure.
5. Install the I/O connector cover.

Steps
1. Press the release buttons and slide the cover toward the back of the blade.
2. Lift the cover away from the blade.

Figure 8. Removing the system cover

1. system cover 2. release button (2)
3. I/O connector cover (2) 4. alignment guides on the system cover and the chassis

Next steps
1. Install the system cover.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Installing and removing blade components 57

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Installing the system cover on page 58
Removing the blade on page 54
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing the system cover

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Remove the system cover.
NOTE: You must remove the system cover to service other components inside the system.
4. Ensure that no tools or parts are left inside the blade.

Steps
1. Align the alignment guide on the system cover with the alignment guide on the chassis.
2. Lower the cover onto the chassis.
3. Slide the cover until it clicks into position.
A properly seated cover is flush with the surface of the chassis.

58 Installing and removing blade components

 Figure 9. Installing the system cover
1. system cover 2. release button (2)
3. I/O connector cover (2) 4. alignment guides on the system cover and the chassis

Next steps
Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing the system cover on page 57
Installing a blade on page 56
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing and removing blade components 59

Inside the blade

Figure 10. Inside the blade

1. mezzanine card connectors for card 1 and card 2 2. restore Serial Peripheral Interface (rSPI) card
3. mezzanine card connectors for card 3 and card 4 4. Network Daughter Card (NDC)
5. memory module (42) 6. processor 2
7. cooling shroud 8. processor 3
9. hard drive/SSD backplane 10. processor 4
11. processor 1

Cooling shroud
The cooling shroud has aerodynamically placed openings that directs the airflow across the entire system. The airflow passes
through all the critical parts of the system, where the vacuum that pulls air across the entire surface area of the processor and
heat sink allowing increased cooling.

Removing the cooling shroud

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.

60 Installing and removing blade components

 CAUTION: Never operate your system with the cooling shroud removed. The system may get overheated quickly,
resulting in shutdown and loss of data.

NOTE: You must remove the cooling shroud to service other components inside the system.

1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.

2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.

Steps
Hold the cooling shroud at both ends and lift it away from the system.

Results

Figure 11. Removing a cooling shroud

1. cooling shroud
2. tab (4)
3. guide pin (2)

Next steps
1. Install the cooling shroud.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Installing the cooling shroud on page 61
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing the cooling shroud

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

Installing and removing blade components 61

1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Remove the cooling shroud.
NOTE: You must remove the cooling shroud to service other components inside the system.

Steps
1. Align the guide pins on the cooling shroud with the guide slots on the system board.
2. Lower the cooling shroud into the chassis until the tabs on the sides of cooling shroud engage with the slots on the chassis.

Figure 12. Installing the cooling shroud

a. cooling shroud
b. tab (4)
c. guide pin (2)

Next steps
Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing the cooling shroud on page 60
After working inside your system on page 54

System memory
Your system supports DDR4 registered DIMMs (RDIMMs) and load reduced DIMMs (LRDIMMs). It supports DDR4 voltage
specifications.

NOTE: MT/s indicates DIMM speed in MegaTransfers per second.

Memory bus operating frequency can be either 2400 MT/s, 2133 MT/s, and 1866 MT/s depending on the:
● DIMM type (RDIMM or LRDIMM)
● DIMM configuration (number of ranks)
● Maximum frequency of the DIMMs
● Number of DIMMs populated per channel

62 Installing and removing blade components

● System profile selected (for example, Performance Optimized, Custom, or Dense Configuration Optimized)
● Maximum supported DIMM frequency of the processors
Your system contains 48 memory sockets split into four sets of 12 sockets, one set per processor. Each 12-socket set is
organized into four channels. In each channel, the release levers of the first socket are marked white, the second socket black,
and the third socket green.
NOTE: DIMMs in sockets A1 to A12 are assigned to processor 1, B1 to B12 to processor 2, C1 to C12 to processor 3, and D1
to D12 to processor 4.

Figure 13. Memory socket locations

Memory channels are organized as follows:

Processor 1 channel 0: memory sockets A1, A5, and A9

channel 1: memory sockets A2, A6, and A10
channel 2: memory sockets A3, A7, and A11
channel 3: memory sockets A4, A8, and A12
Processor 2 channel 0: memory sockets B1, B5, and B9
channel 1: memory sockets B2, B6, and B10
channel 2: memory sockets B3, B7, and B11

Installing and removing blade components 63

 channel 3: memory sockets B4, B8, and B12
Processor 3 channel 0: memory sockets C1, C5, and C9
channel 1: memory sockets C2, C6, and C10
channel 2: memory sockets C3, C7, and C11
channel 3: memory sockets C4, C8, and C12
Processor 4 channel 0: memory sockets D1, D5, and D9
channel 1: memory sockets D2, D6, and D10
channel 2: memory sockets D3, D7, and D11
channel 3: memory sockets D4, D8, and D12

The following table shows the memory populations and operating frequencies for the supported configurations.

Table 20. Supported configurations

DIMM type DIMMs populated/ Voltage Operating frequency (in Maximum DIMM rank/channel
channel MT/s)
RDIMM 1 2400, 2133, and 1866 single and dual rank
2 1.2 V 2400, 2133, and 1866 single and dual rank
3 1866 single and dual rank
LRDIMM 1 2400, 2133, and 1866 quad rank
2 1.2 V 2400, 2133, and 1866 quad rank
3 2133 quad rank

General memory module installation guidelines

Your system supports Flexible Memory Configuration, enabling the system to be configured and run in any valid chipset
architectural configuration. The following are the recommended guidelines for best performance:
● LRDIMMs, and RDIMMs must not be mixed.
● x4 and x8 DRAM based DIMMs can be mixed. For more information, see the Mode-specific guidelines section.
● A maximum of three single-rank or dual-rank RDIMMs can be populated in a channel.
● Up to three LRDIMMs can be populated regardless of rank count.
● Populate four DIMMs per processor (one DIMM per channel) at a time to maximize performance.
● If memory modules with different speeds are installed, they operate at the speed of the slowest installed memory module(s)
or slower depending on system DIMM configuration.
● Populate DIMMs based on the following processor-heat sink configurations.
● Populate DIMM sockets only if a processor is installed. For single-processor systems, sockets A1 to A12 are available. For
dual-processor systems, sockets A1 to A12 and sockets B1 to B12 are available.
● Populate all sockets with white release tabs first, black, and then green.
● Populate the sockets by highest capacity DIMM in the following order - first in sockets with white release levers and then
black. For example, if you want to mix 16 GB and 8 GB DIMMs, populate 16 GB DIMMs in the sockets with white release tabs
and 8 GB DIMMs in the sockets with black release tabs.
● In a dual-processor configuration, the memory configuration for each processor must be identical. For example, if you
populate socket A1 for processor 1, then populate socket B1 for processor 2, and so on.
● Memory modules of different sizes can be mixed provided that other memory population rules are followed (for example, 4
GB and 8 GB memory modules can be mixed).
● Depending on mode-specific guidelines, populate four DIMMs per processor (one DIMM per channel) at a time to maximize
performance. For more information, see the Mode-specific guidelines section.

64 Installing and removing blade components

Table 21. Heat sink — processor configurations
Processor Processor Type (in Heat Number of DIMMs
Configuration Watts) Sink
Width Maximum System Reliability, Availability, and
Capacity Serviceability (RAS) Features
Dual processor Up to 135 W 74 mm 24 24
Quad processor Up to 105 W 74 mm 48 48
120 W or 135 W 94 mm 40 (Three DIMMs in channel 32 (Two DIMMs per channel)
0 and channel 2 and two
DIMMs in channel 1 and
channel 3)

Related tasks
Mode-specific guidelines on page 65

Mode-specific guidelines
Four memory channels are allocated to each processor. The allowable configurations depend on the memory mode selected.

Advanced Error Correction Code

Advanced Error Correction Code (ECC) mode extends SDDC from x4 DRAM based DIMMs to both x4 and x8 DRAMs. This
protects against single DRAM chip failures during normal operation.
The installation guidelines for memory modules are as follows:
● Memory modules must be identical in size, speed, and technology.
● DIMMs installed in memory sockets with white release levers must be identical and the same rule applies for sockets with
black release levers. This ensures that identical DIMMs are installed in matched pair —for example, A1 with A2, A3 with A4,
A5 with A6, and so on.

Memory optimized independent channel mode

This mode supports Single Device Data Correction (SDDC) only for memory modules that use x4 device width. It does not
impose any specific slot population requirements.

Memory sparing
NOTE: To use memory sparing, this feature must be enabled in System Setup.

In this mode, one rank per channel is reserved as a spare. If persistent correctable errors are detected on a rank, the data from
this rank is copied to the spare rank, and the failed rank is disabled.
With memory sparing enabled, the system memory available to the operating system is reduced by one rank per channel. For
example, in a dual-processor configuration with sixteen 4 GB single-rank memory modules, the available system memory is: 3/4
(ranks/channel) × 16 (memory modules) × 4 GB = 48 GB, and not 16 (memory modules) × 4 GB = 64 GB.

NOTE: Memory sparing does not offer protection against a multi-bit uncorrectable error.

NOTE: Both Advanced ECC/Lockstep and Optimizer modes support memory sparing.

Memory mirroring
Memory mirroring offers the strongest memory module reliability mode compared to all other modes, providing improved
uncorrectable multi-bit failure protection. In a mirrored configuration, the total available system memory is one half of the total
installed physical memory. Half of the installed memory is used to mirror the active memory modules. In the event of an
uncorrectable error, the system switches over to the mirrored copy. This ensures SDDC and multi-bit protection.

Installing and removing blade components 65

The installation guidelines for memory modules are as follows:
● Memory modules must be identical in size, speed, and technology.
● Memory modules installed in memory module sockets with white release levers must be identical and the same rule applies
for sockets with black and green release tabs. This ensures that identical memory modules are installed in matched pairs—
for example, A1 with A2, A3 with A4, A5 with A6, and so on.

Table 22. Processor configuration

Processor Configuration Memory population rules Memory population information
Single CPU Memory population order {1,2}, {3,4} See Memory mirroring note

Sample memory configurations

The following tables show sample memory configurations that follow the appropriate memory guidelines stated in this section.
NOTE: 1R, 2R, and 4R in the following tables indicate single-, dual-, and quad-rank DIMMs.

Table 23. Memory configurations – two processors

System capacity (in DIMM size (in Number of Organization and DIMM slot population
GB) GB) DIMMs speed
32 4 8 1R x8, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, B1, B2, B3, B4

64 4 16 1R x8, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8,
B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8
64 8 8 1R x8, 2400 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, B1, B2, B3, B4

64 8 8 2R x8, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, B1, B2, B3, B4

96 4 24 1R x8, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8,
A9, A10, A11, A12, B1, B2, B3, B4,
B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11, B12
96 8 12 2R x8, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, B1, B2,
B3, B4, B5, B6
128 8 16 1R x8, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8,
B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8
128 16 8 2R x4, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, B1, B2, B3, B4

128 16 8 2R x8, 2400 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, B1, B2, B3, B4

160 8 20 2R x8, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8,
A9, A10, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6,
B7, B8, B9, B10
160 16 and 8 12 2R x4, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, B1, B2,
B3, B4, B5, B6
2R x8, 2133 MT/s
NOTE: 16 GB DIMMs must
be installed in the slots
numbered A1, A2, A3, A4, B1,
B2, B3, and B4 and 8 GB
DIMMs must be installed in
slots A5, A6, B5 and B6.

192 8 24 1R x8, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8,
A9, A10, A11, A12, B1, B2, B3, B4,
B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11, B12
192 16 12 2R x4, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, B1, B2,
B3, B4, B5, B6

66 Installing and removing blade components

Table 23. Memory configurations – two processors (continued)
System capacity (in DIMM size (in Number of Organization and DIMM slot population
GB) GB) DIMMs speed
256 16 16 2R x4, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8,
B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8
384 16 24 2R x4, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8,
A9, A10, A11, A12, B1, B2, B3, B4,
B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11, B12
512 32 16 2R, x4, 2400 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8,
B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8
512 32 16 4R, x4, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8,
B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8
2R, x4, 2133 MT/s

768 32 24 4R, x4, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8,
A9, A10, A11, A12, B1, B2, B3, B4,
2R, x4, 2133 MT/s B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11, B12
1536 64 24 4R, x4, 2400 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8,
A9, A10, A11, A12, B1, B2, B3, B4,
B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11, B12

Table 24. Memory configurations – four processors

System capacity (in DIMM size (in Number of Organization and DIMM slot population
GB) GB) DIMMs speed
64 4 16 1R x8, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, B1, B2, B3, B4,
C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4
96 8 24 1R x8, 2400 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, B1, B2,
B3, B4, B5, B6, C1, C2, C3, C4,
C5, C6, D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6
96 8 24 2R x8, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, B1, B2,
B3, B4, B5, B6, C1, C2, C3, C4,
C5, C6, D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6
128 4 32 1R x8, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8,
B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8,
C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8,
D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8
128 8 16 2R x8, 2400 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, B1, B2, B3, B4,
C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4
192 4 48 1R x8, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8,
A9, A10, A11, A12, B1, B2, B3, B4,
B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11,
B12, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7,
C8, C9, C10, C11, C12, D1, D2,
D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9, D10,
D11, D12
192 8 24 2R x8, 2400 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, B1, B2,
B3, B4, B5, B6, C1, C2, C3, C4,
C5, C6, D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6
256 16 16 2R x4, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, B1, B2, B3, B4,
C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4
256 16 16 2R x8, 2400 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, B1, B2,
B3, B4, B5, B6, C1, C2, C3, C4,
C5, C6, D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6

Installing and removing blade components 67

Table 24. Memory configurations – four processors (continued)
System capacity (in DIMM size (in Number of Organization and DIMM slot population
GB) GB) DIMMs speed
384 16 24 2R x4, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, B1, B2,
B3, B4, B5, B6, C1, C2, C3, C4,
C5, C6, D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6
512 32 16 4R, x4, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, B1, B2, B3, B4,
C1, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3, D4
2R, x4, 2400 MT/s

768 32 24 4R, x4, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, B1, B2,
B3, B4, B5, B6, C1, C2, C3, C4,
2R, x4, 2400 MT/s C5, C6, D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6
1024 32 32 4R, x4, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8,
B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8,
2R, x4, 2400 MT/s C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8,
D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8
1024 64 16 4R, x4, 2400 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8,
B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8,
C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8,
D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8
1536 32 48 4R, x4, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8,
A9, A10, A11, A12, B1, B2, B3, B4,
2R, x4, 2400 MT/s B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11,
B12, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7,
C8, C9, C10, C11, C12, D1, D2,
D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9, D10,
D11, D12
3072 64 48 4R, x4, 2133 MT/s A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8,
A9, A10, A11, A12, B1, B2, B3, B4,
2R, x4, 2400 MT/s B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10, B11,
B12, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7,
C8, C9, C10, C11, C12, D1, D2,
D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9, D10,
D11, D12

Removing memory modules

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Remove the cooling shroud.
NOTE: The memory modules are hot to touch for some time after the system has been powered down. Allow the memory
modules to cool before handling them. Handle the memory modules by the card edges and avoid touching the components
or metallic contacts on the memory module.

CAUTION: To ensure proper system cooling, memory module blanks must be installed in any memory socket that
is not occupied. Remove memory module blanks only if you intend to install memory modules in those sockets.

Steps
1. Locate the appropriate memory module socket.

68 Installing and removing blade components

 CAUTION: Handle each memory module only by the card edges, ensuring not to touch the middle of the
memory module or metallic contacts.

2. To release the memory module from the socket, simultaneously press the ejectors on both ends of the memory module
socket.
3. Lift and remove the memory module from the system.

Figure 14. Removing the memory module

a. memory module
b. memory module socket
c. memory module socket ejector (2)

Next steps
1. Install the memory module.
NOTE: If you are removing the memory module permanently, install a memory module blank.
2. Install the cooling shroud.
3. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing the cooling shroud on page 60
Installing memory modules on page 69
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing memory modules

Prerequisites
NOTE: The memory modules are hot to touch for some time after the system has been powered down. Allow the memory
modules to cool before handling them. Handle the memory modules by the card edges and avoid touching the components
or metallic contacts on the memory module.

Installing and removing blade components 69

 CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. If installed, remove the memory module or the memory-module blank.

Steps
1. Locate the appropriate memory module socket.
CAUTION: Handle each memory module only by the card edges, ensuring not to touch the middle of the
memory module or metallic contacts.

2. If a memory module or a memory module blank is installed in the socket, remove it.
NOTE: Retain the removed memory module blank(s) for future use.

CAUTION: To prevent damage to the memory module or the memory module socket during installation, do
not bend or flex the memory module; insert both ends of the memory module simultaneously.

3. Open the ejectors on the memory module socket outward to allow the memory module to be inserted into the socket.
4. Align the edge connector of the memory module with the alignment key of the memory module socket, and insert the
memory module in the socket.
CAUTION: Do not apply pressure at the center of the memory module; apply pressure at both ends of the
memory module evenly.

NOTE: The memory module socket has an alignment key that enables you to install the memory module in the socket in
only one orientation.

5. Press the memory module with your thumbs until the socket levers firmly click into place.
When the memory module is properly seated in the socket, the levers on the memory module socket align with the levers on
the other sockets that have memory modules installed.

Figure 15. Installing the memory module

a. memory module
b. alignment key
c. memory module socket ejector (2)

70 Installing and removing blade components

Next steps
1. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.
2. Press F2 to enter System Setup, and check the System Memory setting.
The system should have already changed the value to reflect the installed memory.
3. If the value is incorrect, one or more of the memory modules may not be installed properly. Ensure that the memory module
is firmly seated in the memory module socket.
4. Run the system memory test in system diagnostics.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Installing the cooling shroud on page 61
Removing memory modules on page 68
After working inside your system on page 54

I/O module mezzanine cards

Your system supports a variety of optional mezzanine cards. If installed, the mezzanine card(s) must be used in conjunction with
a matching I/O module(s).
For more information on I/O modules, see "Guidelines for Installing I/O Modules" in the M1000e Enclosure Owner's Manual at
dell.com/support/home.

Mezzanine card installation guidelines

The blade supports up to four mezzanine cards:
● Mezzanine card slot C supports Fabric C. This card must match the fabric type of I/O modules installed in I/O module bays
C1 and C2.
● Mezzanine card slot B supports Fabric B. This card must match the fabric type of I/O modules installed in I/O module bays
B1 and B2.
The blade supports SFF mezzanine cards. x8 PCIe Gen 3 cards are supported.

Removing a mezzanine card

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.

NOTE: You must remove a mezzanine card to replace a faulty mezzanine card or service other components inside the
system.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.

Steps
1. Open the retention latch by pressing the ridged area on the latch, and lifting the end of the latch.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the mezzanine card, hold the card only by its edges.

Installing and removing blade components 71

2. Lift the mezzanine card away from the system.
3. Close the retention latch.

Figure 16. Removing and installing a mezzanine card

a. mezzanine card (2)
b. mezzanine card connector (2)
c. retention latch

Next steps
1. Install the mezzanine card.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Installing a mezzanine card on page 72
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing a mezzanine card

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.</
3. Remove the mezzanine card.
NOTE: You must remove a mezzanine card to replace a faulty mezzanine card or service other components inside the
system.

72 Installing and removing blade components

Steps
1. Open the retention latch by pressing the ridged area on the latch, and lifting the end of the latch.
2. If present, remove the connector cover from the mezzanine card bay.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the mezzanine card, hold the card only by its edges.

NOTE: Mezzanine cards are designed to fit in either card slot.

3. Align the connector on the bottom of the mezzanine card with the corresponding socket on the system board.
4. Lower the card into place until it is fully seated and the plastic clip on the outer edge of the card fits over the side of the
blade chassis.
5. Close the retention latch to secure the mezzanine card.

Figure 17. Installing a mezzanine card

a. mezzanine card (2)
b. mezzanine card connector (2)
c. retention latch

Next steps
Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing a mezzanine card on page 71
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing and removing blade components 73

Mezzanine card support bracket
Removing the mezzanine card support bracket
Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: You must remove the mezzanine card support bracket to replace a faulty system board.

1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.

2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the #2 Phillips screwdriver ready.
4. Remove the mezzanine card.

Steps
1. Remove the screw that secures the mezzanine card support bracket to the system board.
2. Orient the mezzanine card support bracket upward and slide it until the tabs on the mezzanine card support bracket
disengage from the slots on the system.
3. Lift the mezzanine card support bracket away from the system.

Figure 18. Removing the mezzanine card support bracket

1. screw 2. mezzanine card support bracket
3. tab on the bracket (2) 4. slot on the system (2)
5. system board

74 Installing and removing blade components

Next steps
1. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Installing the mezzanine card support bracket on page 75
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing the mezzanine card support bracket

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the #2 Phillips screwdriver ready.
4. Remove the mezzanine card support bracket.

NOTE: You must remove the mezzanine card support bracket to replace a faulty system board.

Steps
1. Orient the mezzanine card support bracket toward the back of the system.
2. Align the tabs on the mezzanine card support bracket with the slots on the system and slide it until the tabs on the support
bracket engage with the slots on the system.
3. Install the screw to secure the mezzanine card support bracket on the system board.

Installing and removing blade components 75

 Figure 19. Installing the mezzanine card support bracket
1. screw 2. mezzanine card support bracket
3. tab on the bracket (2) 4. slot on the system (2)
5. system board

Next steps
1. Install the mezzanine card.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing the mezzanine card support bracket on page 74
After working inside your system on page 54

Internal dual SD module (optional)

The Internal Dual SD module (IDSDM) provides you with a redundant SD card solution. You can configure the IDSDM for storage
or as the OS boot partition. In modular servers, you can choose either a redundant SD module mode or share one slot with the
iDRAC module and the remaining slot can be used for storage or as the OS partition.
The Internal Dual SD Module (IDSDM) card provides two SD card slots and a USB interface dedicated for the embedded
hypervisor. This card offers the following features:
● Dual card operation—maintains a mirrored configuration by using SD cards in both slots and provides redundancy.
● Single card operation—single card operation is supported, but without redundancy.

76 Installing and removing blade components

Replacing an SD card
Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Enter the System Setup and ensure that the Internal SD Card Port is enabled.

CAUTION: When an SD card failure occurs, and the Internal SD Card Redundancy option in the Integrated
Devices screen of the System Setup is set to Mirror Mode, there may be loss of data. To avoid data loss, follow
step 4 through step 6 of the Troubleshooting an Internal SD Card section.

NOTE: The SD card in the lower card slot is the primary card (SD1) and the SD card in the upper card slot is the secondary
card (SD2).

NOTE: When an SD card failure occurs, the Internal SD Card Redundancy option in the System Setup is set to Disabled
and the internal dual SD module controller notifies the system. On the next reboot, the system displays a message indicating
the failure.

NOTE: If the Internal SD Card Redundancy option is set to Disabled, replace the failed SD card with a new SD card.

Steps
1. Locate the SD card slot on the internal dual SD module (IDSDM) card.
2. Press inward on the card to release it from the slot, and remove the card.

Figure 20. Replacing an SD card

1. IDSDM card 2. SD card
3. upper card slot (SD 2) 4. lower card slot (SD 1)

Next steps
1. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.
2. Enter the System Setup and ensure that the Internal SD Card Port and Internal SD Card Redundancy modes are
enabled.

Installing and removing blade components 77

3. Check if the new SD card is functioning properly. If the problem persists, see the Getting Help section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
After working inside your system on page 54
Getting help on page 154

Internal USB key

The blade provides an internal USB connector for a USB flash memory key. The USB memory key can be used as a boot device,
security key, or mass storage device. To use the internal USB connector, the Internal USB Port option must be enabled in the
Integrated Devices screen of the System Setup.
To boot from the USB memory key, you must configure the USB memory key with a boot image, and then specify the USB
memory key in the boot sequence in the System Setup. For information on creating a bootable file on the USB memory key, see
the user documentation that accompanied the USB memory key.

Replacing the optional internal USB memory key

Prerequisites
CAUTION: To avoid interference with other components in the server module, the maximum permissible
dimensions of the USB memory key are 15.9 mm wide x 57.15 mm long x 7.9 mm high.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.

Steps
1. Locate the USB port or USB memory key on the system board.
To locate the USB port, see the System board jumpers and connectors section.
2. If installed, remove the USB memory key from the USB port.

Figure 21. Removing the internal USB memory key

a. USB memory key
b. USB port

3. Insert the replacement USB memory key into the USB port.

78 Installing and removing blade components

 Figure 22. Installing the internal USB memory key
a. USB memory key
b. USB port

Next steps
1. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.
2. While booting, press F2 to enter System Setup and verify that the system detects the USB memory key.

Removing the IDSDM card

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: You must remove the IDSDM card to replace a faulty IDSDM card or service other components inside the system.

1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.

2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the #2 Phillips screwdriver ready.
4. Remove the mezzanine card.
5. If installed, remove the internal USB key.
6. If installed, remove the SD card(s).

Steps
1. Remove the two screws securing the IDSDM card to the system board.
2. Remove the SD card slot bracket.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the IDSDM card, hold the card only by its edges.

3. Lift the card away from the system.

Installing and removing blade components 79

 Figure 23. Removing the IDSDM card
1. IDSDM card 2. screw (2)
3. SD card slot bracket 4. mezzanine card support bracket
5. connector 6. standoff (2)

Next steps
1. Install the IDSDM card.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing a mezzanine card on page 71
Replacing the optional internal USB memory key on page 78
Replacing an SD card on page 77
Installing the IDSDM card on page 80
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing the IDSDM card

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.

80 Installing and removing blade components

3. Keep the #2 Phillips screwdriver ready.
4. Remove the IDSDM card.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the IDSDM card, hold the card only by its edges.

NOTE: You must remove the IDSDM card to replace a faulty IDSDM card or service other components inside the
system.

Steps
1. Align the following:
● The slot on the card edge with the projection tabs on the mezzanine card support.
● The two screw holes on the IDSDM card with the standoffs on the system board.
● The hole on the SD card slot bracket with the screw hole on the IDSDM card.

2. Install the two screws to secure the SD card slot bracket and IDSDM card to the system board.

Figure 24. Installing the IDSDM card

1. IDSDM card 2. screw (2)
3. SD card slot bracket 4. mezzanine card support bracket
5. connector 6. standoff (2)

Next steps
1. If applicable, install the SD card(s) and the internal USB key.
2. Install the mezzanine card.
3. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Replacing an SD card on page 77

Installing and removing blade components 81

Replacing the optional internal USB memory key on page 78
Removing a mezzanine card on page 71
Removing the IDSDM card on page 79
After working inside your system on page 54

rSPI card (optional)

rSPI (restore Serial Peripheral Interface) is a SPI flash device to store information about the system Service Tag, system
configuration, or iDRAC license.

Removing the optional rSPI card

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: You must remove the rSPI card to replace a faulty rSPI card or service other components inside the system.

1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.

2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the #2 Phillips screwdriver ready.
4. Remove the mezzanine card.

Steps
1. Remove the two screws securing the rSPI card to the system board.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the rSPI card, hold the card only by its edges.

2. Lift the card away from the system.

Figure 25. Removing the rSPI card

1. screw (2) 2. rSPI card

82 Installing and removing blade components

 3. standoff (2) 4. connector

Next steps
1. Install the rSPI card.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Installing the optional rSPI card on page 83
Removing the blade on page 54
Removing the system cover on page 57
Removing a mezzanine card on page 71
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing the optional rSPI card

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the #2 Phillips screwdriver ready.
4. Remove the rSPI card.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the rSPI card, hold the card only by its edges.

NOTE: You must remove the rSPI card to replace a faulty rSPI card or service other components inside the system.

Steps
1. Align the two screw holes on the rSPI card with the standoffs on the system board.
2. Install the two screws to secure the rSPI card to the system board.

Installing and removing blade components 83

 Figure 26. Installing the rSPI card
1. screw (2) 2. rSPI card
3. standoff (2) 4. connector

Next steps
1. Install the mezzanine card.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing the optional rSPI card on page 82
Installing a mezzanine card on page 72
Installing the system cover on page 58
Installing a blade on page 56
After working inside your system on page 54

SD vFlash card
A vFlash SD card is a Secure Digital (SD) card that plugs into the vFlash SD card slot in the system. It provides persistent on-
demand local storage and a custom deployment environment that allows automation of server configuration, scripts, and
imaging. It emulates USB devices. For more information, see the Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller User’s Guide at
Dell.com/idracmanuals.
You can use an SD vFlash card with your system. The card slot is on the system board. You can remove and install the SD
vFlash card.

Replacing the SD vFlash card

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or

84 Installing and removing blade components

 telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.

Steps
1. If installed, remove the SD vFlash card from the card slot.
NOTE: The SD vFlash card slot is below the NDC.

Figure 27. Removing the SD vFlash card

a. SD vFlash card
b. SD vFlash card slot
c. SD vFlash card slot identification label

2. Insert the contact-pin end of the SD card into the card slot on the vFlash media unit.
NOTE: The slot is keyed to ensure correct insertion of the card.

3. Press inward on the card to lock it into the slot.

Installing and removing blade components 85

 Figure 28. Installing the SD vFlash card
a. SD vFlash card
b. SD vFlash card slot

Next steps
Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
After working inside your system on page 54

Network daughter card

The Network daughter card (NDC) is a small, removable mezzanine card. The NDC provides you with the flexibility of choosing
different network connectivity options, for example—4 x 1GbE, 2 x 10GbE and 2 x Converged Network Adapter.

Removing the NDC

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: You must remove the NDC to replace a faulty NDC or service other components inside the system.

1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.

2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the #2 Phillips screwdriver ready.

86 Installing and removing blade components

4. Remove the mezzanine card.

Steps
1. Remove the two screws that secure the Network Daughter Card (NDC) to the system board.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the NDC, hold the card only by its edges.

2. Lift the card away from the system.

Figure 29. Removing the NDC

1. slot on the NDC 2. screw (2)
3. NDC 4. standoff (2)
5. connector 6. tab projections

Next steps
1. Install the NDC.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Installing the NDC on page 88
Removing the blade on page 54
Removing the system cover on page 57
Removing a mezzanine card on page 71
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing and removing blade components 87

Installing the NDC
Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the #2 Phillips screwdriver ready.
4. Remove the NDC.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the NDC, hold the card only by its edges.

NOTE: You must remove the NDC to replace a faulty NDC or service other components inside the system.

Steps
1. Align the following:
a. The slots on the card edge with the projection tabs on the plastic bracket covering the mezzanine card slots.
b. Screw holes on the card with the standoffs on the system board.
2. Lower the card into place until the card connector fits into the corresponding connector on the system board.
3. Secure the card with the two screws.

Figure 30. Installing the NDC

1. slot on the NDC 2. screw (2)
3. NDC 4. standoff (2)
5. connector 6. tab projections

88 Installing and removing blade components

Next steps
1. Install the mezzanine card.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing the NDC on page 86
Installing a mezzanine card on page 72
Installing the system cover on page 58
Installing a blade on page 56
After working inside your system on page 54

Processor blank and DIMM blank

The processor blank and DIMM blank supplied with your system aids in directing airflow over the unused processor sockets and
DIMM slots.
CAUTION: If you are permanently removing a processor, you must install a socket protective cap and a
processor blank and DIMM blank in the vacant socket to ensure proper system cooling. The processor blank and
DIMM blank covers the vacant sockets for the DIMMs and the processor.

Removing a processor blank and DIMM blank

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: You must remove processor blank and DIMM blank when installing four processors or service other components
inside the system.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.

Steps
Hold the processor blank and DIMM blank by its edges and lift it away from the system.

Installing and removing blade components 89

Figure 31. Removing a processor blank and DIMM blank
a. processor blank and DIMM blank
b. heat sink retention socket (4)
c. standoff (4)

Next steps
1. Install the processor and the heat sink.
2. If you are removing a processor permanently, install the processor blank.
3. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Installing a processor on page 96
Installing a heat sink on page 97
Installing a processor blank and DIMM blank on page 90
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing a processor blank and DIMM blank

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. If installed, remove the heat sink and the processor.
4. Remove a processor blank and DIMM blank.
NOTE: You must remove processor blank and DIMM blank when installing two processors or service other components
inside the system.

90 Installing and removing blade components

Steps
1. Align the standoffs on the processor blank and DIMM blank with the heat sink retention sockets on the processor socket.
2. Lower the processor blank and DIMM blank onto the system until the standoffs on the processor blank and DIMM blank
engage with the heat sink retention sockets.

Next steps
1. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing a heat sink on page 91
Removing a processor on page 92
After working inside your system on page 54

Processors
The blade supports up to four Intel Xeon E5-4600 v4 or v3 product family processors.
CAUTION: If you are using a system with two processors, ensure that you use 74 mm wide heat sinks for
processors up to 135 W.

CAUTION: If you are using a system with four processors, ensure that you use 74 mm wide heat sinks for
processors up to 105 W and 94 mm wide heat sinks for processors up to 120 W or 135 W.

NOTE: Mixing of processors of different wattages is not supported.

Use the following procedure when:

● Installing an additional processor
● Replacing a processor

Removing a heat sink

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: This is a Field Replaceable Unit (FRU). Removal and installation procedures should be performed only by Dell
certified service technicians.

CAUTION: Never remove the heat sink from a processor unless you intend to remove the processor. The heat
sink is necessary to maintain proper thermal conditions.

NOTE: To ensure proper system cooling, you must install a processor blank and heat sink blank in any empty processor
socket.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system.
3. Keep the Phillips #2 screwdriver ready.
4. Remove the cooling shroud.

Installing and removing blade components 91

 WARNING: The heat sink is hot to touch for some time after the system has been powered down. Allow the heat
sink to cool before removing it.

Steps
1. Loosen one of the screws that secure the heat sink to the system board.
Allow some time (approximately 30 seconds) for the heat sink to loosen from the processor.
2. Remove the screw diagonally opposite the screw you first removed.
3. Repeat the procedure for the remaining two screws.

Figure 32. Removing the heat sink

1. retention screw (4) 2. heat sink
3. processor socket 4. heat sink retention socket (4)

Next steps
1. Remove the processor.
2. Install the heat sink.
3. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing the cooling shroud on page 60
Removing a processor on page 92
Installing a heat sink on page 97
After working inside your system on page 54

Removing a processor
Prerequisites
WARNING: The processor is hot to touch for some time after the system has been powered down. Allow the
processor to cool before removing it.

92 Installing and removing blade components

 CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.

CAUTION: The processor is held in its socket under strong pressure. Be aware that the release lever can spring
up suddenly if not firmly grasped.

CAUTION: If you are permanently removing a processor, you must install a socket protective cap and a
processor/DIMM blank in the vacant socket to ensure proper system cooling. The processor/DIMM blank covers
the vacant sockets for the DIMMs and the processor.

NOTE: This is a Field Replaceable Unit (FRU). Removal and installation procedures should be performed only by Dell
certified service technicians.

NOTE: To ensure proper system cooling, you must install a processor blank in any empty processor socket.

1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.

2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. If you are upgrading your system (from a single processor system to a dual processor system or a processor with a higher
processor bin), download the latest system BIOS version from Dell.com/support and follow the instructions included in the
compressed download file to install the update on your system.
4. Remove the cooling shroud.
NOTE: If applicable, close the expansion card latch on the cooling shroud to release the full length card.
5. Remove the heat sink.
6. If installed, remove the processor/DIMM blank.
7. Keep the Phillips #2 screwdriver ready.

Steps
1. Using a clean, lint-free cloth remove any thermal grease from the surface of the processor shield.
CAUTION: The processor is held in its socket under strong pressure. Be aware that the release lever can
spring up suddenly if not firmly grasped.

2. Position your thumb firmly over the socket-release lever 1 and lever 2 of the processor and release both the levers
simultaneously from the locked position by pushing down and out from under the tab.

Installing and removing blade components 93

 Figure 33. Processor shield opening and closing lever sequence
a. socket-release lever 1
b. processor
c. socket-release lever 2

3. Hold the tab on the processor shield and rotate the shield upward and out of the way.
4. Lift the processor out of the socket and leave the release lever up so that the socket is ready for the new processor.

94 Installing and removing blade components

 Figure 34. Removing a processor
1. socket-release lever 1 2. pin–1 corner of the processor
3. processor 4. slot (4)
5. processor shield 6. socket-release lever 2
7. processor socket 8. tab (4)

Next steps
1. If you are removing the processor permanently, install the processor blank.
2. If you are removing the processor permanently, install the processor/DIMM blank. If you are installing a new processor, see
the Installing a processor section.
3. Install a processor.
4. Install the heat sink.
5. Reinstall the cooling shroud.
6. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing the cooling shroud on page 60
Removing a heat sink on page 91
Installing a processor on page 96
Installing a heat sink on page 97
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing and removing blade components 95

Installing a processor
Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.

NOTE: This is a Field Replaceable Unit (FRU). Removal and installation procedures should be performed only by Dell
certified service technicians.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Remove the processor.
NOTE: You must remove a processor to upgrade a processor or replace a faulty processor.

WARNING: The heat sink and processor are too hot to the touch for some time after the system has been
powered down. Allow the heat sink and processor to cool down before handling them.

CAUTION: Never remove the heat sink from a processor unless you intend to remove the processor. The heat
sink is necessary to maintain proper thermal conditions.

Steps
1. Unlatch and rotate the socket-release levers 90 degrees upward and ensure that the socket-release lever is fully open.
2. Hold the tab on the processor shield and rotate the shield upward and out of the way.
NOTE: Dell recommends that you install or remove the socket protective cap from the processor shield with the
processor shield in the open position.

3. If installed, remove the socket protective cap from the processor shield. To remove the socket protective cap, push the cap
from the inside of the processor shield and move it away from the socket pins.
CAUTION: Positioning the processor incorrectly can permanently damage the system board or the processor.
Be careful not to bend the pins in the socket.

CAUTION: Do not use force to seat the processor. When the processor is positioned correctly, it engages
easily into the socket.

4. Install the processor in the socket:

a. Identify the pin-1 corner of the processor by locating the tiny gold triangle on one corner of the processor. Place this
corner in the same corner of the ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) socket identified by a corresponding triangle on the system
board.
b. Align the pin-1 corner of the processor with the pin-1 corner of the system board.
c. Set the processor lightly in the socket.
Because the system uses a ZIF processor socket, do not use force. When the processor is positioned correctly, it drops
down into the socket with minimal pressure.
d. Close the processor shield.
e. Rotate the socket-release lever 1 and lever 2 simultaneously until it is locked in position.

Next steps
NOTE: Ensure that you install the heat sink after you install the processor. The heat sink is necessary to maintain proper
thermal conditions.
1. Install the heat sink.
2. If you are permanently removing the processor and the heat sink, ensure that you install a processor/DIMM blank.
3. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

96 Installing and removing blade components

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing a processor blank and DIMM blank on page 89
Removing a processor on page 92
Installing a heat sink on page 97
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing a heat sink

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Install the processor.
4. Keep the Phillips #2 screwdriver ready.

Steps
1. If you are using an existing heat sink, remove the thermal grease from the heat sink by using a clean lint-free cloth.
2. Use the thermal grease syringe included with your processor kit to apply the grease in a thin spiral on the top of the
processor.
CAUTION: Applying too much thermal grease can result in excess grease coming in contact with and
contaminating the processor socket.

NOTE: The thermal grease syringe is intended for one-time use only. Dispose of the syringe after you use it.

Figure 35. Applying thermal grease on the top of the processor

a. processor

Installing and removing blade components 97

 b. thermal grease
c. thermal grease syringe

3. Place the heat sink onto the processor.

4. Tighten one of the four screws to secure the heat sink to the system board.
5. Repeat the procedure for the remaining two screws.

Figure 36. Installing the heat sink

1. retention screw (4) 2. heat sink
3. processor socket 4. retention screw slot (4)

Next steps
1. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.
2. While booting, press F2 to enter System Setup and verify that the processor information matches the new system
configuration.
3. Run the system diagnostics to verify that the new processor operates correctly.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Installing a processor on page 96
Installing the cooling shroud on page 61
After working inside your system on page 54

Hard drives or SSDs

Your system supports up to four 2.5 inch SAS/SATA/PCIe SSDs or SAS /SATA hard drives and twelve 1.8-inch SAS SSDs. The
hard drives or SSDs are supplied in special hot-swappable drive carriers that fit in the drive bays and these drives connect to the
system board through the hard-drive or SSD backplane board.
NOTE: Mixing of SSD/SAS/SATA hard drives is not supported.

98 Installing and removing blade components

Hard drive or SSD bay numbering

Figure 37. Hard drive or SSD bay numbering—2.5 inch hard drive or SSD system

Figure 38. Hard drive or SSD and PCIe SSD bay numbering—2.5 inch hard drive or SSD and PCIe SSD system
1. hard-drive or SSD bay numbering
2. PCIe SSD bay numbering

Figure 39. SSD bay numbering—1.8-inch SSD system

Hard drive or SSD installation guidelines

For single hard drive configuration, a hard-drive blank must be installed in the other drive bay to maintain proper cooling airflow.

Installing and removing blade components 99

Removing a hard drive or SSD
Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.Follow the procedure listed in the Before
working inside your system section.
3. Take the hard drive or SSD offline and wait until the hard drive or SSD indicator codes on the drive carrier stop blinking.
When all indicators stop blinking, the drive is ready for removal. See your operating system documentation for more
information about taking the hard drive or SSD offline.

NOTE: All operating systems do not support hot-swappable drive installation. See the documentation supplied with your
operating system.

Steps
1. Press the release button to open the hard drive or SSD carrier handle.
2. Slide the hard drive or SSD carrier out until it is free of the hard drive or SSD slot.
3. Slide the hard drive or SSD out until it is free of the hard drive or SSD bay.

Results

Figure 40. Removing a hard drive

1. release button 2. hard drive or SSD connector (on backplane)
3. hard drive or SSD 4. hard drive or SSD carrier handle

100 Installing and removing blade components

Figure 41. Removing a SSD
1. release button
2. SSD
3. SSD carrier handle

Next steps
1. If you are removing a hard drive or SSD permanently, install the hard drive or SSD blank. If you are installing a new hard drive
or SSD, see the Installing the hard drive or SSD section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Installing a hard drive or SSD on page 101
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing a hard drive or SSD

Prerequisites
CAUTION: When a replacement hot-swappable hard drive or SSD is installed and the blade is turned on, the hard
drive or SSD automatically begins to rebuild. Make absolutely sure that the replacement hard drive or SSD is
blank or contains data that you wish to have over-written. Any data on the replacement hard drive or SSD is
immediately lost after the hard drive or SSD is installed.

NOTE: You must remove a hard drive or SSD to upgrade a hard drive or SSD or replace a faulty hard drive or SSD.

1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.

2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Remove the hard drive or SSD or hard drive or SSD blank.

NOTE: All operating systems do not support hot-swappable drive installation. See the documentation supplied with your
operating system.

Steps
1. Press the release button to open the hard drive or SSD carrier handle.

Installing and removing blade components 101

2. Slide the hard drive or SSD carrier into the drive bay. Carefully align the channel on the hard drive or SSD carrier with the
appropriate drive slot on the blade.
3. Push the drive carrier into the slot until the handle makes contact with the blade.
4. Rotate the carrier handle to the closed position while pushing the carrier into the slot until it locks into place.
The status LED indicator displays a steady green light if the drive is installed correctly. The drive carrier LED green indicator
flashes as the drive rebuilds.

Figure 42. Installing a hard drive

1. release button 2. hard drive(on backplane)
3. hard drive 4. hard drive carrier handle

Figure 43. Installing an SSD

a. release button
b. SSD
c. SSD carrier handle

Next steps
Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53

102 Installing and removing blade components

Removing a hard drive or SSD on page 100
After working inside your system on page 54

Removing a hard drive or SSD blank

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

CAUTION: To maintain proper system cooling, all empty hard drive or SSD slots must have hard drive or SSD
blanks installed.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.

Steps
Press the release latch and slide the hard-drive or SSD blank out of the hard drive or SSD slot.

Figure 44. Removing a 2.5-inch hard-drive blank

a. hard drive or SSD blank
b. release latch

Installing and removing blade components 103

Figure 45. Removing a 1.8-inch SSD blank
a. SSD blank
b. release latch

Next steps
1. Install the hard drive or SSD.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Installing a hard drive or SSD blank on page 104
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing a hard drive or SSD blank

Prerequisites
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Remove a hard drive or SSD.

Steps
Insert the hard-drive or SSD blank into the hard drive or SSD slot until the release latch clicks into place.

104 Installing and removing blade components

Figure 46. Installing a 2.5-inch hard-drive blank
a. hard drive or SSD blank
b. release latch

Figure 47. Installing a 1.8-inch SSD blank

a. SSD blank
b. release latch

Next steps
Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing a hard drive or SSD blank on page 103
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing and removing blade components 105

Shutdown procedure for servicing a hard drive or SSD
NOTE: This section applies only to situations where the blade must be turned off to service a hard drive or SSD. In many
situations, the hard drive or SSD can be serviced while the blade is turned on.

CAUTION: If you need to power off the blade to service a hard drive or SSD, wait 30 seconds after the blade’s
power indicator turns off before removing the hard drive or SSD. Otherwise, the hard drive or SSD may not be
recognized after it is reinstalled and the blade is turned on again.

Configuring the boot drive

The drive or device from which the system boots is determined by the boot order specified in the System Setup.

Removing a 2.5-inch hard drive or SSD from a 2.5-inch hard drive

or SSD carrier
Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the Phillips #1 screwdriver ready.

Steps
1. Remove the four screws from the slide rails on the hard drive or SSD carrier.
2. Slide the hard drive or SSD out of the hard drive or SSD carrier.

106 Installing and removing blade components

 Figure 48. Removing a 2.5-inch hard drive or SSD in a 2.5-inch hard-drive or SSD carrier
1. screw (4) 2. hard drive or SSD
3. hard-drive or SSD carrier 4. screw hole (4)

Next steps
● Install a new 2.5-inch hard drive or SSD in a 2.5-inch hard-drive or SSD carrier.
● Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Installing a 2.5-inch hard drive or SSD in a 2.5-inch hard-drive or SSD carrier on page 107
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing a 2.5-inch hard drive or SSD in a 2.5-inch hard-drive or

SSD carrier
Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: You must remove the hard drive or SSD from a hard-drive or SSD carrier to replace a faulty hard drive or SSD from
a hard-drive or SSD carrier.

Installing and removing blade components 107

1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in safety instructions section.
2. Keep the Phillips #1 screwdriver ready.
3. Remove the 2.5-inch hard drive or SSD from the 2.5-inch hard drive or SSD carrier.

Steps
1. Slide the hard drive or SSD into the hard drive or SSD carrier.
2. Align the screw holes on the hard drive or SSD with the holes on the hard drive or SSD carrier.
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the drive or the carrier, do not overtighten the screws.

3. Fasten the four screws to secure the hard drive or SSD to the hard-drive or SSD carrier.

Figure 49. Installing a 2.5-inch hard drive or SSD in a 2.5-inch hard-drive or SSD carrier
1. screw (4) 2. hard drive or SSD
3. hard drive or SSD carrier 4. screw hole (4)

Next steps
Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing a 2.5-inch hard drive or SSD from a 2.5-inch hard drive or SSD carrier on page 106
After working inside your system on page 54

Removing a 1.8-inch SSD from a 1.8-inch SSD carrier

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.

108 Installing and removing blade components

2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.

Steps
Pull the rails on the side of the carrier and lift the SSD out of the carrier.

Results

Figure 50. Removing a 1.8-inch SSD in a 1.8-inch SSD carrier

1. SSD carrier
2. SSD

Next steps
1. Install a 1.8-inch SSD in a 1.8-inch SSD carrier.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Installing a 1.8-inch SSD in a 1.8-inch SSD carrier on page 109
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing a 1.8-inch SSD in a 1.8-inch SSD carrier

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: You must remove the SSD from a SSD carrier to replace a faulty SSD from a SSD carrier.

1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.

2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Remove a 1.8-inch SSD from a 1.8-inch SSD carrier.

Steps
Insert the SSD into the SSD carrier with the connector end of the SSD toward the back. When aligned correctly, the back of the
SSD is flush with the back of the SSD carrier.

Installing and removing blade components 109

Figure 51. Installing a 1.8-inch SSD in a 1.8-inch SSD carrier
a. SSD carrier
b. SSD

Next steps
Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing a 1.8-inch SSD from a 1.8-inch SSD carrier on page 108
After working inside your system on page 54

Hard-drive or SSD cage

Removing a hard-drive or SSD cage
Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: You must remove the hard-drive or SSD cage to replace a faulty hard-drive or SSD cage or service other
components inside the system.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the #1 Phillips screwdriver ready.
4. Remove the hard drives or SSDs.
5. Remove the hard-drive or SSD backplane.

Steps
1. Remove the five screws securing hard-drive or SSD cage to the chassis.
2. Holding the hard-drive or SSD cage by its edges, lift it away from the system.

110 Installing and removing blade components

 Figure 52. Removing a hard-drive or SSD cage
1. hard-drive or SSD cage 2. screw (5)
3. guide pin (5) 4. screw hole on the chassis (4)
5. standoff (2)

Next steps
1. Install the hard-drive or SSD cage.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Installing a hard-drive or SSD cage on page 111
Removing the blade on page 54
Removing the system cover on page 57
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing a hard-drive or SSD cage

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.

Installing and removing blade components 111

2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the #1 Phillips screwdriver ready.
4. Remove the hard-drive or SSD cage.
NOTE: alignment pin (2) You must remove the hard-drive or SSD cage to replace a faulty hard-drive or SSD cage or
service other components inside the system.

Steps
1. Align the screw holes on the hard-drive or SSD cage with the screw holes on the chassis.
2. Lower the hard-drive or SSD cage into the chassis until it is seated firmly in place.
3. Install the five screws to secure the hard-drive or SSD cage to the chassis.

Figure 53. Installing a hard-drive or SSD cage

1. hard-drive or SSD cage 2. screw (5)
3. guide pin (5) 4. screw hole on the chassis (4)
5. standoff (2)

Next steps
1. Install the hard-drive or SSD backplane.
2. Install the hard drives or SSDs.
3. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing a hard-drive or SSD cage on page 110

112 Installing and removing blade components

Installing the system cover on page 58
Installing a blade on page 56
After working inside your system on page 54

Hard-drive or SSD backplane

Table 25. Hard-drive or SSD backplane configurations
Backplane Configuration
2.5-inch (x4) SAS A full-length SAS hard drive/SSD backplane with a backplane
backplane cable. It supports up to four 2.5-inch SAS hard drives or SSDs.
2.5-inch (x4) SATA A full-length SAS hard drive/SSD backplane with a backplane
backplane cable. It supports up to four 2.5-inch SATA hard drives or SSDs.
2.5-inch (x2) SATA and A full-length backplane with two backplane cables. It supports
2.5-inch (x2) PCIe up to two 2.5-inch SATA hard drives or SSDs and two 2.5-inch
backplane PCIe SSDs. For information about populating drives in the bay,
see the Hard drive or SSD bay numbering.
1.8-inch (x12) SAS SSD A full-length SAS SSD backplane with two backplane cables. It
backplane supports up to twelve 1.8-inch SAS SSDs.

NOTE: All drives connect to the system board through the hard-drive or SSD backplane cable connector.

The following table provides information about connecting different backplane configurations to the respective connectors on
the system board and expander card.

Table 26. Hard-drive or SSD backplane configurations

Drive backplane Connectors
configurations
SATA_BP connector on the system board J_PERC connector on the system board
2.5-inch (x4) SAS backplane SAS backplane cable connector that connects
-
four hard drives or SSDs to the system board.
2.5 -inch (x4) SATA SATA backplane cable connector that
backplane connects four hard drives or SSDs to the -
system board.
2.5-inch (x2) SATA and 2.5- SATA drive backplane cable connector that PCIe drive backplane cable connector that
inch (x2) PCIe backplane connects two hard drives or SSDs to the connects two PCIe SSDs to the system board.
system board.
1.8-inch (x12) SAS SSD SAS drive backplane cable connector that SAS backplane cable connector that connects
backplane connects SSDs populated in bays 6–11 to the SSDs populated in bays 0-5 to the system
system board. board through an expander card. For more
information about installing an expander card,
see the Expander card section.

NOTE: Ensure that you install the expander card on the system board if you are using 1.8-inch (x12) SSD system. For
information about the installation procedure, see the Expander card section.

NOTE: For more information about hard drive or SSD bay numbering, see the Hard drive or SSD bay numbering.

NOTE: To locate SATA_BP and J_PERC connectors on the system board, see the System board connectors section.

Installing and removing blade components 113

Removing a 2.5-inch (x4) SAS hard-drive or SSD backplane
Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: You must remove the hard-drive or SSD backplane to replace a faulty hard-drive or SSD backplane or service other
components inside the system.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the #2 Phillips screwdriver ready.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the hard drive or SSDs and the hard-drive or SSD backplane, you must
remove the hard drives or SSDs from the blade before removing the hard-drive or SSD backplane.

CAUTION: You must note the number of each hard drive or SSD and temporarily label them before removal so
that you can replace them in the same locations.
4. Remove the hard drives or SSDs.

Steps
1. Press the release latches, lift the backplane until the guide pins on the hard-drive or SSD cage disengage from the guides on
the hard-drive or SSD backplane.
2. Remove the hard-drive or SSD cage.
3. Loosen the two retention screws securing the hard-drive or SSD backplane cable connector to the system board connector.
4. Lift the backplane away from the system.

Figure 54. Removing a 2.5-inch (x4) SAS hard-drive or SSD backplane

1. hard-drive or SSD backplane 2. release latch (2)

114 Installing and removing blade components

 3. guide pin (5) 4. retention screw on the hard-drive or SSD backplane cable
connector
5. connector 6. hard-drive or SSD backplane cable

Next steps
1. Install the hard-drive or SSD backplane.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Installing a 2.5-inch (x4) SAS hard-drive or SSD backplane on page 115
Removing the blade on page 54
Removing the system cover on page 57
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing a 2.5-inch (x4) SAS hard-drive or SSD backplane

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: You must remove the hard-drive or SSD backplane to replace a faulty hard-drive or SSD backplane or service other
components inside the system.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the #2 Phillips screwdriver ready.
4. Remove the hard-drive or SSD backplane.
NOTE: You must remove the hard-drive or SSD backplane to replace a faulty hard-drive or SSD backplane or service
other components inside the system.

Steps
1. Align the retention screws on the hard-drive or SSD backplane cable connector with the screw holes on the system board
connector.
2. Tighten the two retention screws to secure the backplane cable connector on the system board.
3. Install the hard-drive or SSD cage.
4. Align the guides on the hard-drive or SSD backplane with the guide pins on the hard-drive or SSD cage.
5. Press down on the hard-drive or SSD backplane until the tabs on the release latches engage with the slots on the chassis.

Installing and removing blade components 115

 Figure 55. Installing a 2.5-inch (x4) SAS hard-drive or SSD backplane
1. hard-drive or SSD backplane 2. release latch (2)
3. guide pin (5) 4. retention screw on the hard-drive or SSD backplane cable
connector
5. connector 6. hard-drive or SSD backplane cable

Next steps
1. Install the hard drives or SSDs in their original locations.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing a 2.5-inch (x4) SAS hard-drive or SSD backplane on page 114
Installing the system cover on page 58
Installing a blade on page 56
After working inside your system on page 54

Removing a 2.5-inch (x4) SATA hard-drive or SSD backplane

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: You must remove the hard-drive or SSD backplane to replace a faulty hard-drive or SSD backplane or service other
components inside the system.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.

116 Installing and removing blade components

2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the #2 Phillips screwdriver ready.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the hard drive or SSD and the hard-drive or SSD backplane, you must
remove the hard drive or SSD from the blade before removing the hard-drive or SSD backplane.

CAUTION: You must note the number of each hard drive or SSD and temporarily label them before removal so
that you can replace them in the same locations.
4. Remove the hard drives or SSDs.

Steps
1. Press the release latches, lift the backplane until the guide pins on the hard-drive or SSD cage disengage from the guides on
the hard-drive or SSD backplane.
2. Remove the hard-drive or SSD cage. See the Removing the hard-drive or SSD cage section.
3. Loosen the two retention screws securing the hard-drive or SSD backplane cable connector to the system board connector.
4. Lift the backplane away from the system.

Figure 56. Removing a 2.5-inch (x4) SATA hard-drive or SSD backplane

1. hard-drive or SSD backplane 2. release latch (2)
3. guide pin (5) 4. hard-drive or SSD backplane cable
5. retention screw on the hard-drive or SSD backplane cable 6. connector
connector (2)

Next steps
1. Install the hard-drive or SSD backplane.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Installing and removing blade components 117

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Installing a 2.5-inch (x4) SATA hard-drive or SSD backplane on page 118
Removing the blade on page 54
Removing the system cover on page 57
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing a 2.5-inch (x4) SATA hard-drive or SSD backplane

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the #2 Phillips screwdriver ready.
4. Remove the hard-drive or SSD backplane.
NOTE: You must remove the hard-drive or SSD backplane to replace a faulty hard-drive or SSD backplane or service
other components inside the system.

Steps
1. Align the retention screws on the hard-drive or SSD backplane cable connector with the screw holes on the system board
connector.
2. Tighten the two retention screws to secure the backplane cable connector on the system board.
3. Install the hard-drive or SSD cage.
4. Align the guides on the hard-drive or SSD backplane with the guide pins on the hard-drive or SSD cage.
5. Press down on the hard-drive or SSD backplane until the tabs on the release latches engage with the slots on the chassis.

118 Installing and removing blade components

 Figure 57. Installing a 2.5-inch (x4) SATA hard-drive or SSD backplane
1. hard-drive or SSD backplane 2. release latch (2)
3. guide pin (5) 4. hard-drive or SSD backplane cable
5. retention screw on the hard-drive or SSD backplane cable 6. connector
connector (2)

Next steps
1. Install the hard drives or SSDs in their original locations.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing a 2.5-inch (x4) SATA hard-drive or SSD backplane on page 116
Installing the system cover on page 58
Installing a blade on page 56
After working inside your system on page 54

Removing a 2.5-inch (x2) SATA hard drive or SSD plus 2.5-inch

(x2) PCIe SSD backplane
Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or

Installing and removing blade components 119

 telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: You must remove the hard-drive or SSD backplane to replace a faulty hard-drive or SSD backplane or service other
components inside the system.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the #2 Phillips screwdriver ready.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the hard drives or SSDs and the hard-drive or SSD backplane, you must
remove the hard drives or SSDs from the blade before removing the hard-drive or SSD backplane.

CAUTION: You must note the number of each hard drive or SSD and temporarily label them before removal so
that you can replace them in the same locations.
4. Remove the hard drives or SSDs.

Steps
1. Pressing the release latches, lift the backplane until the guide pins on the hard-drive or SSD cage disengage from the guides
on the backplane.
2. Remove the hard-drive or SSD cage.
3. Perform the following:
a. Loosen the two retention screws securing the PCIe SSD backplane cable connector to the system board connector
(J_PERC).
b. Loosen the two retention screws securing the hard-drive or SSD backplane cable connector to the system board
connector (SATA_BP).
4. Lift the backplane away from the system.

Figure 58. Removing a 2.5-inch (x2) SATA hard drive or SSD plus 2.5-inch (x2) PCIe SSD backplane
1. hard-drive or SSD backplane 2. release latch (2)
3. guide pin (5) 4. connector on the system board (SATA_BP)
5. hard-drive or SSD backplane cable connector 6. connector on the system board (J_PERC)
7. PCIe SSD backplane cable connector 8. PCIe SSD backplane cable
9. hard-drive or SSD backplane cable

120 Installing and removing blade components

Next steps
1. Install the hard-drive or SSD backplane.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Installing a 2.5-inch (x2) SATA hard drive or SSD plus 2.5-inch (x2) PCIe SSD backplane on page 121
Removing the blade on page 54
Removing the system cover on page 57
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing a 2.5-inch (x2) SATA hard drive or SSD plus 2.5-inch (x2)
PCIe SSD backplane
Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: You must remove the hard-drive or SSD backplane to replace a faulty hard-drive or SSD backplane or service other
components inside the system.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the #2 Phillips screwdriver ready.
4. Remove the hard-drive or SSD backplane.
NOTE: You must remove the hard-drive or SSD backplane to replace a faulty hard-drive or SSD backplane or service
other components inside the system.

Steps
1. Align the retention screws on the hard-drive or SSD backplane cable connector with the screw holes on the system board
connector (SATA_BP).
2. Tighten the two retention screws to secure the hard-drive or SSD backplane cable connector on the system board.
3. Align the retention screws on the PCIe SSD backplane cable connector with the screw holes on the system board connector
(J_PERC).
4. Tighten the two retention screws to secure the PCIe SSD backplane cable connector on the system board.
5. Install the hard-drive or SSD cage.
6. Align the guides on the backplane with the guide pins on the hard-drive or SSD cage.
7. Press down on the hard-drive or SSD backplane until the tabs on the release latches engage with the slots on the chassis.

Installing and removing blade components 121

 Figure 59. Installing a 2.5-inch (x2) SATA hard drive or SSD plus 2.5-inch (x2) PCIe SSD backplane
1. hard-drive or SSD backplane 2. release latch (2)
3. guide pin (5) 4. connector on the system board (SATA_BP)
5. hard-drive or SSD backplane cable connector 6. connector on the system board (J_PERC)
7. PCIe SSD backplane cable connector 8. PCIe SSD backplane cable
9. hard-drive or SSD backplane cable

Next steps
1. Install the hard drives or SSDs in their original locations.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing a 2.5-inch (x2) SATA hard drive or SSD plus 2.5-inch (x2) PCIe SSD backplane on page 119
Installing the system cover on page 58
Installing a blade on page 56
After working inside your system on page 54

Removing a 1.8-inch (x12) SAS SSD backplane

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or

122 Installing and removing blade components

 telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: You must remove the SSD backplane to replace a faulty SSD backplane or service other components inside the
system.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the #2 Phillips screwdriver ready.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the SSDs and the SSD backplane, you must remove the SSDs from the blade
before removing the SSD backplane.

CAUTION: You must note the number of each SSD and temporarily label them before removal so that you can
replace them in the same locations.
4. Remove the SSD(s).

Steps
1. Press the release latches, lift the backplane until the guide pins on the SSD cage disengage from the guides on the
backplane.
2. Remove the SSD cage.
3. Perform the following:
NOTE: The 1.8 inch (x12) SSD backplane is a full-length backplane with two backplane cables. The connector on one of
the backplane cables connects the SSDs populated in bays 0–5, to the system board through an expander card. For
more information about installing an expander card, see the Expander card section. The connector on the other
backplane cable connects the SSDs populated in bays 6–11, to the connector on the system board (SATA_BP).

a. Loosen the retention screw securing the backplane cable connector to the connector on the expander card (EXP).
b. Loosen the two retention screws securing the backplane cable connector to the system board connector (SATA_BP).
4. Lift the backplane away from the system.

Figure 60. Removing a 1.8-inch (x12) SAS SSD backplane

1. SSD backplane 2. release latch (2)

Installing and removing blade components 123

 3. guide pin (6) 4. backplane cable (2)
5. backplane cable connector that connects to the connector 6. connector on the system board (SATA_BP)
on the system board
7. connector on the expander card (EXP) 8. backplane cable connector that connects to the connector
on the expander card

Next steps
1. Install the SSD backplane.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Installing a 1.8-inch (x12) SAS SSD backplane on page 124
Removing the blade on page 54
Removing the system cover on page 57
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing a 1.8-inch (x12) SAS SSD backplane

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: The 1.8-inch (x12) SSD backplane is a full-length backplane with two backplane cables. The connector on one of the
backplane cables connects the SSDs populated in bays 0–5, to the system board through an expander card. For more
information about installing an expander card, see the Expander card section.The connector on the other backplane cable
connects the SSDs populated in bays 6–11, to the connector on the system board (SATA_BP).
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the #2 Phillips screwdriver ready.
4. Remove the SSD backplane.
NOTE: You must remove the SSD backplane to replace a faulty SSD backplane or service other components inside the
system.

Steps
1. Align the two retention screws on the backplane cable connector with the two screw holes on the system board connector
(SATA_BP).
2. Tighten the two retention screws to secure the backplane cable connector on the system board.
3. Align the retention screw on the backplane cable connector with the screw hole on the expander card connector (EXP).
4. Tighten the retention screw to secure the backplane cable connector on the expander card.
5. Install the SSD cage.
6. Align the guides on the backplane with the guide pins on the SSD cage.
7. Press down on the backplane until the tabs on the release latches engage with the slots on the chassis.

124 Installing and removing blade components

 Figure 61. Installing a 1.8-inch (x12) SAS SSD backplane
1. SSD backplane 2. release latch (2)
3. guide pin (6) 4. backplane cable (2)
5. backplane cable connector that connects to the connector 6. connector on the system board (SATA_BP)
on the system board
7. connector on the expander card (EXP) 8. backplane cable connector that connects to the connector
on the expander card

Next steps
1. Install the SSDs in their original locations.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing a 1.8-inch (x12) SAS SSD backplane on page 122
Installing the system cover on page 58
Installing a blade on page 56
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing and removing blade components 125

System battery
The NVRAM backup battery installed in your system helps to retain the BIOS settings and configurations even if the power is
switched off.

Replacing the NVRAM backup battery

Prerequisites
NOTE: There is a danger of a new battery exploding if it is incorrectly installed. Replace the battery only with the same or
equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Discard used batteries according to the manufacturer's instructions.
See the safety instructions that came with your system for additional information.

CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Remove the following:
a. system cover
b. hard drives or SSDs
c. hard-drive backplane or SSD backplane
d. hard-drive cage or SSD cage
4. If installed, remove the memory module.

Steps
1. Locate the system battery on the system.
2. Hold the battery and pull it toward the positive side of the battery until the battery disengages from the connector.
3. Lift the battery away from the system.

Figure 62. Removing the NVRAM backup battery

a. negative side of battery connector
b. positive side of battery

4. To install a new system battery, hold the battery with the negative side of battery facing the negative side of the battery
connector.

126 Installing and removing blade components

 Figure 63. Installing the NVRAM backup battery
a. negative side of battery connector
b. positive side of battery

5. Place the battery into the connector and push the positive side of the battery until the battery snaps into place.

Next steps
1. If applicable, install the memory module.
2. Install the following:
a. hard drives or SSDs
b. hard-drive backplane or SSD backplane
c. hard-drive cage or SSD cage
3. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.
4. Enter System Setup to confirm that the battery is operating properly.
5. Enter the correct time and date in the System Setup Time and Date fields.
6. Exit System Setup.
7. To test the newly installed battery, remove the blade for at least an hour.
8. Reinstall the blade after an hour.
9. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.
10. Enter System Setup and if the time and date are still incorrect, see Getting help section.

Storage controller card

Your system includes dedicated expansion-card slots on the system board for a storage controller card that provides the
integrated storage subsystem for your system hard drives/PCIe SSDs. The storage controller card supports SAS hard drives.
NOTE: The storage controller card is located underneath the drive bays.

NOTE: The storage controller card is installed on the system board connector labeled as MiniPERC CARD.

Removing the storage controller card

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.

Installing and removing blade components 127

 NOTE: This is a Field Replaceable Unit (FRU). Removal and installation procedures should be performed only by Dell
certified service technicians.

NOTE: You must remove the storage controller card to replace a faulty storage controller card or service other components
inside the system.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the #2 Phillips screwdriver ready.
4. Remove the following:
a. hard drives or SSDs
b. hard drive backplane or SSD backplane
c. hard drive cage or SSD cage

Steps
1. Loosen the two retention screws on the hard-drive backplane or SSD backplane cable connector and lift it away from the
storage controller card.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the storage controller card, hold the card only by its edges.

2. Lift the storage controller card away from the system.

Figure 64. Removing the storage controller card

1. retention screw (2) 2. slot on the storage controller card
3. tab on the storage controller card support bracket 4. standoff (2)

Next steps
1. Install the storage controller card.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

128 Installing and removing blade components

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Installing the storage controller card on page 129
Removing the blade on page 54
Removing the system cover on page 57
Removing a hard-drive or SSD cage on page 110
Removing a 2.5-inch (x4) SATA hard-drive or SSD backplane on page 116
Removing a 2.5-inch (x4) SAS hard-drive or SSD backplane on page 114
Removing a 2.5-inch (x2) SATA hard drive or SSD plus 2.5-inch (x2) PCIe SSD backplane on page 119
Removing a 1.8-inch (x12) SAS SSD backplane on page 122
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing the storage controller card

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: This is a Field Replaceable Unit (FRU). Removal and installation procedures should be performed only by Dell
certified service technicians.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the #2 Phillips screwdriver ready.
4. Remove the storage controller card.
NOTE: You must remove the storage controller card to replace a faulty storage controller card or service other
components inside the system.

Steps
1. Align the slots on the storage controller card edge with the tabs on the support bracket.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the storage controller card, hold the card only by its edges.

2. Lower the storage controller card on to the connector on the system board.
3. Tighten the two retention screws on the hard-drive backplane or SSD backplane cable connector to secure the card on to
the system board.

Installing and removing blade components 129

 Figure 65. Installing the storage controller card
1. retention screw (2) 2. slot on the PCIe extender or storage controller card
3. tab on the PCIe extender or storage controller card 4. standoff (2)
support bracket

Next steps
1. Install the following:
a. hard drives or SSDs
b. hard-drive backplane or SSD backplane
c. hard-drive cage or SSD cage
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing the storage controller card on page 127
Installing a 1.8-inch (x12) SAS SSD backplane on page 124
Installing a 2.5-inch (x2) SATA hard drive or SSD plus 2.5-inch (x2) PCIe SSD backplane on page 121
Installing a 2.5-inch (x4) SAS hard-drive or SSD backplane on page 115
Installing a 2.5-inch (x4) SATA hard-drive or SSD backplane on page 118
Installing a hard-drive or SSD cage on page 111
Installing the system cover on page 58
Installing a blade on page 56
After working inside your system on page 54

130 Installing and removing blade components

Expander card
Removing an expander card
Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.

NOTE: This is a Field Replaceable Unit (FRU). Removal and installation procedures should be performed only by Dell
certified service technicians.

NOTE: You must remove the expander card to replace a faulty expander card.

NOTE: Ensure that you install an expander card if you are using 1.8-inch (x12) system.

1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.

2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the #1 and #2 Phillips screwdrivers ready.
4. Remove the following:
a. hard drives or SSDs
b. hard-drive backplane or SSD backplane
c. hard-drive cage or SSD cage

Steps
1. Loosen the retention screws on the expander-card cable connector that connects to the connector on the system board
(J_PERC) and lift the cable up..
CAUTION: To prevent damage to an expander card, hold the card only by its edges.

2. Remove the screws that secure the expander card to the chassis.
3. Lift the card away from the system.

Installing and removing blade components 131

 Figure 66. Removing an expander card
1. screw (3) 2. expander-card cable connector that connects to the
connector on the system board (J_PERC)
3. expander card cable 4. expander card
5. guide pin (2)

Next steps
1. Install the expander card.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Installing an expander card on page 133
Removing the blade on page 54
Removing the system cover on page 57
Removing a hard-drive or SSD cage on page 110
Removing a 2.5-inch (x4) SATA hard-drive or SSD backplane on page 116
Removing a 2.5-inch (x4) SAS hard-drive or SSD backplane on page 114
Removing a 2.5-inch (x2) SATA hard drive or SSD plus 2.5-inch (x2) PCIe SSD backplane on page 119
Removing a 1.8-inch (x12) SAS SSD backplane on page 122
After working inside your system on page 54

132 Installing and removing blade components

Installing an expander card
Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: This is a Field Replaceable Unit (FRU). Removal and installation procedures should be performed only by Dell
certified service technicians.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the #1 and #2 Phillips screwdrivers ready.
4. Remove the expander card.
CAUTION: To prevent damage to the expander card, hold the card only by its edges.

NOTE: You must remove the expander card to replace a faulty expander card.

Steps
1. Align the following:
a. Guide pins on the chassis with the slots on the expander card.
b. Screw holes on the expander card with the screw holes on the chassis.
2. Lower the expander card until the guide pins engage with the slots on the expander card.
3. Tighten the screws to secure the expander card to the chassis.
4. Align the expander-card cable connector with the connector on the system board (J_PERC).
5. Tighten the retention screws on the expander-card cable connector until the connector is seated firmly.

Installing and removing blade components 133

 Figure 67. Installing an expander card
1. screw (3) 2. expander-card cable connector that connects to the
connector on the system board (J_PERC)
3. expander card cable 4. expander card
5. guide pin (2)

Next steps
1. Install the following:
a. hard drives or SSDs
b. hard-drive backplane or SSD backplane
c. hard-drive cage or SSD cage
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing an expander card on page 131
Installing a 1.8-inch (x12) SAS SSD backplane on page 124
Installing a 2.5-inch (x2) SATA hard drive or SSD plus 2.5-inch (x2) PCIe SSD backplane on page 121
Installing a 2.5-inch (x4) SAS hard-drive or SSD backplane on page 115
Installing a 2.5-inch (x4) SATA hard-drive or SSD backplane on page 118
Installing a hard-drive or SSD cage on page 111

134 Installing and removing blade components

Installing the system cover on page 58
Installing a blade on page 56
After working inside your system on page 54

System board
A system board (also known as the motherboard) is the main printed circuit board found in computers. The system board allows
communication between many of the crucial electronic components of the computer, such as the central processing unit (CPU)
and memory, and also provides connectors for other peripherals. Unlike a backplane, a system board contains significant number
subsystems such as the processor expansion cards, and other components.

Removing the system board

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: This is a Field Replaceable Unit (FRU). Removal and installation procedures should be performed only by Dell
certified service technicians.

NOTE: You must remove the system board to replace a faulty system board.

1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.

2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the 5 mm and 6 mm Hex nut drivers, #2 Phillips screwdriver, and #2 Phillips round screwdriver ready.
4. Remove the following:
a. processor(s) and heat sink(s)
b. memory modules
c. cooling shroud
d. hard drives or SSDs
e. hard-drive backplane or SSD backplane
f. hard-drive cage or SSD cage
g. storage controller card
h. expander card
i. PCIe mezzanine cards
j. IDSDM card or rSPI card
k. NDC
l. SD vFlash card
m. internal USB key
5. Install an I/O connector cover on the I/O connector(s) at the back of the board.

CAUTION: Do not lift the system board by holding a memory module, processor, or other components.

CAUTION: Temporarily label the hard drive/SSD before removal so that you can replace them in their original
locations.

NOTE: The processor and heat sink can become extremely hot. Be sure the processor has had sufficient time to cool
before handling.

Installing and removing blade components 135

 NOTE: The memory modules are hot to touch for some time after the system has been powered down. Allow time for the
memory modules to cool before handling them. Handle the memory modules by the card edges and avoid touching the
components.

Steps
1. Remove the screws on the system board that secure the system board to the chassis.
2. Lift the system board by its edges and orient it upward.
3. Remove the system board from the chassis by disengaging the USB connectors from the slots on the front wall of the
chassis.
4. Ensure that the I/O connector cover is still in place on the I/O connector at the back of the system board.

Figure 68. Different type of screws on the system board

Table 27. Different type of screws

Item Icon Description

1. #2 Phillips round screw (7)

2. #2 Phillips hex screw (6)

3. Hex bolt screw—5 mm (2)

4. Hex nut screw—6 mm (4)

136 Installing and removing blade components

 Figure 69. Removing the system board
a. system board

Next steps
1. Install the system board.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Installing the system board on page 137
After working inside your system on page 54

Installing the system board

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: This is a Field Replaceable Unit (FRU). Removal and installation procedures should be performed only by Dell
certified service technicians.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.
3. Keep the 5 mm and 6 mm Hex nut drivers, #2 Phillips screwdriver, and #2 Phillips round screwdriver ready.
4. Remove the system board.

Installing and removing blade components 137

 CAUTION: Do not lift the system board by holding a memory module, processor, or other components.

CAUTION: Take care not to damage the system identification button while placing the system board into the
chassis.

NOTE: You must remove the system board to replace a faulty system board.

Steps
1. Hold the system board by its edges and orient it toward the front of the chassis.
2. Align the USB connectors with the slots on the front wall of the chassis.
3. Lower the system board and install the screws to secure the system board to the chassis.

Figure 70. Installing the system board

a. system board

Next steps
1. Install the following:
a. internal USB key
b. SD vFlash card
c. IDSDM card orrSPI card
d. NDC
e. mezzanine cards
f. expander card
g. storage controller card

138 Installing and removing blade components

 h. hard-drive cage or SSD cage
i. hard-drive backplane or SSD backplane
j. hard drives or SSDs
NOTE: Ensure that you reinstall the hard drives or SSDs in their original locations.
k. cooling shroud
l. memory modules
m. processor(s) and heat sink(s)
2. Remove the plastic I/O connector covers from the back of the system.
3. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.
4. Import your new or existing iDRAC Enterprise license. For more information, see the iDRAC8 User's Guide at Dell.com/
idracmanuals.
5. Ensure that you:
a. Use the Easy Restore feature to restore the Service Tag. For more information, see the Restoring the Service Tag by
using Easy Restore section.
b. If the Service Tag is not backed up in the backup flash device, enter the system Service Tag manually. For more
information, see the Entering the system Service Tag section.
c. Update the BIOS and iDRAC versions.
d. Re-enable the Trusted Platform Module (TPM). For more information, see the Re-enabling the TPM for BitLocker users
or Re-enabling the TPM for Intel TXT users section.

Related references
Safety instructions on page 53

Related tasks
Before working inside your system on page 53
Removing the system board on page 135
After working inside your system on page 54

Restoring the Service Tag by using Easy Restore

Use the Easy Restore feature if you do not know the Service Tag of your system. The Easy Restore feature allows you to
restore your system’s Service Tag, license, UEFI configuration, and the system configuration data after replacing the system
board. All data is backed up in an rSPI card automatically. If BIOS detects a new system board and the Service Tag in the rSPI
card, BIOS prompts the user to restore the backup information.

Steps
1. Turn on the system.
If BIOS detects a new system board, and if the Service Tag is present in the rSPI card, BIOS displays the Service Tag, the
status of the license, and the UEFI Diagnostics version.
2. Do one of the following:
● Press Y to restore the Service Tag, license, and diagnostics information.
● Press N to navigate to the Dell Lifecycle Controller based restore options.
● Press F10 to restore data from a previously created Hardware Server Profile.
After the restore process is complete, BIOS prompts to restore the system configuration data.
3. Do one of the following:
● Press Y to restore the system configuration data.
● Press N to use the default configuration settings.
After the restore process is complete, the system reboots.

Installing and removing blade components 139

Entering the system Service Tag by using System Setup
If Easy Restore fails to restore the Service Tag, use System Setup to enter the Service Tag.

Steps
1. Turn on the system.
2. Press F2 to enter System Setup.
3. Click Service Tag Settings.
4. Enter the Service Tag.
NOTE: You can enter the Service Tag only when the Service Tag field is empty. Ensure that you enter the correct
Service Tag. After the Service Tag is entered, it cannot be updated or changed.

5. Click OK.
6. Import your new or existing iDRAC Enterprise license.
For more information, see the Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller User's Guide at www.dell.com/poweredgemanuals .

Restoring the Service Tag by using the Easy Restore feature

By using the Easy Restore feature, you can restore your Service Tag, license, UEFI configuration, and the system configuration
data after replacing the system board. All data is automatically backed up in a backup flash device. If BIOS detects a new system
board and the Service Tag in the backup flash device, BIOS prompts the user to restore the backup information.

Steps
1. Turn on the system.
If BIOS detects a new system board, and if the Service Tag is present in the backup flash device, BIOS displays the Service
Tag, the status of the license, and the UEFI Diagnostics version.
2. Perform one of the following steps:
● Press Y to restore the Service Tag, license, and diagnostics information.
● Press N to navigate to the Dell Lifecycle Controller based restore options.
● Press F10 to restore data from a previously created Hardware Server Profile.
After the restore process is complete, BIOS prompts to restore the system configuration data.
3. Perform one of the following steps:
● Press Y to restore the system configuration data.
● Press N to use the default configuration settings.
After the restore process is complete, the system restarts.

Entering the system Service Tag by using System Setup

If Easy Restore fails to restore the Service Tag, use System Setup to enter the Service Tag.

Steps
1. Turn on the system.
2. Press F2 to enter System Setup.
3. Click Service Tag Settings.
4. Enter the Service Tag.
NOTE: You can enter the Service Tag only when the Service Tag field is empty. Ensure that you enter the correct
Service Tag. After the Service Tag is entered, it cannot be updated or changed.

5. Click OK.
6. Import your new or existing iDRAC Enterprise license.
For more information, see the Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller User's Guide at www.dell.com/poweredgemanuals .

140 Installing and removing blade components

Trusted Platform Module
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is a dedicated microprocessor designed to secure hardware by integrating cryptographic keys
into devices. A software can use a Trusted Platform Module to authenticate hardware devices. As each TPM chip has a unique
and secret RSA key burned in as it is produced, it can perform the platform authentication.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) from the system board. After the TPM
is installed, it is cryptographically bound to that specific system board. Any attempt to remove an installed TPM
breaks the cryptographic binding, and it cannot be re-installed or installed on another system board.

NOTE: This is a Field Replaceable Unit (FRU). Removal and installation procedures must be performed only by Dell certified
service technicians.

Installing the Trusted Platform Module

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.
1. Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section.

Steps
1. Locate the TPM connector on the system board.
NOTE: To locate the TPM connector on the system board, see the System board connectors section.

2. Align the edge connectors on the TPM with the slot on the TPM connector.
3. Insert the TPM into the TPM connector such that the plastic rivet aligns with the slot on the system board.
4. Press the plastic rivet until the rivet snaps into place.

Figure 71. Installing the TPM

1. rivet slot on the system board 2. plastic rivet
3. TPM 4. TPM connector

Next steps
1. Install the system board.
2. Follow the procedure listed in the After working inside your system section.

Installing and removing blade components 141

Initializing the TPM for BitLocker users
Steps
Initialize the TPM.
For more information about initializing the TPM, see https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc753140.aspx.
The TPM Status changes to Enabled, Activated.

Initializing the TPM for TXT users

Steps
1. While booting your system, press F2 to enter System Setup.
2. On the System Setup Main Menu screen, click System BIOS > System Security Settings.
3. From the TPM Security option, select On with Pre-boot Measurements.
4. From the TPM Command option, select Activate.
5. Save the settings.
6. Restart your system.
7. Enter System Setup again.
8. On the System Setup Main Menu screen, click System BIOS > System Security Settings.
9. From the Intel TXT option, select On.

142 Installing and removing blade components

 7
Using system diagnostics
If you experience a problem with your system, run the system diagnostics before contacting Dell for technical assistance. The
purpose of running system diagnostics is to test your system hardware without using additional equipment or risking data loss. If
you are unable to fix the problem yourself, service and support personnel can use the diagnostics results to help you solve the
problem.
NOTE: For more information about OEM diagnostic event messages, see the Event and Error Message Reference Guide for
13th Generation Dell PowerEdge Servers Version 1.2

Topics:
• Dell Online Diagnostics
• Dell Embedded System Diagnostics

Dell Online Diagnostics

Dell Online Diagnostics, a stand-alone suite of diagnostic programs or test modules, allows you to run diagnostic tests on the
systems in a production environment, and helps you ensure maximum uptime of your systems. Online Diagnostics allows you to
run diagnostic tests on chassis and storage components such as hard drives, physical memory, and network interface cards
(NICs). You can use the graphical user interface (GUI) or the command line interface (CLI) to run diagnostic tests on the
hardware that Online Diagnostics discovers on your system. For information about using diagnostics, see the Dell Online
PowerEdge Diagnostics User’s Guide under Software > Serviceability Tools, at dell.com/support/manuals.

Dell Embedded System Diagnostics

NOTE: The Dell Embedded System Diagnostics is also known as Enhanced Pre-boot System Assessment (ePSA)
diagnostics.
The Embedded System Diagnostics provides a set of options for particular device groups or devices allowing you to:
● Run tests automatically or in an interactive mode
● Repeat tests
● Display or save test results
● Run thorough tests to introduce additional test options to provide extra information about the failed device(s)
● View status messages that inform you if tests are completed successfully
● View error messages that inform you of problems encountered during testing

When to use the Embedded System Diagnostics

Run the Embedded System Diagnostics (ePSA) if your system does not boot.

Running the Embedded System Diagnostics

Run the Embedded System Diagnostics (ePSA) if your system does not boot. The embedded system diagnostics program is run
from the Dell Lifecycle Controller.

Prerequisites
If a major component or device in the system does not operate properly, running the embedded system diagnostics may indicate
component failure.

Using system diagnostics 143

 CAUTION: Use the embedded system diagnostics to test only your system. Using this program with other
systems may cause invalid results or error messages.

Steps
1. As the system boots, press F11.
2. Use the up and down arrow keys to select System Utilities > Launch Dell Diagnostics.
The ePSA Pre-boot System Assessment window is displayed, listing all devices detected in the system. The diagnostics
starts running the tests on all the detected devices.

System diagnostics controls

Menu Description
Configuration Displays the configuration and status information of all detected devices.
Results Displays the results of all tests that are run.
System Health Provides the current overview of the system performance.
Event Log Displays a time-stamped log of the results of all tests run on the system. This is displayed if at least one
event description is recorded.

For information about embedded system diagnostics, see the Dell Enhanced Pre-boot System Assessment User Guide at
Dell.com/support/home.

144 Using system diagnostics

 8
Jumpers and connectors
Topics:
• System board jumper settings
• System board connectors
• Disabling a forgotten password

System board jumper settings

CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.
For information on resetting the password jumper to disable a password, see the Disabling A Forgotten Password section.

Table 28. System Board Jumper settings

Jumper Setting Description

PWRD_EN The password feature is enabled (pins 1–2).

(default)
The password feature is disabled (pins 2–3).

NVRAM_CLR The configuration settings are retained at system boot (pins 2–3).
(default)
The configuration settings are cleared at the next system boot.
(pins 1–2).

Related tasks
Disabling a forgotten password on page 147

Jumpers and connectors 145

System board connectors

Figure 72. System board connectors

Table 29. System board connectors

Item Connector Description
1 MEZZ1_FAB_C1 mezzanine card connector for the expansion bus
2 MEZZ2_FAB_B1 mezzanine card connector for the expansion bus
3 VFLASH SD vFlash card connector
4 bNDC Network daughter card connector
5 IDSDM/rSPI IDSDM/rSPI card connector
6 MEZZ3_FAB_C2 mezzanine card connector for the expansion bus
7 MEZZ4_FAB_B2 mezzanine card connector for the expansion bus
8 bNDC Network daughter card connector
9 TPM TPM connector
10 B1, B2, B5, B6, B9, B10 Memory module sockets (processor 2)
11 CPU2 Processor socket 2
12 B3, B4, B7, B8, B11, B12 Memory module sockets (processor 2)
13 C3, C4, C7, C8, C11, C12 Memory module sockets (processor 3)
14 CPU3 Processor socket 3

146 Jumpers and connectors

Table 29. System board connectors (continued)
Item Connector Description
15 C1, C2, C5, C6, C9, C10 Memory module sockets (processor 3)
16 BATTERY Connector for the 3.0 V coin cell battery
17 USB2 USB connector
18 USB1 USB connector
19 SATA_BP Hard-drive backplane connector
20 J_PERC Storage controller card connector
21 D3, D4, D7, D8, D11, D12 Memory module sockets (processor 4)
22 CPU4 Processor socket 4
23 D1, D2, D5, D6, D9, D10 Memory module sockets (processor 4)
24 A1, A2, A5, A6, A9, A10 Memory module sockets (processor 1)
25 CPU1 Processor socket 1
26 A3, A4, A7, A8, A11, A12 Memory module sockets (processor 1)

Disabling a forgotten password

The software security features of blade include a system password and a setup password. The password jumper enables these
password features or disables them, and clears any password(s) currently in use.

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

Steps
1. Turn off the blade using the operating system commands or the CMC.
2. Remove the blade from the enclosure to access the jumpers.
3. Move the jumper on the system-board jumper from pins 1 and 2 to pins 2 and 3.
4. Install the blade in the enclosure.
5. Turn on the blade.
When the blade is on, the power-on indicator is solid green. Allow the blade to finish booting.
The existing passwords are not disabled (erased) until the system boots with the password jumper on pins 2 and 3. However,
before you assign a new system and/or setup password, you must reinstall the password jumper back to pins 1 and 2.

NOTE: If you assign a new system and/or setup password with the jumper on pins 1 and 2, the system disables the new
password(s) the next time it boots.

6. Turn off the blade using the operating system commands or the CMC.
7. Remove the blade from the enclosure to access the jumpers.
8. Move the jumper on the system-board jumper from pins 2 and 3 to pins 1 and 2.
9. Install the blade in the enclosure.
10. Turn on the blade.
11. Assign a new system and/or setup password.

Jumpers and connectors 147

 9
Troubleshooting your system
Safety first—for you and your system
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that came with the product.

NOTE: For troubleshooting information on the M1000e enclosure components, see “Troubleshooting The Enclosure” in the
Dell PowerEdge M1000e Enclosure Owner's Manual at dell.com/support/home.

Topics:
• Troubleshooting system memory
• Troubleshooting hard drives
• Troubleshooting Solid State Drives
• Troubleshooting USB devices
• Troubleshooting an internal SD card
• Troubleshooting processors
• Troubleshooting the blade system board
• Troubleshooting the NVRAM backup battery
• System messages

Troubleshooting system memory

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.

NOTE: Before performing the following procedure, ensure that you have installed the memory modules according to the
memory installation guidelines for the blade.

Steps
1. Restart the blade:
a. Press the power button once to turn off the blade
b. Press the power button again to apply power to the blade.
If no error messages appear, go to step 8.
2. Enter the System Setup and check the system memory setting.
If the amount of memory installed matches the system memory setting, go to step 8.
3. Remove the blade from the enclosure.
4. Open the blade.
CAUTION: The memory modules are hot to touch for some time after the blade has been powered down.
Allow time for the memory modules to cool before handling them. Handle the memory modules by the card
edges and avoid touching the components.

148 Troubleshooting your system

5. Reseat the memory modules in their sockets.
6. Close the blade.
7. Install the blade in the enclosure.
8. Run the appropriate diagnostic test. For more information, see Using System Diagnostics.
If the test fails, see the Getting help section..

Related references
Using system diagnostics on page 143

Related tasks
Getting help on page 154

Troubleshooting hard drives

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.

CAUTION: This troubleshooting procedure can destroy data stored on the hard drive. Before you proceed, back
up all the files on the hard drive, if possible.

Steps
1. Run the appropriate controllers test and the hard drive tests in system diagnostics.
If the tests fail, go to step 3.
2. Take the hard drive offline and wait until the hard drive indicator codes on the drive carrier signal that the drive may be
removed safely, then remove and reseat the drive carrier in the .
3. Restart the , enter the System Setup and confirm that the drive controller is enabled.
4. Ensure that any required device drivers are installed and are configured correctly.
NOTE: Installing a hard drive into another bay may break the mirror if the mirror state is optimal.

5. Remove the hard drive and install it in the other drive bay.
6. If the problem is resolved, reinstall the hard drive in the original bay.
If the hard drive functions properly in the original bay, the drive carrier could have intermittent problems. Replace the drive
carrier.
7. If the hard drive is the boot drive, ensure that the drive is configured and connected properly.
8. Partition and logically format the hard drive.
9. If possible, restore the files to the drive.
If the problem persists, see the Getting help section.

Related tasks
Getting help on page 154

Troubleshooting Solid State Drives

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or

Troubleshooting your system 149

 telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.

CAUTION: This troubleshooting procedure can destroy data stored on the SSD. Before you proceed, back up all
the files on the SSD, if possible.

Steps
1. Run the appropriate tests in system diagnostics.
If the tests fail, go to step 3.
2. Take the SSD offline and wait until the indicator codes on the SSD carrier signal that the SSD may be removed safely, then
remove and reseat the SSD carrier in the blade.
3. Restart the blade, enter the System Setup and confirm that the drive controller is enabled.
4. Ensure that any required device drivers are installed and are configured correctly.
NOTE: Installing a SSD into another bay may break the mirror if the mirror state is optimal.

5. Remove the SSD and install it in the other SSD slot.

6. If the problem is resolved, reinstall the SSD in the original slot.
If the SSD functions properly in the original slot, the SSD carrier could have intermittent problems. Replace the SSD carrier.
7. If the SSD is the boot drive, ensure that the SSD is configured and connected properly.
8. Partition and logically format the SSD.
9. If possible, restore the files to the SSD.
If the problem persists, see the Getting help section.

Related tasks
Getting help on page 154

Troubleshooting USB devices

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.

Steps
1. Ensure that the blade is turned on.
2. Check the USB device connection to the blade.
3. Swap the USB device with a known-working USB device.
4. Connect the USB devices to the blade using a powered USB hub.
5. If another blade is installed, connect the USB device to that blade. If the USB device works with a different blade, the first
blade may be faulty. See the Getting help section.

Related tasks
Getting help on page 154

150 Troubleshooting your system

Troubleshooting an internal SD card
Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.

Steps
1. Enter the System Setup and ensure that the Internal SD Card Port is enabled.
2. Note the Internal SD Card Redundancy option enabled in the Integrated Devices screen of the System Setup (Mirror
or Disabled).
3. Remove the blade from the enclosure.
4. If the Internal SD Card Redundancy option in the Integrated Devices screen of the System Setup is set to Mirror
mode and SD card 1 has failed:
a. Remove the SD card from SD card slot 1.
b. Remove the SD card present in SD card slot 2 and insert it into SD card slot 1.
c. Install a new SD card in slot 2.
5. If the Internal SD Card Redundancy option in the Integrated Devices screen of the System Setup is set to Mirror
mode and SD card 2 has failed, insert the new SD card into SD card slot 2.
6. If the Internal SD Card Redundancy option in Integrated Devices screen of the System Setup is set to Disabled,
replace the failed SD card with a new SD card.
7. Install the blade in the enclosure.
8. Enter the System Setup and ensure that the Internal SD Card Port option is enabled and Internal SD Card Redundancy
option is set to Mirror mode.
9. Check if the SD card is functioning properly.
If the problem persists, see the Getting help section.

Related tasks
Getting help on page 154

Troubleshooting processors
Steps
1. Remove the blade from the enclosure.
2. Open the blade.
3. Ensure that the processor(s) and heat sink(s) are properly installed.
4. If your system only has one processor installed, ensure that it is installed in the primary processor socket (CPU1).
5. Close the blade.
6. Install the blade in the enclosure.
7. Run the appropriate diagnostic test. For more information, see the Using system diagnostics section.
If the problem persists, see the Getting help section.

Related references
Using system diagnostics on page 143

Related tasks
Getting help on page 154

Troubleshooting your system 151

Troubleshooting the blade system board
Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.

Steps
1. Remove the blade from the enclosure.
2. Open the blade.
3. Clear the blade NVRAM.
4. If there is a still a problem with the blade, remove and reinstall the blade in the enclosure.
5. Turn on the blade.
6. Run the appropriate diagnostic test. For more information, see the Using system diagnostics section.
If the tests fail, see the Getting help section.

Related references
Using system diagnostics on page 143

Related tasks
Getting help on page 154

Troubleshooting the NVRAM backup battery

Prerequisites
CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician. You should only perform
troubleshooting and simple repairs as authorized in your product documentation, or as directed by the online or
telephone service and support team. Damage due to servicing that is not authorized by Dell is not covered by
your warranty. Read and follow the safety instructions that are shipped with your product.
The battery maintains the blade configuration, date, and time information in the NVRAM when the blade is turned off. You may
need to replace the battery if an incorrect time or date is displayed during the boot routine.
You can operate the blade without a battery; however, the blade configuration information maintained by the battery in NVRAM
is erased each time you remove power from the blade. Therefore, you must re-enter the system configuration information and
reset the options each time the blade boots until you replace the battery.

Steps
1. Re-enter the time and date through the System Setup.
2. Remove the blade from the enclosure for at least one hour.
3. Install the blade in the enclosure.
4. Enter the System Setup.
If the date and time are not correct in the System Setup, replace the battery. If the problem is not resolved by replacing the
battery, see the Getting help section.
NOTE: If the blade is turned off for long periods of time (for weeks or months), the NVRAM may lose its system
configuration information. This situation is caused by a defective battery.

NOTE: Some software may cause the blade’s time to speed up or slow down. If the blade operates normally except for
the time maintained by the System Setup, the problem may be caused by a software rather than by a defective battery.

152 Troubleshooting your system

Related tasks
Getting help on page 154

System messages
For information about the event and error messages generated by the system firmware and agents that monitor system
components, go to qrl.dell.com > Look Up > Error Code, type the error code, and then click Look it up.

Warning messages
A warning message alerts you to a possible problem and prompts you to respond before the system continues a task. For
example, before you format a hard drive, a message warns you that you may lose all data on the hard drive. Warning messages
usually interrupt the task and need you to respond by typing y (yes) or n (no).
NOTE: Warning messages are generated by either the application or the operating system. For more information, see the
documentation that shipped with the operating system or application.

Diagnostic messages
The system diagnostic utility generates messages if there are errors detected when you run diagnostic tests on your system. For
more information about system diagnostics, see the For information about the event and error messages generated by the
system firmware and agents that monitor system components, go to qrl.dell.com > Look Up > Error Code, type the error code,
and then click Look it up..

Alert messages
The systems management software generates alert messages for your system. Alert messages include information, status,
warning, and failure messages for drive, temperature, fan, and power conditions. For more information, see the systems
management software documentation links listed in the Documentation resources section of this manual.

Troubleshooting your system 153

 10
Getting help
Topics:
• Contacting Dell EMC
• Accessing system information by using QRL

Contacting Dell EMC

Prerequisites
NOTE: If you do not have an active internet connection, you can find the contact information on your purchase invoice,
packing slip, bill, or in the product catalog.

About this task

Dell EMC 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 contact Dell EMC for sales, technical support, or customer service
issues:
Go to Dell.com/contactdell.

Accessing system information by using QRL

You can use the Quick Resource Locator (QRL) located on the information tag in the front of the system, to access the
information about the PowerEdge system.

Prerequisites
Ensure that your smartphone or tablet has the QR code scanner installed.
The QRL includes the following information about your system:
● How-to videos
● Reference materials, including the Installtion and Service Manual, LCD diagnostics, and mechanical overview
● Your system service tag to quickly access your specific hardware configuration and warranty information
● A direct link to Dell to contact technical assistance and sales teams

Steps
1. Go to www.dell.com/qrl and navigate to your specific product or
2. Use your smartphone or tablet to scan the model-specific Quick Resource (QR) code on your system or in the Quick
Resource Locator section.

Quick Resource Locator

Use the Quick Resource Locator (QRL) to get immediate access to system information and how-to videos. This can be done by
visiting dell.com/QRL or by using your smartphone and a model specific Quick Resource (QR) code located on your Dell
PowerEdge system. To try out the QR code, scan the following image.

154 Getting help

Figure 73. QRL code

Getting help 155