How to Replace a Sun Server X4-4 Disk Backplane

Asset ID:	1-71-1642550.1
Update Date:	2018-05-15
Keywords:

Solution Type Technical Instruction Sure

Solution 1642550.1 : How to Replace a Sun Server X4-4 Disk Backplane

Applies to:

Sun Server X4-4 - Version All Versions to All Versions [Release All Releases]
Exalytics In-Memory Machine X4-4 - Version All Versions to All Versions [Release All Releases]
Information in this document applies to any platform.

Goal

How to Replace a Sun Server X4-4 Disk Backplane.

Solution

DISPATCH INSTRUCTIONS

WHAT SKILLS DOES THE FIELD ENGINEER/ADMINISTRATOR NEED?:
Sun Server X4-4 Training

TIME ESTIMATE: 60 minutes

TASK COMPLEXITY: 1

FIELD ENGINEER/ADMINISTRATOR INSTRUCTIONS:

PROBLEM OVERVIEW: A Sun Server X4-4 Disk Backplane needs replacement

WHAT STATE SHOULD THE SYSTEM BE IN TO BE READY TO PERFORM THE RESOLUTION ACTIVITY? :

If the system is still up and functioning, customer should perform an orderly and graceful shutdown of applications and OS. Then power off the server and remove the AC power cords from the system.

A data backup is not a prerequisite but is a wise precaution.

Animation videos are available to demonstrate the disk back plane replacement process for these servers. please refer to the following links:

Sun Server X4-4 Service Animations MP4 and HTML versions

WHAT ACTION DOES THE ENGINEER NEED TO TAKE:

1. Prepare the server for service.

a. Power off the server and disconnect the power cords from the power supplies.
b. Extend the server to the maintenance position in the rack.
c. Attach an anti-static wrist strap.

2. Remove all of the disks and Remove the DVD drive. See Remove the DVD Drive.

a. On each drive, push the latch release button to open the latch
b. Grasp the latch and pull the drive out of the drive slot.
c. Place the drives on an antistatic mat making sure to note the slot locations that the drives were removed from so that they can be re-installed in their proper slots.
d. Disconnect the cables to remove the storage drive back-plane(s)
e. Disconnect the power cable, ribbon data cable, and any SAS/SATA cables from the disk drive back plane.
f. You do not need to remove the cables from the HBA board.

3. To move the air divider:

a. Move the air divider, so that you can access the disk drive back plane board. The divider is mounted to the power supply side wall using two tabs, which are inserted into slots in the side wall.
b. Lift the air divider so the tabs clear the slots in the power supply housing side wall.
c. Move the air divider away from the side wall, lift it up, and bend the cables, so you can rotate the divider away from the back-plane and set it in the PCIe slot area.
d. The disk drive back plane sets on metal flanges and is secured by a spring-loaded lever.
e. To release the spring-loaded lever, lift it upward.
f. Disconnect the ribbon cable at the bottom of the board.
g. To remove the disk drive back plane, lift it, so it clears the support flanges, and remove it from the server.
h. You might need to tilt the board slightly while removing it to slide the DVD connector out from under the disk drive mounting cage.

4. Install the new storage drive back plane and connect the cables.

a. Orient the replacement disk drive back plane board in the chassis.
b. Tilt the back plane board and insert its bottom edge in the plastic slot at the bottom of the server.
c. The DVD connector on the bottom of the back side of the board needs to be positioned under the disk drive mounting cage.
d. Lift the spring-loaded metal hook and tilt the back plane board to its upright position.
e. Set the board on its support flanges.
f. To secure the board, release the metal hook.
g. Connect the ribbon cable to the bottom of the board.

5. To install the air divider:

Note - The air divider contains the Fault Remind button mechanism. To ensure that the mechanism can engage the motherboard-mounted switch, the divider must be installed correctly.

a. Ensure the SAS/SATA cables are routed through the slot in air divider.
a.1 The back side of the divider has enough room to house the cables if they are flat and side-by-side. Do not allow the cables to interfere with the Fault Remind button mechanism.
b. Align the two tabs on the divider with the three slots in the power supply side wall.
c. Push the tabs into the slots and push the divider downward to secure it against the wall.
c.1 To ensure proper alignment of the Fault Remind switch, both tabs must be engaged with their slots.

6. Connect the power cable, ribbon data cable, and any SAS/SATA cables.

a. The mini-SAS plug that terminates the short SAS/SATA cable must be inserted into the upper mini-SAS connector on the disk back-plane. This short cable connects the SATA DVD to its USB-SATA bridge on the motherboard. The longer SAS/SATA cable connects drive bays 4 and 5 to a storage device in the back of the system. The lower mini-SAS connector on the disk back-plane requires the standard, four-channel mini-SAS cable for drive bays 0 to 3.
b. Install all disk drives and filler panels.
b.1 Making sure to install the drives back into the same slots from which they were removed align the drive to the drive slot.
b.2 Slide the drive into the bay until the drive is fully seated.
b.3 Close the drive latch to lock the drive in place.
c. Install the DVD drive. See Install the DVD Drive.

7. Return the Server to operation

a. Remove any anti-static measures that were used.
b. Return the server to it's normal operating position within the rack.
c. Re-install the AC power cords and any data cables that were removed.
d. Power on server. Verify that the Power/OK indicator led lights steady on.

8. Set the system serial number/fruid data if needed.

Note - The product serial number used for service entitlement and warranty coverage might need to be reprogrammed by authorized service personnel with the correct product serial number.

OBTAIN CUSTOMER ACCEPTANCE

WHAT ACTION DOES THE CUSTOMER NEED TO TAKE TO RETURN THE SYSTEM TO AN OPERATIONAL STATE:

Boot up system and verify full functionality

REFERENCE INFORMATION:
Sun Server X4-4 Documentation

HBA Reference

The six-slot storage backplane and the DVD-RW drive are connected to a low-profile SAS2 PCIe HBA (factory installed in PCIe Slot 2) by two mini SAS4I cables. The two cables are color coded. One cable has white labels on both ends (with the designation 7044138). One end of the cable has a single mini SAS4I connector, and the other end has two connectors (a split end) with a mini SAS4I connector and a smaller SATA connector. The other cable has a yellow labels on both ends (with the designation: 7044137), and both ends have mini SAS4I connectors.
Cable Connections and Routing

The split end of the white cable (7044138) connects to the HBA side. The larger mini-SAS4I connector connects to the bottom slot on the HBA card, and the smaller (SATA DVD-RW drive) connector connects to the motherboard at J5105. Route the cables between processor P0 and the PSU sidewall, ensuring that the white cable is on top and the two cables are flat and not twisted. Continue to route the cables through the divider using the cables clips to ensure the cables pass to the other side of the divider. At the storage backplane, the white cable connects to the top connector and the yellow cable connects to the bottom connector.

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