Dell EMC ME4 Series Quick reference guide

Dell EMC PowerVault ME4 Series Storage
System
Deployment Guide

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.
© 2018 – 2019 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.
2019 - 09
Rev. A04

1 Before you begin.......................................................................................................................... 6
Unpack the enclosure........................................................................................................................................................... 6
Safety guidelines.................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Safe handling.................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Safe operation.................................................................................................................................................................. 8
Electrical safety................................................................................................................................................................8
Rack system safety precautions....................................................................................................................................9
Installation checklist...............................................................................................................................................................9
Planning for installation........................................................................................................................................................10
Preparing for installation..................................................................................................................................................... 10
Preparing the site and host server...............................................................................................................................10
Required tools..................................................................................................................................................................11
Requirements for rackmount installation..................................................................................................................... 11
Disk drive module.................................................................................................................................................................. 11
Drive carrier module in 2U chassis................................................................................................................................ 11
Drive status indicators................................................................................................................................................... 12
Blank drive carrier modules........................................................................................................................................... 12
DDIC in a 5U enclosure..................................................................................................................................................13
Populating drawers with DDICs..........................................................................................................................................14
2 Mount the enclosures in the rack................................................................................................. 15
Rackmount rail kit.................................................................................................................................................................15
Install the 2U enclosure....................................................................................................................................................... 15
Install the 2U enclosure front bezel............................................................................................................................. 16
Install the 5U84 enclosure...................................................................................................................................................16
Connect optional expansion enclosures............................................................................................................................ 17
Cable requirements for expansion enclosures............................................................................................................ 18
3 Connect to the management network........................................................................................... 21
4 Cable host servers to the storage system..................................................................................... 22
Cabling considerations........................................................................................................................................................ 22
Connecting the enclosure to hosts................................................................................................................................... 22
CNC technology............................................................................................................................................................ 22
Fibre Channel protocol..................................................................................................................................................23
iSCSI protocol................................................................................................................................................................ 23
SAS protocol.................................................................................................................................................................. 24
Host connection.................................................................................................................................................................. 25
16 Gb Fibre Channel host connection......................................................................................................................... 25
iSCSI host connection...................................................................................................................................................25
12 Gb HD mini-SAS host connection.......................................................................................................................... 25
10Gbase-T host connection......................................................................................................................................... 25
Connecting direct attach configurations....................................................................................................................26
Single-controller module configurations..................................................................................................................... 26
Contents
Contents 3

Dual-controller module configurations........................................................................................................................ 26
5 Connect power cables and power on the storage system............................................................... 30
Power cable connection..................................................................................................................................................... 30
6 Perform system and storage setup.............................................................................................. 32
Record storage system information..................................................................................................................................32
Using guided setup..............................................................................................................................................................32
Web browser requirements and setup........................................................................................................................32
Access the ME Storage Manager............................................................................................................................... 32
Update firmware............................................................................................................................................................33
Use guided setup in the ME Storage Manager Welcome panel.............................................................................. 33
7 Perform host setup.................................................................................................................... 40
Host system requirements................................................................................................................................................. 40
About multipath configuration..................................................................................................................................... 40
Attach host servers.......................................................................................................................................................40
Windows hosts.................................................................................................................................................................... 40
Fibre Channel host server configuration for Windows Server................................................................................ 40
iSCSI host server configuration for Windows Server............................................................................................... 42
SAS host server configuration for Windows Server................................................................................................. 45
Linux hosts........................................................................................................................................................................... 46
Fibre Channel host server configuration for Linux ...................................................................................................46
iSCSI host server configuration for Linux...................................................................................................................48
SAS host server configuration for Linux..................................................................................................................... 51
VMware ESXi hosts............................................................................................................................................................ 52
Fibre Channel host server configuration for VMware ESXi.....................................................................................52
iSCSI host server configuration for VMware ESXi....................................................................................................54
SAS host server configuration for VMware ESXi..................................................................................................... 56
Enable Multipathing on iSCSI volumes....................................................................................................................... 58
Citrix XenServer hosts........................................................................................................................................................58
8 Troubleshooting and problem solving........................................................................................... 59
Locate the service tag........................................................................................................................................................59
Operators (Ops) panel LEDs..............................................................................................................................................59
2U enclosure Ops panel................................................................................................................................................59
5U enclosure Ops panel................................................................................................................................................60
Initial start-up problems.......................................................................................................................................................61
2U enclosure LEDs........................................................................................................................................................ 63
5U enclosure LEDs........................................................................................................................................................ 64
Module LEDs.................................................................................................................................................................. 67
Troubleshooting 2U enclosures................................................................................................................................... 68
Troubleshooting 5U enclosures................................................................................................................................... 69
Fault isolation methodology..........................................................................................................................................70
Options available for performing basic steps.............................................................................................................. 71
Performing basic steps.................................................................................................................................................. 71
If the enclosure does not initialize................................................................................................................................72
Correcting enclosure IDs...............................................................................................................................................72
Host I/O.......................................................................................................................................................................... 72
4Contents

Dealing with hardware faults........................................................................................................................................73
A Cabling for replication................................................................................................................ 76
Connecting two storage systems to replicate volumes................................................................................................. 76
Host ports and replication.................................................................................................................................................. 76
Example cabling for replication...........................................................................................................................................77
Single-controller module configuration for replication.............................................................................................. 77
Dual-controller module configuration for replication................................................................................................. 77
Isolating replication faults................................................................................................................................................... 80
Diagnostic steps for replication setup......................................................................................................................... 81
B SFP+ transceiver for FC/iSCSI ports........................................................................................... 83
C System Information Worksheet...................................................................................................85
D Setting network port IP addresses using the CLI port and serial cable............................................ 88
Mini-USB Device Connection............................................................................................................................................ 90
Microsoft Windows drivers........................................................................................................................................... 91
Linux drivers....................................................................................................................................................................91
Contents 5

Before you begin
Unpack the enclosure
Examine the packaging for crushes, cuts, water damage, or any other evidence of mishandling during transit. If you suspect that damage
has happened, photograph the package before opening, for possible future reference. Retain the original packaging materials for use with
returns.
• Unpack the 2U storage system and identify the items in your shipment.
NOTE: The cables that are used with the enclosure are not shown in Figure 1. Unpacking the 2U12 and 2U24
enclosures. The rail kit and accessories box is located below the 2U enclosure shipping box lid.
Figure 1. Unpacking the 2U12 and 2U24 enclosures
1. Storage system enclosure 2. Rackmount left rail (2U)
3. Rackmount right rail (2U) 4. Documentation
5. Enclosure front-panel bezel option 6. Rack mount ears
• 2U enclosures are shipped with the controller modules or input/output modules (IOMs) installed. Blank drive carrier modules must
be installed in the unused drive slots.
• For enclosures configured with CNC controller modules, locate the SFP+ transceivers included with the shipment. See SFP+
transceiver for FC/iSCSI ports.
• Unpack the 5U84 storage system and identify the items in your shipment.
NOTE: The cables that are used with the enclosure are not shown in Figure 2. Unpacking the 5U84 enclosure. The rail
kit and accessories box is located below the 5U84 enclosure shipping box lid.
1
6 Before you begin

Figure 2. Unpacking the 5U84 enclosure
1. Storage system enclosure 2. DDICs (Disk Drive in Carriers)
3. Documentation 4. Rackmount left rail (5U84)
5. Rackmount right rail (5U84) 6. Drawers
• DDICs ship in a separate container and must be installed into the enclosure drawers during product installation. For rackmount
installations, DDICs are installed after the enclosure is mounted in the rack. See Populating drawers with DDICs.
• For enclosures configured with CNC controller modules, locate the SFP+ transceivers included with the shipment. See SFP+
transceiver for FC/iSCSI ports.
CAUTION:
• A 5U enclosure does not ship with DDICs installed, but the rear panel controller modules or IOMs are installed.
This partially populated enclosure is weights approximately 64 kg (142 lb). You need a minimum of two people to
remove the enclosure from the box.
• When lifting the enclosure, verify that the straps are securely wrapped and buckled and position one person at
each side of the enclosure. Then, grip the straps securely by the loops and lift the enclosure out of the box by
using proper lifting techniques. Place the enclosure in an electrostatically protected area.
Safety guidelines
Always follow these safety guidelines to avoid injury and damage to ME4 Series components.
If you use this equipment in a manner that is not specified by Dell EMC, the protection that is provided by the equipment could be
impaired. For your safety and precaution, observe the rules that are described in the following sections:
NOTE: See the
Dell EMC PowerVault ME4 Series Storage System Getting Started Guide for product safety and
regulatory information. Warranty information is included as a separate document.
Safe handling
Dell EMC recommends that only individuals with rack-mounting experience install an enclosure into a rack.
CAUTION: Use this equipment in a manner specified by Dell EMC. Failure to do so may cancel the protection that is
provided by the equipment.
• Unplug the enclosure before you move it or if you think that it has become damaged in any way.
• A safe lifting height is 20U.
• Always remove the power cooling modules (PCMs) to minimize weight before you move the enclosure.
• Do not lift the enclosures by the handles on the PCMs—they are not designed to take the weight.
Before you begin 7

CAUTION: Do not try to lift the enclosure by yourself:
• Fully configured 2U12 enclosures can weigh up to 32 kg (71 lb)
• Fully configured 2U24 enclosures can weigh up to 30 kg (66 lb)
• Fully configured 5U84 enclosures can weigh up to 135 kg (298 lb). An unpopulated enclosure weighs 46 kg (101 lb).
• Use a minimum of two people to lift the 5U84 enclosure from the shipping box and install it in the rack.
Before lifting the enclosure:
• Avoid lifting the enclosure using the handles on any of the CRUs because they are not designed to take the weight.
• Do not lift the enclosure higher than 20U. Use mechanical assistance to lift above this height.
• Observe the lifting hazard label affixed to the storage enclosure.
Safe operation
Operation of the enclosure with modules missing disrupts the airflow and prevents the enclosure from receiving sufficient cooling.
NOTE: For a 2U enclosure, all IOM and PCM slots must be populated. In addition, empty drive slots (bays) in 2U
enclosures must hold blank drive carrier modules. For a 5U enclosure, all controller module, IOM, FCM, and PSU slots
must be populated.
• Follow the instructions in the module bay caution label affixed to the module being replaced.
• Replace a defective PCM with a fully operational PCM within 24 hours. Do not remove a defective PCM unless you
have a replacement model of the correct type ready for insertion.
• Before removal/replacement of a PCM or PSU, disconnect supply power from the module to be replaced. See the
Dell EMC PowerVault ME4 Series Storage System Owner’s Manual. .
• Follow the instructions in the hazardous voltage warning label affixed to power cooling modules.
CAUTION: 5U84 enclosures only
• To prevent a rack from tipping over, drawer interlocks stop users from opening both drawers simultaneously. Do not
attempt to force open a drawer when the other drawer in the enclosure is already open. In a rack containing more
than one 5U84 enclosure, do not open more than one drawer per rack at a time.
• Observe the hot surface label that is affixed to the drawer. Operating temperatures inside enclosure drawers can
reach 60°C (140°F) . Take care when opening drawers and removing DDICs.
• Due to product acoustics, ear protection should be worn during prolonged exposure to the product in operation.
• Observe the drawer caution label. Do not use open drawers to support any other objects or equipment.
Electrical safety
• The 2U enclosure must be operated from a power supply input voltage range of 100–240 VAC, 50/60Hz.
• The 5U enclosure must be operated from a power supply input voltage range of 200–240 VAC, 50/60Hz.
• Provide a power source with electrical overload protection to meet the requirements in the technical specification.
• The power cord must have a safe electrical grounding connection. Check the grounding connection of the enclosure before you
switch on the power supply.
NOTE: The enclosure must be grounded before applying power.
• The plug on the power supply cord is used as the main disconnect device. Ensure that the socket outlets are located
near the equipment and are accessible.
• 2U enclosures are intended to operate with two PCMs.
• 5U84 enclosures are intended to operate with two PSUs.
• Follow the instructions that are shown on the power-supply disconnection caution label that is affixed to power
cooling modules.
CAUTION: Do not remove the covers from the enclosure or any of the modules as there is a danger of electric shock
inside.
8 Before you begin

Rack system safety precautions
The following safety requirements must be considered when the enclosure is mounted in a rack:
• The rack construction must support the total weight of the installed enclosures. The design should incorporate stabilizing features to
prevent the rack from tipping or being pushed over during installation or in normal use.
• When loading a rack with enclosures, fill the rack from the bottom up; and empty the rack from the top down.
• Always remove all power supply modules to minimize weight, before loading the enclosure into the rack.
• Do not try to lift the enclosure by yourself.
CAUTION: To prevent of the rack falling over, never move more than one enclosure out of the cabinet at any one time.
• The system must be operated with low-pressure rear exhaust installation. The back pressure that is created by rack doors and
obstacles must not exceed 5 pascals (0.5 mm water gauge).
• The rack design should take into consideration the maximum operating ambient temperature for the enclosure. The maximum
operating temperature is 35ºC (95ºF) for controllers and 40ºC (104ºF) for expansion enclosures.
• The rack should have a safe electrical distribution system. It must provide overcurrent protection for the enclosure. Make sure that the
rack is not overloaded by the total number of enclosures that are installed in the rack. Consideration should be given to the electrical
power consumption rating shown on the nameplate.
• The electrical distribution system must provide a reliable connection for each enclosure in the rack.
• Each PSU or PCM in each enclosure has a grounding leakage current of 1.0 mA. The design of the electrical distribution system must
take into consideration the total grounding leakage current from all the PSUs/PCMs in all the enclosures. The rack requires labeling
with “High Leakage Current. Grounding connection essential before connecting supply.”
Installation checklist
This section shows how to plan for and successfully install your enclosure system into an industry standard 19-inch rack cabinet.
CAUTION: Use only the power cables supplied when installing the storage system.
The following table outlines the steps that are required to install the enclosures, and initially configure and provision the storage system:
NOTE: To ensure successful installation, perform the tasks in the order presented.
Table 1. Installation checklist
Step Task Where to find procedure
1 Unpack the enclosure. See Unpack the enclosure.
2 Install the controller enclosure and optional expansion enclosures in the
rack.1See Required tools.
See Requirements for rackmount installation.
See Install the 2U enclosure.
See Install the 5U84 enclosure.
3 Populate drawers with disks (DDICs) in 5U84 enclosure; 2U enclosures ship
with disks installed.
See Populating drawers with DDICs.
4 Cable the optional expansion enclosures. See Connect optional expansion enclosures.
5 Connect the management ports. See Connect to the management network.
6 Cable the controller host ports.2See Connecting the enclosure to hosts.
7 Connect the power cords and power on the system. See Power cable connection.
8 Perform system and storage setup. See Using guided setup.
9 Perform host setup:
• Attach the host servers.
• Install the required host software.
See Host system requirements.
See Attach host servers.
See Windows hosts and Linux hosts.
See VMware ESXi hosts.
10 Perform the initial configuration tasks.3See Using guided setup.
Before you begin 9

1The environment in which the enclosure operates must be dust-free to ensure adequate airflow.
2For more information about hosts, see the About hosts topic in the Dell EMC PowerVault ME4 Series Storage System Administrator’s
Guide.
3The ME Storage Manager is introduced in Using guided setup. See the Dell EMC PowerVault ME4 Series Storage System
Administrator’s Guide or online help for additional information.
Planning for installation
Before beginning the enclosure installation, familiarize yourself with the system configuration requirements.
Table 2. System configuration
Module type Location Description
Drive carrier modules 2U front panel All drive slots must hold either a drive carrier or blank drive carrier module. Empty slots
are not allowed. At least one disk must be installed.
DDIC 5U front panel
drawers
Maximum 84 disks are installed (42 disks per drawer). Minimum 28 disks are required.
Follow the drawer population rules in Populating drawers with DDICs.
Power cooling
modules
2U rear panel Two PCMs provide full power redundancy, allowing the system to continue to operate
while a faulty PCM is replaced.
Power supply unit
modules
5U rear panel Two PSUs provide full power redundancy, allowing the system to continue to operate
while a faulty PSU is replaced.
Fan cooling modules 5U rear panel Five FCMs provide airflow circulation, maintaining all system components below the
maximum temperature allowed.
Controller modules
and IOMs
Rear panel • One or two controller modules may be installed in 2U12 and 2U24 enclosures.
• Two controller modules must be installed in 5U84 enclosures.
• Two IOMs must be installed in 2U12, 2U24, and 5U84 enclosures.
Preparing for installation
NOTE: Enclosure configurations:
• 2U enclosures are delivered with CRUs and all drive carrier modules installed.
• 5U84 enclosures are delivered with CRUs installed; however, DDICs must be installed during system setup.
• 5U84 enclosures require 200–240VAC for operation. See the Environmental requirements topic in the Dell EMC
PowerVault ME4 Series Storage System Owner’s Manual for detailed information
CAUTION: Lifting enclosures:
• A 2U enclosure, including all its component parts, is too heavy for one person to lift and install into the rack cabinet.
Two people are required to safely move a 2U enclosure.
• A 5U enclosure, which is delivered without DDICs installed, requires two people to lift it from the box. A mechanical
lift is required to hoist the enclosure for positioning in the rack.
Make sure that you wear an effective antistatic wrist or ankle strap and follow conventional ESD precautions when touching modules and
components. Do not touch the midplane, motherboard, or module connectors. See Safety guidelines for important preparation
requirements and handling procedures to use during product installation.
Preparing the site and host server
Before beginning the enclosure installation, verify that the site where you plan to install your storage system has the following:
• Each redundant power supply module requires power from an independent source or a rack power distribution unit with
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). 2U enclosures use standard AC power and the 5U84 enclosure requires high-line (high-voltage)
AC power.
• A host computer configured with the appropriate software, BIOS, and drives. Contact your supplier for the correct software
configurations.
10 Before you begin

Before installing the enclosure, verify the existence of the following:
• Depending upon the controller module: SAS, Fibre Channel (FC), or iSCSI HBA and appropriate switches (if used)
• Qualified cable options for host connection
• One power cord per PCM or PSU
• Rail kit (for rack installation)
Contact your supplier for a list of qualified accessories for use with the enclosure. The accessories box contains the power cords and other
accessories.
Required tools
The following tools are required to install an ME4 Series enclosure:
• Phillips screwdriver
• Torx T20 bit for locks and select CRU replacement
Requirements for rackmount installation
You can install the enclosure in an industry standard 19-inch cabinet capable of holding 2U form factors.
NOTE: See the
Dell EMC PowerVault ME4 Series Owner's Manual for front and rear panel product views.
• Minimum depth: 707 mm (27.83") from rack posts to maximum extremity of enclosure (includes rear panel cabling and cable bend
radii).
• Weight:
• Up to 32 kg (71 lb), dependent upon configuration, per 2U enclosure.
• Up to 128 kg (282 lb), dependent upon configuration, per 5U enclosure.
• The rack should cause a maximum back pressure of 5 pascals (0.5 mm water gauge).
• Before you begin, ensure that you have adequate clearance in front of the rack for installing the rails.
Disk drive module
The ME4 Series Storage System supports different disk drive modules for use in 2U and 5U84 enclosures.
• The disk drive modules that are used in 2U enclosures are referred to as drive carrier modules.
• The disk drive modules that are used in 5U84 enclosures are referred to as Disk Drive in Carrier (DDIC) modules.
Drive carrier module in 2U chassis
The drive carrier module consists of a disk drive that is installed in a carrier module.
• Each 2U12 drive slot holds a single low profile 1.0 in. high, 3.5 in. form factor disk drive in its carrier. The disk drives are horizontal. A
2.5" to 3.5" carrier adapter is available to accommodate 2.5" disk drives.
• Each 2U24 drive slot holds a single low profile 5/8 inch high, 2.5 in. form factor disk drive in its carrier. The disk drives are vertical.
The carriers have mounting locations for:
• Direct dock SAS drives.
A sheet steel carrier holds each drive, which provides thermal conduction, radio frequency, and electro-magnetic induction protection, and
physically protects the drive.
The front cap also has an ergonomic handle which gives the following functions:
• Secure location of the carrier into and out of drive slots.
• Positive spring-loading of the drive/midplane connector.
The carrier can use this interface:
• Dual path direct dock Serial Attached SCSI.
The following figures display the supported drive carrier modules:
Before you begin 11

Figure 3. Dual path LFF 3.5" drive carrier module
Figure 4. Dual path SFF 2.5" drive carrier module
Figure 5. 2.5" to 3.5" hybrid drive carrier adapter
Drive status indicators
Green and amber LEDs on the front of each drive carrier module indicate disk drive status.
Blank drive carrier modules
Blank drive carrier modules, also known as drive blanks, are provided in 3.5" (2U12) and 2.5" (2U24) form factors. They must be installed
in empty disk slots to create a balanced air flow.
12 Before you begin

Figure 6. Blank drive carrier modules: 3.5" drive slot (left); 2.5" drive slot (right)
DDIC in a 5U enclosure
Each disk drive is installed in a DDIC that enables secure insertion of the disk drive into the drawer with the appropriate SAS carrier
transition card.
The DDIC features a slide latch button with directional arrow. The slide latch enables you to install and secure the DDIC into the disk slot
within the drawer. The slide latch also enables you to disengage the DDIC from its slot, and remove it from the drawer. The DDIC has a
single Drive Fault LED, which illuminates amber when the disk drive has a fault.
The following figure shows a DDIC with a 3.5" disk drive:
Figure 7. 3.5" disk drive in a DDIC
The following figure shows a DDIC with a hybrid drive carrier adapter and a 2.5" disk drive:
Before you begin 13

Figure 8. 2.5" drive in a 3.5" DDIC with a hybrid drive carrier adapter
Populating drawers with DDICs
The 5U84 enclosure does not ship with DDICs installed. Before populating drawers with DDICs, ensure that you adhere to the following
guidelines:
• The minimum number of disks that are supported by the enclosure is 28, 14 in each drawer.
• DDICs must be added to disk slots in complete rows (14 disks at a time).
• Beginning at the front of each drawer, install DDICs consecutively by number, and alternately between the top drawer and the bottom
drawer. For example, install first at slots 0–13 in the top drawer, and then 42–55 in the bottom drawer. After that, install slots 14–27,
and so on.
• The number of populated rows must not differ by more than one row between the top and bottom drawers.
• Hard disk drives (HDD) and solid-state drives (SDD) can be mixed in the same drawer.
• HDDs installed in the same row should have the same rotational speed.
• DDICs holding 3.5" disks can be intermixed with DDICs holding 2.5" disks in the enclosure. However, each row should be populated
with disks of the same form factor (all 3.5" disks or 2.5" disks).
The following figure shows a drawer that is fully populated with DDICs:
• See Figure 7. 3.5" disk drive in a DDIC for the DDIC holding the 3.5" disk
• See Figure 8. 2.5" drive in a 3.5" DDIC with a hybrid drive carrier adapter for the DDIC holding the 2.5" disk with 3.5" adapter
Figure 9. 5U84 enclosure drawer fully populated with DDICs
14 Before you begin

Mount the enclosures in the rack
This section describes how to unpack the ME4 Series Storage System equipment, prepare for installation, and safely mount the enclosures
into the rack.
Topics:
•Rackmount rail kit
•Install the 2U enclosure
•Install the 5U84 enclosure
•Connect optional expansion enclosures
Rackmount rail kit
Rack mounting rails are available for use in 19-inch rack cabinets.
The rails have been designed and tested for the maximum enclosure weight. Multiple enclosures may be installed without loss of space in
the rack. Use of other mounting hardware may cause some loss of rack space. Contact Dell EMC to ensure that suitable mounting rails are
available for the rack you plan to use.
Install the 2U enclosure
The 2U enclosure is delivered with the disks installed.
Refer to Figure 10. Secure brackets to the rail (left hand rail shown for 2U) when following the rail installation instructions.
1. Remove the rack mounting rail kit from the accessories box, and examine for damage.
2. Use the following procedure to attach the rail kit brackets to the rack post:
a. Set each location pin at the rear of the rail into a rear rack post hole.
b. Use the supplied washers and screws to attach the bracket to the rear rack post. Leave the screws loose.
c. Extend the rail to fit between the front and rear rack posts.
d. Attach the bracket to the front rack post using the washers and screws supplied. Leave the screws loose.
e. Tighten the two clamping screws located along the rear section of the rack bracket.
f. Repeat the previous steps for the companion rail.
3. Install the enclosure into the rack:
a. Lift the enclosure and align it with the installed rack rails, taking care to ensure that the enclosure remains level.
b. Carefully insert the chassis slides into the rack rails and push fully in.
c. Tighten the mounting screws in the rear rail kit brackets.
d. Remove the enclosure until it reaches the hard stops—approximately 400 mm (15.75")—tighten the mounting screws in the front
rail kit bracket.
e. Return the enclosure to the home position.
2
Mount the enclosures in the rack 15

Figure 10. Secure brackets to the rail (left hand rail shown for 2U)
1. Front rack post (square hole) 2. Rail location pins (quantity 2 per rail)
3. Left rail 4. Rear rack post (square hole)
5. Clamping screw (B) 6. Clamping screw (B)
7. Fastening screw (A) 8. 2U Ops panel installation detail (exploded view)
9. Left rail position locking screw 10. 2U enclosure fastening screw (C)
11. Key: Rail kit fasteners used in rack-mount installation
Install the 2U enclosure front bezel
Install the bezel if it was included with the enclosure.
While holding the bezel in your hands, face the front panel of the 2U12 or 2U24 enclosure.
1. Hook the right end of the bezel onto the right ear cover of the storage system.
Figure 11. Attach the bezel to the front of the 2U enclosure
2. Insert the left end of the bezel into the securing slot until the release latch snaps into place.
3. Secure the bezel with the keylock as shown in the detail view in Figure 11. Attach the bezel to the front of the 2U enclosure.
NOTE: To remove the bezel from the 2U enclosure front panel, reverse the order of the previous steps.
Install the 5U84 enclosure
The 5U84 enclosure is delivered without the disks installed.
NOTE: Due to the weight of the enclosure, install it into the rack without DDICs installed, and remove the rear panel
CRUs to decrease the enclosure weight.
The adjustment range of the rail kit from the front post to the rear post is 660 mm–840 mm. This range suits a one-meter deep rack
within Rack Specification IEC 60297.
16 Mount the enclosures in the rack

1. To facilitate access, remove the door from the rack.
2. Ensure that the preassembled rails are at their shortest length.
NOTE: See the reference label on the rail.
3. Locate the rail location pins inside the front of the rack, and extend the length of the rail assembly to position the rear location pins.
Ensure that the pins are fully inserted in the square or round holes in the rack posts.
Figure 12. Secure brackets to the rail (left hand rail shown for 5U84 enclosure)
Item Description Item Description
1 Fastening screws (A) 8 Front rack post (square hole)
2 Left rail 9 Middle slide locking screws
3 Rear rack post (square hole) 10 5U84 chassis section shown for reference
4 Clamping screw (B) 11 Fastening screw (C)
5 Clamping screw (B) 12 Key: Rail kit fasteners used in rackmount installation
6 Rail location pins (quantity 4 per rail) (A= fastening; B= clamping; C= fastening)
7 5U84 chassis section shown for reference
4. Fully tighten all clamping screws and middle slide locking screws.
5. Ensure the four rear spacer clips (not shown) are fitted to the edge of the rack post.
6. Slide the enclosure until fully seated on its rails.
7. Fasten the front of the enclosure using the enclosure fastening screws (x4) as shown in Figure 12. Secure brackets to the rail (left
hand rail shown for 5U84 enclosure).
8. Fix the rear of the enclosure to the sliding bracket with the rear enclosure fastening screws.
CAUTION: Once the enclosure is installed in the rack, dispose of the lifting straps. The straps cannot be used to remove
the enclosure from the rack.
Reinsert the rear panel modules and install the DDICs into the drawers. See the instructions in the Dell EMC PowerVault ME4 Series
Storage System Owner’s Manual.
• Installing a controller module
• Installing an IOM
• Installing a fan cooling module
• Installing a PSU
• Installing a DDIC
Connect optional expansion enclosures
ME4 Series controller enclosures support 2U12, 2U24, and 5U84 expansion enclosures. 2U12 and 2U24 expansion enclosures can be
intermixed, however 2U expansion enclosures cannot be intermixed with 5U84 expansion enclosures in the same storage system.
NOTE: To add expansion enclosures to an existing storage system, power down the controller enclosure before
connecting the expansion enclosures.
Mount the enclosures in the rack 17

• ME4 Series 2U controller enclosures support up to ten 2U enclosures (including the controller enclosure), or a maximum of 240 disk
drives.
• ME4 Series 5U controller enclosures support up to four 5U enclosures (including the controller enclosure), or a maximum of 336 disk
drives.
• ME4 Series expansion enclosures are equipped with dual-IOMs. These expansion enclosures cannot be cabled to a controller enclosure
equipped with a single IOM.
• The enclosures support reverse SAS cabling for adding expansion enclosures. Reverse cabling enables any drive enclosure to fail—or
be removed—while maintaining access to other enclosures. Fault tolerance and performance requirements determine whether to
optimize the configuration for high availability or high performance when cabling.
Cable requirements for expansion enclosures
ME4 Series supports 2U12, 2U24, and 5U84 form factors, each of which can be configured as a controller enclosure or an expansion
enclosure. Key enclosure characteristics include:
NOTE: To add expansion enclosures to an existing storage system, power down the controller enclosure before
connecting the expansion enclosures.
• When connecting SAS cables to IOMs, use only supported HD mini-SAS x4 cables.
• Qualified HD mini-SAS to HD mini-SAS 0.5 m (1.64 ft.) cables are used to connect cascaded enclosures in the rack.
• The maximum enclosure cable length that is allowed in any configuration is 2 m (6.56 ft.).
• When adding more than two expansion enclosures, you may need to purchase additional cables, depending upon the number of
enclosures and cabling method used.
• You may need to order additional or longer cables when reverse-cabling a fault-tolerant configuration.
Per common convention in cabling diagrams, the controller enclosure is shown atop the stack of connected expansion enclosures. In
reality, you can invert the order of the stack for optimal weight and placement stability in the rack. The schematic representation of
cabling remains unchanged. See Mount the enclosures in the rack for more detail.
When connecting multiple expansion enclosures to an expansion enclosure, use reverse cabling to ensure the highest level of fault
tolerance.
The ME4 Series identifies controller modules and IOMs by enclosure ID and IOM ID. In the following figure, the controller modules are
identified as 0A and 0B, the IOMs in the first expansion enclosure are identified as 1A and 1B, and so on. Controller module 0A is connected
to IOM 1A, with a chain of connections cascading down (blue). Controller module 0B is connected to the lower IOM (9B), of the last
expansion enclosure, with connections moving in the opposite direction (green). Reverse cabling enables any expansion enclosure to fail—
or be removed—while maintaining access to other enclosures.
NOTE: The cabling diagrams show only relevant details such as module face plate outlines and expansion ports.
Figure 13. Cabling connections between a 2U controller enclosure and 2U expansion enclosures shows the maximum cabling configuration
for a 2U controller enclosure with 2U expansion enclosures.
18 Mount the enclosures in the rack

Figure 13. Cabling connections between a 2U controller enclosure and 2U expansion enclosures
1. Controller module A (0A) 2. Controller module B (0B)
3. IOM (1A) 4. IOM (1B)
5. IOM (2A) 6. IOM (2B)
7. IOM (3A) 8. IOM (3B)
9. IOM (9A) 10. IOM (9B)
Figure 14. Cabling connections between a 5U controller enclosure and 5U expansion enclosures shows the maximum cabling configuration
for a 5U84 controller enclosure with 5U84 expansion enclosures (four enclosures including the controller enclosure).
Figure 14. Cabling connections between a 5U controller enclosure and 5U expansion enclosures
1. Controller module A (0A) 2. Controller module B (0B)
3. IOM (1A) 4. IOM (1B)
5. IOM (2A) 6. IOM (2B)
7. IOM (3A) 8. IOM (3B)
Figure 15. Cabling connections between a 2U controller enclosure and 5U84 expansion enclosures shows the maximum cabling
configuration for a 2U controller enclosure with 5U84 expansion enclosures (four enclosures including the controller enclosure).
Mount the enclosures in the rack 19

Figure 15. Cabling connections between a 2U controller enclosure and 5U84 expansion enclosures
1. Controller module A (0A) 2. Controller module B (0B)
3. IOM (1A) 4. IOM (1B)
5. IOM (2A) 6. IOM (2B)
7. IOM (3A) 8. IOM (3B)
Label the back-end cables
Make sure to label the back-end SAS cables that connect the controller enclosure and the expansion enclosures.
20 Mount the enclosures in the rack