EMC VNX Series Owner's manual

This guide describes one of five models available in the VNX Series, the EMC®
VNX5500™. This document provides an overview of the architecture, components, and
features of the VNX5500 platform. The specific aspects of the Block, File, and Unified
VNX5500 platform and its major components include the front and rear connectors and
LED indicators on the 3U, 15 (3.5-inch) or 3U, 25 (2.5-inch) disk processor enclosure
(DPE), the 1U standby power supply (SPS), the 1U Control Station, the 2U Data Mover
enclosure (DME), and the 3U, 15 (3.5-inch), 2U, 25 (2.5-inch), or the 4U, 60 (2.5- to
3.5-inch) disk drive disk-array enclosure (DAE).
This guide is available online at https://mydocs.emc.com/VNX/. Go to the About VNX
section, and then select Learn about VNX. Next, follow the steps in the wizard.
Topics include:
◆Product software and hardware release revisions ...................................................... 2
◆Revision history ........................................................................................................ 2
◆Where to get help...................................................................................................... 2
◆How this document is organized ............................................................................... 3
◆Related documentation............................................................................................. 3
◆Overview................................................................................................................... 4
◆VNX5500 Block and File product description............................................................. 6
◆System component description............................................................................... 12
◆I/O modules............................................................................................................ 47
◆Disk-array enclosure................................................................................................ 71
◆Cabling ................................................................................................................. 103
◆VNX5500 DAE cabling ........................................................................................... 104
EMC®VNX™Family
VNX5500™
Hardware Information Guide
P/N 300-013-309
Rev 01
June 25, 2012

2 VNX5500 Hardware Information Guide
Product software and hardware release revisions
Product software and hardware release revisions
As part of an effort to improve its product lines, EMC periodically releases revisions of its
software and hardware. Therefore, some functions described in this document might not
be supported by all versions of the software or hardware currently in use. The product
release notes provide the most up-to-date information on product features.
Contact your EMC representative if a product does not function properly or does not
function as described in this document.
Note: This document was accurate at publication time. New versions of this document
might be released on the EMC online support website. Check the EMC online support
website to ensure that you are using the latest version of this document.
Revision history
The following table presents the revision history of this document:
Where to get help
EMC support, product, and licensing information can be obtained as follows:
Product information — For documentation, release notes, software updates, or
information about EMC products, licensing, and service, go to the EMC online support
website (registration required) at:
https://Support.EMC.com
Technical support — For technical support, go to EMC online support and select Support.
On the Support page, you will see several options, including one to create a service
request. Note that to open a service request, you must have a valid support agreement.
Contact your EMC sales representative for details about obtaining a valid support
agreement or with questions about your account.
Revision Date Description
01 June 25, 2012 First release of the
VNX5500 Hardware
Information Guide
with a document part
number.

How this document is organized
VNX5500 Hardware Information Guide 3
How this document is organized
The major sections of this guide are listed in the following table.
Related documentation
EMC provides the ability to create step-by-step planning, installation, and maintenance
instructions tailored to your environment. To create VNX customized documentation, go
to: https://mydocs.emc.com/VNX/.
To download a PDF copy of the desired publication, go to the following sections:
◆For hardware-related books, go to the About VNX section, and then select Learn about
VNX. Next, follow the steps in the wizard.
◆For technical specifications, go to the About VNX section, and then select View
technical specifications. Next, follow the steps in the wizard.
Title Description
“Overview” on page 4 Describes the software and hardware features of a typical
VNX5500 along with a front view example of the VNX5500.
“VNX5500 Block and File
product description” on page 6
Describes and shows the front and rear views of a typical
VNX5500.
“System component
description” on page 12
Provides a description of the components that comprise a
VNX5500. Along with a description, illustrations of each
component are also shown.
“DPE front views” on page 12 Describes and illustrates the front of a DPE and the components
that comprise the front of the DPE.
“Control Station front view” on
page 16
Describes and illustrates the front view of the Control Station
used in the VNX5500.
“DME front view” on page 19 Describes and illustrates the front of the DME and the
components that comprise the front of the DME.
“Standby power supply rear
view” on page 21
Describes and illustrates the 1U SPS used in the VNX5500.
“DPE rear view” on page 26 Describes and illustrates the rear of a DPE and the components
that comprise the rear of the DPE.
“Control Station rear view” on
page 38
Describes and illustrates the rear view of the Control Station
used in the VNX5500.
“DME rear view” on page 43 Describes and illustrates the rear of the DME and the
components that comprise the rear of the DME.
“Disk-array enclosure” on
page 71
Describes and illustrates the three types of DAEs available for
the VNX5500.
“VNX5500 DAE cabling” on
page 104
Describes the types of DAE cabling available for the VNX5500
platform. The cabling can be either interleaved or stacked
depending on your specific requirements.

4 VNX5500 Hardware Information Guide
Overview
◆For installation, adding, or replacing tasks, go to the VNX tasks section, and then
select the appropriate heading. For example, to download a PDF copy of the
VNX5500
Block Installation Guide
, go to Install VNX and follow the steps in the wizard.
◆For server-related tasks, go to the Server tasks for the VNX5300, VNX5500, VNX5700,
and VNX7500 section, and then select the appropriate heading. For example, to
download a PDF copy of Adding or replacing hardware, go to Add or replace hardware
and follow the steps in the wizard.
Overview
The EMC VNX series implements a modular architecture that integrates hardware
components for Block, File, and Object with concurrent support for native NAS, iSCSI1
(Internet Small Computer System Interface), Fiber Channel, and Fibre Channel over
Ethernet (FCoE) protocols. The VNX series is based on Intel Xeon-based PCI Express 2.0
processors and delivers File (NAS) functionality via two to eight Data Movers and Block
(iSCSI, FCoE, and FC) storage via dual storage processors using a full 6-Gb/s SAS disk
drive topology.
Benefits include:
◆Support for File (CIFS and NFS), Block (FC, iSCSI & FCoE) and Object
◆Simple conversions when starting with a VNX series Block only platform by simply
adding File services or starting with File only and adding Block services
◆Support for both block and file auto-tiering with Fully Automated Storage Tiering
(FAST) for Virtual Pools (VP - FAST VP)
◆Unified replication with RecoverPoint support for both file and block data
◆Updated unified management with Unisphere™now delivering a more cohesive
unified user experience
The VNX5500 is a mid-range/mid tier storage platform. It offers Block, File, or Unified
Block and File services. These services consist of:
◆Block-only—Includes a 3U disk processor enclosure (DPE), a 1U 1.2 KW standby power
supply (SPS), and 2U or 3U disk-array enclosures (DAEs) for holding hard disk drives
that are integrated to facilitate Fibre Channel, Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), and
iSCSI Block services to Windows®and UNIX®hosts.
◆File-only—Adds the 2U Data Mover enclosure (DME) and 1U Control Station (CS) to the
3U DPE, 1U SPS, and 2U, 3U, or 4U DAEs to facilitate file services to CIFS/NFS clients.
◆Unified Block and File—Uses the same hardware as the File-only configuration but
adds FC, iSCSI, and FCoE I/O connectivity to provide Block services to host
simultaneously so as to provide File services to clients.
The VNX5500 platform supports two types of 3U DPEs and three types of DAEs. The 3U
DPEs supported are a 15 drive 3.5-inch disk 3U enclosure (or DPE7) and a 25 drive
2.5-inch disk 3U enclosure (or DPE8). The DAEs supported are a 15 drive 3.5-inch disk 3U
enclosure (or DAE6S), a 25 drive 2.5-inch disk 2U enclosure (or DAE5S), and a 60 drive
1. iSCSI is a protocol for sending SCSI packets over TCP/IP networks.

Overview
VNX5500 Hardware Information Guide 5
2.5- or 3.5-inch disk 4U enclosure (or DAE7S). Expansion of up to fifteen 3U DAEs (a
maximum of 240 3.5-inch disk drives), up to nine 2U DAEs (a maximum of 250 2.5-inch
disk drives), or up to a combination of three 4U DAEs and three 3U DAEs (a maximum of
240 disk drives) is possible.
Note: The 4U DAEs are only available in a factory installable Dense rack configuration. For
more information, see the “4U, 60 (2.5- or 3.5-inch) DAE” section on page 88.
As a mid-range/mid tier storage platform offering Block, File, and Unified services, the
VNX5500 platform (Figure 1) is one of the five models that make up the VNX series. For a
quick look at the VNX5500 platform hardware features, see Table 1, “VNX5500 hardware
feature quick reference,” on page 8.
Figure 1 Example of a Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform with front bezel
Note: A VNX5500 Block platform only includes an SPS and a DPE.
VNX-000575

6 VNX5500 Hardware Information Guide
VNX5500 Block and File product description
VNX5500 Block and File product description
This section shows an example of the front and rear views of a Block and File (Unified)
VNX5500 platform.
Note: A fully configured Unified VNX5500 platform includes up to fifteen 3U DAEs (a
maximum of 240 3.5-inch disk drives), up to nine 2U DAEs (a maximum of 250 2.5-inch
disk drives), or up to a combination of thee 4U DAEs and three 3U DAEs (a maximum of
240 disk drives).
Front view
Figure 2 shows an example of the front view of the Block and File (Unified) VNX5500
platform having a dual 1U SPS, a 3U, 15 (3.5-inch) DPE, two 1U Control Stations (one
optional), and two 2U Data Mover enclosures with three Data Movers1. Each Data Mover
includes two power supply/cooling (fan) modules and one CPU module.
Figure 2 Example of Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform with a 3U, 15 (3.5-inch) DPE (front
view)
1. The term Data Mover is used throughout this guide. The term Data Mover is also referred to as a
blade. These terms are interchangeable and mean the same.
DVD
3U, 15 (3.5-inch)
disk processor
enclosure (DPE)
SPS
VNX-000566
DVD
Control Station 0
Control Station 1
(optional)
AC AC AC AC
Data Mover
enclosure 0
AC AC
Data Mover
enclosure 1

VNX5500 Block and File product description
VNX5500 Hardware Information Guide 7
Note: Figure 2 on page 6 and Figure 3 are examples of a Block and File (Unified) VNX5500
platform (front and rear views). These examples are for illustrative purposes only.
Rear view
Figure 3 shows an example of the rear view of a Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform
configuration having a dual 1U SPS, a 3U DPE with two storage processors (SP A and B),
two 1U Control Stations (one optional), and two 2U Data Mover enclosures with three Data
Movers. Each Data Mover includes two power supply/cooling (fan) modules and one CPU
module.
Figure 3 Example of Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform (rear view)
VNX-000567
MGMT
B
A
CS
SPS
Disk
processor
enclosure
X4
2345
6Gb
SAS
8Gb
bre 1
0 X4
6Gb SAS
B
X4
2345
6Gb
SAS
8Gb
bre 1
0 X4
6Gb SAS
A
MGMT
B
A
CS
0123
0123
0123 012 3 012 3 0123
012 3 0123 012 3
012 3
Data Mover
enclosure 0
Control Station 0
Control Station 1
(optional)
0123
012 3
0123
012 3 0123
012 3
Data Mover
enclosure 1
(optional)
0123 0123 0123 0123
0123
PARTNUMBER
REV A09 A
0123
PARTNUMBER
REV A09 A
0123
PARTNUMBER
REV A09 A
0123
PARTNUMBER
REV A09 A

8 VNX5500 Hardware Information Guide
VNX5500 Block and File product description
Hardware features
Contained in a 7 to 10U architecture, the Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform
weighs approximately 280.5 lb (127.23 kg) to 303.5 lb (137.67 kg) fully loaded1
depending on the disk drives used in the 3U DPE. With the 2U Data Mover enclosure
having the deepest dimension within the cabinet, the Block and File (Unified) VNX5500
measures 12.25 to 17.5 inches (7 to 10U) high x 18.92 inches wide x 24.25 inches deep
(31.11 to 44.45 cm x 48.05 cm x 61.59). Between the front and rear enclosure, a
midplane distributes power and signals to all the enclosure components. The CPU
modules and the power supply/cooling modules plug directly into the midplane
connections.
Note: The previously mentioned dimensions are approximate and do not include the
cabinet enclosure.
For physical, environmental, and power details, refer to the
VNX5500 Storage System
Technical Specifications and Operating Limits
document.
1. A fully loaded VNX5500 (without any DAEs) includes two 1U Control Stations, one 3U DPE (with
two SPs), one dual 1U SPS, and two 2U Data Mover enclosures with three Data Movers. In this fully
loaded Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform, the 3U DPE (with two SPSs) can have either 15
(3.5-inch) drives or 25 (2.5-inch) drives. Separately, the 15 (3.5-inch) drives weigh 34 lb (15.42
kg) and the 25 (2.5-inch) drives weigh 13.5 lb (6.13 kg), respectively.
Table 1 VNX5500 hardware feature quick reference
Minimum
form
factor
Maximum
# of
drives
Drive
types
File Block
Config.
I/Oslots
per Data
Mover
Data
Movers
System
memory
per Data
Mover Protocols
Config.
I/O
slots
per SP
Built-in
I/O ports SPs
System
memory
per SP Protocols
4U-7U 250 3.5 in.
SAS,
NL-SAS,
Flash,
and 2.5
in. 10 K
SAS
4 1, 2, or
3
12 GB NFS,
CIFS,
MPFS1
and
pNFS2
24FC
ports
plus 2
BE3SAS
ports
2 12 GB FC, iSCSI,
and FCoE
1. MPFS = Multi-Path File System
2. pNFS = parallel-NFS
3. BE = back end

VNX5500 Block and File product description
VNX5500 Hardware Information Guide 9
Configured for AC-input power, the Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform includes
the following hardware features:
◆One 3U DPE:
IMPORTANT
On the rear of the 3U DPE, each storage processor includes a CPU module and a power
supply module. Two latch handles on the bottom left and right provide each SP (SP A and
SP B) with the means to secure the SP. The CPU and power supply modules can only be
installed or removed after you remove the entire storage processor from the 3U DPE.
• On the front of the 3U DPE, three types of disk drives are supported in two disk
drive carrier types; 3U, 15 (3.5-inch) disk drive carrier (Figure 4 on page 14) and
3U, 25 (2.5-inch) disk drive carrier (Figure 5 on page 15). Disk drives supported are
Serial attached-SCSI (SAS), near-line SAS (NL-SAS), and Flash.
• On the rear of the 3U DPE, each (hot-swappable) storage processor (Figure 3 on
page 7) consists of:
– A CPU module with an Intel Xeon 4-core 2.13-GHz processor with three Double
Data Rate Three (DDR3) synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM) slots supporting
4-GB of SDRAM
– Four integrated 8-Gb/s FC ports (labeled 2, 3, 4, and 5) supporting 2, 4, and
8 Gb/s having front end auto-negotiation with support for manual override
– Two integrated 6-Gb/s x4 SAS ports (labeled 6Gb SAS 0 x4 and 1 x4);
supported speeds are 1.5, 3, and 6 Gb/s
– Two PCI Gen 2 x4 I/O module slots supporting a combination of the following
UltraFlex™I/O modules:
a.) Two-port 10-Gb/s optical or active Twinax1(w/iSCSI protocol); labeled
10 GbE iSCSI on the latch handle
b.) Two-port 10-Gb/s RJ-45 Base-T iSCSI/IP; labeled 10 GbE Base-T on the latch
handle
Note: The two-port 10-Gb/s RJ-45 Base-T/IP I/O module requires VNX OE for File
version 7.1 or later.
c.) Four-port 1-Gb/s RJ-45 copper iSCSI; labeled 1 GbE iSCSI/TOE on the latch
handle
d.) Four-port 8-Gb/s optical Fibre Channel (running at 2, 4, or 8-Gb/s); labeled
8 GbE Fibre on the latch handle
e.) Two-port 10-Gb/s optical or active Twinax4Fibre Channel over Ethernet
(FCoE); labeled 10 GbE/FCoE on the latch handle
Note: The two-port 10-Gb/s optical or active Twinax FCoE I/O module requires
VNX OE for File version 7.0.35.3 or later.
f.) Four-port 6-Gb/s SAS; labeled 6 Gb SAS on the latch handle
1. The two-port 10-Gb/s and FCoE I/O modules can also use active twinaxial (Twinax) cables. Twinax
is a type of cable similar to coax, but with two inner conductors instead of one. These cables will
be supplied in lieu of SFP+ when so ordered.

10 VNX5500 Hardware Information Guide
VNX5500 Block and File product description
Note: Adding the four-port 6-Gb/s SAS I/O module to each SP in the 3U DPE
allows you to increase the back end support of the VNX5500 platform from two
to six back end buses per SP (“Four-port 6-Gb/s SAS I/O module” on page 54
provides more information).
– One RS-232/EIA 232 serial (up to 115 K baud) service laptop port (micro DB-9)
– One RS-232/EIA 232 serial SPS management (micro DB-9) port
– One 10/100/1000 LAN management (RJ-45) port
– One 10/100/1000 LAN service (RJ-45) port
– One power supply (hot-swappable)
◆One dual 1U standby power supply (SPS)
◆One to two 2U DMEs with first DME having two Data Movers and the second (optional)
having from zero to one Data Mover. Each Data Mover consists of:
• One CPU module consisting of one Intel Xeon 4-core 2.13-GHz processor
• Six DDR3 synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM) slots supporting up to 12 GB per
CPU module
• One Fibre Channel (FC) I/O module with a:
Note: The maximum number of I/O modules for the VNX5500 is four per Data
Mover. One FC I/O module and up to three other I/O modules. Any combination of
these I/O modules must be the same for both Data Movers.
– Four-port 8-Gb/s optical (running at 2, 4, or 8 Gb/s); in slot 0 only; labeled
8 GbE Fibre on the latch handle
• One, two, or three of the following network I/O modules in any combination:
– Two-port 10-Gb/s optical or active Twinax1; labeled 10 GbE v2 on the latch
handle
– Two-port 10-Gb/s optical or active Twinax5; labeled 10 GbE v3 on the latch
handle
Note: Version 3 of the two-port 10-Gb/s optical or active Twinax I/O module
requires VNX OE File version 7.1 or later.
– Four-port 1-Gb/s copper; labeled 1 GbE on the latch handle
– Two-port 1-Gb/s copper plus two-port 1-Gb/s optical; labeled 1 GbE on the
latch handle
– Two-port 10-Gb/s RJ45 Base-T iSCSI/IP; labeled 10 GbE Base-T on the latch
handle
Note: The two-port 10-Gb/s RJ-45 Base-T/IP I/O module requires VNX OE for File
version 7.1 or later.
1. The two-port 10-Gb/s I/O modules can also use active twinaxial (Twinax) cables. Twinax is a type
of cable similar to coax, but with two inner conductors instead of one. These cables will be
supplied in lieu of SFP+ when so ordered.

VNX5500 Block and File product description
VNX5500 Hardware Information Guide 11
• Two management modules per DME (or, one per Data Mover)
• Two power supply/cooling (fan) modules per CPU module
◆One to two 1U Control Stations. Each Control Station consists of the following features:
• Intel 2.0 GHz single core Celeron processor with 800-MHz front side bus (FSB) and
512 KB cache
• 2 GB of RAM
• One 250-GB SATA hard drive
• Two rear-mounted USB ports and one front-mounted USB port
• Four RJ-45 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX/1000BASE-T network interface connectors
(located on the rear panel)
• Two integrated serial ports, one for laptop/console redirection and one for the
CallHome modem
• One DVD-ROM drive
• Two Ethernet (RJ-45) extension cables
◆Expansion of up to fifteen 3U, 15 (3.5-inch) DAEs (a maximum of 240 disk drives), up
to nine 2U, 25 (2.5-inch) DAEs (a maximum of 250 disk drives), or up to a combination
of three 4U, 60 DAEs (2.5- or 3.5-inch) and three 3U, 15 (3.5-inch) DAEs (a maximum
of 240 disk drives)
IMPORTANT
When calculating the number of drives for your Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform,
the 3U DPE is included in the total drive slot quantity of 240 or 250 drives. If the total drive
slot quantity exceeds 240 or 250, you will not be able to add another DAE. Refer to
“Disk-array enclosure” on page 71 for more information about the available expansion
DAEs for the Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform.
◆Any required cables including LAN cables, modem cables, and serial DB-9 cable.
◆Mounting rails with hardware
◆Front bezel with VNX5500 badge

12 VNX5500 Hardware Information Guide
System component description
System component description
This section provides the exact details of the Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform
components. These details include illustrations and descriptions of the front and rear
connectors and the LED indicators.
Note: In the following sections, the illustrations and corresponding tables describe these
individual components. These descriptions are for illustrative purposes only.
VNX5500 front view
As previously described, the Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform is made up of a
DPE, one dual 1U SPS, one to two Control Stations, and one to two DMEs with one, two, or
three Data Movers. The following sections will describe the front (Figure 2 on page 6) view
of the Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform components separately.
DPE front views
The Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform can have one of two types of 3U disk drive
DPEs.
IMPORTANT
When calculating the number of drives for your Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform,
the 3U DPE is included in the total drive slot quantity of 240 to 250 drives. If the total drive
slot quantity exceeds 240 or 250, you will not be able to add another DAE. Refer to the
“Disk-array enclosure” section on page 71 for more information about the DAEs available
for the Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform.
Each Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform 3U DPE comprises the following
components:
◆Drive carrier
◆Disk drives
◆Midplane
◆Storage processor (SP) CPU
◆Storage processor (SP) power supply
◆EMI shielding
Drive carrier
The disk drive carriers are metal and plastic assemblies that provide smooth, reliable
contact with the enclosure slot guides and midplane connectors. Each carrier has a
handle with a latch and spring clips. The latch holds the disk drive in place to ensure
proper connection with the midplane. Disk drive activity/fault LEDs are integrated into the
carrier. The “3U, 15 (3.5-inch) DPE” section on page 14 or the “3U, 25 (2.5-inch) DPE”
section on page 15 provides more information.

System component description
VNX5500 Hardware Information Guide 13
Disk drives
Each disk drive consists of one disk drive in a carrier. You can visually distinguish
between disk drive types by their different latch and handle mechanisms and by the type,
capacity, and speed labels on each disk drive. You can add or remove a disk drive while
the DPE is powered up, but you should exercise special care when removing disk drives
while they are in use. Disk drives are extremely sensitive electronic components.
Midplane
A midplane separates the front-facing disk drives from the rear-facing SPs. It distributes
power and signals to all components in the enclosure. SPs and disk drives plug directly
into the midplane.
Storage processor (SP) CPU
The SP CPU is the intelligent component of the 3U disk processor enclosure (DPE). Acting
as the control center, each SP CPU includes status LEDs, PCI Gen 2 x2 I/O module slots,
and LAN ports. The “DPE” section on page 26 provides more information.
Storage processor (SP) power supply
The SP power supply is located on the top, left side of the SP when viewed from the rear.
This module is an auto-ranging, power-factor-corrected, multi-output, off-line converter
with its own line cord. Each power supply includes status LEDs. A latch on the power
supply locks it into place to ensure proper connection. The “SP AC power supply” section
on page 28 provides more information.
EMI shielding
EMI compliance requires a properly installed electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield in
front of the DPE disk drives. When installed in cabinets that include a front door, the DPE
includes a simple EMI shield. Other installations require a front bezel that has a locking
latch and integrated EMI shield. You must remove the bezel/shield to remove and install
the disk drives.

14 VNX5500 Hardware Information Guide
System component description
3U, 15 (3.5-inch) DPE
On the front, the Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform 3U, 15 (3.5-inch) DPE carrier
includes the following:
◆3.5-inch 6-Gb/s SAS or 3/6-Gb/s NL-SAS disk drives (hot-swappable)
◆Status LEDs
Figure 4 shows the location of these components.
Figure 4 VNX5500 platform 3U, 15 DPE carrier (front view)
Table 2 describes the Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform DPE and the 3.5-inch
disk drive status LEDs.
13.5-inch 6-Gb/s SAS drives or 6-Gb/s
NL-SAS disk drives
4Disk drive fault LED (amber)
2DPE fault LED (amber) 5Disk drive on/activity LED (green)
3DPE power on LED (blue)
123
4
VNX-000103
5
Table 2 VNX5500 platform 3U, 15 DPE and disk drive LEDs
LED Color State Description
DPE fault (location 2) Amber On Fault has occurred
Note: LED is always on at
powerup, until it is initialized.
DPE power (location 3) Green On Powering and powered up with
backend bus running at 2 Gb/s
Blue On Powering and powered up with
backend bus running at 6 Gb/s
— Off Powered down
Disk drive fault (location 4) Amber On Fault has occurred
— Off No fault has occurred

System component description
VNX5500 Hardware Information Guide 15
3U, 25 (2.5-inch) DPE
On the front, the Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform 3U, 25 (2.5-inch) disk drive
DPE includes the following:
◆2.5-inch 6-Gb/s SAS or 6-Gb/s NL-SAS drives (hot-swappable)
◆Status LEDs
Figure 5 shows the location of these components.
Figure 5 VNX5500 platform 3U, 25 DPE carrier (front view)
Disk drive on/activity
(location 5)
Green On Powering and powered up
Blinking, mostly
on
Disk drive is on with I/O activity
Blinking at
constant rate
Disk drive is spinning up or down
normally
Blinking, mostly
off
Disk drive is powered up but not
spinning
Note: This is a normal part of the
spin-up sequence, occurring
during the spin-up delay of a
slot.
— Off Disk is powered down
Table 2 VNX5500 platform 3U, 15 DPE and disk drive LEDs (continued)
LED Color State Description
12.5-inch 6-Gb/s SAS or 6-Gb/s NL-SAS
drives
4Disk drive fault LED (amber)
2DPE fault LED (amber) 5Disk drive status/activity (blue)
3DPE power status LED (blue)
24
0
12345678910 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
0
12
45
VNX-000281
3

16 VNX5500 Hardware Information Guide
System component description
Table 3 describes the Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform disk processor and
2.5-inch disk drive status LEDs.
Control Station front view
On the front, the Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform Control Station includes the
following:
◆DVD-ROM drive
◆USB 2.0 connector (not used)
◆Control switch and status LEDs
Figure 6 shows the orientation of these components.
Figure 6 VNX5500 Control Station (front view)
Table 3 VNX5500 platform 3U, 25 DPE and disk drive status LEDs
LED Color State Description
DPE fault (location 2) Amber On Fault has occurred
DPE power (location 3) Blue On Powering and powered up
— Off Powered down
Disk drive fault (location 4) Amber On Fault has occurred
— Off No fault has occurred
Disk drive on/activity
(location 5)
Blue On Powering and powered up
Blinking Disk drive activity
1DVD-ROM drive 3USB 2.0 connector (not used)
2Control Station switch and status LEDs (for
a closer view, see Figure 6)
DVD
1
2
3
CNS-001740

System component description
VNX5500 Hardware Information Guide 17
Control Station switch and LEDs
Figure 7 shows the location of the Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform 1U Control
Station switch and LEDs on the front panel.
Figure 7 VNX5500 platform 1U Control Station switch and LEDs
Table 4 describes the Control Station switch.
12
21 3 4 5 6
CNS-001744
Table 4 Control Station switch
Switch Description
Power push-button
(location 1)
Toggles the 1U Control Station
power (push in and hold for
about 10 seconds)

18 VNX5500 Hardware Information Guide
System component description
Table 5 describes the Control Station LEDs.
Table 5 Control Station LEDs
LED Color State Description
System status/boot
(location 2)
Green On Power on/system loaded and
ready
Blinking Booting up1or system degraded
Amber On Critical, non-recoverable error;
system has failed due to:
• Themtrip asserted
• IERR asserted
• Non-recoverable temperature
threshold asserted.
• Non-recoverable voltage
asserted.
• Power fault/Power control
failure
Blinking Non-fatal alarm; system is likely
to fail due to:
• Critical temperature threshold
asserted.
• Critical voltage threshold
asserted.
• Critical fan threshold
asserted.
—Off Poweroff
System power/sleep or
standby (location 3)
Green On Power on
Blinking Sleep (standby)
—Off Poweroff
Internal hard drive activity
(location 4)
Green Blinking Hard drive access
— Off No hard drive activity
Onboard (integrated)
Ethernet NIC 1 and 2
(locations 5 and 6,
respectively)
Green On NIC link/no access
Blinking NIC link/LAN access
1. The system status LED flashes green while booting up.

System component description
VNX5500 Hardware Information Guide 19
DME front view
On the front of the Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform, the 2U DME contains two
enclosure status (power and fault) LEDs (Figure 8).
Note: Figure 8 is an example of a Block and File (Unified) VNX5500 platform 2U DME with
four power supply/cooling (fan) modules and two CPU modules installed.
Figure 8 Data Mover enclosure LEDs
Table 6 describes the 2U DME power and fault LEDs.
AC AC AC AC
Data Mover enclosure
fault LED
Data Mover enclosure
power LED
CNS-001667
Table 6 Data Mover enclosure power and fault LEDs
LED Color State Description
Power Blue On Data Mover enclosure is powered up and all the components
in the enclosure are operating properly
— Off Data Mover enclosure is powered down.
Fault Amber On A replaceable component failed within the enclosure.
— Off Data Mover enclosure operating normally.

20 VNX5500 Hardware Information Guide
System component description
CPU LEDs
The CPU modules in the 2U DME contain the power, fault, and unsafe-to-remove LEDs.
Figure 9 shows the CPU LEDs.
Figure 9 CPU LEDs
Table 7 describes the 2U DME CPU power and fault LEDs.
AC AC AC AC
CPU power LED
CPU fault LED
CPU unsafe to
remove LED
CNS-001669
Table 7 CPU LEDs
LED Color State Description
Power Green On Data Mover is powered up and all components in the Data
Mover are operating properly.
— Off Data Mover is powered down.
Fault Amber On Data Mover has faulted.
Blinking Data Mover goes through six stages of power up:
1. Executes a BIOS check, blinking once every 4 seconds
2. Executes a POST check, blinking once every second
3. Loads the operating system, blinking four times a second
Blue
(see
Note)
4. Operating system loaded, blinking once every 4 seconds
5. Operating system starting drivers, blinking once every
second
6. Operating system drivers operating, blinking four times a
second
— Off Data Mover operating normally.
Unsafe-to-
remove
White On Data Mover is unsafe to remove.
— Off Data Mover is safe to remove.
Note: The fault LED changes color from amber to blue when the operating system is loading, see
step 4 in the description.