IBM 8248-L4T User manual

Power Systems
Disk drives or solid-state drives for the
8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD


Power Systems
Disk drives or solid-state drives for the
8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD


Note
Before using this information and the product it supports, read the information in “Safety notices” on page ix, “Notices” on
page 187, the IBM Systems Safety Notices manual, G229-9054, and the IBM Environmental Notices and User Guide, Z125–5823.
This edition applies to IBM Power Systems servers that contain the POWER7 processor and to all associated
models.
© Copyright IBM Corporation 2013.
US Government Users Restricted Rights – Use, duplication or disclosure restricted by GSA ADP Schedule Contract
with IBM Corp.

Contents
Safety notices .................................ix
Disk drives or solid-state drives for the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD ....1
Installing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD . . . 3
Solid-state drive configuration rules for the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD .............3
Installing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD with the AIX system or logical
partition power turned on ...............................5
Preparing to install a disk drive or solid-state drive .....................6
Preparing to install a disk drive or solid-state drive by using the diagnostic command .........7
7
Installing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD system or expansion unit . . 7
8
Installing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 5887 disk drive enclosure .............8
9
Installing a solid-state drive in the EDR1 PCIe storage enclosure .................9
10
Completing the disk drive or solid-state drive installation by using the diagnostic command .......10
Completing the procedure .............................10
Installing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD with the Linux system or
logical partition power turned on ............................11
Preparing to install a disk drive or solid-state drive .....................11
Preparing to install a disk drive or solid-state drive by using the iprconfig command .........12
12
Installing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD system or expansion unit 13
14
Installing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 5887 disk drive enclosure .............14
14
Installing a solid-state drive in the EDR1 PCIe storage enclosure ................14
15
Verifying that the new disk drive or solid-state drive is installed and operational ...........15
Completing the procedure .............................16
Installing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD with the IBM i system or
logical partition power turned on ............................17
Preparing to install a disk drive or solid-state drive .....................17
Preparing to install a disk drive or solid-state drive by using the HSM ..............18
19
Installing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD system or expansion unit 19
20
Installing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 5887 disk drive enclosure .............21
21
Installing a solid-state drive in the EDR1 PCIe storage enclosure ................21
22
Completing the disk drive or solid-state drive installation ...................22
Completing the procedure .............................22
Installing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD with the system or logical
partition power turned off ..............................23
Preparing to install a disk drive or solid-state drive .....................23
24
Installing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD system or expansion unit 24
25
Installing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 5887 disk drive enclosure .............25
26
Installing a solid-state drive in the EDR1 PCIe storage enclosure ................26
27
Completing the procedure .............................27
Removing a disk drive or solid-state drive from the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD 29
Removing a disk drive or solid-state drive from the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD with the AIX system or
logical partition power turned on ............................29
Preparing to remove a disk drive or solid-state drive ....................29
Preparing to remove a disk drive or solid-state drive by using the diagnostic command .........30
30
Removing the disk drive or solid-state drive from the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD system or expansion
unit .....................................30
Removing a solid-state drive from the EDR1 PCIe storage enclosure ...............31
32
Removing a disk drive or solid-state drive from the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD with the Linux system or
logical partition power turned on ............................32
Preparing to remove a disk drive or solid-state drive ....................33
Preparing to remove the disk drive or solid-state drive by using the iprconfig command ........33
38
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2013 iii

Removing the disk drive or solid-state drive from the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD system or expansion
unit .....................................38
Removing a solid-state drive from the EDR1 PCIe storage enclosure ...............39
40
Removing a disk drive or solid-state drive from the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD with the IBM i system or
logical partition power turned on ............................40
Preparing the system ...............................41
Preparing to remove a disk drive or solid-state drive ....................41
43
Removing the disk drive or solid-state drive from the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD system or expansion
unit .....................................43
Removing a solid-state drive from the EDR1 PCIe storage enclosure ...............45
45
Removing a disk drive or solid-state drive by using the hot-spare function in an IBM i system or logical partition
from 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD ..........................46
Preparing the system ...............................46
Preparing to remove a disk drive by using the HSM.....................46
Removing the disk drive or solid-state drive from the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD system or expansion
unit .....................................48
Removing a disk drive or solid-state drive from the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD with the system or logical
partition power turned off ..............................49
Preparing to remove a disk drive or solid-state drive ....................50
51
Removing the disk drive or solid-state drive from the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD system or expansion
unit .....................................51
Removing a solid-state drive from the EDR1 PCIe storage enclosure ...............52
53
Replacing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD . . 55
Replacing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD with the AIX system or logical
partition power turned on ..............................55
Preparing to replace a disk drive or solid-state drive ....................56
Preparing to replace a disk drive or solid-state drive by using the diagnostic command .........56
56
Replacing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD system or expansion unit 56
57
Replacing a solid-state drive in the EDR1 PCIe storage enclosure ................57
58
Completing the disk drive or solid-state drive replacement by using the diagnostic command.......58
Completing the procedure .............................58
Replacing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD with the power to the Linux
system or logical partition turned on ...........................59
Preparing to replace a disk drive or solid-state drive ....................59
Preparing to replace a disk drive or solid-state drive by using the iprconfig command .........60
60
Replacing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD system or expansion unit 60
61
Replacing a solid-state drive in the EDR1 PCIe storage enclosure ................61
62
Completing the disk drive or solid-state drive replacement by using the iprconfig command .......62
Completing the procedure .............................62
Replacing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD with the IBM i system or
logical partition power turned on ............................63
Preparing to replace the disk drive or solid-state drive ....................63
63
Replacing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD system or expansion unit 64
65
Replacing a solid-state drive in the EDR1 PCIe storage enclosure ................65
66
Completing the disk drive or solid-state drive replacement by using the HSM ............66
Completing the procedure .............................66
Replacing a disk drive in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD by using the hot-spare function in an IBM i
system or logical partition ..............................67
Preparing to replace the disk drive or solid-state drive ....................67
Replacing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD system or expansion unit 67
68
Completing the disk drive or solid-state drive replacement by using the HSM ............68
Completing the procedure .............................69
Replacing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD with the system or logical
partition power turned off ..............................70
Replacing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD system or expansion unit 71
71
Replacing a solid-state drive in the EDR1 PCIe storage enclosure ................71
72
Completing the procedure .............................72
iv Disk drives or solid-state drives

Removing or installing a disk drive filler .....................75
Removing a disk drive filler from the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD ...............75
Installing a disk drive filler in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD ................76
Removing or installing a disk drive bezel .....................79
Removing a disk drive bezel from a disk drive or filler.....................79
Installing a disk drive bezel in a disk drive or filler ......................80
Removing or installing the external SAS port ...................83
Removing the external SAS port from the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD .............83
Installing the external SAS port in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD ...............84
Replacing the external SAS port in the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD ..............85
Internal disk drive sharing for the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD .........87
Disk drives or solid-state drives locations and service indicators ..........89
PCIe RAID and SSD SAS adapter locations .........................89
Disk drive service indicators for the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD ...............89
Disk-drive locations and service indicators for the 5887 disk drive enclosure .............90
Disk drive locations and service indicators for the 5886 disk drive enclosure .............91
Disk drive locations and service indicators for the 5786, 5787, 7031-D24, and 7031-T24 SCSI disk-drive enclosures 93
Disk-drive locations and service indicators for the 5802 expansion unit ...............95
Solid-state drive locations and service indicators for the EDR1 PCIe storage enclosure ..........95
Related tasks for disk drives or solid-state drives .................97
Preparing a disk drive or solid-state drive for use in an AIX system or logical partition ..........97
Preparing to remove a disk drive or solid-state drive from a system or an expansion unit controlled by AIX . . . 97
Rebuilding data on a replacement disk drive or solid-state drive by using AIX .............97
Preparing to remove a disk drive or solid-state drive in a Linux system ...............97
Preparing to remove the disk drive ..........................98
Rebuilding data on a replacement disk drive or solid-state drive in a system or logical partition running Linux 100
Rebuilding data by using the iprconfig command .....................101
Preparing to remove a disk drive or solid-state drive from a system or logical partition controlled by IBM i. . . 102
Determining the IBM i disk drive or solid-state drive protection status ...............103
Configuring a disk drive or solid-state drive in an IBM i system or logical partition ...........104
Configuring a disk drive or solid-state drive on a load source adapter for hot spare by using the IBM i operating
system ....................................106
Rebuilding data on a replacement disk drive or solid-state drive by using IBM i ............107
Replacing a SAS conduit card in a 5802 expansion unit with the power turned off ...........108
Removing a SAS conduit card from a 5802 expansion unit with the power turned off ..........115
Replacing a SAS expander card in a 5802 expansion unit with the power turned off...........124
Removing a SAS expander card from a 5802 expansion unit with power turned off ...........124
Common procedures for installable features .................127
Before you begin ...............................129
Identifying a part ...............................133
Control panel LEDs ................................133
Identifying a failing part in an AIX system or logical partition ..................134
Locating a failing part in an AIX system or logical partition ..................134
Activating the indicator light for the failing part......................135
Deactivating the failing-part indicator light .......................135
Identifying a failing part in an IBM i system or logical partition .................135
Activating the failing-part indicator light ........................135
Deactivating the failing-part indicator light .......................136
Identifying a failing part in a Linux system or logical partition ..................137
Locating a failing part in a Linux system or logical partition .................137
Contents v

Finding the location code of a failing part in a Linux system or logical partition ...........137
Activating the indicator light for the failing part......................137
Deactivating the failing-part indicator light .......................137
Locating a failing part in a Virtual I/O Server system or logical partition ..............138
Identifying a part by using the Virtual I/O Server .....................138
Starting the system or logical partition .....................139
Starting a system that is not managed by an HMC or an SDMC .................139
Starting a system or logical partition by using the HMC ....................140
Starting a system or virtual server by using the SDMC ....................140
Stopping a system or logical partition......................143
Stopping a system that is not managed by an HMC or an SDMC .................143
Stopping a system by using the HMC ..........................144
Stopping a system by using the SDMC ..........................145
Removing and replacing covers for the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD ......147
Removing the front cover from the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD ...............147
Installing the front cover on the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD ................147
Verifying the installed part...........................149
Verifying an installed feature or replaced part in an AIX system or logical partition ...........149
Verifying the installed part in an IBM i system or logical partition.................151
Deactivating the failing-part indicator light .......................152
Verifying the installed part in a Linux system or logical partition .................152
Verifying an installed part by using stand-alone diagnostics ...................153
Verifying the installed part by using the HMC .......................154
Activating and deactivating LEDs by using the HMC ....................155
Deactivating a system attention LED or partition LED by using the HMC ............155
Activating or deactivating an identify LED by using the HMC ................155
Viewing serviceable events by using the HMC ......................155
Verifying the installed part by using the SDMC .......................156
Activating and deactivating LEDs by using the SDMC ...................157
Deactivating a system attention LED or partition LED by using the SDMC ............157
Activating or deactivating an identify LED by using the SDMC ...............157
Viewing serviceable events by using the SDMC ......................158
Verifying an installed part or replaced part on a system or logical partition by using Virtual I/O Server tools . . 158
Verifying the installed part by using VIOS........................158
Verify the replacement part by using VIOS .......................158
Verifying a repair ...............................161
Verifying the repair in AIX ..............................162
Verifying a repair by using an IBM i system or logical partition .................165
Verifying the repair in Linux .............................167
Verifying the repair from the management console ......................167
Closing a service call .............................169
Closing a service call by using AIX or Linux ........................173
Closing a service call by using Integrated Virtualization Manager .................177
Activating and deactivating LEDs........................183
Deactivating a system attention LED or partition LED by using the management console .........183
Activating or deactivating an identify LED by using the management console.............184
Deactivating a system attention LED or logical partition LED by using the Advanced System Management
Interface ....................................184
Activating or deactivating an identify LED by using the Advanced System Management Interface ......185
Notices ...................................187
Trademarks ...................................188
vi Disk drives or solid-state drives

Electronic emission notices ..............................188
Class A Notices.................................188
Class B Notices.................................192
Terms and conditions................................195
Contents vii

viii Disk drives or solid-state drives

Safety notices
Safety notices may be printed throughout this guide:
vDANGER notices call attention to a situation that is potentially lethal or extremely hazardous to
people.
vCAUTION notices call attention to a situation that is potentially hazardous to people because of some
existing condition.
vAttention notices call attention to the possibility of damage to a program, device, system, or data.
World Trade safety information
Several countries require the safety information contained in product publications to be presented in their
national languages. If this requirement applies to your country, safety information documentation is
included in the publications package (such as in printed documentation, on DVD, or as part of the
product) shipped with the product. The documentation contains the safety information in your national
language with references to the U.S. English source. Before using a U.S. English publication to install,
operate, or service this product, you must first become familiar with the related safety information
documentation. You should also refer to the safety information documentation any time you do not
clearly understand any safety information in the U.S. English publications.
Replacement or additional copies of safety information documentation can be obtained by calling the IBM
Hotline at 1-800-300-8751.
German safety information
Das Produkt ist nicht für den Einsatz an Bildschirmarbeitsplätzen im Sinne§2der
Bildschirmarbeitsverordnung geeignet.
Laser safety information
IBM®servers can use I/O cards or features that are fiber-optic based and that utilize lasers or LEDs.
Laser compliance
IBM servers may be installed inside or outside of an IT equipment rack.
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2013 ix

DANGER
When working on or around the system, observe the following precautions:
Electrical voltage and current from power, telephone, and communication cables are hazardous. To
avoid a shock hazard:
vConnect power to this unit only with the IBM provided power cord. Do not use the IBM
provided power cord for any other product.
vDo not open or service any power supply assembly.
vDo not connect or disconnect any cables or perform installation, maintenance, or reconfiguration
of this product during an electrical storm.
vThe product might be equipped with multiple power cords. To remove all hazardous voltages,
disconnect all power cords.
vConnect all power cords to a properly wired and grounded electrical outlet. Ensure that the outlet
supplies proper voltage and phase rotation according to the system rating plate.
vConnect any equipment that will be attached to this product to properly wired outlets.
vWhen possible, use one hand only to connect or disconnect signal cables.
vNever turn on any equipment when there is evidence of fire, water, or structural damage.
vDisconnect the attached power cords, telecommunications systems, networks, and modems before
you open the device covers, unless instructed otherwise in the installation and configuration
procedures.
vConnect and disconnect cables as described in the following procedures when installing, moving,
or opening covers on this product or attached devices.
To Disconnect:
1. Turn off everything (unless instructed otherwise).
2. Remove the power cords from the outlets.
3. Remove the signal cables from the connectors.
4. Remove all cables from the devices.
To Connect:
1. Turn off everything (unless instructed otherwise).
2. Attach all cables to the devices.
3. Attach the signal cables to the connectors.
4. Attach the power cords to the outlets.
5. Turn on the devices.
(D005)
DANGER
xDisk drives or solid-state drives

Observe the following precautions when working on or around your IT rack system:
vHeavy equipment–personal injury or equipment damage might result if mishandled.
vAlways lower the leveling pads on the rack cabinet.
vAlways install stabilizer brackets on the rack cabinet.
vTo avoid hazardous conditions due to uneven mechanical loading, always install the heaviest
devices in the bottom of the rack cabinet. Always install servers and optional devices starting
from the bottom of the rack cabinet.
vRack-mounted devices are not to be used as shelves or work spaces. Do not place objects on top
of rack-mounted devices.
vEach rack cabinet might have more than one power cord. Be sure to disconnect all power cords in
the rack cabinet when directed to disconnect power during servicing.
vConnect all devices installed in a rack cabinet to power devices installed in the same rack
cabinet. Do not plug a power cord from a device installed in one rack cabinet into a power
device installed in a different rack cabinet.
vAn electrical outlet that is not correctly wired could place hazardous voltage on the metal parts of
the system or the devices that attach to the system. It is the responsibility of the customer to
ensure that the outlet is correctly wired and grounded to prevent an electrical shock.
CAUTION
vDo not install a unit in a rack where the internal rack ambient temperatures will exceed the
manufacturer's recommended ambient temperature for all your rack-mounted devices.
vDo not install a unit in a rack where the air flow is compromised. Ensure that air flow is not
blocked or reduced on any side, front, or back of a unit used for air flow through the unit.
vConsideration should be given to the connection of the equipment to the supply circuit so that
overloading of the circuits does not compromise the supply wiring or overcurrent protection. To
provide the correct power connection to a rack, refer to the rating labels located on the
equipment in the rack to determine the total power requirement of the supply circuit.
v(For sliding drawers.) Do not pull out or install any drawer or feature if the rack stabilizer brackets
are not attached to the rack. Do not pull out more than one drawer at a time. The rack might
become unstable if you pull out more than one drawer at a time.
v(For fixed drawers.) This drawer is a fixed drawer and must not be moved for servicing unless
specified by the manufacturer. Attempting to move the drawer partially or completely out of the
rack might cause the rack to become unstable or cause the drawer to fall out of the rack.
(R001)
Safety notices xi

CAUTION:
Removing components from the upper positions in the rack cabinet improves rack stability during
relocation. Follow these general guidelines whenever you relocate a populated rack cabinet within a
room or building:
vReduce the weight of the rack cabinet by removing equipment starting at the top of the rack
cabinet. When possible, restore the rack cabinet to the configuration of the rack cabinet as you
received it. If this configuration is not known, you must observe the following precautions:
– Remove all devices in the 32U position and above.
– Ensure that the heaviest devices are installed in the bottom of the rack cabinet.
– Ensure that there are no empty U-levels between devices installed in the rack cabinet below the
32U level.
vIf the rack cabinet you are relocating is part of a suite of rack cabinets, detach the rack cabinet from
the suite.
vInspect the route that you plan to take to eliminate potential hazards.
vVerify that the route that you choose can support the weight of the loaded rack cabinet. Refer to the
documentation that comes with your rack cabinet for the weight of a loaded rack cabinet.
vVerify that all door openings are at least 760 x 230 mm (30 x 80 in.).
vEnsure that all devices, shelves, drawers, doors, and cables are secure.
vEnsure that the four leveling pads are raised to their highest position.
vEnsure that there is no stabilizer bracket installed on the rack cabinet during movement.
vDo not use a ramp inclined at more than 10 degrees.
vWhen the rack cabinet is in the new location, complete the following steps:
– Lower the four leveling pads.
– Install stabilizer brackets on the rack cabinet.
– If you removed any devices from the rack cabinet, repopulate the rack cabinet from the lowest
position to the highest position.
vIf a long-distance relocation is required, restore the rack cabinet to the configuration of the rack
cabinet as you received it. Pack the rack cabinet in the original packaging material, or equivalent.
Also lower the leveling pads to raise the casters off of the pallet and bolt the rack cabinet to the
pallet.
(R002)
(L001)
(L002)
xii Disk drives or solid-state drives

(L003)
or
All lasers are certified in the U.S. to conform to the requirements of DHHS 21 CFR Subchapter J for class
1 laser products. Outside the U.S., they are certified to be in compliance with IEC 60825 as a class 1 laser
product. Consult the label on each part for laser certification numbers and approval information.
CAUTION:
This product might contain one or more of the following devices: CD-ROM drive, DVD-ROM drive,
DVD-RAM drive, or laser module, which are Class 1 laser products. Note the following information:
vDo not remove the covers. Removing the covers of the laser product could result in exposure to
hazardous laser radiation. There are no serviceable parts inside the device.
vUse of the controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified herein
might result in hazardous radiation exposure.
(C026)
Safety notices xiii

CAUTION:
Data processing environments can contain equipment transmitting on system links with laser modules
that operate at greater than Class 1 power levels. For this reason, never look into the end of an optical
fiber cable or open receptacle. (C027)
CAUTION:
This product contains a Class 1M laser. Do not view directly with optical instruments. (C028)
CAUTION:
Some laser products contain an embedded Class 3A or Class 3B laser diode. Note the following
information: laser radiation when open. Do not stare into the beam, do not view directly with optical
instruments, and avoid direct exposure to the beam. (C030)
CAUTION:
The battery contains lithium. To avoid possible explosion, do not burn or charge the battery.
Do Not:
v___ Throw or immerse into water
v___ Heat to more than 100°C (212°F)
v___ Repair or disassemble
Exchange only with the IBM-approved part. Recycle or discard the battery as instructed by local
regulations. In the United States, IBM has a process for the collection of this battery. For information,
call 1-800-426-4333. Have the IBM part number for the battery unit available when you call. (C003)
Power and cabling information for NEBS (Network Equipment-Building System)
GR-1089-CORE
The following comments apply to the IBM servers that have been designated as conforming to NEBS
(Network Equipment-Building System) GR-1089-CORE:
The equipment is suitable for installation in the following:
vNetwork telecommunications facilities
vLocations where the NEC (National Electrical Code) applies
The intrabuilding ports of this equipment are suitable for connection to intrabuilding or unexposed
wiring or cabling only. The intrabuilding ports of this equipment must not be metallically connected to the
interfaces that connect to the OSP (outside plant) or its wiring. These interfaces are designed for use as
intrabuilding interfaces only (Type 2 or Type 4 ports as described in GR-1089-CORE) and require isolation
from the exposed OSP cabling. The addition of primary protectors is not sufficient protection to connect
these interfaces metallically to OSP wiring.
Note: All Ethernet cables must be shielded and grounded at both ends.
The ac-powered system does not require the use of an external surge protection device (SPD).
The dc-powered system employs an isolated DC return (DC-I) design. The DC battery return terminal
shall not be connected to the chassis or frame ground.
xiv Disk drives or solid-state drives

Disk drives or solid-state drives for the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D,
or 9109-RMD
Learn how to install, remove, and replace disk drives or solid-state drives (SSDs) for the IBM
PowerLinux™7R4 (8248-L4T), the IBM Power®750 (8408-E8D), and the IBM Power 760 (9109-RMD)
systems and for the supported drive enclosures or expansion units.
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2013 1

2Disk drives or solid-state drives

Installing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 8248-L4T,
8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD
Learn how to install a Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) disk drive, serial-attached SCSI (SAS) disk
drive, or solid-state drive (SSD) in the system, drive enclosure, or an expansion unit.
Related information:
Backplanes
Solid-state drive configuration rules for the 8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or
9109-RMD
Before you install and configure solid-state drives (SSDs), you must review the supported machine type
model, the supported expansion unit or enclosure, adapter, and configuration details.
SSD drive rules for a system, enclosure, or expansion unit
Solid-state drives, also known as flash drives, follow similar rules as a regular hard disk drive (HDD).
For example, SSDs physically resemble, install in the same manner, and in most of the same slots as
HDDs. However, some restrictions and configuration rules are specific to the SSD. The following tables
helps you determine the operating system, adapter, machine type model, and disk drive configuration
rules that apply to your system or expansion unit.
After you review the configuration rules, you can install the drive as you would any other disk drive. For
more information about installing disk drives or solid-state drives, see the topic collection for your
system or expansion unit.
Restriction: Solid-state drives must be part of a RAID array or system mirroring in the system or logical
partition that is controlled by IBM i.
See the Table 1 for the system or partition or the enclosure or expansion unit where you want to install
drives.
Attention: Before you install SSD in your system, ensure that both the SSD and the adapters have all
the prerequisite updates. To check for the prerequisites, go to the IBM Prerequisite website
(www-912.ibm.com/e_dir/eServerPrereq.nsf).
Table 1. Solid-state drive rules for the IBM AIX, IBM i, or Linux operating system for a system, enclosure, or
expansion unit
System, enclosure, or expansion unit Adapter Mixing rules
8248-L4T, 8408-E8D, or 9109-RMD vFC 5662 (175 MB Cache RAID -
Dual IOA Enablement Card)
vFC 5903 (PCIe 380 MB Cache Dual
x4 3 Gb SAS RAID Adapter)
vFC ESA1 (PCIe2 RAID SAS
Adapter Dual-port 6 Gb)
vSSD and HDD cannot be mixed in
the same RAID array or mirroring
group.
vSSD and HDD can be installed in
the system disk drive backplane
but cannot be mixed within a
RAID array.
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2013 3

Table 1. Solid-state drive rules for the IBM AIX, IBM i, or Linux operating system for a system, enclosure, or
expansion unit (continued)
System, enclosure, or expansion unit Adapter Mixing rules
5802 and 5877 FC 5903 (PCIe 380 MB Cache Dual x4
3 Gb SAS RAID Adapter)
vSSD and HDD cannot be mixed on
a pair of 5903 adapters.
vA maximum of 9 SSDs are
supported on a pair of 5903
adapters.
5886 vFC 5904 (PCI-X DDR 1.5 GB Cache
SAS RAID Adapter)
vFC 5906 and FC 5908 (PCI-X DDR
1.5 GB Cache SAS RAID Adapter)
vFC 5903 (PCIe 380 MB Cache Dual
- x4 3 Gb SAS RAID Adapter)
vSSDs and HDDs can be mixed in
this drive enclosure.
vA maximum of 24 drives are
supported in this enclosure.
vSSDs and HDDs can be attached to
the SAS Controller PCI or PCI-X
adapters. Also, can be attached to
the embedded SAS controller in a
system with an embedded SAS
port.
5887 disk drive enclosure vFC 5805 (PCIe 380 MB Cache Dual
- x4 3 Gb SAS RAID Adapter)
vFC 5901 (PCIe Dual x4 SAS
Adapter)
vFC 5908 (PCI-X DDR 1.5 GB Cache
SAS RAID Adapter)
vFC ESA1 (PCIe2 RAID SAS
Adapter Dual-port 6 Gb)
vFC ESA1 (PCIe2 LP RAID SAS
Adapter Dual-port 6 Gb)
vPCIe2 (3.1 GB Cache RAID SAS
Enclosure 6 Gb x8)
vA maximum of 24 drives are
supported in this enclosure.
vThe EXP24S can be configured as
one set of 24 bays (mode 1), two
sets of 12 bays (mode 2), or four
sets of 6 bays (mode 4).
vThe EXP24S serial-attached SCSI
(SAS) ports are attached to SAS
controllers, which can be a SAS
Peripheral Component
Interconnect-X (PCI-X) adapter, PCI
Express (PCIe) adapter, or a pair of
adapters. The EXP24S can also be
attached to an embedded SAS
controller in a system with an
embedded SAS port.
vThe mixing of the SSDs and HDDs
is as follows:
– SSDs and HDDs cannot be
mixed in a logical group when
configured as in mode 1.
– SSDs and HDDs can be mixed
when configured as in mode 2:
one set can be SSDs and the
other set can be HDDs.
– SSDs and HDDs cannot be
mixed when configured as in
mode 4 because the SSDs are
not supported by the adapter
that is required to configure the
5887 for mode 4.
4Disk drives or solid-state drives