Lenovo ThinkStation PX User manual

ThinkStation Storage Configuration
ThinkStation PX, P7, P5 with discrete RAID controller

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Table of Contents
Overview.................................................................................................................3
Section 1 –Storage Controller Details ....................................................................4
Section 2 –ThinkStation PX Support......................................................................5
Installing M.2/E1.S Front Access Enclosures in PX.............................................7
Installing U.2/U.3 Front Access Enclosures in PX ...............................................8
Installing the Broadcom 9560-16i Adapter.........................................................13
Section 3 –ThinkStation P7 Support.....................................................................19
Installing the components for NVMe drives: ......................................................21
Installing the components for SATA drives:.......................................................25
Section 4 –ThinkStation P5 Support.....................................................................28
Installing the Broadcom 9540-8i Adapter...........................................................29
Section 5 –Configuring RAID Arrays....................................................................34
Section 6 –Deleting RAID Arrays .........................................................................44
Section 8 –Appendix ............................................................................................49
Revision History....................................................................................................55

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Overview
The main objective of this document is to provide a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough for
the seamless installation and setup of the optional hardware storage controllers available
for ThinkStation PX, P7, and P5. Optional hardware storage controllers offer advanced
data storage capabilities that enhance performance, redundancy, and data protection. By
following the instructions provided here, users will be able to install and configure the
Broadcom PCIe add-in storage controller to optimize their data storage infrastructure.
Advantages of using Broadcom PCIe add-in storage controller are:
•Dedicated Hardware: Broadcom RAID cards come with dedicated hardware
process that handles RAID calculations and operations. This offloads the CPU(s),
resulting in improved system performance, especially during heavy I/O workloads.
•Write-Back Cache Protection: The Broadcom 9560-16i RAID adapter offers an
optional CacheVault Technology upgrade to help protect cached data in the event
of a power failure. This enhances data integrity and prevents data loss in volatile
memory caches.

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Section 1 –Storage Controller Details
Table 1 - General overview of Broadcom adapters support on ThinkStation platforms.
Broadcom 9560-16i (SAS3916)
Adapter
Broadcom 9540-8i
(SAS3808) Adapter
Platform
PX
P7
P5
Maximum Number
of Drives
Up to 4 NVME
Up to 2 NVMe
Up to 3 SATA
Up to 3 SATA
Connection Method
x8 SFF-8654 (SlimSAS)
Drive Type
Supported
M.2 NVMe
U.2 NVMe
U.3 NVMe
E1.S NVMe
3.5” SATA HDD
M.2 NVMe
U.2 NVMe
U.3 NVMe
E1.S NVMe
3.5” SATA HDD
RAID Level Support
RAID 0
RAID 1
RAID 5
RAID 10*
RAID 0
RAID 1
Adapter Speed
Gen 4.0 PCIe
(NVMe)
6Gb/s SATA
Gen 4.0 PCIe
(NVMe)
6Gb/s SATA
Additional hardware
SuperCap (Cache Backup Unit)
PCIe retention bracket (RAID SuperCap
Holder Kit)
PCIe retention bracket
*RAID 10 is only available on PX

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Section 2 –ThinkStation PX Support
ThinkStation PX has an ability to support PCIe add-in card by utilizing front access
enclosures. This section covers information about support for the Broadcom 9560-16i
RAID adapter as well as the installation process for the adapter and associated parts.
Note: Bay 1 and Bay 4 are not used with the Broadcom adapter.

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Table 2 –General overview of Broadcom 9560-16i RAID adapter support on ThinkStation PX
Maximum Number Drives
One of the following:
•Up to 4 x M.2 NVMe or
•Up to 4 x E1.S NVMe or
•Up to 2 x U.2/U.3 NVMe
Supported RAID Levels
M.2 and E1.S:
•RAID 0
•RAID 1
•RAID 5
•RAID 10
U.2/U.3 NVMe:
•RAID 0
•RAID 1
Drive Speed
Gen 4.0 PCIe
Notes:
•Arrays cannot be created using the Broadcom RAID controller on the following
locations:
oPCIe add-in cards
oOnboard NVMe M.2 drives
•The Broadcom cable connects to both the motherboard and the drive bays.
However, this connection to the motherboard is for the purpose of configuring and
managing the drives in the supported drive bays. It does not enable hardware
RAID for the onboard or PCIe based drives. The onboard and PCIe drives operate
independently and are not part of the Broadcom RAID configuration.
•Mixing drives with different capacities and types within the same virtual drive
group is not supported.

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Hardware Requirements:
Table 3 - Compatibility and common parts requirements for Front Access Bay utilization on PX
Common Components
(These components are required to support all drive types in ThinkStation PX):
2 CPUs
Storage Bay Fan
Broadcom 9560-16i adapter
Broadcom NVME Bay2 Gen4 cable
Broadcom NVME Bay3 Gen4 cable
Drive activity LED cable
Table 4 - Compatibility and unique parts requirements for Front Access Bay utilization on PX
Location
Compatibility
Unique parts
Front Access Bay 2+5
Up to 2 x NVME drives:
2 x M.2 NVMe
or
2 x E1.S NVMe
or
1 of each
Dual NVMe SSD Enclosure
M.2 SSD Carrier
E1.S SSD Carrier
Front Access Bay 3+6
Up to 2 x NVME drives:
2 x M.2 NVMe
or
2 x E1.S NVMe
or
1 of each
Dual NVMe SSD Enclosure
M.2 SSD Carrier
E1.S SSD Carrier
Front Access Bay 5
1 x U.2/U.3 NVMe
U.2/U.3 SSD enclosure with
backplane
Front Access Bay 6
1 x U.2/U.3 NVMe
U.2/U.3 SSD enclosure with
backplane
Notes:
•U.2/U.3 cannot be used together with M.2/E1.S enclosures.
•See Appendix for detailed parts information.
Installing M.2/E1.S Front Access Enclosures in PX
Refer to the PX Storage Whitepaper for installation instructions.

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Installing U.2/U.3 Front Access Enclosures in PX
On ThinkStation PX models without Front U.2/U.3 SSD Enclosures installed previously,
the user has an option to add up to two (2) U.2/U.3 SSD Enclosures in the front access
bays. Below are instructions on how to install U.2/U.3 Enclosures in the front access
bays.
1. Remove the Front Access 3.5” HDD Tray from ‘Front Access Bay 2’ and/or ‘Front
Access Bay 3’ depending on the number of front U.2/U.3 NVMe enclosures to be
installed.
Note: Some ThinkStation PX models may have the Front Access Bay Key Lock
installed. If so, make sure the front access bays are unlocked during this process.
For instructions on how to unlock Front Access Bay Key Lock, please refer to the
Thinkstation PX Storage Whitepaper.
2. Remove the chassis side cover (left).
Note: Some ThinkStation PX models may have the chassis side cover key lock
installed. If so, make sure the chassis side cover is unlocked. On how to unlock
Side cover key lock, please refer to the Thinkstation PX Storage Whitepaper.
Side cover key lock

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3. Remove the other chassis side cover (right).
Note: There is a lock feature on the inside of the chassis that prevents the right-
side cover from opening. This mechanism can slide left or right to move it to the
unlocked or locked positions. To remove the side cover, move this mechanism to
the unlocked position.
While looking at the rear side of the system, press the gray latch to release the
hooks to slide the whole chassis side cover back and out.

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4. While looking at the right side of the system (under the motherboard), press the
release tabs to remove the blank bezel for front access bays 5 and/or 6
depending on how many U.2/U.3 storage enclosures to add.
5. Remove HDD fans for the front access bay 2+5 and/or 3+6 depending on how
many U.2/U.3 storage enclosures are to be added.

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6. Install and secure backplane with provided screws.
U.2/U.3
backplane

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7. Secure the U.2/U.3 SSD in a tray with the 4 provided screws (follow the nubmered
guidance on the enclosure).
8. Slide the U.2/U.3 SSD enclosure into one of the front access bays with the handle
mount located on top end. As seen in the picture below push on bottom end of the
tray until it latches into the chassis. Then, press on the red handle until it clicks
securely into place.
1
4
3
2
Spare screw location

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Installing the Broadcom 9560-16i RAID Adapter
To install the Broadcom Adapter in PX follow the below steps:
1. Remove both side covers from the system.
2. Install NVMe enclosures in the front access bay(s). For instructions on installing
the M.2 NVMe and E1.S Front Access Bay enclosures, please refer to the PX
Storage Whitepaper.
Note: The instructions in the whitepaper are for installing M.2 enclosures. These
are the same instructions for installing E1.S enclosures. If you are installing
U.2/U.3 Front Access Bay enclosures, you can find detailed guidance in the
previous section “Installing U.2/U.3 Front Access Enclosure in PX”.
3. Guide the Broadcom NVME Bay2/Bay3 Gen4 cables from front access bay
enclosures 2+5 & 3+6 to the backside of the motherboard and connect the cables
as seen below.
Note: Only drives in Bay 2+5 and/or Bay 3+6 are capable of supporting a
Broadcom adapter.
Bays 2+5
Bays 3+6
Front of the system

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4. Connect Broadcom NVME Bay2/Bay3 Gen4 cables according to the next
diagrams:
Bay 2+5 cable:
•Connector “1st”to motherboard port “1st”
•Connector “Bay2”to backplane for bays 2+5
•Connector “C0” will be addressed in the next step
Bay 3+6 cable:
•Connector “2st”to motherboard port “2st”
•Connector “Bay3” to backplane for bays 3+6
•Connector “C1” will be addressed in the next step

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5. Install the Broadcom adapter in an open PCIe slot (refer to the HMM for PCIe slot
installation order).
6. Connect the Broadcom NVME Bay2/Bay3 Gen4 cable plugs C0 & C1 to
corresponding ports C0 and C1 on the Broadcom adapter.
7. Connect the drive activity LED cable to the J10 pins on the Broadcom adapter and
to pins on the system board labeled “Drive_ACT”.
8. Install the SuperCap retention bracket.
*Assembly instructions shown below.
Back of the system

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SuperCap PCIe retention bracket assembly instructions:
a. Connect the SuperCap (Cache Backup Unit) to the SuperCap cable.
b. Open the PCIe retention bracket (shown with cover removed).
c. Install the SuperCap into the PCIe retention bracket as seen below.
Cache Backup Unit
SuperCap cable
Rear of system
PCIe retaining latch

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d. Install the PCIe retention bracket cover.
9. Connect the SuperCap cable to the J14 connector on the Broadcom adapter.
10. Install the PCIe retention bracket as shown below.

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11. Reinstall left side cover.
12. Insert carrier(s) with drive(s) into the system as shown below.
13. If required, configure RAID following the guidance in Chapter 5 Configuring RAID.

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Section 3 –ThinkStation P7 Support
In the P7 system, RAID compatible drives are installed in the Internal Storage Bay and
the optional 3rd HDD bay located above the CPU heatsink. When utilizing the Broadcom
9560-16i RAID adapter, users can install up to two (2) drives in the internal storage bays
as well as one (1) hard drive in the optional 3rd HDD bay for SATA drive only. With this
configuration, the P7 system offers support for a maximum of three (3) SATA HDDs and
two (2) NVMe drives through the use of the Broadcom adapter.
Table 5 - General overview of Broadcom 9560-16i RAID adapter support on ThinkStation P7
Maximum Number Drives
One of following:
•Up to 2 x M.2 NVMe or
•Up to 2 x E1.S NVMe or
•Up to 2 x U.2/U.3 NVMe
•Up to 3 x 3.5 HDD
Supported RAID Levels
M.2/E1.S/ U.2/U.3 NVMe:
•RAID 0
•RAID 1
HDD:
•RAID 0
•RAID 1
•RAID 5
Drive Speed
NVMe Gen 4.0 PCIe
SATA 6Gb/s SATA
Notes:
•Microsoft Windows 11 no longer supports booting from magnetic rotational media
(HDDs).
•Arrays cannot span across any of the following locations:
oFront enclosure bays
oPCIe add-in cards
oOnboard NVMe M.2 drives
•The Broadcom cable connects to both the motherboard and the drive bays.
However, this connection to the motherboard is for the purpose of configuring and
managing the drives in the supported drive bays. It does not enable hardware
RAID for the onboard or PCIe based drives. The onboard and PCIe drives operate
independently and are not part of the Broadcom RAID configuration.
•Mixing drives with different capacities and types within the same virtual drive
group is not supported.

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Hardware Requirements:
Common Parts
(These components are required to support all drives in ThinkStation P7):
•Broadcom 9560-16i RAID adapter
•Drive activity LED cable
Table 6 - Compatibility and unique parts requirements for NVMe and HDD drive support
Location
Combability
Unique parts
Internal Storage Bay
2 x M.2 NVMe or
2 x E1.S NVMe or
2 x U.2/U.3 NVMe
•Storage bay 6020 FAN
•HDD bay for NVMe SSD kit
(includes Blind Connect Board
(BCB) and cable)
•Broadcom NVME bay3 Gen4 cable
•Internal trays for M.2 NVMe
•Internal trays for E1.S SSD
•Internal trays for U.2/U.3
Internal Storage Bay
+
Optional HDD drive bay
(above CPU)
3 x HDD
•SlimSAS to 3-drop SATA cable
•Optional HDD kit for 3rd 3.5” HDD
Note: See Appendix for detailed parts information.