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.