Lenovo ThinkSystem 36i Installation and User Manual

Brand: Lenovo

Model: ThinkSystem 36i

Type: Installation and User Manual

Lenovo ThinkSystem 36i is a high-performance 12Gb/s SAS expander card designed to provide increased storage capacity and connectivity for servers and workstations. This powerful card is equipped with 36 internal ports, allowing you to connect a large number of storage devices to a single system.

The ThinkSystem 36i supports both SAS and SATA interfaces, enabling you to connect a wide range of storage devices, including hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), and optical drives. With eight internal host lanes for connectivity to a companion 12Gb/s SAS adapter, the ThinkSystem 36i can be seamlessly integrated into your existing storage infrastructure.

ThinkSystem 36i 12Gb Internal Expander

Installation and User Guide

First Edition (May 2020)

LIMITED AND RESTRICTED RIGHTS NOTICE: If data or software is delivered pursuant to a General Services

Administration (GSA) contract, use, reproduction, or disclosure is subject to restrictions set forth in Contract No. GS-35F-

05925

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Overview ........................................................................................................................... 4

1.1 Operating System Support ................................................................................................................................. 4

1.2 Sideband Backplane Management .................................................................................................................... 5

1.3 Expander Card Characteristics .......................................................................................................................... 5

Chapter 2: Expander Card Installation Instructions ........................................................................ 6

Chapter 3: Safety Characteristics ..................................................................................................... 8

Chapter 1: Overview

The ThinkSystem 36i 12Gb Internal expander card, referred to as the expander card, is based on the 12Gb/s SAS,

SAS35x48 expander in a custom card form factor. The expander card provides the following features:

 High performance for high port count drives in servers with optional external connectivity expansion.

 Thirty-six lanes of 12Gb/s SAS for internal drive connectivity.

 Eight internal host lanes for connectivity to a companion 12Gb/s SAS adapter.

 Supports SATA link rates of 3Gb/s and 6Gb/s.

 Supports SAS link rates of 3Gb/s, 6Gb/s, and 12Gb/s.

 Provides DataBolt™ Bandwidth Optimizer technology to match the bandwidth between fast hosts and slower SAS or

SATA devices.

 Provides one heartbeat LED.

The following table summarizes key expander card features.

Table 1 Card Features

Expander Card

Ports

36 internal

I/O Processor

SAS35x48

Form Factor

Custom

Sto

rage Interface Connectors

Four

SFF-8654 x8

Two

SFF-8654 x4

Host Interface

SFF-8654 x8

Storage Interface

SAS and SATA

1.1 Operating System Support

The expander card supports the operating systems in the following list.

 Microsoft Windows

 VMware vSphere/ESXi

 Red Hat Enterprise Linux

 SuSE Linux

 Ubuntu Linux

 Citrix XenServer

 CentOS Linux

 Debian Linux

 Oracle Enterprise Linux

 Fedora

 FreeBSD

Visit http://support.lenovo.com, and download the latest firmware and driver for the adapter.

1.2 Sideband Backplane Management

The expander card adheres to the SGPIO specification to distribute SGPIO streams to SGPIO backplanes. The expander

card adheres to the standard SFF-TA-1005 Specification for Universal Backplane Management (UBM) to communicate

with UBM backplanes.

1.3 Expander Card Characteristics

The expander card is a 6.02 in. × 2.67 in. (153 mm × 67.7 mm) board. The following figure shows the connectors and LED

locations on the expander card.

Figure 1 Card Layout for the Thinksystem 36i 12Gb Internal Expander Card

The following table describes the headers and connectors on the expander card.

Table 2 Headers and Connectors

Con

nector

ription

RAID/HBA

ard connector

One

x8 SFF-8654 Slimline internal connector.

he interface between the expander card and the host system.

Default serial boot ROM (SBR) header

2-pin connector. Reserved.

, J9

RT connectors

-pin connectors. Reserved.

C0, C1, C2,

nterface connectors

Four

x8 SFF-8654 Slimline internal connectors.

Connect the expander card by cable to the downstream targets.

C4, C5

nterface connectors

Two

x4 SFF-8654 Slimline internal connectors.

Connect the expander card by cable to the downstream targets.

POWER

Power

Power connector.

The following table describes the LED on the expander card.

Table 3 LED Designation

LED

ription

LED 1

Green system heartbeat

Indicates that the SAS35x48 ASIC is operating normally.

J8 J9

POWER

LED1

RAID/HBA

Chapter 2: Expander Card Installation Instructions

To install the expander card, follow these steps:

1. Unpack the expander card and inspect the expander card for damage.

Unpack the expander card in a static-free environment. Remove the expander card from the antistatic bag, and

carefully inspect the expander card for damage. If you notice any damage, contact Lenovo or your reseller support

representative.

ATTENTION To avoid the risk of data loss, back up your data before you change your system configuration.

2. Review the expander card connectors.

3. Check whether the expander card is well-fixed on the mounting bracket.

The expander card ships preinstalled on a mounting bracket. Check that the expander card is fixed in place. If any

loose screws exist, tighten the screws using a No.1 Phillips torque screwdriver. The maximum torque is 4.8 ± 0.5 inch-

pounds.

ATTENTION Exceeding this torque specification can damage the board, connectors, or screws, and can void

the warranty on the expander card. Damage caused to the expander card as a result of changing

the bracket can void the warranty on the board. Expander cards returned without a bracket

mounted on the board will be returned without return merchandise authorization (RMA)

processing.

4. Prepare the server.

Turn off the power to the server and disconnect all power cords.

5. Remove the top cover from the chassis.

6. Remove any components that might impede the expander card installation.

Refer to ThinkSystem Server Documentation Center, select your product, and review the Hardware replacement

procedures section for detailed instructions.

7. Install the expander card.

Align the notches on the mounting bracket with the four pins or three pins on the chassis, place down the expander

card, and slightly slide the expander card to secure it in place, as the following figure shows.

ATTENTION The shape, size, and locations of the components on your expander card and its bracket might

vary from the following illustration.

Figure 2 Installing the Expander Card

8. Connect any cables to the expander card.

Refer to ThinkSystem Server Documentation Center, select your product, and review the Internal cable routing

section for detailed instructions.

9. Reinstall any parts that have been previously removed and connect any internal cables.

Refer to ThinkSystem Server Documentation Center, select your product, and review the Hardware replacement

procedures section and the Internal cable routing section for detailed instructions.

10. Reinstall the top cover on the chassis.

Refer to ThinkSystem Server Documentation Center, select your product, and review the Hardware replacement

procedures for detailed instructions.

11. Reconnect any external cables and turn on the power to the system.

The hardware installation of your expander card is complete.

Chapter 3: Safety Characteristics

The adapter meets or exceeds the requirements of UL flammability rating 94 V0. Each bare board is also marked with the

supplier name or trademark, type, and UL flammability rating. For the boards installed in a PCIe bus slot, all voltages are

lower than the SELV 42.4 V limit.

Trademarks

LENOVO, LENOVO logo, and THINKSYSTEM are trademarks of Lenovo. All other trademarks are the property of their

Lenovo ThinkSystem 36i Installation and User Manual

Lenovo ThinkSystem 36i Installation and User Manual

Lenovo ThinkSystem 36i Installation and User Manual

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