Install an I/O expansion adapter

Use this information to install an I/O expansion adapter.

Before you install an I/O expansion adapter, complete the following steps:

  1. Read Installation Guidelines and Safety to ensure that you work safely.

  2. If the compute node is installed in a chassis, remove it (see Remove a compute node for instructions).
  3. Carefully lay the compute node on a flat, static-protective surface.

  4. Remove the compute node cover (see Remove the compute node cover for instructions).

This component can be installed as an optional device or as a CRU. The installation procedure is the same for the optional device and the CRU.

Attention: When installing an I/O adapter in one of the I/O expansion connectors, make sure the numbers in the Hexagon and Pentagon on the I/O expansion connector (see the service labeling on top of the compute node cover for details) corresponds to the particular shape and numbering of the I/O module bay on the Flex chassis (see the bay labeling along the top and bottom edges of the chassis rear for details). If the correlation is incorrect, communication with the chassis may fail.
Figure 1. Number of I/O module bay
Graphic illustrating chassis I/O expansion adapter
Table 1. Number of I/O module bay
1 I/O module bay 1 3 I/O module bay 2
2 I/O module bay 3 4 I/O module bay 4
Figure 2. I/O expansion adapter
Graphic illustrating cmopute node I/O expansion adapter

To install an I/O expansion adapter, complete the following steps:

Watch the procedure. A video of the process is available:
Figure 3. I/O expansion adapter installation
Graphic illustrating installing an I/O expansion adapter
Table 2. I/O expansion adapter and related components
1 I/O expansion adapter 3 Expansion cover
2 Retention clips  

  1. Locate the I/O expansion connectors (see System-board connectors for instructions).
  2. Remove the expansion cover from the connector, if one is present.
  3. Touch the static-protective package that contains the expansion adapter to any unpainted metal surface on the Flex System chassis or any unpainted metal surface on any other grounded rack component; then, remove the expansion adapter from the package.
  4. Open the retention clips.
  5. Orient the connector on the expansion adapter with the I/O expansion connector and alignment pins on the system board; then, press the adapter into the I/O expansion connector.
  6. Firmly press on the indicated locations to seat the expansion adapter in the connector and over the alignment pins.
  7. Close the retention clips.
After you install the I/O expansion adapter, complete the following steps:
  1. Install the compute node cover onto the compute node (see Install the compute node cover for instructions).
  2. Install the compute node into the chassis (see Install a compute node for instructions).
  3. See the documentation that comes with the expansion adapter for device driver and configuration information to complete the installation.
Parent topic: I/O expansion adapter replacement