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Lenovo ThinkStation PX Manual
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Lenovo ThinkStation PX Manual

Lenovo ThinkStation PX Manual

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

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  • Page 1 ThinkStation Storage Configuration ThinkStation PX, P7, P5 with discrete RAID controller...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    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 ............

  • Page 3: 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.

  • Page 4: Section 1 - Storage Controller Details

    Section 1 – Storage Controller Details Table 1 - General overview of Broadcom adapters support on ThinkStation platforms. Broadcom 9560-16i (SAS3916) Broadcom 9540-8i Adapter (SAS3808) Adapter Platform Maximum Number Up to 4 NVME Up to 2 NVMe Up to 3 SATA of Drives Up to 3 SATA Connection Method...

  • Page 5: Section 2 - Thinkstation Px Support

    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.
  • Page 6 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:...

  • Page 7: Installing M.2/E1.S Front Access Enclosures In Px

    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...

  • Page 8: Installing U.2/U.3 Front Access Enclosures In Px

    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.
  • Page 9 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.
  • Page 10 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.
  • Page 11 6. Install and secure backplane with provided screws. U.2/U.3 backplane...
  • Page 12 7. Secure the U.2/U.3 SSD in a tray with the 4 provided screws (follow the nubmered guidance on the enclosure). Spare screw location 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.

  • Page 13: Installing The Broadcom 9560-16I Adapter

    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 Storage Whitepaper Note: The instructions in the whitepaper are for installing M.2 enclosures.
  • Page 14 4. Connect Broadcom NVME Bay2/Bay3 Gen4 cables according to the next diagrams: Bay 2+5 cable: • Connector “1 ” to motherboard port “1 ” • Connector “Bay2” to backplane for bays 2+5 • Connector “C0” will be addressed in the next step Bay 3+6 cable: •...
  • Page 15 5. Install the Broadcom adapter in an open PCIe slot (refer to the 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.
  • Page 16 SuperCap PCIe retention bracket assembly instructions: a. Connect the SuperCap (Cache Backup Unit) to the SuperCap cable. Cache Backup Unit SuperCap cable b. Open the PCIe retention bracket (shown with cover removed). Rear of system PCIe retaining latch c. Install the SuperCap into the PCIe retention bracket as seen below.
  • Page 17 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.
  • Page 18 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.

  • Page 19: Section 3 - Thinkstation P7 Support

    Section 3 – ThinkStation P7 Support In the P7 system, RAID compatible drives are installed in the Internal Storage Bay and the optional 3 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 3 HDD bay for SATA drive only.
  • Page 20 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 •...

  • Page 21: Installing The Components For Nvme Drives

    Installing the components for NVMe drives: 1. Remove the side cover from the system. 2. Remove the air baffle. 3. If the BCB is not present in the system, please refer to the P7 Storage Whitepaper for BCB and NVMe drive installation instructions. Note: Installing a BCB prevents use of 3.5”...
  • Page 22 5. Connect the Broadcom NVMe Gen4 cable to the motherboard port “MB_MCIO”. Note: When the Broadcom adapter is in use, the Front Access Bay Storage cannot be used at the same time. 6. Install the Broadcom adapter in PCIe slot (refer to the P7 for PCIe slot installation order).
  • Page 23 8. Connect the drive activity LED cable to J10(a) on the Broadcom adapter and to the motherboard pins labeled “Drive_ACT” (b). 9. Connect the SuperCap to the Broadcom adapter. Note: For the SuperCap PCIe retention bracket assembly instructions please refer “SuperCap PCIe retention bracket assembly instructions".
  • Page 24 11. Install NVMe drives into carriers. 12. Reinstall air baffle. SuperCap PCIe retention bracket 13. Install drives carriers into storage bay (use the correct drive tray for specific types of drives). M.2 NVMe U.2/U.3 NVMe E1.S NVMe 14. Reinstall the side cover. 15.

  • Page 25: Installing The Components For Sata Drives

    Installing the components for SATA HDDs: 1. Remove the side cover from the system. 2. Remove the air baffle. 3. Connect the HDD power plug to the motherboard HDD power connector and route the cable through the cable guides as shown below. Note: For how to install the SATA HDDs please refer to P7 Storage Whitepaper.
  • Page 26 4. Install the air baffle. When installing the air baffle, ensure that the cables are not pinched. 5. If required, install the optional 3 HDD bay. 6. Install SATA HDDs in bays. 7. Connect SATA HDDs with cables according to the next diagram: •...
  • Page 27 10. Repeat steps 8 -12 from the section Installing the components for NVMe drives. SuperCap PCIe retention bracket Note: If Broadcom adapter is installed in slot 7, the optional vertical M.2 drive cannot be used. 11. Reinstall the side cover. 12.

  • Page 28: Section 4 - Thinkstation P5 Support

    Section 4 – ThinkStation P5 Support In the P5 system, drives that are available for RAID are installed in the internal storage bays and optional 3 HDD bay. This allows the P5 to support up to three (3) SATA HDDs with a Broadcom 9540-8i RAID adapter.

  • Page 29: Installing The Broadcom 9540-8I Adapter

    Installing the Broadcom 9540-8i RAID Adapter To install the Broadcom Adapter in the P5 follow these steps: 1. Remove the side cover from the system. 2. Install SATA HDDs in the internal storage bays and optional 3 HDD bay if needed.
  • Page 30 4. Attach connectors labeled P1 and P2 to HDDs that are located in the internal storage bays. 5. Attach the connector labeled P3 to the optional 3 HDD bay. Location of P3 and cable clip within the chassis are shown in step 6. Cable Clip...
  • Page 31 6. Utilize cable guides and clips to secure all cables routed to the locations shown below. Ensure the cables are not pinched between metal hardware components. To easily access the cable guides, remove the front fan (as shown below). Drive_ACT HDD Power Connectors Cable...
  • Page 32 8. Attach connector C0 of the SlimSAS 3-drop SATA cable to the Broadcom adapter port C0. 9. Connect the drive LED activity cable to J10(a) on the Broadcom adapter and to the motherboard pins labeled “Drive_ACT” (b).
  • Page 33 10. Install the PCIe retention bracket. PCIe retention bracket 11. If required, configure RAID following the guidance in Chapter 5 Configuring RAID.

  • Page 34: Section 5 - Configuring Raid Arrays

    1. Install the drives for the RAID array into the system. See the previous sections to determine the correct hardware and placement of the storage devices. 2. Power on the system and press the “F1” function key at the “Lenovo” splash screen indicated below to enter BIOS.
  • Page 35 3. Select the “Advanced” menu option on the screen as seen below. 4. Select the “BROADCOM <MegaRAID > Configuration Utility” menu.
  • Page 36 5. Select the “Main Menu”. 6. Select Configuration Management”.
  • Page 37 7. Select “Make Unconfigured Good”. 8. Select the drives to use in the RAID array that are not listed as “Unconfigured Good” and select “OK”.
  • Page 38 9. Select the checkbox next to “Confirm” and then select “Yes”. 10. Select “Ok”. 11. Select “Create Virtual Drive”.
  • Page 39 12. Select the drop-down menu next to “Select RAID Level” and select the RAID array type to configure. Note: Available RAID levels will depend on the Broadcom adapter in use as well as the number of drives connected to Broadcom adapter. 13.
  • Page 40 14. Select the drop-down menu next to “Select Media Type” and select “Both” to show all drives configured on the Broadcom adapter. RAID arrays can only be made up of drives from single media type. 15. Select each drive to use as part of the RAID array and select “Apply Changes”. 16.
  • Page 41 17. Select “Save Configuration”. 18. Select the checkbox next to “Confirm” and select “Yes”. 19. Select “OK”. 20. After the RAID array has been successfully created, the following message should be seen.
  • Page 42 21. To view the created RAID array, return to the “Main Menu” of Broadcom utility and select “Virtual Drive Management”. 22. Select the virtual drive to view properties.
  • Page 43 23. When work with the RAID arrays(s) has been completed, press function “F10” to “Save and Exit” BIOS.

  • Page 44: Section 6 - Deleting Raid Arrays

    Section 6 – Deleting RAID Arrays Follow the instructions below to delete an existing RAID array using the Broadcom PCIe add-in storage controller. 1. Power on the system and press the “F1” function key at the “Lenovo” splash screen indicated below to enter BIOS.
  • Page 45 2. Select the “Advanced” menu option on the screen indicated below. 3. Select the “BROADCOM <MegaRAID > Configuration Utility” menu.
  • Page 46 4. Select the “Main Menu”. 5. Select “Virtual Drive Management”.
  • Page 47 6. Select the virtual drive to view properties. 7. In the virtual drive properties window select the dropdown menu next to “Operation” to perform a specific operation on the virtual drive. One of the options is to delete the virtual drive.
  • Page 48 8. Press “Go” to delete the selected RAID array. 9. Select the checkbox next to “Confirm” and select “Yes”. 10. Select “OK”.

  • Page 49: Section 8 - Appendix

    Section 8 – Appendix Part Picture Platform NVMe Bay 2 Gen4 cable, 650mm FRU: SC10X18649 NVMe Bay 3 Gen4 cable, 650mm FRU: SC11A17276 Front access bay U.2/U.3 SSD enclosure with backplane FRU: 5M11H28531...
  • Page 50 Front access bay dual NVMe SSD enclosure with M.2 carriers Option PN: 4XH1M64236 FRU: 5M11H28529 Option PN includes additional parts. Front access bay dual NVMe SSD enclosure with E1.S carriers FRU: 5M11H28530 Storage bay fan FRU: 5M11H28534 Included with option PN 4XH1M64236...
  • Page 51 Broadcom 9560- 16i SATA/PCIe PCIe x8 adapter PX/P7 FRU: 5A71F30923 SuperCap (cache backup unit) FRU: 00FC994 PX/P7 PCIe retention bracket (RAID SuperCap holder kit) PX/P7 FRU: 5M11C16915 SuperCap cable, 240mm PX/P7 FRU: 5C10U58719...
  • Page 52 HDD LED activity cable, 550mm PX/P7/P5 FRU: 5C10U58340 Blind Connect Board (BCB) for internal NVMe SSDs FRU: 5C51K23022 Broadcom NVMe Gen4 cable, 600mm FRU: 5C10U58384...
  • Page 53 Internal tray for M.2 SSD FRU: 5M11C16906 Internal tray for U.2/U.3 FRU: 5M11H28778 Internal tray for E1.S FRU: TBD...
  • Page 54 3-drop SATA cable for P7/P5 P7/P5 FRU: 5C10U58704 Broadcom 9540- 8i SATA/PCIe PCIe x8 adapter FRU: 5R11B66431 PCIe retention bracket (top retention holder kit) FRU: 5M11H28592...

  • Page 55: Revision History

    Revision History Version Date Author Changes/Updates 10.5.2023 A.Panteleev Initial release...

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