This chapter describes how to install the Dell™ PowerEdge™ Expandable RAID Controller (PERC) 5 cards.
Installing the PERC 5/E Adapter
CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer,and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
Unpack the PERC 5/E Adapter and check for damage.
NOTE: Contact Dell Technical support if the controller is damaged.
Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical
outlet. See your system's Hardware Owner's Manual for more information on power supplies.
Disconnect the system from the network and remove the cover of the system. See your system's
Hardware Owner's Manual for more information on opening the system.
Select an empty PCI Express (PCI-E) slot. Remove the blank filler bracket on the back of the
system aligned with the PCI-E slot you have selected.
Align the PERC 5/E Adapter to the PCI-E slot you have selected.
Insert the controller gently, but firmly, until the controller is firmly seated in the PCI-E slot.
See Figure 3-1.
CAUTION: Never apply pressure to the memory module while inserting the controller into the PCI-E slot. Applying pressure could break the module.
CAUTION: Electrostatic discharge can damage sensitive components. Always use proper antistatic protection when handling components. Touching components without using a proper ground can damage the equipment.
NOTE: See your system documentation for a list of compatible controllers.
Figure 3-1. Installing a PERC 5/E Adapter
Tighten the bracket screw, if any, or use the system's retention clips to secure the controller to the
system's chassis.
Replace the cover of the system. See your system's Hardware Owner's Manual for more information on
closing the system.
Connect the cable from the external enclosure to the controller. See Figure 3-2.
Figure 3-2. Connecting the Cable From the External Enclosure
Reconnect the power cable(s) and network cables, and then turn on the system.
Installing the Transportable Battery Backup Unit (TBBU)
for PERC 5/E
This section describes the installation of the transportable battery backup unit (TBBU) on the PERC 5/E.
CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
NOTE: All work must be performed at an Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)-safe workstation to meet the requirements of EIA-625 - "Requirements For Handling Electrostatic Discharge Sensitive Devices." All actions must be performed following the IPC-A-610 latest revision ESD recommended practices.
NOTE: Charge the PERC 5 battery before initial use to attain full functionality.
Unpack the TBBU and follow all antistatic procedures.
CAUTION: When unpacking static sensitive component from its shipping carton, do not remove the component from the antistatic packing material until you are ready to install the component. Just before unwrapping the antistatic package, ensure that you discharge static electricity from your body.
NOTICE: When transporting a sensitive component, first place it in an antistatic container or packaging.
NOTE: Handle all sensitive components in a static-safe area. If possible, use antistatic floor pads and work bench pads.
With the DIMM removed from the controller, insert one end of the battery pack harness (the red,
white, yellow, and green wires) into the connector on the memory module and the other end into the
connector on the battery.
Place the top edge of the battery over the top edge of the memory module so that the arms on the side
of the battery fit into their sockets on the memory module. See Figure 3-3.
CAUTION: Electrostatic discharge can damage sensitive components. Always use proper antistatic protection when handling components. Touching components without using a proper ground can damage the equipment.
Figure 3-3. Installing a TBBU
Place the PERC 5/E on a flat, clean, static–free surface.
The memory module is mounted flush with the board so that the memory module is parallel to the board when installed.
Press the memory module firmly into the memory socket.
As you press the memory module into the socket, the TBBU clicks into place, indicating that the controller is firmly seated in the socket, and the arms on the socket fit into the notches to hold the memory module securely.
Installing the DIMM on a PERC 5/E Adapter
This section describes how to install the memory module on a PERC 5/E Adapter.
CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
NOTICE: PERC 5 cards support DELL-qualified 256-MB DDRII 400MHz ECC-registered DIMMs with x16 DRAM components. Installing unsupported memory causes the system to hang at POST.
Remove the memory module in an antistatic environment.
NOTE: When unpacking a static sensitive component from its shipping carton, do not remove the component from the antistatic packing material until you are ready to install the component. Just before unwrapping the antistatic package, ensure to discharge static electricity from your body.
NOTE: Handle all sensitive components in a static-safe area. If possible, use antistatic floor pads and work bench pads.
NOTE: Do not touch the gold leads and do not bend the memory module.
Align the memory module so that the keyed edge of the memory module is placed exactly on top of
the physical divider on the memory socket of the controller to avoid damage to the DIMM.
Insert the memory module on the memory socket of the controller and apply a smooth, downward
pressure on both ends or on the middle of the memory module until the retention clips fall into the
allotted slots on either side of the memory module. See Figure 3-4.
NOTE: Figure 3-4 displays the installation of a memory module on a PERC 5/E Adapter.
Figure 3-4. Installing a DIMM
Transferring a TBBU Between Controllers
The TBBU provides uninterrupted power supply to the memory module for up to 72 hours if power supply is unexpectedly interrupted while cached data is still present. If the controller fails as a result of a power failure, you can move the TBBU to a new controller and recover the data. The controller that replaces the failed controller must be devoid of any prior configuration.
CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
Perform the following steps to replace a failed controller with data in the TBBU:
Turn off the system and disconnect the physical disks.
Remove the controller that has the TBBU currently installed from the system.
The controller flushes the cache data to the virtual disks.
Removing the PERC 5/E Adapter
This section describes how to remove the PERC 5/E from a system.
NOTE: In the event that the SAS cable is accidentally pulled when the system is operational, reconnect the cable and refer to the online help of your storage management application for the required recovery steps.
Perform a controlled shutdown on the system in which the PERC 5/E is installed, as well as any
attached storage enclosures.
Disconnect the system from the electrical outlet and remove the system cover.
CAUTION: Running a system without the system cover installed may cause damage due to improper cooling.
NOTE: For more information on removing and reinstalling the system cover, see the Hardware Owner's Manual that shipped with the system.
Locate the PERC 5/E in the system and disconnect the external cables from the PERC 5/E.
Remove any retention mechanism such as a bracket screw that may be holding the PERC 5/E in the
system and gently lift the controller from the system's PCI-E slot. See Figure 3-5.
Figure 3-5. Removing the PERC 5/E Adapter
NOTE: For more information on removing peripherals installed in the system's PCI-E slots, see the Hardware Owner's Manual that shipped with the system.
Removing the DIMM and Battery from a PERC 5/E Adapter
NOTE: The TBBU on the PERC 5/E Adapter consists of a DIMM and battery backup unit.
This section describes how to remove the TBBU from a PERC 5/E Adapter that is currently installed in a system.
Perform a controlled shutdown on the system in which the PERC 5/E Adapter is installed, as well as
any attached storage enclosures, and remove the PERC 5/E Adapter from the system by following the
instructions detailed in Removing the PERC 5/E Adapter.
Visually inspect the controller and determine whether the dirty cache LED on the DIMM is
illuminated. See Figure 3-6. If the LED is illuminated, reinsert the controller into the system, replace
the system cover, reconnect the system to power, turn the system on and repeat step 1.
Figure 3-6. PERC 5/E Adapter Dirty Cache LED Location
CAUTION: Running a system without the system cover installed may cause damage due to improper cooling.
Remove the TBBU assembly from the adapter by pressing down on the tabs at each edge of the DIMM
connector and lifting the TBBU off the adapter.
Disconnect the battery cable from the DIMM.
Detach the battery from the DIMM by pressing out on the battery clips inserted through the DIMM
and rotating the battery off the DIMM. See Figure 3-7.
Figure 3-7. Removing the TBBU
Installing the PERC 5/i Adapter
CAUTION: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside the system. Before performing any procedure, see your Product Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions, working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
NOTE: See your system documentation for information on installing the PERC 5/i.
NOTE: The PERC 5/i Adapter will have a battery backup unit (BBU) when installed on a PowerEdge server and will not have one when installed on a Dell Precision™ workstation or a PowerEdge SC server.
Unpack the PERC 5/i Adapter and check for damage.
NOTE: Call Dell Technical support if the controller is damaged.
Turn off the system and attached peripherals, and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet.
See your system's Hardware Owner's Manual for more information on power supplies.
Disconnect the system from the network and remove the cover of the system.
NOTE: For more information on removing and replacing the system cover, see the Hardware Owner's Manual included with the system.
Select an empty PCI-E slot and remove the blank filler bracket. The blank filler bracket is located on
the back of the system, aligned with the empty PCI-E slot you have selected.
Align the PERC 5/i Adapter to the PCI-E slot you have selected.
Insert the adapter gently but firmly until the board is firmly seated in the PCI-E slot. See Figure 3-8.
CAUTION: Do not apply pressure to the memory module while inserting the controller into the PCI-E slot. Applying pressure could break the memory module or damage t he DIMM connector.
CAUTION: Electrostatic discharge can damage sensitive components. Always use proper antistatic protection when handling components. Touching components without using a proper ground can damage the equipment.
Figure 3-8. Installing the PERC 5/i Adapter
Tighten the bracket screw, if any, or use the system's retention clips to secure the controller to the
system's chassis.
Connect the cables from the backplane of the system to the controller. See Figure 3-9.
Figure 3-9. Connecting Cables to the Controller
Replace the cover of the system. See your system's Hardware Owner's Manual for more information on
closing the system.
Reconnect the power cable(s) and network cables, and then turn on the system.
Removing the PERC 5/i Adapter
NOTE: A PERC 5/i Adapter installed on a Dell Precision workstation or PowerEdge SC server does not have a BBU.
This section describes how to remove the PERC 5/i Adapter or PERC 5/i while it is installed in a system.
Perform a controlled shutdown on the system in which the PERC 5/i is installed.
Disconnect the system from the electrical outlet, and remove the cover of the system.
CAUTION: Running a system without the system cover installed may cause damage due to improper cooling.
NOTE: For more information on removing and reinstalling the system cover, see the Hardware Owner's Manual that shipped with the system.
Determine whether the dirty cache LED on the controller is illuminated.
If the LED is illuminated, replace the system cover, reconnect the system to power, turn on the system, and repeat step 1 and step 2. See Figure 3-10.
NOTE: The location of the PERC 5/i varies from system to system. See the Hardware Owner's Manual included with the system for specific information on where the PERC 5/i is located.
If the LED is not illuminated, continue with the next step.
Figure 3-10. PERC 5/i Adapter Dirty Cache LED Location
Disconnect the data cables and battery cable from the PERC 5/i.
Remove any retention mechanism, such as a bracket screw, that might be holding the PERC 5/i in the
system, and gently lift the controller from the system's PCI-E slot. See Figure 3-11.
Figure 3-11. Removing the PERC 5/i Adapter
NOTE: See the Hardware Owner's Manual for information on removing the PERC 5/i from the system.
Removing the DIMM from a PERC 5/i Card
This section describes how to remove the memory module on a PERC 5/i Adapter or PERC 5/i that is currently installed in a system.
NOTE: PERC 5 cards support DELL-qualified 256-MB DDRII 400MHz ECC-registered DIMMs with x16 DRAM components. Installing unsupported memory causes the system to hang at POST.
Perform a controlled shutdown on the system in which the PERC 5/i is installed and remove the
PERC 5/i from the system by following the instructions detailed in the section Removing the
PERC 5/i Adapter.
CAUTION: Running a system without the system cover installed can cause damage due to improper cooling.
Remove the DIMM by pressing down on the tabs at each edge of the DIMM connector and lifting the
DIMM off the controller.
NOTE: The location of the PERC 5/i varies from system to system. See the Hardware Owner's Manual that shipped with the system for specific information on the location of the PERC 5/i.
Disconnecting the BBU from a PERC 5/i Adapter or a PERC 5/i
NOTE: A PERC 5/i Adapter installed in a Dell Precision workstation or a PowerEdge SC server does not have a BBU.
This section describes how to disconnect the BBU on a PERC 5/i Adapter or a PERC 5/i while the adapter or controller is installed in a system.
Perform a controlled shutdown on the system in which the PERC 5/i is installed.
Disconnect the system from the electrical outlet and remove the system cover.
CAUTION: Running a system without the system cover installed can cause damage due to improper cooling.
NOTE: For more information on removing and replacing the system cover, see the Hardware Owner's Manual that shipped with the system.
Determine whether the dirty cache LED on the controller is illuminated.
If the LED is illuminated, replace the system cover, reconnect the system to power, turn on the system, and repeat step 1 and step 2. See Figure 3-10.
NOTE: The location of the PERC 5/i varies from system to system. See the Hardware Owner's Manual that shipped with the system for specific information on where the PERC 5/i is located.
If the LED is not illuminated, continue with the next step.
Locate the battery cable connection next to the DIMM on the controller, and disconnect the battery.
