Cisco APIC M3, APIC L3 Installation And Service Manual

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Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

First Published: 2018-10-25

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The following information is for FCC compliance of Class B devices: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If the equipment causes interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, users are encouraged to try to correct the interference by using one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

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• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

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CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

Overview 1

External Features 1

Serviceable Component Locations 3

Summary of Server Features 5

Installing the Server 7

Preparing for Installation 7

Installation Warnings and Guidelines 7

Grounding Requirements 9

Rack Requirements 9

Installing the Server in a Rack 10

Installing the Cable Management Arm (Optional) 12

Reversing the Cable Management Arm (Optional) 13

Initial Server Setup 14

Connecting to the Server Locally For Setup 15

CHAPTER 3

Connecting to the Server Remotely For Setup 16

Setting Up the System With the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility 17

NIC Mode and NIC Redundancy Settings 19

Updating the BIOS and Cisco IMC Firmware 20

Accessing the System BIOS 21

Smart Access Serial 21

Smart Access USB 22

Maintaining the Server 23

Status LEDs and Buttons 23

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

iii

Contents

Front-Panel LEDs 23

Rear-Panel LEDs 26

Internal Diagnostic LEDs 27

Preparing For Component Installation 28

Required Equipment For Service Procedures 29

Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server 29

Shutting Down Using the Power Button 29

Shutting Down Using The Cisco IMC GUI 30

Shutting Down Using The Cisco IMC CLI 30

Removing the Server Top Cover 30

Serial Number Location 31

Hot Swap vs Hot Plug 31

Removing and Replacing Components 32

Serviceable Component Locations 32

Replacing SAS/SATA Hard Drives or Solid State Drives 34

SAS/SATA Drive Population Guidelines 34

4K Sector Format SAS/SATA Drives Considerations 34

Replacing a SAS/SATA Drive 35

Replacing a Front-Loading NVMe SSD 36

Front-Loading NVMe SSD Population Guidelines 36

Front-Loading NVME SSD Requirements and Restrictions 37

Enabling Hot-Plug Support in the System BIOS 37

Replacing a Front-Loading NVMe SSD 38

Installing a PCIe Cable For Front-Loading NVMe SSDs 39

Replacing HHHL Form-Factor NVMe Solid State Drives 40

HHHL SSD Population Guidelines 40

HHHL Form-Factor NVME SSD Requirements and Restrictions 40

Replacing an HHHL Form-Factor NVMe SSD 41

Replacing Fan Modules 42

Replacing Memory DIMMs 43

DIMM Population Rules and Memory Performance Guidelines 43

Replacing DIMMs 45

Replacing CPUs and Heatsinks 46

CPU Configuration Rules 46

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Tools Required For CPU Replacement 46

Replacing a CPU and Heatsink 47

Additional CPU-Related Parts to Order with RMA Replacement CPUs 53

Additional CPU-Related Parts to Order with RMA Replacement System Chassis 53

Moving an M5 Generation CPU 54

Replacing a Mini-Storage Module 58

Replacing a Mini-Storage Module Carrier 59

Replacing an SD Card in a Mini-Storage Carrier For SD 60

Replacing an M.2 SSD in a Mini-Storage Carrier For M.2 61

Replacing a Micro SD Card 61

Replacing an Internal USB Drive 63

Replacing a USB Drive 63

Enabling or Disabling the Internal USB Port 64

Contents

Replacing the RTC Battery 65

Replacing Power Supplies 66

Replacing AC Power Supplies 66

Replacing a PCIe Card 67

PCIe Slot Specifications 67

Replacing a PCIe Card 68

Cisco Virtual Interface Card (VIC) Considerations 70

Replacing an mLOM Card 71

Replacing an mRAID Riser (Riser 3) 72

Replacing a SAS Storage Controller Card (RAID or HBA) 74

Storage Controller Card Firmware Compatibility 74

Replacing a SAS Storage Controller Card (RAID or HBA) 75

Replacing the Supercap (RAID Backup) 76

Replacing a SATA Interposer Card 78

Replacing a Chassis Intrusion Switch 80

Installing a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 81

TPM Considerations 81

Installing and Enabling a TPM 82

Service Headers and Jumpers 85

Using the Clear CMOS Header (J38, Pins 9 - 10) 86

Using the BIOS Recovery Header (J38, Pins 11 - 12) 86

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Contents

Procedure 1: Reboot With recovery.cap File 87

Procedure 2: Use BIOS Recovery Header and bios.cap Recovery File 87

Using the Clear Password Header (J38, Pins 13 - 14) 88

Using the Boot Alternate Cisco IMC Image Header (J39, Pins 1 - 2) 89

Using the Reset Cisco IMC Password to Default Header (J39, Pins 3 - 4) 90

Using the Reset Cisco IMC to Defaults Header (J39, Pins 5 - 6) 90

APPENDIX A

APPENDIX B

Server Specifications 93

Physical Specifications 93

Environmental Specifications 93

Power Specifications 94

770 W AC Power Supply 94

1050 W DC Power Supply 95

Power Cord Specifications 96

Storage Controller Considerations 99

Supported Storage Controllers and Cables 99

Storage Controller Card Firmware Compatibility 100

Write-Cache Policy for Cisco 12G SAS Modular RAID Controller 101

Mixing Drive Types in RAID Groups 101

RAID Controller Migration 102

Storage Controller and Backplane Connectors 102

Embedded SATA RAID Controller 104

Embbeded SATA RAID Requirements 104

Embedded SATA RAID Controller Considerations 105

Embedded SATA RAID: Two SATA Controllers 105

Enabling SATA Mode For the Embedded Controllers 106

Accessing the Software RAID Configuration Utility 107

Installing LSI MegaSR Drivers For Windows and Linux 107

Downloading the MegaSR Drivers 107

Microsoft Windows Server Drivers 108

Linux Drivers 109

For More RAID Utility Information 113

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Contents

APPENDIX C

APPENDIX D

GPU Card Installation 115

Server Firmware Requirements 115

GPU Card Configuration Rules 115

Requirement For All GPUs: Memory-Mapped I/O Greater Than 4 GB 115

Replacing a Single-Wide GPU Card 116

Installing Drivers to Support the GPU Cards 118

1. Updating the Server BIOS 118

2. Updating the GPU Card Drivers 119

Installation For Cisco UCS Manager Integration 121

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

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Contents

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Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Overview

• Overview, on page 1

• External Features, on page 1

• Serviceable Component Locations, on page 3

• Summary of Server Features, on page 5

Overview

Cisco APIC Server M3 and L3 (APIC-SERVER-M3 and APIC-SERVER-L3)—Small form-factor (SFF) drives, with 10-drive backplane. Supports up to 10 2.5-inch SAS/SATA drives. Drive bays 1 and 2 support NVMe SSDs.

External Features

This topic shows the external features of the server versions.

CHAPTER 1

Cisco APIC M3 and L3 Server (SFF Drives) Front Panel Features

The following figure shows the front panel features of the small form-factor drive versions of the server.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

External Features

Figure 1: Cisco APIC M3 and L3 Server (SFF Drives) Front Panel

Overview

Fan status LED7Drive bays 1 – 10 support SAS/SATA hard disk

drives (HDDs) and solid state drives (SSDs)

Network link activity LED8• APIC-Server-M3 and L3: Drive bays 1 and

2 support NVMe PCIe SSDs.

Temperature status LED9Power button/power status LED3

Pull-out asset tag10Unit identification button/LED4

11System status LED5

KVM connector

(used with KVM cable that provides one DB-15 VGA, one DB-9 serial, and two USB connectors)

-Power supply status LED6

Cisco APIC M3 and L3 Server Rear Panel Features

The rear panel features are the same for all versions of the server.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Overview

Figure 2: Cisco APIC M3 and L3 Server Rear Panel

Serviceable Component Locations

Rear unit identification button/LED6USB 3.0 ports (two)1

LAN2)

The dual LAN ports can support 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps, depending on the link partner capability.

91-Gb Ethernet dedicated management port4

Note

The VIC 1455 has 4 ports, port-0, port-1, port-3, and port-4 from left to right.

• All ports must have the same speed, either 10-Gigabit or 25-Gigabit.

• Port-0 and port-1 is one pair, corresponding to eth2-1 on APIC and port-2 and port-3 is another pair, corresponding to eth2-2 on APIC. Only one connection is allowed for each pair. For example, you can connect one cable to either port-0 or port-1, and connect another cable to either port-2 or port-3 (please do not connect two cables on any pair).

Power supplies (two, redundant as 1+1)7Dual 1-Gb/10-Gb Ethernet ports (LAN1 and

PCIe riser 1/slot 1 (x16 lane)8VGA video port (DB-15 connector)3

VIC 1455 with external 10/25-Gigabit Ethernet ports (4)

Threaded holes for dual-hole grounding lug10Serial port (RJ-45 connector)5

Serviceable Component Locations

This topic shows the locations of the field-replaceable components and service-related items. The view in the following figure shows the server with the top cover removed.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Serviceable Component Locations

Figure 3: Cisco APIC M3 and L3 Server, Serviceable Component Locations

Overview

RTC battery, vertical socket9Front-loading drive bays 1–10 support SAS/SATA

drives.

10Cooling fan modules (seven, hot-swappable)2

Power supplies (hot-swappable when redundant as 1+1)

11Supercap unit mounting bracket (RAID backup)3

Trusted platform module (TPM) socket on motherboard (not visible in this view)

12DIMM sockets on motherboard (12 per CPU)4

PCIe riser 1/slot 1 (half-height, x16 lane)

Includes PCIe cable connectors for front-loading NVMe SSDs (x8 lane)

13CPUs and heatsinks (up to two)5

VIC 1455 with external 10/25-Gigabit Ethernet ports (4)

Available (empty) PCIe slot14Mini storage module socket

Supports either an SD card module with two SD card slots; or an M.2 module with two NVMe or SATA M.2 SSD slots.

15Chassis intrusion switch (optional)7

PCIe cable connectors for front-loading NVMe SSDs on PCIe riser 2

Micro-SD card socket on PCIe riser 116Internal USB 3.0 port on motherboard8

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Overview

Summary of Server Features

The following table lists a summary of server features.

Summary of Server Features

DescriptionFeature

One rack-unit (1RU) chassisChassis

Central Processor

Baseboard management

Network and management I/O

Up to two CPUs from the Intel Xeon Processor Scalable Family. This includes CPUs from the following series:

• Intel Xeon Bronze 3XXX Processors

• Intel Xeon Silver 4XXX Processors

• Intel Xeon Gold 5XXX Processors

• Intel Xeon Gold 6XXX Processors

• Intel Xeon Platinum 8XXX Processors

24 DDR4 DIMM sockets on the motherboard (12 each CPU)Memory

Multi-bit error protection is supportedMulti-bit error protection

BMC, running Cisco Integrated Management Controller (Cisco IMC) firmware.

Depending on your Cisco IMC settings, Cisco IMC can be accessed through the 1-Gb dedicated management port, the 1-Gb/10-Gb Ethernet LAN ports, or a Cisco virtual interface card.

Rear panel:

• One 1-Gb Ethernet dedicated management port (RJ-45 connector)

• Two 1-Gb/10-Gb BASE-T Ethernet LAN ports (RJ-45 connectors)

The dual LAN ports can support 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps, depending on the link partner capability.

• One RS-232 serial port (RJ-45 connector)

• One VGA video connector port (DB-15 connector)

• Two USB 3.0 ports

Front panel:

• One front-panel keyboard/video/mouse (KVM) connector that is used with the KVM cable, which provides two USB

2.0, one VGA, and one DB-9 serial connector.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Summary of Server Features

Overview

DescriptionFeature

Modular LOM

WoL

Power

ACPI

InfiniBand

Storage, front-panel

Storage, internal

One dedicated socket (x16 PCIe lane) that can be used to add an mLOM card for additional rear-panel connectivity.

The two 1-Gb/10-Gb BASE-T Ethernet LAN ports support the wake-on-LAN (WoL) standard.

Two power supplies, redundant as 1+1:

• AC power supplies 770 W AC each

The advanced configuration and power interface (ACPI) 4.0 standard is supported.

Seven hot-swappable fan modules for front-to-rear cooling.Cooling

Two horizontal PCIe expansion slots on a PCIe riser assembly.PCIe I/O

The PCIe bus slots in this server support the InfiniBand architecture.

Cisco APIC M3 and L3 (APIC-SERVER-M3 and APIC-SERVER-L3)—Small form-factor (SFF) drives, with 10-drive backplane. Supports up to 10 2.5-inch SAS/SATA drives. Drive bays 1 and 2 support NVMe SSDs.

The server has these internal storage options:

Storage management

RAID backup

• One USB port on the motherboard.

• Mini-storage module socket, optionally with either:

• SD card module. Supports up to two SD cards.

• M.2 SSD module. Supports either two SATA M.2 SSDs or two NVMe M.2 SSDs.

• One micro-SD card socket on PCIe riser 1.

The server has a dedicated internal mRAID riser that supports one of the following storage-controller options:

• A PCIe-style Cisco modular RAID controller card (SAS/SATA).

• A PCIe-style interposer card for the server’s embedded SATA RAID controller.

The server has a mounting bracket near the cooling fans for the supercap unit that is used with the Cisco modular RAID controller card.

Integrated VGA video.Integrated video

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Installing the Server

• Preparing for Installation, on page 7

• Installing the Server in a Rack, on page 10

• Initial Server Setup, on page 14

• NIC Mode and NIC Redundancy Settings, on page 19

• Updating the BIOS and Cisco IMC Firmware, on page 20

• Accessing the System BIOS, on page 21

• Smart Access Serial, on page 21

• Smart Access USB, on page 22

Preparing for Installation

This section contains the following topics:

Installation Warnings and Guidelines

CHAPTER 2

Note

Warning

Before you install, operate, or service a server, review the Regulatory Compliance and Safety Information for important safety information.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

This warning symbol means danger. You are in a situation that could cause bodily injury. Before you work on any equipment, be aware of the hazards involved with electrical circuitry and be familiar with standard practices for preventing accidents. Use the statement number provided at the end of each warning to locate its translation in the translated safety warnings that accompanied this device.

Statement 1071

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Installation Warnings and Guidelines

Installing the Server

Warning

To prevent the system from overheating, do not operate it in an area that exceeds the maximum recommended ambient temperature of: 35° C (95° F).

Statement 1047

The plug-socket combination must be accessible at all times, because it serves as the main disconnecting device.

Statement 1019

Installation of the equipment must comply with local and national electrical codes.

Statement 1074

This unit is intended for installation in restricted access areas. A restricted access area can be accessed only through the use of a special tool, lock, and key, or other means of security.

Statement 1017

Warning

Caution

This product relies on the building's installation for short-circuit (over current) protection. Ensure that the protective devices is rated not greater than 20A (North America), 16A (Europe),and 13A (UK).

Statement 1005

To ensure proper airflow it is necessary to rack the servers using rail kits. Physically placing the units on top of one another or “stacking” without the use of the rail kits blocks the air vents on top of the servers, which could result in overheating, higher fan speeds, and higher power consumption. We recommend that you mount your servers on rail kits when you are installing them into the rack because these rails provide the minimal spacing required between the servers. No additional spacing between the servers is required when you mount the units using rail kits.

Avoid uninterruptible power supply (UPS) types that use ferroresonant technology. These UPS types can become unstable with systems such as the Cisco UCS, which can have substantial current draw fluctuations from fluctuating data traffic patterns.

To prevent loss of input power, ensure the total maximum loads on the circuits supplying power to the switch are within the current ratings for the wiring and breakers.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Installing the Server

When you are installing a server, use the following guidelines:

• Plan your site configuration and prepare the site before installing the server.

• Ensure that there is adequate space around the server to allow for accessing the server and for adequate airflow. The airflow in this server is from front to back.

• Ensure that the air-conditioning meets the thermal requirements listed in the Environmental Specifications,

on page 93.

• Ensure that the cabinet or rack meets the requirements listed in the Rack Requirements, on page 9.

• Ensure that the site power meets the power requirements listed in the Power Specifications, on page 94. If available, you can use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to protect against power failures.

Grounding Requirements

The switch is sensitive to variations in voltage supplied by the power sources. Overvoltage, undervoltage, and transients (or spikes) can erase data from memory or cause components to fail. To protect against these types of problems, ensure that there is an earth-ground connection for the switch. You can connect the grounding pad on the switch either directly to the earth-ground connection or to a fully bonded and grounded rack.

Grounding Requirements

When you properly install the chassis in a grounded rack, the switch is grounded because it has a metal-to-metal connection to the rack. Alternatively, you can ground the chassis by using a customer-supplied grounding cable that meets your local and national installation requirements (we recommend 6-AWG wire for U.S. installations) connected to the chassis with a grounding lug (provided in the switch accessory kit) and to the facility ground.

Note

You automatically ground AC power supplies when you connect them to AC power sources. For DC power supplies, you must connect a grounding wire when wiring the power supply to the DC power source.

Rack Requirements

The rack must be of the following type:

• A standard 19-in. (48.3-cm) wide, four-post EIA rack, with mounting posts that conform to English universal hole spacing, per section 1 of ANSI/EIA-310-D-1992.

• The rack-post holes can be square 0.38-inch (9.6 mm), round 0.28-inch (7.1 mm), #12-24 UNC, or #10-32 UNC when you use the Cisco-supplied slide rails.

• The minimum vertical rack space per server must be one rack unit (RU), equal to 1.75 in. (44.45 mm).

Supported Cisco Slide Rail Kits

The server supports the following rail kit options:

Rack Installation Tools Required

The slide rails sold by Cisco Systems for this server do not require tools for installation.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Installing the Server in a Rack

Slide Rail and Cable Management Arm Dimensions

The slide rails for this server have an adjustment range of 24 to 36 inches (610 to 914 mm).

The optional cable management arm (CMA) adds additional length requirements:

• The additional distance from the rear of the server to the rear of the CMA is 5.4 inches (137.4 mm).

• The total length of the server including the CMA is 35.2 inches (894 mm).

Installing the Server in a Rack

Installing the Server

Warning

Step 1 Attach the inner rails to the sides of the server:

a) Align an inner rail with one side of the server so that the three keyed slots in the rail align with the three pegs on the

b) Set the keyed slots over the pegs, and then slide the rail toward the front to lock it in place on the pegs. The front slot

c) Install the second inner rail to the opposite side of the server.

Figure 4: Attaching the Inner Rail to the Side of the Server

To prevent bodily injury when mounting or servicing this unit in a rack, you must take special precautions to ensure that the system remains stable. The following guidelines are provided to ensure your safety:

This unit should be mounted at the bottom of the rack if it is the only unit in the rack.

When mounting this unit in a partially filled rack, load the rack from the bottom to the top with the heaviest component at the bottom of the rack.

If the rack is provided with stabilizing devices, install the stabilizers before mounting or servicing the unit in the rack.

Statement 1006

side of the server.

has a metal clip that locks over the front peg.

Inner rail2Front of server1

Step 2 Open the front securing plate on both slide-rail assemblies. The front end of the slide-rail assembly has a spring-loaded

securing plate that must be open before you can insert the mounting pegs into the rack-post holes.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Installing the Server

On the outside of the assembly, push the green-arrow button toward the rear to open the securing plate.

Figure 5: Front Securing Mechanism, Inside of Front End

Installing the Server in a Rack

securing plate

Step 3 Install the outer slide rails into the rack:

a) Align one slide-rail assembly front end with the front rack-post holes that you want to use.

The slide rail front-end wraps around the outside of the rack post and the mounting pegs enter the rack-post holes from the outside-front.

Note

The rack post must be between the mounting pegs and the open securing plate.

b) Push the mounting pegs into the rack-post holes from the outside-front. c) Press the securing plate release button, marked PUSH. The spring-loaded securing plate closes to lock the pegs in

place.

d) Adjust the slide-rail length, and then push the rear mounting pegs into the corresponding rear rack-post holes. The

slide rail must be level front-to-rear.

The rear mounting pegs enter the rear rack-post holes from the inside of the rack post.

e) Attach the second slide-rail assembly to the opposite side of the rack. Ensure that the two slide-rail assemblies are at

the same height and are level front-to-back.

f) Pull the inner slide rails on each assembly out toward the rack front until they hit the internal stops and lock in place.

3Front mounting pegs1

Securing plate shown pulled back to the open position

-Rack post between mounting pegs and opened

Step 4 Insert the server into the slide rails:

Caution

This server can weigh up to 64 pounds (29 kilograms) when fully loaded with components. We recommend that you use a minimum of two people or a mechanical lift when lifting the server. Attempting this procedure alone could result in personal injury or equipment damage.

a) Align the rear ends of the inner rails that are attached to the server sides with the front ends of the empty slide rails

on the rack. b) Push the inner rails into the slide rails on the rack until they stop at the internal stops. c) Slide the inner-rail release clip toward the rear on both inner rails, and then continue pushing the server into the rack

until its front slam-latches engage with the rack posts.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Installing the Cable Management Arm (Optional)

Figure 6: Inner-Rail Release Clip

Installing the Server

Outer slide rail attached to rack post3Inner-rail release clip1

-Inner rail attached to server and inserted into

outer slide rail

Step 5 (Optional) Secure the server in the rack more permanently by using the two screws that are provided with the slide rails.

Perform this step if you plan to move the rack with servers installed.

With the server fully pushed into the slide rails, open a hinged slam latch lever on the front of the server and insert a screw through the hole that is under the lever. The screw threads into the static part of the rail on the rack post and prevents the server from being pulled out. Repeat for the opposite slam latch.

Installing the Cable Management Arm (Optional)

Note

The cable management arm (CMA) is reversible left-to-right. To reverse the CMA, see Reversing the Cable

Management Arm (Optional), on page 13 before installation.

Step 1 With the server pushed fully into the rack, slide the CMA tab of the CMA arm that is farthest from the server onto the

end of the stationary slide rail that is attached to the rack post. Slide the tab over the end of the rail until it clicks and locks.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Installing the Server

Figure 7: Attaching the CMA to the Rear Ends of the Slide Rails

Reversing the Cable Management Arm (Optional)

3CMA tab on arm farthest from server attaches

to end of stationary outer slide rail.

CMA tab on width-adjustment slider attaches to end of stationary outer slide rail.

Rear of server4CMA tab on arm closest to the server attaches

to end of inner slide rail attached to server.

Step 2 Slide the CMA tab that is closest to the server over the end of the inner rail that is attached to the server. Slide the tab

over the end of the rail until it clicks and locks

Step 3 Pull out the width-adjustment slider that is at the opposite end of the CMA assembly until it matches the width of your

rack.

Step 4 Slide the CMA tab that is at the end of the width-adjustment slider onto the end of the stationary slide rail that is attached

to the rack post. Slide the tab over the end of the rail until it clicks and locks.

Step 5 Open the hinged flap at the top of each plastic cable guide and route your cables through the cable guides as desired.

Reversing the Cable Management Arm (Optional)

Step 1 Rotate the entire CMA assembly 180 degrees, left-to-right. The plastic cable guides must remain pointing upward.

Step 2 Flip the tabs at the ends of the CMA arms so that they point toward the rear of the server.

Step 3 Pivot the tab that is at the end of the width-adjustment slider. Depress and hold the metal button on the outside of the tab

and pivot the tab 180 degrees so that it points toward the rear of the server.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Initial Server Setup

Figure 8: Reversing the CMA

Installing the Server

Initial Server Setup

Note

This section describes how to power on the server, assign an IP address, and connect to server management when using the server in standalone mode.

Server Default Settings

The server is shipped with these default settings:

• The NIC mode is Shared LOM EXT.

Shared LOM EXT mode enables the 1-Gb/10-Gb Ethernet ports and the ports on any installed Cisco virtual interface card (VIC) to access the Cisco Integrated Management Interface (Cisco IMC). If you want to use the 10/100/1000 dedicated management ports to access Cisco IMC, you can connect to the server and change the NIC mode as described in Setting Up the System With the Cisco IMC Configuration

Utility, on page 17.

Metal button on outside of tab2CMA tab on end of width-adjustment slider1

• The NIC redundancy is Active-Active. All Ethernet ports are utilized simultaneously.

• DHCP is enabled.

• IPv4 is enabled.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Installing the Server

Connecting to the Server Locally For Setup

Connection Methods

There are two methods for connecting to the system for initial setup:

• Local setup—Use this procedure if you want to connect a keyboard and monitor directly to the system for setup. This procedure can use a KVM cable (Cisco PID N20-BKVM) or the ports on the rear of the server.

• Remote setup—Use this procedure if you want to perform setup through your dedicated management LAN.

Note

To configure the system remotely, you must have a DHCP server on the same network as the system. Your DHCP server must be preconfigured with the range of MAC addresses for this server node. The MAC address is printed on a label that is on the pull-out asset tag on the front panel. This server node has a range of six MAC addresses assigned to the Cisco IMC. The MAC address printed on the label is the beginning of the range of six contiguous MAC addresses.

This section contains the following topics:

Connecting to the Server Locally For Setup

This procedure requires the following equipment:

• VGA monitor

• USB keyboard

• Either the supported Cisco KVM cable (Cisco PID N20-BKVM); or a USB cable and VGA DB-15 cable

Step 1 Attach a power cord to each power supply in your server, and then attach each power cord to a grounded power outlet.

Wait for approximately two minutes to let the server boot to standby power during the first bootup. You can verify system power status by looking at the system Power Status LED on the front panel. The system is in standby power mode when the LED is amber.

Step 2 Connect a USB keyboard and VGA monitor to the server using one of the following methods:

• Connect an optional KVM cable (Cisco PID N20-BKVM) to the KVM connector on the front panel. Connect your USB keyboard and VGA monitor to the KVM cable.

• Connect a USB keyboard and VGA monitor to the corresponding connectors on the rear panel.

Step 3 Open the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility:

a) Press and hold the front panel power button for four seconds to boot the server. b) During bootup, press F8 when prompted to open the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility.

Note

The first time that you enter the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility, you are prompted to change the default password. The default password is password. The Strong Password feature is enabled.

The following are the requirements for Strong Password:

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Connecting to the Server Remotely For Setup

• The password can have minimum 8 characters; maximum 14 characters.

• The password must not contain the user’s name.

• The password must contain characters from three of the following four categories:

• English uppercase letters (A through Z)

• English lowercase letters (a through z)

• Base 10 digits (0 through 9)

• Non-alphabetic characters !, @, #, $, %, ^, &, *, -, _, =, “

Step 4 Continue with Setting Up the System With the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility, on page 17.

Connecting to the Server Remotely For Setup

Installing the Server

This procedure requires the following equipment:

• One RJ-45 Ethernet cable that is connected to your management LAN.

Before you begin

Note

Step 1 Attach a power cord to each power supply in your server, and then attach each power cord to a grounded power outlet.

Step 2 Plug your management Ethernet cable into the dedicated management port on the rear panel.

Step 3 Allow your preconfigured DHCP server to assign an IP address to the server node.

Step 4 Use the assigned IP address to access and log in to the Cisco IMC for the server node. Consult with your DHCP server

administrator to determine the IP address.

Note

The default user name for the server is admin. The default password is password.

Step 5 From the Cisco IMC Server Summary page, click Launch KVM Console. A separate KVM console window opens.

Step 6 From the Cisco IMC Summary page, click Power Cycle Server. The system reboots. Step 7 Select the KVM console window.

Note

The KVM console window must be the active window for the following keyboard actions to work.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Installing the Server

Setting Up the System With the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility

Step 8 When prompted, press F8 to enter the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility. This utility opens in the KVM console window.

Note

The first time that you enter the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility, you are prompted to change the default password. The default password is password. The Strong Password feature is enabled.

The following are the requirements for Strong Password:

• The password can have minimum 8 characters; maximum 14 characters.

• The password must not contain the user’s name.

• The password must contain characters from three of the following four categories:

• English uppercase letters (A through Z)

• English lowercase letters (a through z)

• Base 10 digits (0 through 9)

• Non-alphabetic characters !, @, #, $, %, ^, &, *, -, _, =, “

Step 9 Continue with Setting Up the System With the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility, on page 17.

Setting Up the System With the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility

Before you begin

The following procedure is performed after you connect to the system and open the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility.

Step 1 Set the NIC mode to choose which ports to use to access Cisco IMC for server management:

• Shared LOM EXT (default)—This is the shared LOM extended mode, the factory-default setting. With this mode, the Shared LOM and Cisco Card interfaces are both enabled. You must select the default Active-Active NIC redundancy setting in the following step.

In this NIC mode, DHCP replies are returned to both the shared LOM ports and the Cisco card ports. If the system determines that the Cisco card connection is not getting its IP address from a Cisco UCS Manager system because the server is in standalone mode, further DHCP requests from the Cisco card are disabled. Use the Cisco Card NIC mode if you want to connect to Cisco IMC through a Cisco card in standalone mode.

• Shared LOM—The 1-Gb/10-Gb Ethernet ports are used to access Cisco IMC. You must select either the Active-Active or Active-standby NIC redundancy setting in the following step.

• Dedicated—The dedicated management port is used to access Cisco IMC. You must select the None NIC redundancy setting in the following step.

• Cisco Card—The ports on an installed Cisco UCS Virtual Interface Card (VIC) are used to access the Cisco IMC. You must select either the Active-Active or Active-standby NIC redundancy setting in the following step.

See also the required VIC Slot setting below.

• VIC Slot—Only if you use the Cisco Card NIC mode, you must select this setting to match where your VIC is installed. The choices are Riser1, Riser2, or Flex-LOM (the mLOM slot).

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Setting Up the System With the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility

• If you select Riser1, you must install the VIC in slot 1.

• If you select Riser2, you must install the VIC in slot 2.

• If you select Flex-LOM, you must install an mLOM-style VIC in the mLOM slot.

Step 2 Set the NIC redundancy to your preference. This server has three possible NIC redundancy settings:

• None—The Ethernet ports operate independently and do not fail over if there is a problem. This setting can be used only with the Dedicated NIC mode.

• Active-standby—If an active Ethernet port fails, traffic fails over to a standby port. Shared LOM and Cisco Card modes can each use either Active-standby or Active-active settings.

• Active-active (default)—All Ethernet ports are utilized simultaneously. The Shared LOM EXT mode must use only this NIC redundancy setting. Shared LOM and Cisco Card modes can each use either Active-standby or Active-active settings.

Step 3 Choose whether to enable DHCP for dynamic network settings, or to enter static network settings.

Installing the Server

Note

Before you enable DHCP, you must preconfigure your DHCP server with the range of MAC addresses for this server. The MAC address is printed on a label on the rear of the server. This server has a range of six MAC addresses assigned to Cisco IMC. The MAC address printed on the label is the beginning of the range of six contiguous MAC addresses.

The static IPv4 and IPv6 settings include the following:

• The Cisco IMC IP address.

For IPv6, valid values are 1 - 127.

• The gateway.

For IPv6, if you do not know the gateway, you can set it as none by entering :: (two colons).

• The preferred DNS server address.

For IPv6, you can set this as none by entering :: (two colons).

Step 4 (Optional) Make VLAN settings.

Step 5 Press F1 to go to the second settings window, then continue with the next step.

From the second window, you can press F2 to switch back to the first window.

Step 6 (Optional) Set a hostname for the server.

Step 7 (Optional) Enable dynamic DNS and set a dynamic DNS (DDNS) domain.

Step 8 (Optional) If you check the Factory Default check box, the server reverts to the factory defaults.

Step 9 (Optional) Set a default user password.

Note

The factory default username for the server is admin. The default password is password.

Step 10 (Optional) Enable auto-negotiation of port settings or set the port speed and duplex mode manually.

Note

Auto-negotiation is applicable only when you use the Dedicated NIC mode. Auto-negotiation sets the port speed and duplex mode automatically based on the switch port to which the server is connected. If you disable auto-negotiation, you must set the port speed and duplex mode manually.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Installing the Server

NIC Mode and NIC Redundancy Settings

Step 11 (Optional) Reset port profiles and the port name.

Step 12 Press F5 to refresh the settings that you made. You might have to wait about 45 seconds until the new settings appear

and the message, “Network settings configured” is displayed before you reboot the server in the next step.

Step 13 Press F10 to save your settings and reboot the server.

Note

If you chose to enable DHCP, the dynamically assigned IP and MAC addresses are displayed on the console screen during bootup.

What to do next

Use a browser and the IP address of the Cisco IMC to connect to the Cisco IMC management interface. The IP address is based upon the settings that you made (either a static address or the address assigned by your DHCP server).

Note

The factory default username for the server is admin. The default password is password.

NIC Mode and NIC Redundancy Settings

Table 1: Valid NIC Redundancy Settings For Each NIC Mode

Valid NIC Redundancy SettingsNIC Mode

Active-activeShared LOM

EXT

NoneDedicated

Shared LOM

Active-active

Active-standby

Cisco Card

Active-active

Active-standby

This server has the following NIC mode settings that you can choose from:

In this NIC mode, DHCP replies are returned to both the shared LOM ports and the Cisco card ports. Use the Cisco Card NIC mode if you want to connect to Cisco IMC through a Cisco card in standalone mode.

• Shared LOM—The 1-Gb/10-Gb Ethernet ports are used to access Cisco IMC. You must select either the Active-Active or Active-standby NIC redundancy setting in the following step.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Updating the BIOS and Cisco IMC Firmware

• Dedicated—The dedicated management port is used to access Cisco IMC. You must select the None NIC redundancy setting in the following step.

See also the required VIC Slot setting below.

• VIC Slot—Only if you use the Cisco Card NIC mode, you must select this setting to match where your VIC is installed. The choices are Riser1, Riser2, or Flex-LOM (the mLOM slot).

• If you select Riser1, you must install the VIC in slot 1.

• If you select Riser2, you must install the VIC in slot 2.

• If you select Flex-LOM, you must install an mLOM-style VIC in the mLOM slot.

This server has the following NIC redundancy settings that you can choose from:

• None—The Ethernet ports operate independently and do not fail over if there is a problem. This setting can be used only with the Dedicated NIC mode.

Installing the Server

• Active-standby—If an active Ethernet port fails, traffic fails over to a standby port. Shared LOM and Cisco Card modes can each use either Active-standby or Active-active settings.

Updating the BIOS and Cisco IMC Firmware

Caution

When you upgrade the BIOS firmware, you must also upgrade the Cisco IMC firmware to the same version or the server does not boot. Do not power off the server until the BIOS and Cisco IMC firmware are matching or the server does not boot.

Cisco provides the Cisco Host Upgrade Utility to assist with simultaneously upgrading the BIOS, Cisco IMC, and other firmware to compatible levels.

The server uses firmware obtained from and certified by Cisco. Cisco provides release notes with each firmware image. There are several possible methods for updating the firmware:

• Recommended method for firmware update: Use the Cisco Host Upgrade Utility to simultaneously upgrade the Cisco IMC, BIOS, and component firmware to compatible levels.

For the latest firmware release, see the Cisco Host Upgrade Utility Quick Reference Guide.

• You can upgrade the Cisco IMC and BIOS firmware by using the Cisco IMC GUI interface.

• You can upgrade the Cisco IMC and BIOS firmware by using the Cisco IMC CLI interface.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Installing the Server

Accessing the System BIOS

Step 1 Enter the BIOS Setup Utility by pressing the F2 key when prompted during bootup.

Accessing the System BIOS

Note

Step 2 Use the arrow keys to select the BIOS menu page.

Step 3 Highlight the field to be modified by using the arrow keys.

Step 4 Press Enter to select the field that you want to change, and then modify the value in the field.

Step 5 Press the right arrow key until the Exit menu screen is displayed.

Step 6 Follow the instructions on the Exit menu screen to save your changes and exit the setup utility (or press F10). You can

exit without saving changes by pressing Esc.

The version and build of the current BIOS are displayed on the Main page of the utility.

Smart Access Serial

This server supports the Smart Access Serial feature. This feature allows you to switch between host serial and Cisco IMC CLI.

• This feature has the following requirements:

• A serial cable connection, which can use either the RJ-45 serial connector on the server rear panel, or a DB-9 connection when using the KVM cable (Cisco PID N20-BKVM) on the front-panel KVM console connector.

• Console redirection must be enabled in the server BIOS.

• Terminal type must be set to VT100+ or VTUFT8.

• Serial-over-LAN (SOL) must be disabled (SOL is disabled by default).

• To switch from host serial to Cisco IMC CLI, press Esc+9.

You must enter your Cisco IMC credentials to authenticate the connection.

• To switch from Cisco IMC CLI to host serial, press Esc+8.

Note

You cannot switch to Cisco IMC CLI if the serial-over-LAN (SOL) feature is enabled.

• After a session is created, it is shown in the CLI or web GUI by the name serial.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Smart Access USB

This server supports the Smart Access USB feature. The board management controller (BMC) in this server can accept a USB mass storage device and access the data on it. This feature allows you to use the front-panel USB device as a medium to transfer data between the BMC and the user without need for network connectivity. This can be useful, for example, when remote BMC interfaces are not yet available, or are not accessible due to network misconfiguration.

• This feature has the following requirements:

• The KVM cable (Cisco PID N20-BKVM) connected to the front panel KVM console connector.

• A USB storage device connected to one of the USB 2.0 connectors on the KVM cable. The USB device must draw less than 500 mA to avoid disconnect by the current-protection circuit.

Note

Installing the Server

Any mouse or keyboard that is connected to the KVM cable is disconnected when you enable Smart Access USB.

• You can use USB 3.0-based devices, but they will operate at USB 2.0 speed.

• We recommend that the USB device have only one partition.

• The file system formats supported are: FAT16, FAT32, MSDOS, EXT2, EXT3, and EXT4. NTFS is not supported.

• The front-panel KVM connector has been designed to switch the USB port between Host OS and BMC.

• Smart Access USB can be enabled or disabled using any of the BMC user interfaces. For example, you can use the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility that is accessed by pressing F8 when prompted during bootup.

• Enabled: the front-panel USB device is connected to the BMC.

• Disabled: the front-panel USB device is connected to the host.

• In a case where no management network is available to connect remotely to Cisco IMC, a Device Firmware Update (DFU) shell over serial cable can be used to generate and download technical support files to the USB device that is attached to front panel USB port.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

• Status LEDs and Buttons, on page 23

• Preparing For Component Installation, on page 28

• Removing and Replacing Components, on page 32

• Service Headers and Jumpers, on page 85

Status LEDs and Buttons

This section contains information for interpreting front, rear, and internal LED states.

Front-Panel LEDs

Figure 9: Front Panel LEDs

CHAPTER 3

Table 2: Front Panel LEDs, Definition of States

StatesLED Name

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Front-Panel LEDs

Maintaining the Server

SAS

NVMe

SAS/SATA drive fault

Note

NVMe solid state drive (SSD) drive tray LEDs have different behavior than SAS/SATA drive trays.

SAS/SATA drive activity LED2

NVMe SSD drive fault

Note

NVMe solid state drive (SSD) drive tray LEDs have different behavior than SAS/SATA drive trays.

• Off—The hard drive is operating properly.

• Amber—Drive fault detected.

• Amber, blinking—The device is rebuilding.

• Amber, blinking with one-second interval—Drive locate function activated in the software.

• Off—There is no hard drive in the hard drive tray (no access, no fault).

• Green—The hard drive is ready.

• Green, blinking—The hard drive is reading or writing data.

• Off—The drive is not in use and can be safely removed.

• Green—The drive is in use and functioning properly.

• Green, blinking—the driver is initializing following insertion or the driver is unloading following an eject command.

• Amber—The drive has failed.

NVMe

• Amber, blinking—A drive Locate command has been issued in the software.

NVMe SSD activity2

• Off—No drive activity.

• Green, blinking—There is drive activity.

Power button/LED3

• Off—There is no AC power to the server.

• Amber—The server is in standby power mode. Power is supplied only to the Cisco IMC and some motherboard functions.

• Green—The server is in main power mode. Power is supplied to all server components.

Unit identification4

• Off—The unit identification function is not in use.

• Blue, blinking—The unit identification function is activated.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Front-Panel LEDs

System health5

• Green—The server is running in normal operating condition.

• Green, blinking—The server is performing system initialization and memory check.

• Amber, steady—The server is in a degraded operational state (minor fault). For example:

• Power supply redundancy is lost.

• CPUs are mismatched.

• At least one CPU is faulty.

• At least one DIMM is faulty.

• At least one drive in a RAID configuration failed.

• Amber, 2 blinks—There is a major fault with the system board.

• Amber, 3 blinks—There is a major fault with the memory DIMMs.

• Amber, 4 blinks—There is a major fault with the CPUs.

Power supply status6

• Green—All power supplies are operating normally.

• Amber, steady—One or more power supplies are in a degraded operational state.

• Amber, blinking—One or more power supplies are in a critical fault state.

Fan status7

• Green—All fan modules are operating properly.

• Amber, blinking—One or more fan modules breached the non-recoverable threshold.

Network link activity8

• Off—The Ethernet LOM port link is idle.

• Green—One or more Ethernet LOM ports are link-active, but there is no activity.

• Green, blinking—One or more Ethernet LOM ports are link-active, with activity.

Temperature status9

• Green—The server is operating at normal temperature.

• Amber, steady—One or more temperature sensors breached the critical threshold.

• Amber, blinking—One or more temperature sensors breached the non-recoverable threshold.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Rear-Panel LEDs

Figure 10: Rear Panel LEDs

Table 3: Rear Panel LEDs, Definition of States

Maintaining the Server

StatesLED Name

1-Gb/10-Gb Ethernet link speed (on both LAN1 and LAN2)

• Off—Link speed is 100 Mbps.

• Amber—Link speed is 1 Gbps.

• Green—Link speed is 10 Gbps.

1-Gb/10-Gb Ethernet link status (on both LAN1 and LAN2)

• Off—No link is present.

• Green—Link is active.

• Green, blinking—Traffic is present on the active link.

1-Gb Ethernet dedicated management link speed3

• Off—Link speed is 10 Mbps.

• Amber—Link speed is 100 Mbps.

• Green—Link speed is 1 Gbps.

1-Gb Ethernet dedicated management link status4

• Off—No link is present.

• Green—Link is active.

• Green, blinking—Traffic is present on the active link.

Rear unit identification5

• Off—The unit identification function is not in use.

• Blue, blinking—The unit identification function is activated.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Internal Diagnostic LEDs

Power supply status (one LED each power supply unit)6

AC power supplies:

• Off—No AC input (12 V main power off, 12 V standby power off).

• Green, blinking—12 V main power off; 12 V standby power on.

• Green, solid—12 V main power on; 12 V standby power on.

• Amber, blinking—Warning threshold detected but 12 V main power on.

• Amber, solid—Critical error detected; 12 V main power off (for example, over-current, over-voltage, or over-temperature failure).

DC power supplies:

• Off—No DC input (12 V main power off, 12 V standby power off).

• Green, blinking—12 V main power off; 12 V standby power on.

• Green, solid—12 V main power on; 12 V standby power on.

Internal Diagnostic LEDs

The server has internal fault LEDs for CPUs, DIMMs, and fan modules.

• Amber, blinking—Warning threshold detected but 12 V main power on.

• Amber, solid—Critical error detected; 12 V main power off (for example, over-current, over-voltage, or over-temperature failure).

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Preparing For Component Installation

Figure 11: Internal Diagnostic LED Locations

Maintaining the Server

connector on the motherboard)

• Amber—Fan has a fault or is not fully seated.

• Green—Fan is OK.

the motherboard).

These LEDs operate only when the server is in standby power mode.

• Amber—CPU has a fault.

• Off—CPU is OK.

3Fan module fault LEDs (one behind each fan

-CPU fault LEDs (one behind each CPU socket on

Preparing For Component Installation

This section includes information and tasks that help prepare the server for component installation.

DIMM fault LEDs (one behind each DIMM socket on the motherboard)

These LEDs operate only when the server is in standby power mode.

• Amber—DIMM has a fault.

• Off—DIMM is OK.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Required Equipment For Service Procedures

The following tools and equipment are used to perform the procedures in this chapter:

• T-30 Torx driver (supplied with replacement CPUs for heatsink removal)

• #1 flat-head screwdriver (supplied with replacement CPUs for heatsink removal)

• #1 Phillips-head screwdriver (for M.2 SSD and intrusion switch replacement)

• Electrostatic discharge (ESD) strap or other grounding equipment such as a grounded mat

Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server

The server can run in either of two power modes:

• Main power mode—Power is supplied to all server components and any operating system on your drives can run.

• Standby power mode—Power is supplied only to the service processor and certain components. It is safe for the operating system and data to remove power cords from the server in this mode.

Required Equipment For Service Procedures

Caution

After a server is shut down to standby power, electric current is still present in the server. To completely remove power as directed in some service procedures, you must disconnect all power cords from all power supplies in the server.

You can shut down the server by using the front-panel power button or the software management interfaces.

Shutting Down Using the Power Button

Step 1 Check the color of the Power button/LED:

• Amber—The server is already in standby mode and you can safely remove power.

• Green—The server is in main power mode and must be shut down before you can safely remove power.

Step 2 Invoke either a graceful shutdown or a hard shutdown:

Caution

To avoid data loss or damage to your operating system, you should always invoke a graceful shutdown of the operating system.

• Graceful shutdown—Press and release the Power button. The operating system performs a graceful shutdown and the server goes to standby mode, which is indicated by an amber Power button/LED.

• Emergency shutdown—Press and hold the Power button for 4 seconds to force the main power off and immediately enter standby mode.

Step 3 If a service procedure instructs you to completely remove power from the server, disconnect all power cords from the

power supplies in the server.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Shutting Down Using The Cisco IMC GUI

You must log in with user or admin privileges to perform this task.

Step 1 In the Navigation pane, click the Server tab.

Step 2 On the Server tab, click Summary.

Step 3 In the Actions area, click Power Off Server.

Step 4 Click OK.

The operating system performs a graceful shutdown and the server goes to standby mode, which is indicated by an amber Power button/LED.

Step 5 If a service procedure instructs you to completely remove power from the server, disconnect all power cords from the

power supplies in the server.

Shutting Down Using The Cisco IMC CLI

You must log in with user or admin privileges to perform this task.

Step 1 At the server prompt, enter:

Example:

server# scope chassis

Step 2 At the chassis prompt, enter:

Example:

server/chassis# power shutdown

The operating system performs a graceful shutdown and the server goes to standby mode, which is indicated by an amber Power button/LED.

Step 3 If a service procedure instructs you to completely remove power from the server, disconnect all power cords from the

power supplies in the server.

Removing the Server Top Cover

Step 1 Remove the top cover:

a) If the cover latch is locked, use a screwdriver to turn the lock 90-degrees counterclockwise to unlock it. b) Lift on the end of the latch that has the green finger grip. The cover is pushed back to the open position as you lift

the latch.

c) Lift the top cover straight up from the server and set it aside.

Step 2 Replace the top cover:

a) With the latch in the fully open position, place the cover on top of the server about one-half inch (1.27 cm) behind

the lip of the front cover panel. The opening in the latch should fit over the peg that sticks up from the fan tray.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

b) Press the cover latch down to the closed position. The cover is pushed forward to the closed position as you push

down the latch.

c) If desired, lock the latch by using a screwdriver to turn the lock 90-degrees clockwise.

Figure 12: Removing the Top Cover

Serial Number Location

The serial number for the server is printed on a label on the top of the server, near the front.

Hot Swap vs Hot Plug

Some components can be removed and replaced without shutting down and removing power from the server. This type of replacement has two varieties: hot-swap and hot-plug.

Locking cover latch2Top cover1

Serial number label location3

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Removing and Replacing Components

• Hot-swap replacement—You do not have to shut down the component in the software or operating system. This applies to the following components:

• SAS/SATA hard drives

• SAS/SATA solid state drives

• Cooling fan modules

• Power supplies (when redundant as 1+1)

• Hot-plug replacement—You must take the component offline before removing it for the following component:

• NVMe PCIe solid state drives

Removing and Replacing Components

Maintaining the Server

Warning

Caution

Blank faceplates and cover panels serve three important functions: they prevent exposure to hazardous voltages and currents inside the chassis; they contain electromagnetic interference (EMI) that might disrupt other equipment; and they direct the flow of cooling air through the chassis. Do not operate the system unless all cards, faceplates, front covers, and rear covers are in place.

Statement 1029

When handling server components, handle them only by carrier edges and use an electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist-strap or other grounding device to avoid damage.

Tip

You can press the unit identification button on the front panel or rear panel to turn on a flashing, blue unit identification LED on both the front and rear panels of the server. This button allows you to locate the specific server that you are servicing when you go to the opposite side of the rack. You can also activate these LEDs remotely by using the Cisco IMC interface.

This section describes how to install and replace server components.

Serviceable Component Locations

This topic shows the locations of the field-replaceable components and service-related items. The view in the following figure shows the server with the top cover removed.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Figure 13: Cisco APIC M3 and L3 Server, Serviceable Component Locations

Serviceable Component Locations

RTC battery, vertical socket9Front-loading drive bays 1–10 support SAS/SATA

drives.

10Cooling fan modules (seven, hot-swappable)2

Power supplies (hot-swappable when redundant as 1+1)

11Supercap unit mounting bracket (RAID backup)3

Trusted platform module (TPM) socket on motherboard (not visible in this view)

12DIMM sockets on motherboard (12 per CPU)4

PCIe riser 1/slot 1 (half-height, x16 lane)

Includes PCIe cable connectors for front-loading NVMe SSDs (x8 lane)

13CPUs and heatsinks (up to two)5

VIC 1455 with external 10/25-Gigabit Ethernet ports (4)

Available (empty) PCIe slot14Mini storage module socket

Supports either an SD card module with two SD card slots; or an M.2 module with two NVMe or SATA M.2 SSD slots.

15Chassis intrusion switch (optional)7

PCIe cable connectors for front-loading NVMe SSDs on PCIe riser 2

Micro-SD card socket on PCIe riser 116Internal USB 3.0 port on motherboard8

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Replacing SAS/SATA Hard Drives or Solid State Drives

Note

You do not have to shut down the server or drive to replace SAS/SATA hard drives or SSDs because they are hot-swappable. To replace an NVMe PCIe SSD drive, which must be shut down before removal, see

Replacing a Front-Loading NVMe SSD, on page 36.

SAS/SATA Drive Population Guidelines

The server is orderable in three different versions, each with a different front panel/drive-backplane configuration.

Drive bay numbering is shown in the following figures.

Figure 14: Small Form-Factor Drive Versions, Drive Bay Numbering

Maintaining the Server

Observe these drive population guidelines for optimum performance:

• When populating drives, add drives to the lowest-numbered bays first.

Note

For diagrams of which drive bays are controlled by particular controller cables on the backplane, see Storage Controller and Backplane Connectors, on page 102. For example, in a SFF 10-drive server, drive bays 5 and 10 cannot be controlled by embedded SATA RAID.

• Keep an empty drive blanking tray in any unused bays to ensure proper airflow.

• You can mix SAS/SATA hard drives and SAS/SATA SSDs in the same server. However, you cannot configure a logical volume (virtual drive) that contains a mix of hard drives and SSDs. That is, when you create a logical volume, it must contain all SAS/SATA hard drives or all SAS/SATA SSDs.

4K Sector Format SAS/SATA Drives Considerations

• You must boot 4K sector format drives in UEFI mode, not legacy mode. See the procedures in this section.

• Do not configure 4K sector format and 512-byte sector format drives as part of the same RAID volume.

• Operating system support on 4K sector drives is as follows: Windows: Win2012 and Win2012R2; Linux: RHEL 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 7.0, 7.2; SLES 11 SP3, and SLES 12. ESXi/Vmware is not supported.

Step 1

Procedure

PurposeCommand or Action

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Setting Up UEFI Mode Booting in the BIOS Setup Utility

Step 1 Enter the BIOS setup utility by pressing the F2 key when prompted during bootup.

Step 2 Go to the Boot Options tab.

Step 3 Set UEFI Boot Options to Enabled.

Step 4 Under Boot Option Priorities, set your OS installation media (such as a virtual DVD) as your Boot Option #1.

Step 5 Go to the Advanced tab.

Step 6 Select LOM and PCIe Slot Configuration.

Step 7 Set the PCIe Slot ID: HBA Option ROM to UEFI Only.

Step 8 Press F10 to save changes and exit the BIOS setup utility. Allow the server to reboot.

Step 9 After the OS installs, verify the installation:

a) Enter the BIOS setup utility by pressing the F2 key when prompted during bootup. b) Go to the Boot Options tab. c) Under Boot Option Priorities, verify that the OS you installed is listed as your Boot Option #1.

Setting Up UEFI Mode Booting in the Cisco IMC GUI

Step 1 Use a web browser and the IP address of the server to log into the Cisco IMC GUI management interface.

Step 2 Navigate to Server > BIOS.

Step 3 Under Actions, click Configure BIOS.

Step 4 In the Configure BIOS Parameters dialog, select the Advanced tab.

Step 5 Go to the LOM and PCIe Slot Configuration section.

Step 6 Set the PCIe Slot: HBA Option ROM to UEFI Only.

Step 7 Click Save Changes. The dialog closes.

Step 8 Under BIOS Properties, set Configured Boot Order to UEFI.

Step 9 Under Actions, click Configure Boot Order.

Step 10 In the Configure Boot Order dialog, click Add Local HDD.

Step 11 In the Add Local HDD dialog, enter the information for the 4K sector format drive and make it first in the boot order.

Step 12 Save changes and reboot the server. The changes you made will be visible after the system reboots.

Replacing a SAS/SATA Drive

Step 1 Remove the drive that you are replacing or remove a blank drive tray from the bay:

a) Press the release button on the face of the drive tray. b) Grasp and open the ejector lever and then pull the drive tray out of the slot. c) If you are replacing an existing drive, remove the four drive-tray screws that secure the drive to the tray and then lift

the drive out of the tray.

Step 2 Install a new drive:

a) Place a new drive in the empty drive tray and install the four drive-tray screws.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Replacing a Front-Loading NVMe SSD

b) With the ejector lever on the drive tray open, insert the drive tray into the empty drive bay. c) Push the tray into the slot until it touches the backplane, and then close the ejector lever to lock the drive in place.

Figure 15: Replacing a Drive in a Drive Tray

Maintaining the Server

Replacing a Front-Loading NVMe SSD

This section is for replacing 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch form-factor NVMe solid-state drives (SSDs) in front-panel drive bays. To replace HHHL form-factor NVMe SSDs in the PCIe slots, see Replacing HHHL Form-Factor

NVMe Solid State Drives.

Front-Loading NVMe SSD Population Guidelines

The front drive bay supports 2.5- inch NVMe SSDs.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Drive tray screws (two on each side)3Ejector lever1

Drive removed from drive tray4Release button2

Maintaining the Server

Front-Loading NVME SSD Requirements and Restrictions

Observe these requirements:

• The server must have two CPUs. PCIe riser 2 is not available in a single-CPU system. PCIe riser 2 has connectors for the cable that connects to the front-panel drive backplane.

• PCIe cable CBL-NVME-C220FF. This is the cable that carries the PCIe signal from the front-panel drive backplane to PCIe riser 2. This cable is for all versions of this server.

• Hot-plug support must be enabled in the system BIOS. If you ordered the system with NVMe drives, hot-plug support is enabled at the factory.

• The NVMe-optimized, SFF 10-drive version, APIC-SERVER-M3 and APIC-SERVER-L3, support NVMe drives only. This version of the server comes with an NVMe-switch card factory-installed in the internal mRAID riser for support of NVMe drives in slots 3 - 10. The NVMe drives in slots 1 and 2 are supported by PCIe riser 2. The NVMe switch card is not orderable separately.

Observe these restrictions:

• NVMe SFF 2.5-inch SSDs support booting only in UEFI mode. Legacy boot is not supported.

Front-Loading NVME SSD Requirements and Restrictions

• You cannot control NVMe PCIe SSDs with a SAS RAID controller because NVMe SSDs interface with the server via the PCIe bus.

• UEFI boot is supported in all supported operating systems. Hot-insertion and hot-removal are supported in all supported operating systems except VMWare ESXi.

Enabling Hot-Plug Support in the System BIOS

Hot-plug (OS-informed hot-insertion and hot-removal) is disabled in the system BIOS by default.

• If the system was ordered with NVMe PCIe SSDs, the setting was enabled at the factory. No action is required.

• If you are adding NVMe PCIe SSDs after-factory, you must enable hot-plug support in the BIOS. See the following procedures.

Enabling Hot-Plug Support Using the BIOS Setup Utility

Step 1 Enter the BIOS setup utility by pressing the F2 key when prompted during bootup.

Step 2 Navigate to Advanced > PCI Subsystem Settings > NVMe SSD Hot-Plug Support.

Step 3 Set the value to Enabled.

Step 4 Save your changes and exit the utility.

Enabling Hot-Plug Support Using the Cisco IMC GUI

Step 1 Use a browser to log in to the Cisco IMC GUI for the server.

Step 2 Navigate to Compute > BIOS > Advanced > PCI Configuration.

Step 3 Set NVME SSD Hot-Plug Support to Enabled.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Replacing a Front-Loading NVMe SSD

Step 4 Save your changes.

Replacing a Front-Loading NVMe SSD

This topic describes how to replace 2.5-inch form-factor NVMe SSDs in the front-panel drive bays.

Note

OS-surprise removal is not supported. OS-informed hot-insertion and hot-removal are supported on all supported operating systems except VMware ESXi.

Note

OS-informed hot-insertion and hot-removal must be enabled in the system BIOS. See Enabling Hot-Plug

Support in the System BIOS, on page 37.

Maintaining the Server

Step 1 Remove an existing front-loading NVMe SSD:

a) Shut down the NVMe SSD to initiate an OS-informed removal. Use your operating system interface to shut down

the drive, and then observe the drive-tray LED:

• Green—The drive is in use and functioning properly. Do not remove.

• Green, blinking—the driver is unloading following a shutdown command. Do not remove.

• Off—The drive is not in use and can be safely removed.

b) Press the release button on the face of the drive tray. c) Grasp and open the ejector lever and then pull the drive tray out of the slot. d) Remove the four drive tray screws that secure the SSD to the tray and then lift the SSD out of the tray.

Note

If this is the first time that front-loading NVMe SSDs are being installed in the server, you must install PCIe cable CBL-NVME-C220FF before installing the drive.

Step 2 Install a new front-loading NVMe SSD:

a) Place a new SSD in the empty drive tray and install the four drive-tray screws. b) With the ejector lever on the drive tray open, insert the drive tray into the empty drive bay. c) Push the tray into the slot until it touches the backplane, and then close the ejector lever to lock the drive in place.

Step 3 Observe the drive-tray LED and wait until it returns to solid green before accessing the drive:

• Off—The drive is not in use.

• Green, blinking—the driver is initializing following hot-plug insertion.

• Green—The drive is in use and functioning properly.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Figure 16: Replacing a Drive in a Drive Tray

Installing a PCIe Cable For Front-Loading NVMe SSDs

The front-loading NVMe SSDs interface with the server via the PCIe bus. Cable CBL-NVME-C220FF connects the front-panel drive backplane to the PCIe riser 2 board on the PCIe riser assembly.

• If the server was ordered with 2.5-inch form-factor NVMe SSDs, this cable was preinstalled at the factory. No action is required.

• If you are adding 2.5-inch form-factor NVMe SSDs for the first time, you must order and install the cable as described in the following procedure.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Drive tray screws (two on each side)3Ejector lever1

Drive removed from drive tray4Release button2

Maintaining the Server

Replacing HHHL Form-Factor NVMe Solid State Drives

Step 1 Connect the two connectors on one end of the cable to the PCIE-A1 and PCIE-A2 connectors on the drive backplane.

Step 2 Route the cables through the chassis cable guides to the rear of the server as shown below.

Step 3 Connect the single connector on the other end of the cable to the PCIE-FRONT connector on PCIe riser 2.

Figure 17: PCIe Cabling to Drive Backplane

Replacing HHHL Form-Factor NVMe Solid State Drives

This section is for replacing half-height, half-length (HHHL) form-factor NVMe SSDs in the PCIe slots. To replace 2.5-inch NVMe SSDs in the front-panel drive bays, see Replacing a Front-Loading NVMe SSD, on

page 36.

HHHL SSD Population Guidelines

Observe the following population guidelines when installing HHHL form-factor NVMe SSDs:

• Two-CPU systems—You can populate up to 2 HHHL form-factor SSDs, using PCIe slots 1 – 2.

• One-CPU systems—In a single-CPU system, PCIe riser 2/slot 2 is not available. Therefore, the maximum number of HHHL form-factor SSDs you can populate is 1, in PCIe slot 1.

HHHL Form-Factor NVME SSD Requirements and Restrictions

Observe these requirements:

• All versions of the server support HHHL form-factor NVMe SSDs.

Observe these restrictions:

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

• You cannot boot from an HHHL form-factor NVMe SSD.

• You cannot control HHHL NVMe SSDs with a SAS RAID controller because NVMe SSDs interface with the server via the PCIe bus.

• You can combine NVMe SFF 2.5-inch SSDs and HHHL form-factor SSDs in the same system, but the same partner brand must be used. For example, two Intel NVMe SFF 2.5-inch SSDs and two HGST HHHL form-factor SSDs is an invalid configuration. A valid configuration is two HGST NVMe SFF

2.5-inch SSDs and two HGST HHHL form-factor SSDs.

Replacing an HHHL Form-Factor NVMe SSD

Note

In a single-CPU server, PCIe riser 2 (PCIe slot 2) is not available.

Step 1 Remove an existing HHHL form-factor NVME SSD (or a blank filler panel) from the PCIe riser:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 29.

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 30. d) Use two hands to grasp the external riser handle and the blue area at the front of the riser. e) Open the hinged, plastic card retainer that secures the rear-panel tab of the card. f) Pull evenly on both ends of the HHHL form-factor NVME SSD to remove it from the socket on the PCIe riser.

If the riser has no SSD, remove the blanking panel from the rear opening of the riser.

Step 2 Install a new HHHL form-factor NVME SSD:

a) Open the hinged, plastic card retainer. b) Align the new SSD with the empty socket on the PCIe riser. c) Push down evenly on both ends of the card until it is fully seated in the socket. d) Ensure that the SSD’s rear panel tab sits flat against the riser rear-panel opening and then close the hinged card retainer

over the card’s rear-panel tab. e) Position the PCIe riser over its two sockets on the motherboard and over the chassis alignment channels. f) Carefully push down on both ends of the PCIe riser to fully engage its two connectors with the two sockets on the

motherboard. g) Replace the top cover to the server. h) Replace the server in the rack, replace cables, and then fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Replacing Fan Modules

Figure 18: PCIe Riser Assembly

Maintaining the Server

PCIe slot 2 rear-panel opening3

Replacing Fan Modules

The seven fan modules in the server are numbered as shown in Serviceable Component Locations, on page

Tip

Each fan module has a fault LED next to the fan connector on the motherboard. This LED lights green when the fan is correctly seated and is operating OK. The LED lights amber when the fan has a fault or is not correctly seated.

Hinged card retainer (one each slot)4PCIe slot 1 rear-panel opening1

5External riser handle2

PCIe connector for cable that supports front-panel NVMe SSDs

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Replacing Memory DIMMs

Caution

You do not have to shut down or remove power from the server to replace fan modules because they are hotswappable. However, to maintain proper cooling, do not operate the server for more than one minute with any fan module removed.

Step 1 Remove an existing fan module:

a) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

b) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 30. c) Grasp the fan module at its front and rear finger-grips. Lift straight up to disengage its connector from the motherboard.

Step 2 Install a new fan module:

a) Set the new fan module in place. The arrow printed on the top of the fan module should point toward the rear of the

server. b) Press down gently on the fan module to fully engage it with the connector on the motherboard. c) Replace the top cover to the server. d) Replace the server in the rack, replace cables, and then fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

Replacing Memory DIMMs

Caution

DIMMs and their sockets are fragile and must be handled with care to avoid damage during installation.

Cisco does not support third-party DIMMs. Using non-Cisco DIMMs in the server might result in system problems or damage to the motherboard.

Note

To ensure the best server performance, it is important that you are familiar with memory performance guidelines and population rules before you install or replace DIMMs.

DIMM Population Rules and Memory Performance Guidelines

This topic describes the rules and guidelines for maximum memory performance.

DIMM Slot Numbering

The following figure shows the numbering of the DIMM slots on the motherboard.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

DIMM Population Rules and Memory Performance Guidelines

Figure 19: DIMM Slot Numbering

DIMM Population Rules

Observe the following guidelines when installing or replacing DIMMs for maximum performance:

• Each CPU supports six memory channels.

• CPU 1 supports channels A, B, C, D, E, F.

• CPU 2 supports channels G, H, J, K, L, M.

Maintaining the Server

• Each channel has two DIMM sockets (for example, channel A = slots A1, A2).

• In a single-CPU configuration, populate the channels for CPU1 only (A, B, C, D, E, F).

• For optimal performance, populate DIMMs in the order shown in the following table, depending on the number of CPUs and the number of DIMMs per CPU. If your server has two CPUs, balance DIMMs evenly across the two CPUs as shown in the table.

Note

The table below lists recommended configurations. Using 5, 7, 9, 10, or 11 DIMMs per CPU is not recommended.

Table 4: DIMM Population Order

Populate CPU2 SlotsPopulate CPU 1 SlotNumber of

DIMMs per CPU

(Recommended

Blue #1 SlotsBlack #2 SlotsBlue #1 Slots

Black #2 Slots

Configurations)

(G1)-(A1)1

-(G1, H1)-(A1, B1)2

-(G1, H1, J1)-(A1, B1, C1)3

-(G1, H1); (K1, L1)-(A1, B1); (D1, E1)4

(E1, F1)

-(A1, B1); (C1, D1); (L1, M1)

-(G1, H1); (J1, K1);

(G2, H2); (K2, L2)(G1, H1); (K1, L1)(A2, B2); (D2, E2)(A1, B1); (D1, E1)8

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Replacing DIMMs

(A1, B1); (C1, D1); (E1, F1)

(A2, B2); (C2, D2); (E2, F2)

(G1, H1); (J1, K1); (L1, M1)

(G2, H2); (J2, K2); (L2, M2)

• The maximum combined memory allowed in the 12 DIMM slots controlled by any one CPU is 768 GB. To populate the 12 DIMM slots with more than 768 GB of combined memory, you must use a high-memory CPU that has a PID that ends with an "M", for example, UCS-CPU-6134M.

• Memory mirroring reduces the amount of memory available by 50 percent because only one of the two populated channels provides data. When memory mirroring is enabled, you must install DIMMs in even numbers of channels.

• The NVIDIA Tesla P-Series GPU can support more than 1 TB of memory in the server. All other NVIDIA GPUs (M-Series) can support only 1 TB or less of memory in the server.

• Observe the DIMM mixing rules shown in the following table.

Table 5: DIMM Mixing Rules

DIMMs in the Same BankDIMMs in the Same ChannelDIMM Parameter

DIMM Capacity

For example, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB

DIMM speed

For example, 2666 GHz

You can mix different capacity DIMMs in the same channel (for example, A1, A2).

You can mix speeds, but DIMMs will run at the speed of the slowest DIMMs/CPUs installed in the channel.

You cannot mix DIMM capacities in a bank (for example A1, B1). Pairs of DIMMs must be identical (same PID and revision).

You cannot mix DIMM speeds in a bank (for example A1, B1). Pairs of DIMMs must be identical (same PID and revision).

DIMM type

RDIMMs or LRDIMMs

Memory Mirroring

The CPUs in the server support memory mirroring only when an even number of channels are populated with DIMMs. If one or three channels are populated with DIMMs, memory mirroring is automatically disabled.

Memory mirroring reduces the amount of memory available by 50 percent because only one of the two populated channels provides data. The second, duplicate channel provides redundancy.

Replacing DIMMs

Identifying a Faulty DIMM

Each DIMM socket has a corresponding DIMM fault LED, directly in front of the DIMM socket. See Internal

Diagnostic LEDs, on page 27 for the locations of these LEDs. When the server is in standby power mode,

these LEDs light amber to indicate a faulty DIMM.

Step 1 Remove an existing DIMM:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 29.

You cannot mix DIMM types in a channel.

You cannot mix DIMM types in a bank.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Replacing CPUs and Heatsinks

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Maintaining the Server

Caution

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 30. d) Remove the air baffle that covers the front ends of the DIMM slots to provide clearance. e) Locate the DIMM that you are removing, and then open the ejector levers at each end of its DIMM slot.

Step 2 Install a new DIMM:

Note

a) Align the new DIMM with the empty slot on the motherboard. Use the alignment feature in the DIMM slot to correctly

orient the DIMM.

b) Push down evenly on the top corners of the DIMM until it is fully seated and the ejector levers on both ends lock

into place. c) Replace the top cover to the server. d) Replace the server in the rack, replace cables, and then fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

Before installing DIMMs, see the memory population rules for this server: DIMM Population Rules and Memory

Performance Guidelines, on page 43.

Replacing CPUs and Heatsinks

This section contains CPU configuration rules and the procedure for replacing CPUs and heatsinks:

CPU Configuration Rules

This server has two CPU sockets on the motherboard. Each CPU supports six DIM channels (12 DIMM slots).

• The server can operate with one CPU or two identical CPUs installed.

• The minimum configuration is that the server must have at least CPU 1 installed. Install CPU 1 first, and then CPU 2.

• The following restrictions apply when using a single-CPU configuration:

• Any unused CPU socket must have the protective dust cover from the factory in place.

• The maximum number of DIMMs is 12 (only CPU 1 channels A, B, C, D, E, F).

• PCIe riser 2 (slot 2) is unavailable.

• Front-loading NVME drives are unavailable (they require PCIe riser 2).

Tools Required For CPU Replacement

You need the following tools and equipment for this procedure:

• T-30 Torx driver—Supplied with replacement CPU.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

• #1 flat-head screwdriver—Supplied with replacement CPU.

• CPU assembly tool—Supplied with replacement CPU. Orderable separately as Cisco PID UCS-CPUAT=.

• Heatsink cleaning kit—Supplied with replacement CPU. Orderable separately as Cisco PID UCSX-HSCK=.

• Thermal interface material (TIM)—Syringe supplied with replacement CPU. Use only if you are reusing your existing heatsink (new heatsinks have a pre-applied pad of TIM). Orderable separately as Cisco PID UCS-CPU-TIM=.

See also Additional CPU-Related Parts to Order with RMA Replacement CPUs, on page 53.

Replacing a CPU and Heatsink

Caution

CPUs and their sockets are fragile and must be handled with extreme care to avoid damaging pins. The CPUs must be installed with heatsinks and thermal interface material to ensure cooling. Failure to install a CPU correctly might result in damage to the server.

Step 1 Remove the existing CPU/heatsink assembly from the server:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 29.

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 30. d) Use the T-30 Torx driver that is supplied with the replacement CPU to loosen the four captive nuts that secure the

assembly to the motherboard standoffs.

Note

Alternate loosening the heatsink nuts evenly so that the heatsink remains level as it is raised. Loosen the heatsink nuts in the order shown on the heatsink label: 4, 3, 2, 1.

e) Lift straight up on the CPU/heatsink assembly and set it heatsink-down on an antistatic surface.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Replacing a CPU and Heatsink

Figure 20: Removing the CPU/Heatsink Assembly

Maintaining the Server

CPU socket on motherboard4Heatsink1

T-30 Torx driver5Heatsink captive nuts (two on each side)2

-CPU carrier (below heatsink in this view)3

Step 2 Separate the heatsink from the CPU assembly (the CPU assembly includes the CPU and the CPU carrier):

a) Place the heatsink with CPU assembly so that it is oriented upside-down as shown below.

Note the thermal-interface material (TIM) breaker location. TIM BREAKER is stamped on the CPU carrier next to a small slot.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Figure 21: Separating the CPU Assembly From the Heatsink

Replacing a CPU and Heatsink

4CPU carrier1

CPU-carrier inner-latch nearest to the TIM breaker slot

5CPU2

#1 flat-head screwdriver inserted into TIM breaker slot

-TIM BREAKER slot in CPU carrier3

b) Pinch inward on the CPU-carrier inner-latch that is nearest the TIM breaker slot and then push up to disengage the

clip from its slot in the heatsink corner.

c) Insert the blade of a #1 flat-head screwdriver into the slot marked TIM BREAKER.

Caution

In the following step, do not pry on the CPU surface. Use gentle rotation to lift on the plastic surface of the CPU carrier at the TIM breaker slot. Use caution to avoid damaging the heatsink surface.

d) Gently rotate the screwdriver to lift up on the CPU until the TIM on the heatsink separates from the CPU.

Note

Do not allow the screwdriver tip to touch or damage the green CPU substrate.

e) Pinch the CPU-carrier inner-latch at the corner opposite the TIM breaker and push up to disengage the clip from its

slot in the heatsink corner.

f) On the remaining two corners of the CPU carrier, gently pry outward on the outer-latches and then lift the

CPU-assembly from the heatsink.

Note

Handle the CPU-assembly by the plastic carrier only. Do not touch the CPU surface. Do not separate the CPU from the carrier.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Replacing a CPU and Heatsink

Step 3 The new CPU assembly is shipped on a CPU assembly tool. Take the new CPU assembly and CPU assembly tool out of

the carton.

If the CPU assembly and CPU assembly tool become separated, note the alignment features shown below for correct orientation. The pin 1 triangle on the CPU carrier must be aligned with the angled corner on the CPU assembly tool.

Caution

Figure 22: CPU Assembly Tool, CPU Assembly, and Heatsink Alignment Features

CPUs and their sockets are fragile and must be handled with extreme care to avoid damaging pins.

Step 4 Apply new TIM to the heatsink:

Note

The heatsink must have new TIM on the heatsink-to-CPU surface to ensure proper cooling and performance.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

4CPU assembly tool1

Angled corner on heatsink (pin 1 alignment feature)

5CPU assembly (CPU in plastic carrier)2

Triangle cut into carrier (pin 1 alignment feature)

6Heatsink3

Angled corner on CPU assembly tool (pin 1 alignment feature)

Maintaining the Server

• If you are installing a new heatsink, it is shipped with a pre-applied pad of TIM. Go to step 5.

• If you are reusing a heatsink, you must remove the old TIM from the heatsink and then apply new TIM to the CPU surface from the supplied syringe. Continue with step a below.

a) Apply the cleaning solution that is included with the heatsink cleaning kit (UCSX-HSCK=) to the old TIM on the

heatsink and let it soak for a least 15 seconds.

b) Wipe all of the TIM off the heatsink using the soft cloth that is included with the heatsink cleaning kit. Be careful to

avoid scratching the heatsink surface.

c) Using the syringe of TIM provided with the new CPU (UCS-CPU-TIM=), apply 4 cubic centimeters of thermal

interface material to the top of the CPU. Use the pattern shown below to ensure even coverage.

Figure 23: Thermal Interface Material Application Pattern

Replacing a CPU and Heatsink

Caution

Use only the correct heatsink for your CPUs to ensure proper cooling. Use UCSC-HS-C220M5= for standard-performance CPUs 150 W and less. Note the wattage described on the heatsink label.

Step 5 With the CPU assembly on the CPU assembly tool, set the heatsink onto the CPU assembly. Note the pin 1 alignment

features for correct orientation. Push down gently until you hear the corner clips of the CPU carrier click onto the heatsink corners.

Caution

In the following step, use extreme care to avoid touching or damaging the CPU contacts or the CPU socket pins.

Step 6 Install the CPU/heatsink assembly to the server:

a) Lift the heatsink with attached CPU assembly from the CPU assembly tool. b) Align the CPU with heatsink over the CPU socket on the motherboard, as shown below.

Note the alignment features. The pin 1 angled corner on the heatsink must align with the pin 1 angled corner on the CPU socket. The CPU-socket posts must align with the guide-holes in the assembly.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Replacing a CPU and Heatsink

Figure 24: Installing the Heatsink/CPU Assembly to the CPU Socket

Maintaining the Server

4Guide hole in assembly (two)1

Angled corner on heatsink (pin 1 alignment feature)

5CPU socket alignment post (two)2

Angled corner on socket (pin 1 alignment feature)

-CPU socket leaf spring3

c) Set the heatsink with CPU assembly down onto the CPU socket. d) Use the T-30 Torx driver that is supplied with the replacement CPU to tighten the four captive nuts that secure the

heatsink to the motherboard standoffs.

Caution

Alternate tightening the heatsink nuts evenly so that the heatsink remains level while it is lowered. Tighten the heatsink nuts in the order shown on the heatsink label: 1, 2, 3, 4. The captive nuts must be fully tightened so that the leaf springs on the CPU socket lie flat.

e) Replace the top cover to the server. f) Replace the server in the rack, replace cables, and then fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Additional CPU-Related Parts to Order with RMA Replacement CPUs

When a return material authorization (RMA) of the CPU is done on a Cisco UCS C-Series server, additional parts might not be included with the CPU spare. The TAC engineer might need to add the additional parts to the RMA to help ensure a successful replacement.

Note

The following items apply to CPU replacement scenarios. If you are replacing a system chassis and moving existing CPUs to the new motherboard, you do not have to separate the heatsink from the CPU. See Additional

CPU-Related Parts to Order with RMA Replacement System Chassis, on page 53.

• Scenario 1—You are reusing the existing heatsinks:

• Heatsink cleaning kit (UCSX-HSCK=)

• Thermal interface material (TIM) kit for M5 servers (UCS-CPU-TIM=)

• Scenario 2—You are replacing the existing heatsinks:

Caution

Use only the correct heatsink for your CPUs to ensure proper cooling. Use UCSC-HS-C220M5= for CPUs 150 W and less.

• Heatsink: UCSC-HS-C220M5= for CPUs 150 W and less

• Heatsink cleaning kit (UCSX-HSCK=)

• Scenario 3—You have a damaged CPU carrier (the plastic frame around the CPU):

• CPU Carrier: UCS-M5-CPU-CAR=

• #1 flat-head screwdriver (for separating the CPU from the heatsink)

• Heatsink cleaning kit (UCSX-HSCK=)

• Thermal interface material (TIM) kit for M5 servers (UCS-CPU-TIM=)

A CPU heatsink cleaning kit is good for up to four CPU and heatsink cleanings. The cleaning kit contains two bottles of solution, one to clean the CPU and heatsink of old TIM and the other to prepare the surface of the heatsink.

New heatsink spares come with a pre-applied pad of TIM. It is important to clean any old TIM off of the CPU surface prior to installing the heatsinks. Therefore, even when you are ordering new heatsinks, you must order the heatsink cleaning kit.

Additional CPU-Related Parts to Order with RMA Replacement System Chassis

When a return material authorization (RMA) of the system chassis is done on a Cisco APIC M3 or L3 server, you move existing CPUs to the new chassis.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Moving an M5 Generation CPU

Note

Unlike previous generation CPUs, the M3 or L3 server CPUs do not require you to separate the heatsink from the CPU when you move the CPU-heatsink assembly. Therefore, no additional heatsink cleaning kit or thermal-interface material items are required.

• The only tool required for moving a CPU/heatsink assembly is a T-30 Torx driver.

Moving an M5 Generation CPU

Tool required for this procedure: T-30 Torx driver

Maintaining the Server

Caution

When you receive a replacement server for an RMA, it includes dust covers on all CPU sockets. These covers protect the socket pins from damage during shipping. You must transfer these covers to the system that you are returning, as described in this procedure.

Step 1 When moving an M3 or L3 CPU to a new server, you do not have to separate the heatsink from the CPU. Perform the

following steps:

a) Use a T-30 Torx driver to loosen the four captive nuts that secure the assembly to the board standoffs.

Note

Alternate loosening the heatsink nuts evenly so that the heatsink remains level as it is raised. Loosen the heatsink nuts in the order shown on the heatsink label: 4, 3, 2, 1.

b) Lift straight up on the CPU/heatsink assembly to remove it from the board. c) Set the CPUs with heatsinks aside on an anti-static surface.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Figure 25: Removing the CPU/Heatsink Assembly

Moving an M5 Generation CPU

CPU socket on motherboard4Heatsink1

T-30 Torx driver5Heatsink captive nuts (two on each side)2

-CPU carrier (below heatsink in this view)3

Step 2 Transfer the CPU socket covers from the new system to the system that you are returning:

a) Remove the socket covers from the replacement system. Grasp the two recessed finger-grip areas marked "REMOVE"

and lift straight up.

Note

Keep a firm grasp on the finger-grip areas at both ends of the cover. Do not make contact with the CPU socket pins.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Moving an M5 Generation CPU

Figure 26: Removing a CPU Socket Dust Cover

Maintaining the Server

-Finger-grip areas marked "REMOVE"1

b) With the wording on the dust cover facing up, set it in place over the CPU socket. Make sure that all alignment posts

on the socket plate align with the cutouts on the cover.

Caution

In the next step, do not press down anywhere on the cover except the two points described. Pressing elsewhere might damage the socket pins.

c) Press down on the two circular markings next to the word "INSTALL" that are closest to the two threaded posts (see

the following figure). Press until you feel and hear a click.

Note

You must press until you feel and hear a click to ensure that the dust covers do not come loose during shipping.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Figure 27: Installing a CPU Socket Dust Cover

Moving an M5 Generation CPU

to the word INSTALL.

Step 3 Install the CPUs to the new system:

a) On the new board, align the assembly over the CPU socket, as shown below.

Note the alignment features. The pin 1 angled corner on the heatsink must align with the pin 1 angled corner on the CPU socket. The CPU-socket posts must align with the guide-holes in the assembly.

-Press down on the two circular marks next

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Replacing a Mini-Storage Module

Figure 28: Installing the Heatsink/CPU Assembly to the CPU Socket

Maintaining the Server

b) On the new board, set the heatsink with CPU assembly down onto the CPU socket. c) Use a T-30 Torx driver to tighten the four captive nuts that secure the heatsink to the board standoffs.

Note

Replacing a Mini-Storage Module

The mini-storage module plugs into a motherboard socket to provide additional internal storage. The module is available in two different versions:

4Guide hole in assembly (two)1

Angled corner on heatsink (pin 1 alignment feature)

5CPU socket alignment post (two)2

Angled corner on socket (pin 1 alignment feature)

-CPU socket leaf spring3

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Replacing a Mini-Storage Module Carrier

• SD card carrier—provides two SD card sockets.

• M.2 SSD Carrier—provides two M.2 form-factor SSD sockets. These M.2 SSDs can be either two SATA SSDs or two NVMe SSDs (no mixing).

Replacing a Mini-Storage Module Carrier

This topic describes how to remove and replace a mini-storage module carrier. The carrier has one media socket on its top and one socket on its underside. Use the following procedure for any type of mini-storage module carrier (SD card or M.2 SSD).

Step 1 Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server, on

page 29.

Step 2 Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

Step 3 Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 30.

Step 4 Remove a carrier from its socket:

a) Locate the mini-storage module carrier in its socket just in front of power supply 1. b) At each end of the carrier, push outward on the clip that secures the carrier. c) Lift both ends of the carrier to disengage it from the socket on the motherboard. d) Set the carrier on an anti-static surface.

Step 5 Install a carrier to its socket:

a) Position the carrier over socket, with the carrier's connector facing down and at the same end as the motherboard

socket. Two alignment pegs must match with two holes on the carrier. b) Gently push down the socket end of the carrier so that the two pegs go through the two holes on the carrier. c) Push down on the carrier so that the securing clips click over it at both ends.

Step 6 Replace the top cover to the server.

Step 7 Replace the server in the rack, replace cables, and then fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Replacing an SD Card in a Mini-Storage Carrier For SD

Figure 29: Mini-Storage Module Carrier

Maintaining the Server

Securing clips3Location of socket on motherboard1

-Alignment pegs2

Replacing an SD Card in a Mini-Storage Carrier For SD

This topic describes how to remove and replace an SD card in a mini-storage carrier for SD (PID UCS-MSTOR-SD). The carrier has one SD card slot on its top and one slot on its underside.

Population Rules For Mini-Storage SD Cards

• You can use one or two SD cards in the carrier.

• Dual SD cards can be configured in a RAID 1 array through the Cisco IMC interface.

• SD slot 1 is on the top side of the carrier; SD slot 2 is on the underside of the carrier (the same side as the carrier's motherboard connector).

Step 1 Power off the server and then remove the mini-storage module carrier from the server as described in Replacing a

Mini-Storage Module Carrier, on page 59.

Step 2 Remove an SD card:

a) Push on the top of the SD card, and then release it to allow it to spring out from the socket. b) Grasp and remove the SD card from the socket.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Replacing an M.2 SSD in a Mini-Storage Carrier For M.2

Step 3 Install a new SD card:

a) Insert the new SD card into the socket with its label side facing up. b) Press on the top of the SD card until it clicks in the socket and stays in place.

Step 4 Install the mini-storage module carrier back into the server and then power it on as described in Replacing a Mini-Storage

Module Carrier, on page 59.

Replacing an M.2 SSD in a Mini-Storage Carrier For M.2

This topic describes how to remove and replace an M.2 SATA or M.2 NVMe SSD in a mini-storage carrier for M.2 (UCS-MSTOR-M2). The carrier has one M.2 SSD socket on its top and one socket on its underside.

Population Rules For Mini-Storage M.2 SSDs

• Both M.2 SSDs must be either SATA or NVMe; do not mix types in the carrier.

• You can use one or two M.2 SSDs in the carrier.

• M.2 socket 1 is on the top side of the carrier; M.2 socket 2 is on the underside of the carrier (the same side as the carrier's motherboard connector).

• Dual SATA M.2 SSDs can be configured in a RAID 1 array with the BIOS Setup Utility's built in embedded SATA RAID utility.

If M.2 NVMe SSDs are installed in the M.2 module, the embedded SATA controller is automatically disabled.

Note

You cannot control M.2 SATA SSDs in the server with a HW RAID controller.

Step 1 Power off the server and then remove the mini-storage module carrier from the server as described in Replacing a

Mini-Storage Module Carrier, on page 59.

Step 2 Remove an M.2 SSD:

a) Use a #1 Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the single screw that secures the M.2 SSD to the carrier. b) Remove the M.2 SSD from its socket on the carrier.

Step 3 Install a new M.2 SSD:

a) Angle the M.2 SSD downward and insert the connector-end into the socket on the carrier. The M.2 SSD's label must

face up. b) Press the M.2 SSD flat against the carrier. c) Install the single screw that secures the end of the M.2 SSD to the carrier.

Step 4 Install the mini-storage module carrier back into the server and then power it on as described in Replacing a Mini-Storage

Module Carrier, on page 59.

Replacing a Micro SD Card

There is one socket for a Micro SD card on the top of PCIe riser 1.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Replacing a Micro SD Card

Maintaining the Server

Caution

To avoid data loss, we do not recommend that you hot-swap the Micro SD card while it is operating, as indicated by its activity LED turning amber. The activity LED turns amber when the Micro SD card is updating or deleting.

Step 1 Remove an existing Micro SD card:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 29.

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 30. d) Locate the Micro SD card. The socket is on the top of PCIe riser 1, under a flexible plastic cover. e) Use your fingertip to push open the retainer on the socket cover far enough to provide access to the Micro SD card,

then push down and release the Micro SD card to make it spring up.

f) Grasp the Micro SD card and lift it from the socket.

Step 2 Install a new Micro SD card:

a) While holding the retainer on the plastic cover open with your fingertip, align the new Micro SD card with the socket. b) Gently push down on the card until it clicks and locks in place in the socket. c) Replace the top cover to the server. d) Replace the server in the rack, replace cables, and then fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

Figure 30: Internal Micro SD Card Socket

Plastic retainer (push aside to access socket)3Location of Micro SD card socket on the top

of PCIe riser 1

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Replacing an Internal USB Drive

This section includes procedures for installing a USB drive and for enabling or disabling the internal USB port.

Replacing a USB Drive

Replacing an Internal USB Drive

Micro SD activity LED4Micro SD card socket under plastic retainer2

Caution

Step 1 Remove an existing internal USB drive:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 29.

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 30. d) Locate the USB socket on the motherboard, directly in front of PCIe riser 2. e) Grasp the USB drive and pull it horizontally to free it from the socket.

Step 2 Install a new internal USB drive:

a) Align the USB drive with the socket. b) Push the USB drive horizontally to fully engage it with the socket. c) Replace the top cover to the server. d) Replace the server in the rack, replace cables, and then fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

We do not recommend that you hot-swap the internal USB drive while the server is powered on because of the potential for data loss.

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Enabling or Disabling the Internal USB Port

Figure 31: Location of Internal USB Port

Maintaining the Server

-Location of horizontal USB socket on motherboard1

Enabling or Disabling the Internal USB Port

The factory default is that all USB ports on the server are enabled. However, the internal USB port can be enabled or disabled in the server BIOS.

Step 1 Enter the BIOS Setup Utility by pressing the F2 key when prompted during bootup.

Step 2 Navigate to the Advanced tab.

Step 3 On the Advanced tab, select USB Configuration.

Step 4 On the USB Configuration page, select USB Ports Configuration.

Step 5 Scroll to USB Port: Internal, press Enter, and then choose either Enabled or Disabled from the dialog box.

Step 6 Press F10 to save and exit the utility.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Replacing the RTC Battery

Warning

There is danger of explosion if the battery is replaced incorrectly. Replace the battery only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Dispose of used batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

[Statement 1015]

The real-time clock (RTC) battery retains system settings when the server is disconnected from power. The battery type is CR2032. Cisco supports the industry-standard CR2032 battery, which can be ordered from Cisco (PID N20-MBLIBATT) or purchased from most electronic stores.

Step 1 Remove the RTC battery:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 29.

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 30. d) Locate the RTC battery. The vertical socket is directly in front of PCIe riser 2. e) Remove the battery from the socket on the motherboard. Gently pry the securing clip on one side open to provide

clearance, then lift straight up on the battery.

Step 2 Install a new RTC battery:

a) Insert the battery into its holder and press down until it clicks in place under the clip.

Note

The flat, positive side of the battery marked “3V+” should face left as you face the server front.

b) Replace the top cover to the server. c) Replace the server in the rack, replace cables, and then fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Replacing Power Supplies

Figure 32: RTC Battery Location on Motherboard

Maintaining the Server

Replacing Power Supplies

The server can have one or two power supplies. When two power supplies are installed they are redundant as 1+1.

This section includes procedures for replacing power supply units.

Replacing AC Power Supplies

Note

If you have ordered a server with power supply redundancy (two power supplies), you do not have to power off the server to replace a power supply because they are redundant as 1+1.

Note

Do not mix power supply types or wattages in the server. Both power supplies must be identical.

-RTC battery in vertical socket1

Step 1 Remove the power supply that you are replacing or a blank panel from an empty bay:

a) Perform one of the following actions:

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

• If your server has only one power supply, shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting

Down and Removing Power From the Server, on page 29.

• If your server has two power supplies, you do not have to shut down the server.

b) Remove the power cord from the power supply that you are replacing. c) Grasp the power supply handle while pinching the release lever toward the handle. d) Pull the power supply out of the bay.

Step 2 Install a new power supply:

a) Grasp the power supply handle and insert the new power supply into the empty bay. b) Push the power supply into the bay until the release lever locks. c) Connect the power cord to the new power supply. d) Only if you shut down the server, press the Power button to boot the server to main power mode.

Figure 33: Replacing AC Power Supplies

Replacing a PCIe Card

Note

PCIe Slot Specifications

Cisco supports all PCIe cards qualified and sold by Cisco. PCIe cards not qualified or sold by Cisco are the responsibility of the customer. Although Cisco will always stand behind and support the C-Series rack-mount servers, customers using standard, off-the-shelf, third-party cards must go to the third-party card vendor for support if any issue with that particular card occurs.

The server contains two PCIe slots on one riser assembly for horizontal installation of PCIe cards. Both slots support the NCSI protocol and 12V standby power.

Figure 34: Rear Panel, Showing PCIe Slot Numbering

Power supply handle2Power supply release lever1

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Replacing a PCIe Card

Table 6: PCIe Riser 1/Slot 1

Maintaining the Server

The following tables describe the specifications for the slots.

Slot Number

slot

Table 7: PCIe Riser 2/Slot 2

Slot Number

for front-panel NVMe SSDs

Note

Electrical Lane Width

Connector Length

Maximum Card Length

One socket for Micro SD cardMicro SD card

Maximum Card Length

Width

Gen-3 x8PCIe cable connector

Connector LengthElectrical Lane

Other end of cable connects to front drive backplane to support front-panel NVMe SSDs.

Riser 1/Slot 1 is not available in single-CPU configurations.

Card Height (Rear Panel Opening)

Panel Opening)

NCSI Support

YesFull-height¾ lengthx24 connectorGen-3 x161

NCSI SupportCard Height (Rear

Yes½ height½ lengthx24 connectorGen-3 x161

Replacing a PCIe Card

Note

If you are installing a Cisco Virtual Interface Card, there are prerequisite considerations. See Cisco Virtual

Interface Card (VIC) Considerations, on page 70.

Note

RAID controller cards install into a separate mRAID riser. See Replacing a SAS Storage Controller Card

(RAID or HBA), on page 74.

Step 1 Remove an existing PCIe card (or a blank filler panel) from the PCIe riser:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 29.

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 30. d) Remove any cables from the ports of the PCIe card that you are replacing.

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

e) Use two hands to grasp the external riser handle and the blue area at the front of the riser. f) Lift straight up to disengage the riser's connectors from the two sockets on the motherboard. Set the riser upside-down

on an antistatic surface. g) Open the hinged plastic retainer that secures the rear-panel tab of the card. h) Pull evenly on both ends of the PCIe card to remove it from the socket on the PCIe riser.

If the riser has no card, remove the blanking panel from the rear opening of the riser.

Step 2 Install a new PCIe card:

a) With the hinged tab retainer open, align the new PCIe card with the empty socket on the PCIe riser.

PCIe riser 1/slot 1 has a long-card guide at the front end of the riser. Use the slot in the long-card guide to help support

a full-length card.

b) Push down evenly on both ends of the card until it is fully seated in the socket. c) Ensure that the card’s rear panel tab sits flat against the riser rear-panel opening and then close the hinged tab retainer

over the card’s rear-panel tab.

Figure 35: PCIe Riser Assembly

Replacing a PCIe Card

Hinged card retainer (one each slot)4PCIe slot 1 rear-panel opening1

5External riser handle2

PCIe connector for cable that supports front-panel NVMe SSDs

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Cisco Virtual Interface Card (VIC) Considerations

PCIe slot 2 rear-panel opening3

d) Position the PCIe riser over its two sockets on the motherboard and over the two chassis alignment channels.

Figure 36: PCIe Riser Alignment Features

Maintaining the Server

e) Carefully push down on both ends of the PCIe riser to fully engage its two connectors with the two sockets on the

motherboard. f) Replace the top cover to the server. g) Replace the server in the rack, replace cables, and then fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

Cisco Virtual Interface Card (VIC) Considerations

This section describes VIC card support and special considerations for this server.

Note

If you use the Cisco Card NIC mode, you must also make a VIC Slot setting that matches where your VIC is installed. The options are Riser1, Riser2, and Flex-LOM. See NIC Mode and NIC Redundancy Settings, on

page 19 for more information about NIC modes.

Table 8: VIC Support and Considerations in This Server

VIC

How Many Supported in Server

Slots That Support VICs

Riser alignment features in chassis2Blue riser handle1

Primary Slot For Cisco UCS Manager Integration

Primary Slot For Cisco Card NIC Mode

Minimum Cisco IMC Firmware

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Replacing an mLOM Card

2 PCIeCisco VIC 1455

APIC-PCIE-C25Q-04

Note

This VIC supports 10/25-Gigabit with the following restrictions:

• All ports must have the same speed.

• Port-0 and port-1 is one pair, corresponding to eth2-1 on APIC. Port-2 and port-3 is another pair, corresponding to eth2-2 on APIC. Only one connection is allowed for each pair (For example, you can connect one cable to either port-0 or port-1, and you can connect another one cable to either port-2 or port-3. Do not connect two cables on any pair.)

Replacing an mLOM Card

The server supports a modular LOM (mLOM) card to provide additional rear-panel connectivity. The horizontal mLOM socket is on the motherboard, under the mRAID riser.

The mLOM socket provides a Gen-3 x16 PCIe lane. The socket remains powered when the server is in 12 V standby power mode and it supports the network communications services interface (NCSI) protocol.

4.0(1)PCIe 1PCIe 1PCIe 1

PCIe 2

Step 1 Remove any existing mLOM card (or a blanking panel):

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 29.

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 30. d) Remove the mRAID riser to provide access to the mLOM socket below the riser.

To remove the mRAID riser, use both hands to grasp the external blue handle on the rear and the blue finger-grip on the front. Lift straight up.

You do not have to disconnect cables from any RAID card or interposer card that is installed in the riser. Carefully move the riser aside only far enough to provide clearance.

e) Loosen the single captive thumbscrew that secures the mLOM card to the threaded standoff on the chassis floor. f) Slide the mLOM card horizontally to free it from the socket, then lift it out of the server.

Step 2 Install a new mLOM card:

a) Set the mLOM card on the chassis floor so that its connector is aligned with the motherboard socket. b) Push the card horizontally to fully engage the card's edge connector with the socket. c) Tighten the captive thumbscrew to secure the card to the standoff on the chassis floor. d) Return the mRAID riser to its socket.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Replacing an mRAID Riser (Riser 3)

Carefully align the riser's edge connector with the motherboard socket at the same time you align the two channels on the riser with the two pegs on the inner chassis wall. Press down evenly on both ends of the riser to fully engage its connector with the motherboard socket.

e) Replace the top cover to the server. f) Replace the server in the rack, replace cables, and then fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

Figure 37: Location of the mLOM Card Socket Below the mRAID Riser

Maintaining the Server

Replacing an mRAID Riser (Riser 3)

The server has a dedicated internal riser that is used for either a Cisco modular storage controller card (RAID or HBA) or the SATA interposer card for embedded software RAID. This riser plugs into a dedicated motherboard socket and provides a horizontal socket for the installed card.

This riser can be ordered as the following options:

• UCSC-XRAIDR-220M5—Replacement unit for this mRAID riser.

• UCSC-MRAID1GB-KIT—Kit for first-time addition of this riser (includes RAID controller, supercap, and supercap cable).

See also Replacing a SAS Storage Controller Card (RAID or HBA), on page 74.

See also Replacing the Supercap (RAID Backup), on page 76.

• UCSC-SATA-KIT-M5—Kit for first-time addition of this riser (includes SATA interposer for embedded software RAID and SATA cables).

Position of mLOM card thumbscrew2Position of horizontal mLOM card socket1

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

See also Replacing a SATA Interposer Card , on page 78.

Step 1 Prepare the server for component installation:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 29.

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Replacing an mRAID Riser (Riser 3)

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 30.

Step 2 Remove the existing mRAID riser:

a) Using both hands, grasp the external blue handle on the rear of the riser and the blue finger-grip on the front end of

the riser. b) Lift the riser straight up to disengage it from the motherboard socket. c) Set the riser upside down on an antistatic surface. d) Remove any card from the riser. Open the blue card-ejector lever that is on the edge of the card and then pull the card

straight out from its socket on the riser.

Step 3 Install a new mRAID riser:

a) Install your card into the new riser. Close the card-ejector lever on the card to lock it into the riser. b) Connect cables to the installed card.

See Storage Controller and Backplane Connectors, on page 102 for cabling instructions for controller cards and

interposer cards.

c) Align the riser with the socket on the motherboard. At the same time, align the two slots on the back side of the

bracket with the two pegs on the inner chassis wall. d) Push down gently to engage the riser with the motherboard socket. The metal riser bracket must also engage the two

pegs that secure it to the chassis wall.

Step 4 Replace the top cover to the server.

Step 5 Replace the server in the rack, replace cables, and then fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Replacing a SAS Storage Controller Card (RAID or HBA)

Figure 38: mRAID Riser (Internal Riser 3) Location

Maintaining the Server

Card-ejector lever3External blue handle1

-Two pegs on inner chassis wall2

Replacing a SAS Storage Controller Card (RAID or HBA)

For hardware-based storage control, the server can use a Cisco modular SAS RAID controller or SAS HBA that plugs into a horizontal socket on a dedicated mRAID riser (internal riser 3).

Note

You cannot use a hardware RAID controller card and the embedded software RAID controller to control front-panel drives at the same time.

Storage Controller Card Firmware Compatibility

Firmware on the storage controller (RAID or HBA) must be verified for compatibility with the current Cisco IMC and BIOS versions that are installed on the server. If not compatible, upgrade or downgrade the storage controller firmware using the Host Upgrade Utility (HUU) for your firmware release to bring it to a compatible level.

See the HUU guide for your Cisco IMC release for instructions on downloading and using the utility to bring server components to compatible levels: HUU Guides.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Replacing a SAS Storage Controller Card (RAID or HBA)

Note

For servers running in standalone mode only: After you replace controller hardware (APIC-RAID-M5), you must run the Cisco Host Upgrade Utility (HUU) to update the controller firmware, even if the firmware Current Version is the same as the Update Version. This is necessary to program the controller's suboem-id to the correct value for the server SKU. If you do not do this, drive enumeration might not display correctly in the software. This issue does not affect servers controlled in UCSM mode.

Replacing a SAS Storage Controller Card (RAID or HBA)

Step 1 Prepare the server for component installation:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server. b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 30.

Step 2 Remove the mRAID riser (riser 3) from the server:

a) Using both hands, grasp the external blue handle on the rear of the riser and the blue finger-grip on the front end of

the riser. b) Lift the riser straight up to disengage it from the motherboard socket. c) Set the riser upside down on an antistatic surface.

Step 3 Remove any existing card from the riser:

a) Disconnect cables from the existing card. b) Open the blue card-ejector lever on the back side of the card to eject it from the socket on the riser. c) Pull the card from the riser and set it aside.

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

Step 4 Install a new storage controller card to the riser:

a) With the riser upside down, set the card on the riser. b) Push on both corners of the card to seat its connector in the riser socket. c) Close the card-ejector lever on the card to lock it into the riser. d) Connect cables to the installed card.

See Storage Controller and Backplane Connectors, on page 102 for cabling instructions for controller cards and

interposer cards.

Step 5 Return the riser to the server:

a) Align the connector on the riser with the socket on the motherboard. At the same time, align the two slots on the back

side of the bracket with the two pegs on the inner chassis wall. b) Push down gently to engage the riser connector with the motherboard socket. The metal riser bracket must also engage

the two pegs that secure it to the chassis wall.

Step 6 Replace the top cover to the server.

Step 7 Replace the server in the rack, replace cables, and then fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

Step 8 If your server is running in standalone mode, use the Cisco Host Upgrade Utility to update the controller firmware and

program the correct suboem-id for the controller.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Replacing the Supercap (RAID Backup)

Maintaining the Server

Note

See the HUU guide for your Cisco IMC release for instructions on downloading and using the utility to bring server components to compatible levels: HUU Guides.

Figure 39: mRAID Riser (Internal Riser 3) Location

Replacing the Supercap (RAID Backup)

This server supports installation of one supercap unit. The unit mounts to a bracket that is in the middle of the row of cooling fan modules.

The supercap provides approximately three years of backup for the disk write-back cache DRAM in the case of a sudden power loss by offloading the cache to the NAND flash.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Card-ejector lever3External blue handle1

-Two pegs on inner chassis wall2

Maintaining the Server

Replacing the Supercap (RAID Backup)

Warning

Statement 1015

Step 1 Prepare the server for component installation:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 29.

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 30.

Step 2 Remove an existing supercap:

a) Disconnect the supercap cable from the existing supercap. b) Push aside the securing tab to open the hinged latch that secures the supercap to its bracket on the removable air

baffle. c) Lift the supercap free of the bracket and set it aside.

Step 3 Install a new supercap:

a) Set the new supercap into the mounting bracket. b) Close the hinged plastic clip over the supercap. Push down until the securing tab clicks. c) Connect the supercap cable from the RAID controller card to the connector on the new supercap cable.

Step 4 Replace the top cover to the server.

Step 5 Replace the server in the rack, replace cables, and then fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Replacing a SATA Interposer Card

Figure 40: Replacing Supercap

Maintaining the Server

Replacing a SATA Interposer Card

For software-based storage control that uses the server's embedded SATA controller, the server requires a SATA interposer card that plugs into a horizontal socket on a dedicated mRAID riser (internal riser 3).

Note

You cannot use a hardware RAID controller card and the embedded software RAID controller at the same time.

Step 1 Prepare the server for component installation:

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Hinged latch2Securing tab1

Maintaining the Server

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 29.

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Replacing a SATA Interposer Card

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 30.

Step 2 Remove the mRAID riser (riser 3) from the server:

a) Using both hands, grasp the external blue handle on the rear of the riser and the blue finger-grip on the front end of

the riser. b) Lift the riser straight up to disengage it from the motherboard socket. c) Set the riser upside down on an antistatic surface.

Step 3 Remove any existing card from the riser:

Step 4 Install a new card to the riser:

Step 5 Return the riser to the server:

a) Align the connector on the riser with the socket on the motherboard. At the same time, align the two slots on the back

side of the bracket with the two pegs on the inner chassis wall. b) Push down gently to engage the riser connector with the motherboard socket. The metal riser bracket must also engage

the two pegs that secure it to the chassis wall.

Step 6 Reconnect the cables to their connectors on the new card.

Step 7 Replace the top cover to the server.

Step 8 Replace the server in the rack, replace cables, and then fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Replacing a Chassis Intrusion Switch

Figure 41: mRAID Riser (Internal Riser 3) Location

Maintaining the Server

Replacing a Chassis Intrusion Switch

The chassis intrusion switch in an optional security feature that logs an event in the system event log (SEL) whenever the cover is removed from the chassis.

Step 1 Prepare the server for component installation:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 29.

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 30.

Step 2 Remove an existing intrusion switch:

a) Disconnect the intrusion switch cable from the socket on the motherboard. b) Use a #1 Phillips-head screwdriver to loosen and remove the single screw that holds the switch mechanism to the

chassis wall.

c) Slide the switch mechanism straight up to disengage it from the clips on the chassis.

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

Card-ejector lever3External blue handle1

-Two pegs on inner chassis wall2

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Installing a Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

Step 3 Install a new intrusion switch:

a) Slide the switch mechanism down into the clips on the chassis wall so that the screwhole lines up. b) Use a #1 Phillips-head screwdriver to install the single screw that secures the switch mechanism to the chassis wall. c) Connect the switch cable to the socket on the motherboard.

Step 4 Replace the cover to the server.

Step 5 Replace the server in the rack, replace cables, and then fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

Figure 42: Replacing a Chassis Intrusion Switch

-Intrusion switch location1

Installing a Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

The trusted platform module (TPM) is a small circuit board that plugs into a motherboard socket and is then permanently secured with a one-way screw. The socket location is on the motherboard below PCIe riser 2.

TPM Considerations

• This server supports either TPM version 1.2 or TPM version 2.0.

• Field replacement of a TPM is not supported; you can install a TPM after-factory only if the server does not already have a TPM installed.

• If there is an existing TPM 1.2 installed in the server, you cannot upgrade to TPM 2.0. If there is no existing TPM in the server, you can install TPM 2.0.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Installing and Enabling a TPM

• If the TPM 2.0 becomes unresponsive, reboot the server.

Installing and Enabling a TPM

Note

Field replacement of a TPM is not supported; you can install a TPM after-factory only if the server does not already have a TPM installed.

This topic contains the following procedures, which must be followed in this order when installing and enabling a TPM:

1. Installing the TPM Hardware

2. Enabling the TPM in the BIOS

3. Enabling the Intel TXT Feature in the BIOS

Installing TPM Hardware

Maintaining the Server

Note

For security purposes, the TPM is installed with a one-way screw. It cannot be removed with a standard screwdriver.

Step 1 Prepare the server for component installation:

a) Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 29.

b) Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

c) Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 30.

Step 2 Check if there is a card installed in PCIe riser 2:

• If no card is installed in PCIe riser 2, you can access the TPM socket. Go to the next step.

• If a card is installed in PCIe riser 2, remove the PCIe riser assembly from the chassis to provide clearance before continuing with the next step. See Replacing a PCIe Card, on page 68 for instructions on removing the PCIe riser.

Step 3 Install a TPM:

a) Locate the TPM socket on the motherboard, as shown below. b) Align the connector that is on the bottom of the TPM circuit board with the motherboard TPM socket. Align the

screw hole on the TPM board with the screw hole that is adjacent to the TPM socket. c) Push down evenly on the TPM to seat it in the motherboard socket. d) Install the single one-way screw that secures the TPM to the motherboard. e) If you removed the PCIe riser assembly to provide clearance, return it to the server now.

Step 4 Replace the cover to the server.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Enabling the TPM in the BIOS

Step 5 Replace the server in the rack, replace cables, and then fully power on the server by pressing the Power button.

Figure 43: Location of the TPM Socket

any card in PCIe riser 2

Step 6 Continue with Enabling the TPM in the BIOS, on page 83.

Enabling the TPM in the BIOS

After hardware installation, you must enable TPM support in the BIOS.

Note

You must set a BIOS Administrator password before performing this procedure. To set this password, press the F2 key when prompted during system boot to enter the BIOS Setup utility. Then navigate to Security > Set Administrator Password and enter the new password twice as prompted.

Step 1 Enable TPM Support:

a) Watch during bootup for the F2 prompt, and then press F2 to enter BIOS setup. b) Log in to the BIOS Setup Utility with your BIOS Administrator password. c) On the BIOS Setup Utility window, choose the Advanced tab. d) Choose Trusted Computing to open the TPM Security Device Configuration window. e) Change TPM SUPPORT to Enabled. f) Press F10 to save your settings and reboot the server.

-TPM socket location on motherboard below

Step 2 Verify that TPM support is now enabled:

a) Watch during bootup for the F2 prompt, and then press F2 to enter BIOS setup.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Enabling the Intel TXT Feature in the BIOS

b) Log into the BIOS Setup utility with your BIOS Administrator password. c) Choose the Advanced tab. d) Choose Trusted Computing to open the TPM Security Device Configuration window. e) Verify that TPM SUPPORT and TPM State are Enabled.

Step 3 Continue with Enabling the Intel TXT Feature in the BIOS, on page 84.

Enabling the Intel TXT Feature in the BIOS

Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) provides greater protection for information that is used and stored on the business server. A key aspect of that protection is the provision of an isolated execution environment and associated sections of memory where operations can be conducted on sensitive data, invisibly to the rest of the system. Intel TXT provides for a sealed portion of storage where sensitive data such as encryption keys can be kept, helping to shield them from being compromised during an attack by malicious code.

Step 1 Reboot the server and watch for the prompt to press F2.

Step 2 When prompted, press F2 to enter the BIOS Setup utility.

Step 3 Verify that the prerequisite BIOS values are enabled:

a) Choose the Advanced tab. b) Choose Intel TXT(LT-SX) Configuration to open the Intel TXT(LT-SX) Hardware Support window. c) Verify that the following items are listed as Enabled:

Maintaining the Server

• VT-d Support (default is Enabled)

• VT Support (default is Enabled)

• TPM Support

• TPM State

d) Do one of the following:

• If VT-d Support and VT Support are already enabled, skip to step 4.

• If VT-d Support and VT Support are not enabled, continue with the next steps to enable them.

e) Press Escape to return to the BIOS Setup utility Advanced tab. f) On the Advanced tab, choose Processor Configuration to open the Processor Configuration window. g) Set Intel (R) VT and Intel (R) VT-d to Enabled.

Step 4 Enable the Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) feature:

a) Return to the Intel TXT(LT-SX) Hardware Support window if you are not already there. b) Set TXT Support to Enabled.

Step 5 Press F10 to save your changes and exit the BIOS Setup utility.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Service Headers and Jumpers

This server includes two blocks of headers (J38, J39) that you can jumper for certain service and debug functions.

Figure 44: Location of Service Header Blocks J38 and J39

Service Headers and Jumpers

Location of header block J396Location of header block J381

J39 pin 1 arrow printed on motherboard7J38 pin 1 arrow printed on motherboard2

8Clear CMOS: J38 pins 9 - 103

9Recover BIOS: J38 pins 11 - 124

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Boot Cisco IMC from alternate image: J39 pins 1 2

Reset Cisco IMC password to default: J39 pins 3 4

Reset Cisco IMC to defaults: J39 pins 5 - 610Clear password: J38 pins 13 - 145

Using the Clear CMOS Header (J38, Pins 9 - 10)

You can use this header to clear the server’s CMOS settings in the case of a system hang. For example, if the server hangs because of incorrect settings and does not boot, use this jumper to invalidate the settings and reboot with defaults.

Maintaining the Server

Caution

Step 1 Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 29. Disconnect power cords from all power supplies.

Step 2 Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

Step 3 Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 30.

Step 4 Locate header block J38 and pins 9-10, as shown in Service Headers and Jumpers, on page 85.

Step 5 Install a two-pin jumper across pins 9 and 10.

Step 6 Reinstall the top cover and reconnect AC power cords to the server. The server powers up to standby power mode,

indicated when the Power LED on the front panel is amber.

Step 7 Return the server to main power mode by pressing the Power button on the front panel. The server is in main power

mode when the Power LED is green.

Note

Step 8 Press the Power button to shut down the server to standby power mode, and then remove AC power cords from the

server to remove all power.

Step 9 Remove the top cover from the server.

Step 10 Remove the jumper that you installed.

Clearing the CMOS removes any customized settings and might result in data loss. Make a note of any necessary customized settings in the BIOS before you use this clear CMOS procedure.

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

You must allow the entire server to reboot to main power mode to complete the reset. The state of the jumper cannot be determined without the host CPU running.

Note

Step 11 Replace the top cover, replace the server in the rack, replace power cords and any other cables, and then power on the

server by pressing the Power button.

If you do not remove the jumper, the CMOS settings are reset to the defaults every time you power-cycle the server.

Using the BIOS Recovery Header (J38, Pins 11 - 12)

Depending on which stage the BIOS becomes corrupted, you might see different behavior.

• If the BIOS BootBlock is corrupted, you might see the system get stuck on the following message:

Initializing and configuring memory/hardware

• If it is a non-BootBlock corruption, a message similar to the following is displayed:

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Procedure 1: Reboot With recovery.cap File

****BIOS FLASH IMAGE CORRUPTED**** Flash a valid BIOS capsule file using Cisco IMC WebGUI or CLI interface. IF Cisco IMC INTERFACE IS NOT AVAILABLE, FOLLOW THE STEPS MENTIONED BELOW.

1. Connect the USB stick with bios.cap file in root folder.

2. Reset the host. IF THESE STEPS DO NOT RECOVER THE BIOS

1. Power off the system.

2. Mount recovery jumper.

3. Connect the USB stick with bios.cap file in root folder.

4. Power on the system. Wait for a few seconds if already plugged in the USB stick. REFER TO SYSTEM MANUAL FOR ANY ISSUES.

Note

As indicated by the message shown above, there are two procedures for recovering the BIOS. Try procedure 1 first. If that procedure does not recover the BIOS, use procedure 2.

Procedure 1: Reboot With recovery.cap File

Step 1 Download the BIOS update package and extract it to a temporary location.

Step 2 Copy the contents of the extracted recovery folder to the root directory of a USB drive. The recovery folder contains the

bios.cap file that is required in this procedure.

Note

Step 3 Insert the USB drive into a USB port on the server.

Step 4 Reboot the server.

Step 5 Return the server to main power mode by pressing the Power button on the front panel.

The server boots with the updated BIOS boot block. When the BIOS detects a valid bios.cap file on the USB drive, it displays this message:

Found a valid recovery file...Transferring to Cisco IMC System would flash the BIOS image now... System would restart with recovered image after a few seconds...

Step 6 Wait for server to complete the BIOS update, and then remove the USB drive from the server.

The bios.cap file must be in the root directory of the USB drive. Do not rename this file. The USB drive must be formatted with either the FAT16 or FAT32 file system.

Note

During the BIOS update, Cisco IMC shuts down the server and the screen goes blank for about 10 minutes. Do not unplug the power cords during this update. Cisco IMC powers on the server after the update is complete.

Procedure 2: Use BIOS Recovery Header and bios.cap Recovery File

Step 1 Download the BIOS update package and extract it to a temporary location. Step 2 Copy the contents of the extracted recovery folder to the root directory of a USB drive. The recovery folder contains

the bios.cap file that is required in this procedure.

Note

The bios.cap file must be in the root directory of the USB drive. Do not rename this file. The USB drive must be formatted with either the FAT16 or FAT32 file system.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Using the Clear Password Header (J38, Pins 13 - 14)

Step 3 Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 29. Disconnect power cords from all power supplies.

Step 4 Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

Step 5 Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 30.

Step 6 Locate header block J38 and pins 11-12, as shown in Service Headers and Jumpers, on page 85.

Step 7 Install a two-pin jumper across pins 11 and 12.

Step 8 Reconnect AC power cords to the server. The server powers up to standby power mode.

Step 9 Insert the USB thumb drive that you prepared in Step 2 into a USB port on the server.

Step 10 Return the server to main power mode by pressing the Power button on the front panel.

The server boots with the updated BIOS boot block. When the BIOS detects a valid bios.cap file on the USB drive, it displays this message:

Found a valid recovery file...Transferring to Cisco IMC System would flash the BIOS image now... System would restart with recovered image after a few seconds...

Step 11 Wait for server to complete the BIOS update, and then remove the USB drive from the server.

Note

Step 12 After the server has fully booted, power off the server again and disconnect all power cords.

Step 13 Remove the jumper that you installed.

Note

If you do not remove the jumper, after recovery completion you see the prompt, “Please remove the recovery jumper.”

Step 14 Replace the top cover, replace the server in the rack, replace power cords and any other cables, and then power on the

server by pressing the Power button.

Using the Clear Password Header (J38, Pins 13 - 14)

You can use this switch to clear the administrator password.

Step 1 Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 29. Disconnect power dords from all power supplies.

Step 2 Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

Step 3 Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 30.

Step 4 Install a two-pin jumper across J38 pins 13 and 14.

Step 5 Reinstall the top cover and reconnect AC power cords to the server. The server powers up to standby power mode,

indicated when the Power LED on the front panel is amber.

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Using the Boot Alternate Cisco IMC Image Header (J39, Pins 1 - 2)

Step 6 Return the server to main power mode by pressing the Power button on the front panel. The server is in main power

mode when the Power LED is green.

Note

You must allow the entire server to reboot to main power mode to complete the reset. The state of the jumper cannot be determined without the host CPU running.

Step 7 Press the Power button to shut down the server to standby power mode, and then remove AC power cords from the

server to remove all power.

Step 8 Remove the top cover from the server.

Step 9 Remove the jumper that you installed.

Note

If you do not remove the jumper, the password is cleared every time you power-cycle the server.

Step 10 Replace the top cover, replace the server in the rack, replace power cords and any other cables, and then power on the

server by pressing the Power button.

Using the Boot Alternate Cisco IMC Image Header (J39, Pins 1 - 2)

You can use this Cisco IMC debug header to force the system to boot from an alternate Cisco IMC image.

Step 1 Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server.

Disconnect power cords from all power supplies.

Step 2 Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

Step 3 Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover.

Step 4 Locate header block J39, pins 1-2, as shown in Service Headers and Jumpers.

Step 5 Install a two-pin jumper across J39 pins 1 and 2.

Step 6 Reinstall the top cover and reconnect AC power cords to the server. The server powers up to standby power mode,

indicated when the Power LED on the front panel is amber.

Step 7 Return the server to main power mode by pressing the Power button on the front panel. The server is in main power

mode when the Power LED is green.

Note

When you next log in to Cisco IMC, you see a message similar to the following:

'Boot from alternate image' debug functionality is enabled. CIMC will boot from alternate image on next reboot or input power cycle.

Step 8 Press the Power button to shut down the server to standby power mode, and then remove AC power cords from the

server to remove all power.

Step 9 Remove the top cover from the server.

Step 10 Remove the jumper that you installed.

Note

If you do not remove the jumper, the server will boot from an alternate Cisco IMC image every time that you power cycle the server or reboot Cisco IMC.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Using the Reset Cisco IMC Password to Default Header (J39, Pins 3 - 4)

Step 11 Replace the top cover, replace the server in the rack, replace power cords and any other cables, and then power on the

server by pressing the Power button.

Using the Reset Cisco IMC Password to Default Header (J39, Pins 3 - 4)

You can use this Cisco IMC debug header to force the Cisco IMC password back to the default.

Step 1 Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 29. Disconnect power cords from all power supplies.

Step 2 Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

Step 3 Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 30.

Step 4 Locate header block J39, pins 3-4, as shown in Service Headers and Jumpers, on page 85.

Step 5 Install a two-pin jumper across J39 pins 3 and 4.

Step 6 Reinstall the top cover and reconnect AC power cords to the server. The server powers up to standby power mode,

indicated when the Power LED on the front panel is amber.

Step 7 Return the server to main power mode by pressing the Power button on the front panel. The server is in main power

mode when the Power LED is green.

Note

When you next log in to Cisco IMC, you see a message similar to the following:

'Reset to default CIMC password' debug functionality is enabled. On input power cycle, CIMC password will be reset to defaults.

Step 8 Press the Power button to shut down the server to standby power mode, and then remove AC power cords from the

server to remove all power.

Step 9 Remove the top cover from the server.

Step 10 Remove the jumper that you installed.

Note

If you do not remove the jumper, the server will reset the Cisco IMC password to the default every time that you power cycle the server. The jumper has no effect if you reboot Cisco IMC.

Step 11 Replace the top cover, replace the server in the rack, replace power cords and any other cables, and then power on the

server by pressing the Power button.

Using the Reset Cisco IMC to Defaults Header (J39, Pins 5 - 6)

You can use this Cisco IMC debug header to force the Cisco IMC settings back to the defaults.

Step 1 Shut down and remove power from the server as described in Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server,

on page 29. Disconnect power cords from all power supplies.

Step 2 Slide the server out the front of the rack far enough so that you can remove the top cover. You might have to detach

cables from the rear panel to provide clearance.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Maintaining the Server

Using the Reset Cisco IMC to Defaults Header (J39, Pins 5 - 6)

Caution

If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.

Step 3 Remove the top cover from the server as described in Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 30.

Step 4 Locate header block J39, pins 5-6, as shown in Service Headers and Jumpers, on page 85.

Step 5 Install a two-pin jumper across J39 pins 5 and 6.

Step 6 Reinstall the top cover and reconnect AC power cords to the server. The server powers up to standby power mode,

indicated when the Power LED on the front panel is amber.

Step 7 Return the server to main power mode by pressing the Power button on the front panel. The server is in main power

mode when the Power LED is green.

Note

When you next log in to Cisco IMC, you see a message similar to the following:

'CIMC reset to factory defaults' debug functionality is enabled. On input power cycle, CIMC will be reset to factory defaults.

Step 8 To remove the jumper, press the Power button to shut down the server to standby power mode, and then remove AC

power cords from the server to remove all power.

Step 9 Remove the top cover from the server.

Step 10 Remove the jumper that you installed.

Note

If you do not remove the jumper, the server will reset the Cisco IMC to the default settiings every time that you power cycle the server. The jumper has no effect if you reboot Cisco IMC.

Step 11 Replace the top cover, replace the server in the rack, replace power cords and any other cables, and then power on the

server by pressing the Power button.

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Using the Reset Cisco IMC to Defaults Header (J39, Pins 5 - 6)

Maintaining the Server

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

Cisco APIC M3, APIC L3 Installation And Service Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Cisco APIC M3/L3 Server Installation and Service Guide

CONTENTS

Overview

Overview

External Features

Serviceable Component Locations

Summary of Server Features

Installing the Server

Preparing for Installation

Installation Warnings and Guidelines

Grounding Requirements

Rack Requirements

Installing the Server in a Rack

Installing the Cable Management Arm (Optional)

Reversing the Cable Management Arm (Optional)

Initial Server Setup

Connecting to the Server Locally For Setup

Connecting to the Server Remotely For Setup

Setting Up the System With the Cisco IMC Configuration Utility

NIC Mode and NIC Redundancy Settings

Updating the BIOS and Cisco IMC Firmware

Accessing the System BIOS

Smart Access Serial

Smart Access USB

Maintaining the Server

Status LEDs and Buttons

Front-Panel LEDs

Rear-Panel LEDs

Internal Diagnostic LEDs

Preparing For Component Installation

Required Equipment For Service Procedures

Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server

Shutting Down Using the Power Button

Shutting Down Using The Cisco IMC GUI

Shutting Down Using The Cisco IMC CLI

Removing the Server Top Cover

Serial Number Location

Hot Swap vs Hot Plug

Removing and Replacing Components

Serviceable Component Locations

Replacing SAS/SATA Hard Drives or Solid State Drives

SAS/SATA Drive Population Guidelines

4K Sector Format SAS/SATA Drives Considerations

Setting Up UEFI Mode Booting in the BIOS Setup Utility

Setting Up UEFI Mode Booting in the Cisco IMC GUI

Replacing a SAS/SATA Drive

Replacing a Front-Loading NVMe SSD

Front-Loading NVMe SSD Population Guidelines

Front-Loading NVME SSD Requirements and Restrictions

Enabling Hot-Plug Support in the System BIOS

Enabling Hot-Plug Support Using the BIOS Setup Utility

Enabling Hot-Plug Support Using the Cisco IMC GUI

Replacing a Front-Loading NVMe SSD

Installing a PCIe Cable For Front-Loading NVMe SSDs

Replacing HHHL Form-Factor NVMe Solid State Drives

HHHL SSD Population Guidelines

HHHL Form-Factor NVME SSD Requirements and Restrictions

Replacing an HHHL Form-Factor NVMe SSD

Replacing Fan Modules

Replacing Memory DIMMs

DIMM Population Rules and Memory Performance Guidelines

Replacing DIMMs

Replacing CPUs and Heatsinks

CPU Configuration Rules

Tools Required For CPU Replacement

Replacing a CPU and Heatsink

Additional CPU-Related Parts to Order with RMA Replacement CPUs

Additional CPU-Related Parts to Order with RMA Replacement System Chassis

Moving an M5 Generation CPU

Replacing a Mini-Storage Module

Replacing a Mini-Storage Module Carrier

Replacing an SD Card in a Mini-Storage Carrier For SD

Replacing an M.2 SSD in a Mini-Storage Carrier For M.2

Replacing a Micro SD Card

Replacing an Internal USB Drive

Replacing a USB Drive