Chapter 2. Installing optional devices
Use this information for instructions you need to follow before installing optional
devices in the server.
This information provides detailed instructions for installing optional hardware
devices in the server.
Attention: Installing the wrong firmware or device-driver update might cause the
server to malfunction. Before you install a firmware or device-driver update, read
any readme and change history files that are provided with the downloaded
update. These files contain important information about the update and the
procedure for installing the update, including any special procedure for updating
from an early firmware or device-driver version to the latest version.
In addition to the instructions in this document for installing optional hardware
devices, updating the firmware and device drivers, and completing the installation,
IBM Business Partners must also complete the steps in “Instructions for IBM
Business Partners” on page 26.
Important: To help ensure that the devices that you install work correctly and do
not introduce problems, observe the following precautions:
1. Make sure that the server and the installed firmware levels support the devices
that you are installing. If necessary, update the UEFI and IMM firmware and
any other firmware that is stored on the system board. For information about
where firmware is stored in the server, see “Updating the firmware” on page
137. For a list of supported optional devices for the server, see
http://www.ibm.com/systems/info/x86servers/serverproven/compat/us/.
2. Use the best practices to apply current firmware and device-driver updates for
the server and optional devices. To download the IBM System x Firmware Update
Best Practices document, go to http://www.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/
docdisplay?brand=50000020&lndocid=MIGR-5082923. Additional hints and tips
are available from the following sites:
v IBM support: http://www.ibm.com/supportportal/
v System x configuration tools: http://www.ibm.com/systems/x/hardware/
configtools.html
3. Before you install optional hardware devices, make sure that the server is
working correctly. Start the server and make sure that the operating system
starts, if an operating system is installed, or that a 19990305 error code is
displayed, indicating that an operating system was not found but the server is
otherwise working correctly. If the server is not working correctly, see
“Running the DSA Preboot diagnostic programs” on page 187 for information
about how to run diagnostics.
4. Follow the installation procedures in this document and use the correct tools.
Incorrectly installed devices can cause system failure because of damaged pins
in sockets or connectors, loose cabling, or loose components.
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2013 25
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