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Installing a disk drive or solid-state drive with the Linux system or logical partition power turned on

Learn how to install a disk drive or solid-state drive in a system or expansion unit while the power to the Linux operating system or logical partition that controls the disk drive location is turned on.

If you are servicing a failing part, see the service procedures for Replacing a disk drive with the Linux system or logical partition power turned on. This procedure is intended for installing a new or upgraded disk drive.

Before installing or replacing a feature, ensure that the software required to support the feature is installed on your system. For information about software prerequisites, see IBM Prerequisite. If the required software is not installed, see the following websites to download it, and then install it before continuing:
  • To download firmware and software updates and fixes, see Fix Central.

If you are installing solid-state drives, review the configuration rules and then return here. For more information, see Solid-state drive configuration rules for the 8233-E8B or 8236-E8C.

Note: Some of the figures in these procedures might not look exactly like the system or expansion unit that you have. However, the steps to perform the task are the same. See
Preparing the system
  1. Complete the prerequisite tasks. For instructions, see Before you begin.
  2. If applicable, remove the system unit door, expansion unit door, or the rack door.
  3. If applicable, remove the front cover.
  4. Look at the front of the system or expansion unit and determine the next available disk drive position. For information, see Disk drives or solid-state drive locations and service indicators.
    Note: When you have a system with an expansion unit, fill the slot positions in the system unit first. However, you can choose a different disk drive placement depending on your data protection strategy.
  5. Record the position where the new disk drive are to be installed. For example, the next available disk drive position might be P3-D4. See Installing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 5887 disk drive enclosure for the steps to install a disk drive in the 5887 expansion unit.
Parent topic: Installing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 8233-E8B or 8236-E8C

Installing a disk drive

  1. Find the package that contains the new disk drive.
    Attention: Disk drives are fragile. Handle with care.
  2. Remove the disk drive from its protective package.
  3. Unlock the handle of the replacement disk drive by squeezing and pulling it out toward you. If the handle is not all the way out, the disk drive cannot slide into the system.
  4. If your new disk drive does not have a bezel preinstalled, then perform the steps in Installing a disk drive bezel in a disk drive or filler. Then, return here and continue with this procedure.
  5. Install the disk drive as shown in Figure 1.
    1. Support the bottom of the disk drive as you align it with the guide rails in the system unit. Do not hold the disk drive by the handle.
    2. Slide the disk drive into the system until it stops.
      Important: Ensure that when installing a disk drive, that the drive is fully seated and all the way into the system.
    3. Push the disk drive handle in until it locks.
    Figure 1. Installing a disk drive in a model
    Graphic of installing the disk drive in the system unit.
    Figure 2. Installing a small-form factor disk drive in the 5803 expansion unit
    Installing a small-form factor disk drive in the 5803 expansion unit
  6. Press Enter. The disk drive slot exits the Remove state and enters the Normal state.
  7. Exit to the RAID Hot-Plug Devices menu. Press F3 to return.
  8. Exit to the Task selection display.
  9. Select Log Repair Action.
  10. Select the disk drive that you replaced and then press Enter.
  11. Select Commit after you have made your selection and then press Enter.
  12. Exit to the command line.

Installing a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 5887 disk drive enclosure

Complete the following steps to install a disk drive or solid-state drive in the 5887 disk drive enclosure:

  1. With the handle in the unlocked position, see Figure 3, support the bottom of the drive as you align it with the guide rails in the expansion unit.
    Note: Do not hold the drive only by the handle. Support the drive by holding the drive by its sides.
  2. Slide the drive halfway into the 5887 disk drive enclosure.
  3. On the Verify Device Concurrent Add display, verify that the selected drive is the drive you want to replace, then press Enter.
  4. When the identify LED flashes, slide the drive into the 5887 disk drive enclosure until the drive stops.
    Important: When installing a drive, ensure that the drive is fully seated and is all the way into the enclosure.
  5. Rotate the handle to the locked position.
    Figure 3. Installing the disk drive in the 5887 disk drive enclosure
    Graphic showing installing a disk drive in the 5887 disk drive enclosure.
  6. On the console, press Enter to indicate that you have installed the drive.

Completing the procedure

  1. Replace the front cover.
  2. Install or close the front door of the system, expansion unit, or rack.
  3. Verify the installed part:
    • If you replaced the part because of a failure, verify the installed part. For instructions, see Verifying a repair.
    • If you installed the part for any other reason, verify the installed part. For instructions, see Verifying the installed part.
  4. To rebuild data on the newly installed or replaced disk drive or solid-state drive, see Rebuilding data on a replacement disk drive or solid-state drive in a system or logical partition running Linux.

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Last updated: Thu, November 20, 2014