Removing the 8233-E8B or 8236-E8C system backplane

Learn how to remove the system backplane from a server to replace a failing part or as part of another service procedure.

1. For systems with a Host Ethernet adapter (HEA), check and record the server HEA device settings.
   • For HMC:
     1. Expand the Systems Management folder in the navigation tree pane.
     2. Double-click the Servers folder.
     3. Select a server in the central panel.
     4. From the Tasks menu, click Hardware Information > Adapters > Host Ethernet. The Host Ethernet adapters window opens.
     5. Select the required physical port and click Configure. The HEA Physical Port Configuration window opens.
     6. Record the value in the Pending Port Group Multi-Core Scaling value field.
   • For SDMC:
     1. Click the Resources tab, and then click Hosts.
     2. Select a server in the right pane.
     3. From the Actions menu, click Hardware Information > Adapters > Host Ethernet. The Host Ethernet adapters window opens.
     4. Select the required physical port and click Configure. The HEA Physical Port Configuration window opens.
     5. Record the value in the Pending Port Group Multi-Core Scaling value field.
2. Record the bootlist settings by using the Systems Management Services (SMS).
3. Access the Advanced System Management Interface (ASMI).

   The ASMI is the interface to the service processor that is required to perform general and administrator-level service tasks, such as reading service processor error logs, reading vital product data, setting up the service processor, and controlling the system power. The ASMI might also be referred to as the service processor menus. To access the ASMI, see Accessing the Advanced System Management Interface. After you have accessed the ASMI, continue with the next step.

4. Check and record the server settings.
   Before removing this field-replaceable unit (FRU), check and record all server settings since you might need to update the system after you replace this FRU. This can be done through the ASMI.

   1. Check and record the admin user ID and admin ID password.
   2. Check and record the server firmware level prior to removing this FRU. You may need to update the system to the latest server firmware code level after you replace this FRU.
   3. Check and record the service processor settings you previously set using the ASMI. You will need to reset these service processor settings after you update this FRU or the default settings will be used. It is recommended you record these settings, however you may not need to reenter all of them after you replace this FRU.
   4. Record System Power Control settings:
      1. In the navigation area, select Power Restart/Control > Power On/Off settings.
      2. Manually record the values of system diagnostic level for the next boot, firmware boot side for the next boot, system operating mode, server firmware start policy, system power off policy, and default partition environment.
   5. Record System Service Aids settings:
      1. In the navigation area, select System Service Aids > System Dump.
      2. Manually record the system dump policy, hardware content, and server firmware content settings.
      3. In the navigation area, select System Service Aids > Service Processor Dump.
      4. Manually record the service processor dump setting.
   6. Record System Configuration settings:
      1. In the navigation area, select System Configuration settings > System Name.
      2. Manually record the system name.
   7. Record Network Services settings:
      1. In the navigation area, select Network Services > Network Configuration.
      2. Manually record the service processor IP addresses for eth0 and eth1, including subnet mask, default gateway, DNS server addresses, and type of IP address.
      3. In the navigation area, select Network Services > Network Access.
      4. Manually record the allowed and denied IP addresses.
   8. Record Performance Option settings:
      1. In the navigation area, select Performance Setup > Logical Memory Block Size.
      2. Manually record the logical memory block size.
      3. In the navigation area, select Performance Setup > System Memory Page Setup.
      4. Manually record the huge page size.
   9. Record Login Profile settings:
      1. In the navigation area, select Login Profile > Update Installed Languages.
      2. Manually record the currently installed languages.
   10. Record Vital Product Data information:
       1. In the navigation area, select System Configuration > Program Vital Product Data > System Brand.
       2. Manually record the value for the system brand, which appears in the right pane.
       3. In the navigation area, select System Configuration > Program Vital Product Data > System Keywords.
       4. Manually record the machine type-model, system serial number, system unique ID values, reserved, and RB keyword0.
       5. In the navigation area, select System Configuration > Program Vital Product Data > System Enclosures.
   11. Record Enclosure information:
       1. In the right pane, select the Enclosure location: UXXXX.YYY.ZZZZ and click Continue.
       2. Manually record the values of enclosure location, feature code/sequence number, enclosure serial number, and reserved.
5. Shut down the partitions and power off the system.

   This FRU cannot be serviced concurrently. Every partition must be shut down, and the system must be powered off to continue the repair. Authorization must come from the customer to shut down all running partitions and to power off the system. If the customer does not allow the partitions to be shut down or the system to be powered off, delay the service procedure. If the customer is using a secondary management console to manage the system, ensure that the customer is not powering on the system at this time.

   For instructions, see Stopping a system or logical partition.
6. Disconnect the power source from the system by unplugging the system.
   Note: This system is optionally equipped with a second power supply. Before continuing with this procedure, ensure that the power source to the system has been completely disconnected.

   (L003)

   
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7. Remove the front cover. For instructions, see Removing the front cover from an 8233-E8B or 8236-E8C system.
8. Disconnect all the external cables from the system. Label and disconnect the external cables that are connected to the system you are servicing.
9. Place the system into the service position. For instructions, see Placing the 8233-E8B or 8236-E8C system in the service position..
10. Remove the service access cover. For instructions, see Removing the service access cover from an 8233-E8B or 8236-E8C system.
11. Attach the wrist strap.
    Attention:

    • Attach a wrist strap to an unpainted metal surface of your hardware to prevent electrostatic discharge from damaging your hardware.
    • When using a wrist strap, follow all electrical safety procedures. A wrist strap is for static control. It does not increase or decrease your risk of receiving electric shock when using or working on electrical equipment.
    • If you do not have a wrist strap, prior to removing the product from ESD packaging and installing or replacing hardware, touch an unpainted metal surface of the system for a minimum of 5 seconds.
12. Remove both power supply units. For instructions, see Removing the 8233-E8B or 8236-E8C power supply with the power turned off.
13. Remove the fans.
    1. While squeezing the latch (A), reach through the hole of the fan and pull the fan out of the fan cage. see Figure 1.
    2. Repeat the previous step until all system fans are removed from the fan cage.
       Note: For more information, see Removing the 8233-E8B or 8236-E8C system unit fan.
    Figure 1. Removing the fans

    
14. Remove the air baffles.

    Grasp the air baffles and pull them out of the fan cage. See Figure 2.

    Figure 2. Removing the air baffles

    
15. Remove the fan cage:
    1. Loosen the two retaining thumbscrews (A) that secure the fan cage to the system board. See Figure 3.
    2. Lift the fan cage (B) up and out of the enclosure.
    Figure 3. Removing the fan cage

    
16. Remove the disk drive cage:
    1. If the rear bulkhead serial-attached SCSI (SAS) cable is present, disconnect the SAS cable from the rear of the disk unit backplane.
    2. Grasp the disk drive latches and pull it outward to unlock the disk drive cage.
    3. Grasp the handles and pull the disk drive cage out of the system unit. See Figure 4.
    Figure 4. Removing the disk drive cage

    
17. Remove the vital product data card. For instructions, see Removing the 8233-E8B or 8236-E8C vital product data card.
18. Remove the thermal power management device (TPMD) card. For instructions, see Removing the 8233-E8B or 8236-E8C TPMD card.
19. Remove the Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) auxiliary cache card. For instructions, see Removing the model 8233-E8B auxiliary cache card.
20. Remove the RAID enablement card. For instructions, see Removing the model 8233-E8B RAID enablement card.
21. Remove the PCI adapters. For instructions, see Removing a PCI adapter from the 8233-E8B or 8236-E8C server with the power off.
22. Remove the GX adapters. For instructions, see Removing GX adapters from an 8233-E8B or 8236-E8C system with the power turned off.
23. Remove the Ethernet card. For instructions, see Removing the 8233-E8B or 8236-E8C Host Ethernet Adapter with the power off.
24. Remove the system processor assemblies. For instructions, see Removing the 8233-E8B or 8236-E8C system processor assembly.
25. Remove the PCI adapter dividers:
    1. Flex the front edge (A) of the PCI adapter divider out of the bracket and toward the rest of the divider. See Figure 5.
    2. Pull the back edge of the divider away from the retention notches (B) in the system chassis.
    3. Repeat steps 25.a and 25.b for the other PCI adapter dividers that have to be removed
    Figure 5. Removing the PCI adapter dividers

    
26. Removing the middle system divider:
    1. Remove the screw (A) that is securing the divider to the system backplane. See Figure 6.
    2. Grasp the middle system divider (B) and lift it out of the system.
    Figure 6. Removing the middle system divider

    
27. Remove the line cord assembly:
    1. Drop the line cords from their support notches above the power supply bays at the front of the system.
    2. Work the line cords into the system unit and toward the back.
    3. Remove the screw (A) that is securing the line cord assembly to the rear of the system chassis. See Figure 7.
    4. Slide the line cord assembly (B) toward the front of the system to unlock it.
    5. Grasp the line cord assembly and pull it out of the system.
    Figure 7. Removing the line cord assembly

    
28. Remove the front processor support:
    1. Remove the five screws (A) that are securing the processor support to the system backplane. See Figure 8.
    2. Grasp the front processor support (B) and lift it out of the system.
    Figure 8. Removing the front processor support

    
29. Remove the system backplane:
    Note: Use care when removing the system backplane. Do not lift the system backplane by holding any of the attached modules.
    1. Remove the 6 screws (A) that are securing the system backplane to the system chassis. See Figure 9.
    2. Slide the system backplane slightly toward the front of the system (B) so that the connectors on the system backplane clear the rear chassis.
    3. After the connectors are clear of the chassis, lift the rear of the system backplane and remove the system backplane at an angle.
    Figure 9. Removing the system backplane