• When using RAID, we recommend that both SATA M.2 drives are the same capacity. If different
capacities are used, the smaller capacity of the two drives is used to create a volume and the rest of the
drive space is unusable.
JBOD mode supports mixed capacity SATA M.2 drives.
• Hot-plug replacement is not supported. The server must be powered off.
• Monitoring of the controller and installed SATA M.2 drives can be done using Cisco IMC. They can
also be monitored using other utilities such as UEFI HII, PMCLI, XMLAPI, and Redfish.
• The SATA M.2 drives can boot in UEFI mode only. Legacy boot mode is not supported.
• If you replace a single SATA M.2 drive that was part of a RAID volume, rebuild of the volume is
auto-initiated after the user accepts the prompt to import the configuration. If you replace both drives of
a volume, you must create a RAID volume and manually reinstall any OS.
• We recommend that you erase drive contents before creating volumes on used drives from another server.
The configuration utility in the server BIOS includes a SATA secure-erase function.
• The server BIOS includes a configuration utility specific to this controller that you can use to create and
delete RAID volumes, view controller properties, and erase the physical drive contents. Access the utility
by pressing F2 when prompted during server boot. Then navigate to Advanced > Cisco Boot Optimized
M.2 RAID Controller.
Replacing a Cisco Boot-Optimized M.2 RAID Controller
This topic describes how to remove and replace a Cisco Boot-Optimized M.2 RAID Controller. The controller
board has one M.2 socket on its top (Slot 1) and one M.2 socket on its underside (Slot 2).
Step 1
Shut down and remove power from the server as described in
Shutting Down and Removing Power From the Server, on
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.
If you cannot safely view and access the component, remove the server from the rack.
Caution
Step 3
Remove the top cover from the server as described in
Removing the Server Top Cover, on page 28
.
Step 4
Remove a controller from its motherboard socket:
a) Locate the controller in its socket just in front of power supply 1.
b) At each end of the controller board, push outward on the clip that secures the carrier.
c) Lift both ends of the controller to disengage it from the socket on the motherboard.
d) Set the carrier on an anti-static surface.
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Maintaining the Server
Replacing a Cisco Boot-Optimized M.2 RAID Controller
