MXH930 User’s Guide –
Dolphin Interconnect Solutions
Page 7
Installation
Step 1 - Unpack board
The MXH930 card is shipped in an anti-static bag to prevent static electricity damage. The card should only be removed from the
bag after ensuring that anti-static precautions are taken. Static electricity from your clothes or work environment
can damage your PCI Express adapter card or your PC. Always wear a grounded anti-static wrist strap while opening
the PC and when the MXH930 is removed from the anti-static bag.
Unpack the MXH930 from the anti-static bag using proper anti-static procedures.
Step 2 - Change PCIe Bracket if necessary
The MXH930 package includes a standard and low-profile PCI Express bracket. By default, the standard height bracket is installed
on the board. If you need to replace the mounted bracket with a low-profile bracket, carefully unscrew the two mounting screws to
remove the full height bracket. Save the two mounting screws and replace the bracket with the low-profile bracket. Use the two
mounting screws to install the low-profile bracket. The screws should be carefully tightened but be careful not to over-tighten.
Make sure you are properly grounded to avoid static discharges that may destroy the adapter card before performing this
procedure.
Step 3 - Configure the Board for Proper Operation
Set the DIP switch settings for proper operation depends on the firmware. Please refer to the section Configuration and DIP
Switches on page 9 for details.
Step 4 - Ensure proper Airflow
Please pay proper attention to ensure the selected server / slot position provides the minimum required airflow.
TIP:
Immediately after software installation, please use the dis_diag tool to verify the temperature. If the chip temperature
reported by dis_diag exceeds 95°C, it is strongly recommended to improve the airflow.
Step 5 - Install the Adapter Card
Before installing the adapter card, make sure you are properly grounded to avoid static discharges that may
destroy your computer or the adapter card. Ensure you are properly grounded before opening your
computer or the anti-static bag containing the MXH930
. Please follow your computer’s
or expansion
chassis manual on how to install a PCI Express card.
The MXH930 Adapter card can be installed into any PCI Express x16 slot. The MXH930 supports PCI Express Gen1,
Gen2, Gen3 and Gen4 signaling. NOTE: A Gen4 slot is recommended as it typically doubles the performance
compared to a Gen3 slot. The MXH930 is an x16 card, so maximum performance will only be attained if the slot
provides full electrical x16 signaling.
The MXH930 supports hosts using either spread spectrum or constant frequency clocking. The card implements
clock isolation.
Step 6 - Installing and Removing the Cable
Installing and removing cables should be done with both host and expansion system powered off. Please contact
your Dolphin representative if you intend to continuously connect and disconnect the PCI Express cables.
Connecting the Cable
Please carefully install the cable connector into the connector housing on the MXH930 adapter card. Cable port 1
is located at the top of the PCIe bracket, ref Figure 1: Full length PCIe bracket to the right. To install the cable,
match the cable house with the connector on the MXH930 adapter card. Use even pressure to insert the
connector until it is secure. Adhere to ESD guidelines
when installing the cables to ensure you don’t damage the
board. Computer cables should always use strain relief to protect the connected equipment from excessive force
on the cable. This is especially important for cables between racks. Note that for wider than x4 connections, the
same cable-ports (i.e. port 1 to port 1, port 2 to port 2 through port 4) should be used on both host and target for
each individual cable, to ensure that the cards properly link up as x8 or x16.
Figure 1: Full
length PCIe
bracket
