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Chapter 3: Maintenance and Component Installation
Installing the Serverboard
Compatible Motherboards
For the most up-to-date information on compatible motherboards and other parts, visit the
Supermicro website at
www.supermicro.com
.
Permanent and Optional Standoffs
Standoffs prevent short circuits by creating space between the serverboard and the floor of
the node. The F418BC2 chassis includes permanent standoffs in locations used by most
motherboards. These standoffs use the rounded Phillips head screws included in the F418BC2
accessories packaging.
Some motherboards require additional screws for heatsinks, general components and/or non-
standard security. Optional standoffs are used for these motherboards.
To use an optional standoff, compare the mounting holes in the serverboard with those in
the floor of the node. Then place a screw through the bottom the node and secure the screw
with a hexagonal nut (rounded side up).
Depending upon the configuration of the serverboard being used, it is also possible that some
of the optional standoffs which are pre-installed in the chassis, may need to be removed. Add
or remove standoffs as needed.
Installing the Serverboard
1. Review the documentation that came with your serverboard. Become familiar with
component placement, requirements, cautions, and cable connections.
2. Compare the holes in the serverboard to those in the node. Add or remove standoffs as
necessary.
3. Lay the serverboard in the node, aligning the standoffs with the serverboard.
4.
Secure the serverboard to the floor of the node tray using the rounded, Phillips head
screws included for this purpose. Do not exceed eight pounds of torque when tightening
down the serverboard.
5. Install the expansion card associated with the serverboard if the chassis is a hot-
swappable version. Refer to the next section for instructions on installing the expansion
card
6. Secure the CPU(s), heatsinks, and other components to the serverboard as described in
the serverboard documentation. Do not exceed eight pounds of torque when tightening
down the serverboard.
