Installing a horizontal-compact-form-factor expansion card

Use these instructions to install a compact-form-factor expansion card in the blade server.

Note: This section does not apply to the IBM WebSphere DataPower Integration Blade XI50B Type 4195 appliance.

The blade server supports a horizontal-combination-form-factor (CFFh) expansion card. The following illustration shows how to install a CFFh expansion card.


Graphic illustrating installing a CFFh expansion card
Attention: Before you install one of the following CFFh expansion cards in the blade server, make sure the PCIe speed is set to Gen1. You can configure the PCIe speed in the Setup utility by selecting System Settings and Devices and I/O Ports.
  • 2/4 Port Ethernet Expansion Card for BladeCenter
  • Broadcom 10 Gb 2-port Ethernet Expansion Card (CFFh) for IBM BladeCenter
  • Broadcom 10 Gb 4-port Ethernet Expansion Card (CFFh) for IBM BladeCenter

To install a CFFh expansion card, complete the following steps:

  1. Locate the blade server expansion connector (see Blade server connectors).
  2. If a cover is installed on the blade expansion connector, remove it by using your fingers to lift the cover from the blade expansion connector.
  3. Touch the static-protective package that contains the expansion card to any unpainted metal surface on the BladeCenter unit or any unpainted metal surface on any other grounded rack component; then, remove the expansion card from the package.
  4. Orient the expansion card and slide the slots at the back end of the card onto the pins on the expansion-card standoff; then, gently pivot the card into the blade server expansion connector.
  5. Firmly press on the indicated locations to seat the expansion card.
    Note: For device-driver and configuration information to complete the installation of the expansion card, see the documentation that comes with the expansion card.
  6. Install the cover onto the blade server (see Closing the blade server cover).
  7. Install the blade server into the BladeCenter unit (see Installing the blade server in a BladeCenter unit).