Cabling

Cable label wraps

Each system comes with a cable label wrap guide or set of cable label wraps to affix to the cables. These labels should be affixed to the appropriate cables as you connect the cables.

Note: If your system was assembled at the factory, all the cable labels have been affixed to the cables except for any DAEs you have ordered. Additionally, if your system was not assembled at the factory, the cable kit supplied with your product will have all the required cables already labeled except for the DAEs.

Cabling the DPE to a DAE

If you have one or more DAEs, these components must be cabled to the DPE back-end ports so that the storage is available in the system. Typically, the DAE(s) that are to be directly connected to the DPE need to be located close enough to the DPE so that the 2-meter DPE-to-DAE interconnect cables can be routed and connected to the DPE easily. 5- and 10-meter interconnect cables are available when you need to connect enclosures across multiple racks.

Note: General DAE back-end bus configuration rules:

Maximum number of enclosures per bus is 10.
Maximum number of drive slots per bus is 250, up to specific system limitations for drive slots.
For best performance, evenly distributing DAEs across the available back-end buses is recommended.

Consider the maximum number of drives supported by the storage system model. DAEs can be added to the system while the operating system is active and up to the DAE and drive slot limit for the storage system. DAEs or drive slots over the system limit will not be allowed to operate with the system.

Shown in the upcoming figures are examples of two-bus SAS cabling in this DPE-based storage platform. The storage processors connect to the DAEs with mini-SAS HD cables. The cables connect LCCs in the DAEs of a storage platform in a daisy-chain topology.

The mini-SAS HD ports on the storage processors in the DPE are labeled 0 and 1. Mini-SAS HD port 0 is connected internally to the SAS expander that connects the drives on the front of the DPE. The DPE and its front facing drives begin the first back-end bus, BE0, and is automatically enclosure 0 (EA0). We refer to the address of this enclosure as BE0 EA0.

NOTICE Each DAE supports two completely redundant connections to the DPE (LCC A and LCC B).

Since mini-SAS HD port 0 is already connected internally to the DPE drives, it is recommended that you connect the first optional DAE to the mini-SAS HD output port 1 of each storage processor to begin back-end bus 1 (BE1) and designate this DAE as enclosure 0 of this bus. We refer to the address of this enclosure as BE1 EA0.

In a two back-end bus system, it is recommended that you connect the second optional DAE to the mini-SAS HD port 0 of each storage processor.

DAE load balancing

If your system has several optional DAEs, you can daisy-chain them within that bus. However, it is recommended that you balance each bus. In other words, always optimize your environment by using every available bus, and spreading the number of enclosures and drives as evenly as possible across the buses.

The rule of load or bus balancing is applied to all DAEs. BE0 EA0 (0_0) is the DPE (SP A and B). So, to balance the load, the first DAE (LCC A and B) in the cabinet is BE1 EA0 (1_0) and with the second DAE BE0 EA1 (0_1), and so on.

Cabling the first optional DAE to create back-end bus 1

Connect the first optional expansion DAE to port 1 of the DPE to create back-end bus 1 (BE1) and designate this DAE as enclosure 0 of this bus. We refer to the address of this enclosure as BE1 EA0 (1_0).

Before you begin

To prepare for this cabling task:

Locate the mini-SAS HD cables to be used to connect to the newly installed expansion DAE.
Typically these cables are 2-meters long. You use longer cables, typically 5-meters or 8-meters, to connect enclosures located in different racks. Cables are shipped without labels attached. The cables and ports are not colored.
Locate the sheet of cable labels provided.

Orient the cable connectors as described in the procedure that follows, making sure that you do NOT connect:

A DAE expansion port 0 to another expansion port 0.
Any A-side ports to B-side ports.

Use the following illustrations to complete this cabling task:

NOTICE When cabling the 15-drive DAE LCC SAS ports, ensure that the cables do not overlap behind the DAE. The illustration above demonstrates the proper method for cabling to the DAE LCC SAS ports.

Procedure

Label a pair of mini-SAS HD cables using the blue labels shown here.

Expansion port cable labeling details			Primary port cable labeling details
Label part number	Label	Port	Label part number	Label	Port
046-001-562		SP A SAS 1	046-021-012		LCC A Port A
046-003-750		SP B SAS 1	046-021-013		LCC B Port A

Connect each SP to the first optional DAE to create BE1 EA0.

Note: Neither connector on the mini-SAS HD cable has a symbol to indicate input or output.

Connect port 1 on SP A in the bottom slot in the DPE to port A on the link control card A (LCC A) at the bottom of the DAE. []
Connect port 1 on SP B in the top slot in the DPE to port A on the link control card (LCC B) at the top of the DAE. []

Cabling the second optional DAE to extend back-end bus 0

Connect the second optional expansion DAE to the DPE expansion port 0 to extend back-end bus 0 (BE0) and designate this DAE as enclosure 1 of this bus. We refer to the address of this enclosure as BE0 EA1 (0_1).

Use the following illustration to complete this cabling task:

NOTICE When cabling the 15-drive DAE LCC SAS ports, ensure that the cables do not overlap behind the DAE. The illustration above demonstrates the proper method for cabling to the DAE LCC SAS ports.

Procedure

Label a pair of mini-SAS HD cables using the orange labels shown here.

Expansion port cable labeling details			Primary port cable labeling details
Label part number	Label	Port	Label part number	Label	Port
046-001-561		SP A SAS 0	046-021-010		LCC A Port A
046-003-489		SP B SAS 0	046-021-011		LCC B Port A

Connect DPE port 0 to the new DAE to extend BE0.
1. Connect port 0 on SP A in the bottom slot in the DPE to port A on the link control card A (LCC A) at the bottom of the DAE. []
2. Connect port 0 on SP B in the top slot in the DPE to port A on the link control card (LCC B) at the top of the DAE. []

Cabling the DPE SAS module ports to create back-end buses 2 through 5

Where supported, the following example shows how to connect remaining four SAS back-end ports and shows the cable labels for these SAS cables, as well as the back-end bus and enclosure numbers for these DPE to DAE connections.

Note: The optional back-end 12-Gb/s SAS module is not supported on all Unity storage systems.

Cable the DAE to the 12-Gb/s SAS modules in the DPE 0, port 0 through port 3, to create back-end bus 2 through 5, BE2-BE5.

Use the following illustration to complete this cabling task:

For each new BE2-BE5:

Procedure

Label a pair of mini-SAS HD cables using the appropriate labels (black, green, brown, or cyan) shown here.

Expansion port cable labeling details			Primary port cable labeling details
Label part number	Label	Port	Label part number	Label	Port
046-005-679		SP A A0 PORT 0	046-021-16		LCC A Port A
046-005-718		SP B B0 PORT 0	046-021-017		LCC B Port A
046-005-711		SP A A0 PORT 1	046-021-018		LCC A Port A
046-005-719		SP B B0 PORT 1	046-021-019		LCC B Port A
046-005-935		SP A A0 PORT 2	046-021-020		LCC A Port A
046-005-937		SP B B0 PORT 2	046-021-021		LCC B Port A
046-005-936		SP A A0 PORT 3	046-021-022		LCC A Port A
046-005-938		SP B B0 PORT 3	046-021-023		LCC B Port A

Connect each SP to the optional DAE to create BE2 enclosure 0 through BE5 enclosure 0, as needed.
1. For SP A, connect the lowest available port in the SAS module in the bottom slot of the DPE to port A on the link control card A (LCC A) at the bottom of the DAE.
2. For SP B, connect the lowest available port in the SAS module in the top slot of the DPE to port A on the link control card B (LCC B) at the top of the DAE.

Example Connect the DAE to the DPE SP slot 0 port 0 to create back-end bus 2, BE2

Connect the DAE to the DPE SP slot 0 port 0 to create back-end bus 2 (BE2) and designate this DAE as enclosure 0 of this bus. We refer to the address of this enclosure as BE2 EA0 (2_0).

NOTICE When cabling the 15-drive DAE LCC SAS ports, ensure that the cables do not overlap behind the DAE. The illustration above demonstrates the proper method for cabling to the DAE LCC SAS ports.

Label a pair of mini-SAS HD cables using the black labels shown here.

Expansion port cable labeling details			Primary port cable labeling details
Label part number	Label	Port	Label part number	Label	Port
046-005-679		SP A A0 PORT 0	046-021-016		LCC A Port A
046-005-718		SP B B0 PORT 0	046-021-017		LCC B Port A

Connect slot 0 port 0 on SP A in the bottom slot in the DPE to port A on the link control card A (LCC A) at the bottom of the DAE. []
Connect slot 0 port 0 on SP B in the top slot in the DPE to port A on the link control card (LCC B) at the top of the DAE. []

Cabling an expansion DAE to an existing DAE to extend a back-end bus

Connect the optional expansion DAE to the last installed DAE in the back-end bus to extend to the new DAE.

Use the following illustration to complete this cabling task:

NOTICE When cabling the 15-drive DAE LCC SAS ports, ensure that the cables do not overlap behind the DAE. The illustration above demonstrates the proper method for cabling to the DAE LCC SAS ports.

Procedure

Label a pair of mini-SAS HD cables using the appropriate labels (orange, blue, lack, green, brown, or cyan) shown here.

Typically, DAEs connect to other DAEs using 1-meter cables.

Expansion port cable labeling details			Primary port cable labeling details
Label part number	Label	Port	Label part number	Label	Port
046-004-455		LCC A Port B	046-004-455		LCC A Port A
046-004-463		LCC B Port B	046-004-463		LCC B Port A
046-004-456		LCC A Port B	046-004-456		LCC A Port A
046-004-464		LCC B Port B	046-004-464		LCC B Port A
046-004-457		LCC A Port B	046-004-457		LCC A Port A
046-004-465		LCC B Port B	046-004-465		LCC B Port A
046-004-458		LCC A Port B	046-004-458		LCC A Port A
046-004-466		LCC B Port B	046-004-466		LCC B Port A
046-004-459		LCC A Port B	046-004-459		LCC A Port A
046-004-467		LCC B Port B	046-004-467		LCC B Port A
046-004-460		LCC A Port B	046-004-460		LCC A Port A
046-004-468		LCC B Port B	046-004-468		LCC B Port A

Connect the existing DAE to the expansion DAE to extend that back-end.

If you have additional DAEs, add labels to the mini-SAS HD to mini-SAS HD cables and use those cables to extend the bus. For more information about cabling additional DAEs, see the associated Hardware Information Guide.
1. Connect port B on the link control card A (LCC A) of the lower-numbered DAE to port A on the link control card A (LCC A) of the higher-numbered DAE. []
  LCC A is located on the lower portion of the DAE.
2. Connect port B on the link control card B (LCC B) of the lower-numbered DAE to port A on the link control card B (LCC B) of the higher-numbered DAE. []
  LCC B is located on the upper portion of the DAE.

12Gb/s SAS cabling for interleaved DAE configurations

The interleaved DAE configuration is one of the racking methods available when installing optional DAEs. An interleaved configuration is when the optional DAEs across each of the back-end buses are racked in an interwoven manner.

About interleaved DAE cabling conventions

The interleaved DAE example with Unity platform with nineteen DAEs (all are 2U, 25 drive DAEs) with a total of 500 drives (including the 25 drives in the DPE) across six back-end buses. As described previously, the onboard SAS ports on the DPE are labeled 0 and 1 and the optional SAS module, where supported, contains four additional SAS ports.

DPE SAS port 0 is connected internally to the SAS expander that connects to the front-facing drives in the DPE and thus begins back-end bus 0 and is enclosure 0 on this back-end (BE0 EA0). So when cabling the first expansion DAE, to balance the load, this DAE is cabled to DPE SAS port 1 to begin back-end bus 1 as enclosure 0 (BE1 EA0). Then, the rest of the DAEs in the bus are daisy-chained where they are intertwined. So, the 1st DAE is daisy-chained to the 7th DAE designated as BE1 EA1, and so on.

The 2nd DAE connects to DPE SAS port 0 to extend back-end bus 0 as enclosure 1 (BE0 EA1) and is daisy-chained to the 8th DAE, designated as BE0 EA2, and so on.

The 3rd DAE connects to DPE SAS module port 0 to begin back-end bus 2 as enclosure 0 (BE2 EA0) and is daisy-chained to the 9th DAE, designated as BE2 EA1, and so on.

The 4th DAE connects to DPE SAS module port 1 to begin back-end bus 3 as enclosure 0 (BE3 EA0) and is daisy-chained to the 10th DAE, designated as BE3 EA1, and so on.

The 5th DAE connects to DPE SAS module port 2 to begin back-end bus 4 as enclosure 0 (BE4 EA0) and is daisy-chained to the 11th DAE, designated as BE4 EA1, and so on.

Finally, the 6th DAE connects to DPE SAS module port 3 to begin back-end bus 5 as enclosure 0 (BE5 EA0) and is daisy-chained to the 12th DAE, designated as BE5 EA1, and so on.

19 2U DAEs in a interleaved configuration across 6 back-end buses

Example:	DAE number and address	DAE port connections
Example:	DAE number and address	Port A (Input)	Port B (Output)
	1_3/DAE 19 - BE 1 EA 3 (Blue)	Connected to DAE 13	Not connected
	5_2/DAE 18 - BE 5 EA 2 (Cyan)	Connected to DAE 12	Not connected
	4_2/DAE 17 - BE 4 EA 2 (Brown)	Connected to DAE 11	Not connected
	3_2/DAE 16 - BE 3 EA 2 (Green)	Connected to DAE 10	Not connected
	2_2/DAE 15 - BE 2 EA 2 (Black)	Connected to DAE 9	Not connected
	0_3/DAE 14 - BE 0 EA 3 (Orange)	Connected to DAE 8	Not connected
	1_2/DAE 13 - BE 1 EA 2 (Blue)	Connected to DAE 7	Connected to DAE 19
	5_1/DAE 12 - BE 5 EA 1 (Cyan)	Connected to DAE 6	Connected to DAE 18
	4_1/DAE 11 - BE 4 EA 1 (Brown)	Connected to DAE 5	Connected to DAE 17
	3_1/DAE 10 - BE 3 EA 1 (Green)	Connected to DAE 4	Connected to DAE 16
	2_1/DAE 9 - BE 2 EA 1 (Black)	Connected to DAE 3	Connected to DAE 15
	0_2/DAE 8 - BE 0 EA 2 (Orange)	Connected to DAE 2	Connected to DAE 14
	1_1/DAE 7 - BE 1 EA 1 (Blue)	Connected to DAE 1	Connected to DAE 13
	5_0/DAE 6 - BE 5 EA 0 (Cyan)	Connected to DPE 0 port 3	Connected to DAE 12
	4_0/DAE 5 - BE 4 EA 0 (Brown)	Connected to DPE 0 port 2	Connected to DAE 11
	3_0/DAE 4 - BE 3 EA 0 (Green)	Connected to DPE 0 port 1	Connected to DAE 10
	2_0/DAE 3 - BE 2 EA 0 (Black)	Connected to DPE 0 port 0	Connected to DAE 9
	0_1/DAE 2 - BE 0 EA 1 (Orange)	Connected to DPE SAS 0	Connected to DAE 8
	1_0/DAE 1 - BE 1 EA 0 (Blue)	Connected to DPE SAS 1	Connected to DAE 2

12Gb/s SAS cabling for stacked DAE configurations

The stacked DAE configuration is another one of the racking methods available when installing optional DAEs. A stacked configuration is when the optional DAEs within a back-end loop are installed one on top of the other until all the DAEs in that loop are installed into the rack. Then, the next set of DAEs in the next back-end loop are installed.

About stacked DAE cabling conventions

The stacked DAE example with Unity platform with nineteen DAEs (all are 2U, 25 drive DAEs) with a total of 500 drives (including the 25 drives in the DPE) across six back-end buses. As described previously, the onboard SAS ports on the DPE are labeled 0 and 1 and the optional SAS module, where supported, contains four additional SAS ports.

DPE SAS port 0 is connected internally to the SAS expander that connects to the front-facing drives in the DPE and thus begins back-end bus 0 and is enclosure 0 on this back-end (BE0 EA0). So when cabling the first expansion DAE, to balance the load, this DAE is cabled to DPE SAS port 1 to begin back-end bus 1 as enclosure 0 (BE1 EA0). Then, the rest of the DAEs in the bus are daisy-chained where they are stacked. So, the 1st DAE is daisy-chained to the 2nd DAE designated as BE1 EA1, and so on.

The 5th DAE connects to DPE SAS port 0 to extend back-end bus 0 as enclosure 1 (BE0 EA1) and is daisy-chained to the 6th DAE, designated as BE0 EA2, and so on.

The 8th DAE connects to DPE SAS module port 0 to begin back-end bus 2 as enclosure 0 (BE2 EA0) and is daisy-chained to the 9th DAE, designated as BE2 EA1, and so on.

The 11th DAE connects to DPE SAS module port 1 to begin back-end bus 3 as enclosure 0 (BE3 EA0) and is daisy-chained to the 12th DAE, designated as BE3 EA1, and so on.

The 14th DAE connects to DPE SAS module port 2 to begin back-end bus 4 as enclosure 0 (BE4 EA0) and is daisy-chained to the 15th DAE, designated as BE4 EA1, and so on.

Finally, the 17th DAE connects to DPE SAS module port 3 to begin back-end bus 5 as enclosure 0 (BE5 EA0) and is daisy-chained to the 18th DAE, designated as BE5 EA1, and so on.

19 2U DAEs in a stacked configuration across 6 back-end buses

Example:	DAE number and address	DAE port connections
Example:	DAE number and address	Port A (Input)	Port B (Output)
	5_2/DAE 19 - BE 5 EA 2 (Cyan)	Connected to DAE 18	Not connected
	5_1/DAE 18 - BE 5 EA 1 (Cyan)	Connected to DAE 17	Connected to DAE 19
	5_0/DAE 17 - BE 5 EA 0 (Cyan)	Connected to DPE 0 port 3	Connected to DAE 18
	4_2/DAE 16 - BE 4 EA 2 (Brown)	Connected to DAE 15	Not connected
	4_1/DAE 15 - BE 4 EA 1 (Brown)	Connected to DAE 14	Connected to DAE 16
	4_0/DAE 14 - BE 4 EA 0 (Brown)	Connected to DPE 0 port 2	Connected to DAE 15
	3_2/DAE 13 - BE 3 EA 2 (Green)	Connected to DAE 12	Not connected
	3_1/DAE 12 - BE 3 EA 1 (Green)	Connected to DAE 11	Connected to DAE 13
	3_0/DAE 11 - BE 3 EA 0 (Green)	Connected to DPE 0 port 1	Connected to DAE 12
	2_2/DAE 10 - BE 2 EA 2 (Black)	Connected to DAE 9	Not connected
	2_1/DAE 9 - BE 2 EA 1 (Black)	Connected to DAE 10	Connected to DAE 8
	2_0/DAE 8 - BE 2 EA 0 (Black)	Connected to DPE 0 port 0	Connected to DAE 9
	0_3/DAE 7 - BE 0 EA 3 (Orange)	Connected to DAE 6	Not connected
	0_2/DAE 6 - BE 0 EA 2 (Orange)	Connected to DAE 5	Connected to DAE 7
	0_1/DAE 5 - BE 0 EA 1 (Orange)	Connected to DPE SAS 0	Connected to DAE 6
	1_3/DAE 4 - BE 1 EA 3 (Blue)	Connected to DAE 3	Not connected
	1_2/DAE 3 - BE 1 EA 2 (Blue)	Connected to DAE 2	Connected to DAE 4
	1_1/DAE 2 - BE 1 EA 2 (Blue)	Connected to DAE 1	Connected to DAE 3
	1_0/DAE 1 - BE 1 EA 0 (Blue)	Connected to DPE SAS 1	Connected to DAE 2

Attaching expansion (back-end) cables to an 80-drive DAE

Do NOT FORCE the cable into a connector. A click indicates that the cable is completely seated in the connector.

Before you begin

To prepare for this cabling task:

Locate the mini-SAS HD cables to be used to connect to the newly installed expansion DAE.
Typically these cables are 2-meters long. You use longer cables, typically 5-meters or 8-meters, to connect enclosures located in different racks. Cables are shipped without labels attached. The cables and ports are not colored.
Locate the sheet of cable labels provided.

Orient the cable connectors as described in the procedure that follows, making sure that you do NOT connect:

A DAE expansion port 0 to another expansion port 0.
Any A-side ports to B-side ports.

Note: If you are connecting the 80-drive DAE to a 4-port SAS SLIC that requires x8 connectivity, insert the SAS cable into the 4-port SAS SLIC before persisting the SLIC. The 4-port SAS SLIC must be persisted with the cable inserted for x8 connectivity. If the SAS back-end SLIC is powered on without any cables inserted, it is automatically set at x4 and cannot be used for x8 lane cabling.

Cabling for x4 connections

The drives in the DPE are internally connected to the first back-end bus, which is bus 0. To maintain balance, the first DAE connected to the array should be connected to back-end bus 1. If the array only has 2 back end busses (0 and 1) then you should add DAEs by alternating between bus 0 and bus 1 to maintain an even distribution, or balance of drives over the busses.

If the array has a 4-port SAS I/O module, this would create additional back-end bus numbers 2 through 5. Maintain the same type of even distribution of drives over all of the back-end busses.

This section provides three different ways to connect the DAE to the array with an x4 connection.

Connecting to back-end bus 1
Connecting to back-end bus 0
Connecting to a port on the SAS I/O module

Each installation may be different. Choose the connection option that suits your needs.

Connect to back-end bus 1: To connect the first optional expansion DAE to back-end port 1 of the DPE to create back-end bus 1 (BE1) and designate this DAE as Enclosure Address 0 of this bus. We refer to the address of this enclosure as BE1 EA0 (1_0):

Label a pair of mini-SAS HD cables using the blue labels shown here.

Expansion port cable labeling details			Primary port cable labeling details
Label part number	Label	Port	Label part number	Label	Port
046-001-562		SP A SAS 1	046-021-012		LCC A Port A
046-003-750		SP B SAS 1	046-021-013		LCC B Port A

Connect the ports as follows:
- Connect BE port 1 on SP A (the bottom storage processor of the DPE) to port A of link control card A (LCC A) on the right side of the DAE.
- Connect BE port 1 on SP B (the top storage processor of the DPE) to port A of link control card B (LCC B) on the left side of the DAE.

Connect to back-end bus 0: To connect the second optional expansion DAE to the DPE expansion port 0 to extend back-end bus 0 (BE0) and designate this DAE as Enclosure Address 1 of this bus. We refer to the address of this enclosure as BE0 EA1 (0_1):

Label a pair of mini-SAS HD cables using the orange labels shown here.

Expansion port cable labeling details			Primary port cable labeling details
Label part number	Label	Port	Label part number	Label	Port
046-001-561		SP A SAS 0	046-021-010		LCC A Port A
046-003-489		SP B SAS 0	046-021-011		LCC B Port A

Connect the ports as follows:
- Connect BE port 0 on SP A (the bottom storage processor of the DPE) to port A of link control card A (LCC A) on the right side of the DAE.
- Connect port 0 on SP B (the top storage processor of the DPE) to port A of link control card B (LCC B) on the left side of the DAE .

Connect to the 4-port SAS back-end I/O module: To connect the DAE to a BE port in the SAS I/O module of the storage processor, cable the DAE to the first available port in the 12-Gb/s SAS I/O module. Use the same port on each storage processor's SAS I/O module. This SAS I/O module can be used to create back-end bus 2 through 5, (BE2 through BE5):

Note: The optional back-end 12-Gb/s SAS module is not supported on all Unity storage systems.

Note: Adding a new 12-Gb/s SAS I/O module requires a coordinated restart of the array. Refer to Adding an optional I/O module for more information.

Label a pair of mini-SAS HD cables using the appropriate labels (black, green, brown, or blue) shown here.

Expansion port cable labeling details			Primary port cable labeling details
Label part number	Label	Port	Label part number	Label	Port
046-005-679		SP A A0 PORT 0	046-021-16		LCC A Port A
046-005-718		SP B B0 PORT 0	046-021-017		LCC B Port A
046-005-711		SP A A0 PORT 1	046-021-018		LCC A Port A
046-005-719		SP B B0 PORT 1	046-021-019		LCC B Port A
046-005-935		SP A A0 PORT 2	046-021-020		LCC A Port A
046-005-937		SP B B0 PORT 2	046-021-021		LCC B Port A
046-005-936		SP A A0 PORT 3	046-021-022		LCC A Port A
046-005-938		SP B B0 PORT 3	046-021-023		LCC B Port A

For SP A, connect the DAE cable to the lowest available port in the SAS module in the bottom storage processor of the DPE to port A on link control card AA/A (LCC A) on the right side of the DAE.
For SP B, connect the DAE cable to the lowest available port in the SAS module in the top storage processor of the DPE to port A on link control card BB/B (LCC B) on the left side of the DAE.

Example

Cabling for x8 connections

Before you begin

As previously noted, if you are connecting the DAE to a 4-port SAS I/O module that requires x8 connectivity, you must insert the SAS cable into the 4-port SAS I/O module before persisting it. The 4-port SAS I/O module must be persisted with the cable inserted for x8 connectivity. If the SAS back-end I/O module is powered on and persisted without any cables inserted, it is automatically set at x4 and cannot be used for x8 lane cabling.

Note: x8 connections can only be made using the 4-port back-end SAS I/O module. Never use ports 1 and 2 for x8 connections.

Connect to the 4-port SAS back-end I/O module: Insert SAS cables into ports 0 and 1 or ports 2 and 3 of the 4-port SAS I/O modules in the storage processor, if they are not connected already. For consistency and clarity, use ports 0 and 1 first. This will create BE bus 2. The next configured x8 bus using ports 2 and 3 will create BE 4.
1. Label a pair of mini-SAS HD cables using the black or green labels.
  The labels used depend upon how the back-end ports are configured.
2. Connect the ports as follows:
  - Ensure that the SAS cable is inserted into ports 0 and 1 or ports 2 and 3 of the SP A SAS module, located in the bottom storage processor of the DPE. Connect the cable to ports AA/A of link control card A (LCC A), located on the right side of the DAE.
  - Ensure that the SAS cable is inserted into ports 0 and 1 or ports 2 and 3 of SP B SAS module, located in the top storage processor of the DPE. Connect the cable to ports AA/A of link control card B (LCC B), located on the left side of the DAE.

Example