Dell PowerEdge Express Flash NVMe PCIe SSD 2.
Notes, cautions, and warnings NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your product. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem. WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. Copyright © 2017 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell, EMC, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Contents 1 Overview........................................................................................................................................................5 NVMe PCIe SSD architecture.......................................................................................................................................... 5 PCIe interface..............................................................................................................................................................
Exporting the log........................................................................................................................................................22 Human Interface Infrastructure configuration utility................................................................................................... 22 Entering the HII configuration utility........................................................................................................................
1 Overview The PowerEdge Express Flash Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) Solid State Device (SSD) 2.5 inch small form factor (SFF) is a high performance storage device designed for solutions requiring low latency, high I/O operations per second (IOPS), and enterprise class storage reliability and serviceability. The NVMe PCIe SSDs are offered as a Multi-Level Cell (MLC) or Triple-Level Cell (TLC) NAND flash technology with a high-speed PCIe 3.
The NVMe PCIe SSD supports orderly hot swap allowing you to add or remove a device without halting or restarting the system in which the device is installed. The supported NVMe PCIe SSD hot swappable functions are defined below: Orderly or Hot Insertion You insert a device into a running system where a similar device has not been previously inserted from the time it was last booted.
Device write status NAND SSDs have a finite number of spare sectors. If the device exhausts the available spare sectors, the NVMe PCIe SSD enters Write Protect (Read-Only) mode. In Write Protect mode, you can only perform read operations to the device. The NVMe PCIe SSD selfmonitors for these limits, and software management applications notify you when you reach these limits. Supported operating systems for NVMe PCIe SSD NOTE: NVMe PCIe SSD hot swap is not supported in VMware ESXi 5.
2 Technical specifications NOTE: The specifications provided are for information purposes only and do not constitute an extension of Dell's warranty for this product. Table 1.
Device Capacity Unformatted capacity 400 GB, 800 GB, 1.6 TB, 3.2 TB, and 6.4 TB User-addressable sectors 400 GB: 781,422,768 LBAs 800 GB: 1,562,824,368 LBAs 1.6 TB: 3,125,627,568 LBAs 3.2 TB: 6,251,233,968 LBAs 6.4 TB: 12,502,446,768 LBAs Bytes per sector 512 Bytes Rated Write Endurance (TBW) for XS1715 family 400 GB: 5.1 PB (7 DWPD) 800 GB: 8.3 PB (7 DWPD) 1.6 TB: 16.7 PB (7 DWPD) Rated Write Endurance(TBW) for SM1715 family 800 GB: 14.6 PB (10 DWPD) 1.6 TB: 29.2 PB (10 DWPD) 3.2 TB: 58.
3 Getting started with NVMe PCIe SSD The NVMe PCIe SSD 2.5 inch SFF devices you ordered with your system are preconfigured and ready for use. For more information, see Configuring NVMe PCIe SSD 2.5 inch SFF in different operating systems, or see Configuring and managing your NVMe PCIe SSD 2.5 inch SFF device. Topics: • Configuring NVMe PCIe SSD 2.5 inch SFF in different operating systems • Servicing your NVMe PCIe SSD 2.5 inch SFF device Configuring NVMe PCIe SSD 2.
NOTE: Do not insert or remove an NVMe PCIe SSD while accessing the system BIOS or HII configuration. To remove your NVMe PCIe SSD 2.5 inch SFF from a running system, use the Prepare to Remove task in OpenManage Server Administrator. You can safely remove the device from the system under the following conditions after you use the Prepare to Remove task: • The NVMe PCIe SSD LED blinks in a pattern that indicates that the device is preparing for removal.
4 Replacing and configuring hardware CAUTION: All work must be performed at an electrostatic discharge (ESD) safe workstation to meet the EIA-625-requirements for handling electrostatic discharge sensitive devices. All actions must be performed following the latest revisions of the IPCA-610 ESD recommended practices. CAUTION: Many repairs may only be done by a certified service technician.
• The NVMe PCIe SSD LED blinks in a pattern that indicates that the device is preparing for removal. For more information, see NVMe PCIe SSD Carrier LED indicators. 2 • The NVMe PCIe SSD is no longer accessible by the operating system. Press the release button and open the NVMe PCIe SSD carrier release handle to release the NVMe PCIe SSD. 3 Slide the NVMe PCIe SSD out of the slot. NOTE: To maintain proper system cooling, all empty NVMe PCIe SSD bays must have device blanks installed.
5 Driver installation For the current list of operating systems supported by NVMe PCIe SSD, see Supported operating systems for NVMe PCIe SSD . Topics: • Downloading NVMe PCIe SSD drivers • Installing or upgrading NVMe PCIe SSD driver for Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, 2012, 2012 R2, and 2016 • Installing or upgrading NVMe PCIe SSD 2.
To install or upgrade the NVMe PCIe SSD driver for Windows Server using Dell Update Package (DUP): 1 Insert the media containing the latest driver that you downloaded from Dell.com/support/drivers. 2 Double-click the executable and follow the on-screen instructions to install the NVMe PCIe SSD driver using DUP. NOTE: Dell provides the DUP to update drivers on systems running 2008 R2 SP1, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2, and Windows Server 2016 operating systems.
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 and 12 drivers are provided in the Kernel Module Package (KMP) format while Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 drivers are provided in the Kernel Module Loader (KMOD) format. KMODs are Red Hat Packet Manager (RPM)s and are driver packaging methods that contain kernel modules, instituted to better handle kernel update situations.
b c d e 4 Enter your user name and password. Navigate to the troubleshooting options. Enable the ESXi shell. Enable SSH. Install the NVMe PCIe SSD driver on the ESXi host. a b Navigate to the datastore volume or file directory that contains the NVMe PCIe SSD driver, and run the following command: esxcli software vib install /. Reboot the ESXi host.
3 Insert the media and launch the installation wizard. 4 Follow the installation wizard to the conclusion of the installation process.
6 Configuring and managing your NVMe PCIe SSD 2.5 inch SFF device The storage management applications enable you to manage and configure the NVMe PCIe SSD 2.5 inch SFF device. These applications also allow you to control and monitor multiple NVMe PCIe SSDs, and provide online maintenance.
Name Displays the name of the NVMe PCIe SSD. The name comprises the bay ID and the slot ID in which the NVMe PCIe SSD 2.5 inch SFF is installed. State Displays the current state of the NVMe PCIe SSD 2.5 inch SFF. Bus Protocol Displays the technology that the NVMe PCIe SSD 2.5 inch SFF is using. Device Name In Windows: \\.\PhysicalDriveX. In Linux: /dev/nvmeXn1. Media Displays the media type of the physical SSD.
• Export Log Blink and unblink task for PCIe SSD The Blink task allows you to find a device within a system by blinking the status LED on the device. If you need to cancel the Blink task or if the physical device continues to blink indefinitely, use the Unblink task. Performing the blink or the unblink task To perform the blink or unblink task: 1 Expand the Storage tree object to display the storage component objects. 2 Expand the PCIe SSD Subsystem object. 3 Expand the PCIe SSD Extender object.
Performing cryptographic erase task for NVMe PCIe SSD CAUTION: Performing a cryptographic erase on an NVMe PCIe SSD results in permanent loss of all data on the NVMe PCIe SSD. NOTE: During cryptographic erase, the host is not able to access the NVMe PCIe SSD. 1 Expand the Storage tree object to display the storage component objects. a On Linux platforms, unmount any file systems mounted on the device. 2 Expand the PCIe SSD Subsystem object. 3 3. Expand the PCIe SSD Extender object, if applicable.
Entering the HII configuration utility To enter the HII configuration utility: 1 Turn on the system. 2 Press F2 during system startup to enter the system setup. 3 Navigate to the Device Settings option. 4 Select the desired NVMe PCIe SSD to view its HII configuration page. Each device includes an entry such as: PCIe SSD in Bay X Slot Y: Dell NVMe PCIe SSD Configuration Data.
Exporting the log The Export Log option exports the NVMe PCIe SSD log to a text file. The log contains debug information of the NVMe PCIe SSD which can be useful while troubleshooting. NOTE: To save the log, you need a writable media with a UEFI-compatible file system attached to the system. NOTE: If there are no application devices inserted into the system when entering the Export Log HII screen, then the only option is to return to the previous page.
7 Troubleshooting NOTE: To get help for your NVMe PCIe SSD, see Contacting Dell. Topics: • Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology errors • NVMe PCIe SSD Carrier LED indicators • Ungraceful system shutdown or power loss • General errors Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology errors The NVMe PCIe SSD solution is always monitored for errors by its internal software. If an error occurs, it is detected and recorded in an internal log.
Table 2. NVMe PCIe SSD 2.5 inch SFF States and LED Indicator Codes State Name Slot/Device State Status LED (Green) Status LED (Amber) Device status off The server or device is not powered up. Off Off Device online The device is powered up. On Off Device identify (blink) The device is identifying the slot location or is indicating the device has received a Prepare for Removal command from the host operating system.
Software RAID array created by using PCIe SSDs is not detected after SLES 11 is rebooted Cause The boot.md service is not started during RAID creation. The boot.md service must be enabled for the init process to start the MD-RAID device. Solution Run the command # chkconfig boot.md to verify if the boot.md service is on or off. This command should start the boot.md service. If it does not, run the command# chkconfig boot.md on to enable it.
Solution Perform the following steps to recover from this situation: 1 Enter the root password to enter maintenance mode. 2 Remount the root filesystem as read-write using the following command: mount -orw,remount/. 3 Manually edit /etc/fstab to remove the nonexistent device entry. I/O device error on write to NVMe PCIe SSD Description Windows event log may report the following entries on the first write attempt to an NVMe PCIe SSD: Event ID 7: The device, \Device\Harddisk\DRX, has a bad block.
In Windows Server, OpenManage Server Administrator does not detect PCIe NVMe devices In Windows Server 2012 R2 Description Windows Server 2012 R2 contains an in-box NVMe driver that is not supported by OpenManage Server Administrator. Cause The operating system is using the in-box NVMe driver. Solution Install the latest NVMe driver available on Dell.com/support. In Windows Server 2016 Description Windows Server 2016 contains an in-box NVMe driver that is supported by OpenManage Server Administrator.
Solution Insert only after allowing the operating system to fully load or when the server is powered off. NVMe PCIe SSD is not seen after inserting in VMware ESXi 5.5 Description Operating System will not detect the hot inserted device. Cause Hot Insertion is not supported in VMWare ESXi 5.5. Solution Reboot the host system after inserting the drive. System is unable to inventory or manage NVMe PCIe SSDs from HII utility Description NVMe PCIe SSDs are not discovered in the HII utility.
8 Getting help Locating your system Service Tag Your system is identified by a unique Express Service Code and Service Tag number. The Express Service Code and Service Tag are found on the front of a physical DR Series system by pulling out the information tag. The service tag can also be found on the Support page in the GUI. This information is used to route support calls to the appropriate personnel for resolution.
To... See the... Configure and log in to iDRAC, set up managed and management Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller User's Guide at Dell.com/ system, know the iDRAC features, and troubleshoot by using iDRAC idracmanuals Know about the RACADM subcommands and supported RACADM interfaces RACADM Command Line Reference Guide for iDRAC at Dell.
