Dell PowerEdge VRTX Enclosure Owner's Manual

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Expansion card installation guidelines

The following table describes the expansion card slots in the VRTX enclosure:

Table 1. Expansion card slotsThe PCIe slot 1 is mapped to riser, connected to Fabric C. This slot supports standard height, full length x8 expansion cards. The PCIe slot 2 is mapped to riser, connected to Fabric C. This slot supports standard height, full length x8 expansion cards. The PCIe slot 3 is mapped to riser, connected to Fabric B. This slot supports standard height, full length x8 expansion cards.The PCIe slot 4 is mapped to system board, connected to Fabric C. This slot supports low profile, half length x8 expansion cards. The PCIe slot 5 is mapped to system board, connected to Fabric C. This slot supports low profile, half length x8 expansion cards. The PCIe slot 6 is mapped to system board, connected to Fabric B. This slot supports low profile, half length x8 expansion cards. The PCIe slot 7 is mapped to system board, connected to Fabric B. This slot supports low profile, half length x8 expansion cards. The PCIe slot 8 is mapped to system board, connected to Fabric B. This slot supports low profile, half length x8 expansion cards.
Location	PCIe Slot	Fabric	Height	Length	Link Width
Riser	1	C	Standard Height	Full Length	x8
Riser	2	C	Standard Height	Full Length	x8
Riser	3	B	Standard Height	Full Length	x8
System board	4	C	Low Profile	Half Length	x8
System board	5	C	Low Profile	Half Length	x8
System board	6	B	Low Profile	Half Length	x8
System board	7	B	Low Profile	Half Length	x8
System board	8	B	Low Profile	Half Length	x8

The following table provides guidelines for installing expansion cards to ensure proper cooling and mechanical fit. The expansion cards with the highest priority must be installed first using the slot priority indicated. All other expansion cards must be installed in card priority and slot priority order.

Table 2. Expansion card installation orderCard priority 1 is assigned to Shared PERC 8 Internal. The slot priority for Shared PERC 8 Internal is INT_STORAGE_1, INT_STORAGE_2 and a maximum of 2 cards are allowed. Card priority 2 is assigned to Shared PERC 8 External (low profile). The slot priority for Shared PERC 8 External is 6 and 5, and a maximum of 2 cards are allowed. Card priority 3 is assigned to External SAS RAID (standard height). The slot priority for External SAS RAID is 3 and 2, and a maximum of 2 cards are allowed. Card priority 3 is assigned to External SAS RAID (low profile). The slot priority for External SAS RAID is 6 and 5, and a maximum of 2 cards are allowed. Card priority 4 is assigned to GPU (standard height). The slot priority for GPU is 2, 3 and 1, and a maximum of 3 cards are allowed. Card priority 5 is assigned to 10 Gb NICs (standard height). The slot priority for 10 Gb NICs is 2, 3 and 1, and a maximum of 3 cards are allowed. Card priority 5 is assigned to 10 Gb NICs (low profile). The slot priority for 10 Gb NICs is 6, 5, 7, 4 and 8, and a maximum of 5 cards are allowed. Card priority 6 is assigned to FC HBA (standard height). The slot priority for FC HBA is 2, 3 and 1, and a maximum of 3 cards are allowed. Card priority 6 is assigned to FC HBA (low profile). The slot priority for FC HBA is 6, 5, 7, 4 and 8, and a maximum of 5 cards are allowed. Card priority 7 is assigned to 1Gb NICs (standard height). The slot priority for 1Gb NICs is 2, 3 and 1, and a maximum of 3 cards are allowed. Card priority 7 is assigned to 1Gb NICs (low profile). The slot priority for 1Gb NICs is 6, 5, 7, 4 and 8, and a maximum of 5 cards are allowed.Card priority 8 is assigned to SAS Non-RAID (standard height). The slot priority for SAS Non-RAID is 2, 3 and 1, and a maximum of 2 cards are allowed. Card priority 8 is assigned to SAS Non-RAID (low profile). The slot priority for SAS Non-RAID is 6, 5, 7, 4 and 8, and a maximum of 2 cards are allowed.
Card Priority	Card Type	Form Factor	Slot Priority	Maximum Allowed
1	Shared PERC 8 Internal	N/A	INT_STORAGE_1, INT_STORAGE_2	2
2	Shared PERC 8 External	Low profile	6, 5	2
3	External SAS RAID	Standard height	3, 2	2
3	External SAS RAID	Low profile	6, 5	2
4	GPU	Standard height	2, 3, 1	3
5	10 Gb NICs	Standard height	2, 3, 1	3
		Low profile	6, 5, 7, 4, 8	5
6	FC HBA	Standard height	2, 3, 1	3
		Low profile	6, 5, 7, 4, 8	5
7	1Gb NICs	Standard height	2, 3, 1	3
		Low profile	6, 5, 7, 4, 8	5
8	SAS Non-RAID	Standard height	2, 3, 1	2
		Low profile	6, 5, 7, 4, 8	2