PowerEdge: How to Install or Remove a Network adapter

The Different Types of Network Adapters:

• PCIE Network Adapter
• Network Daughter Card (NDC)
• Open Compute Project (OCP) Network Card

For additional safety instructions it is recommended to review your specific model's Service Manual from the Dell Support Site found under the Documentation Section.  

PCIe Network Adapter:

In a Tower Server, the PCIe Network Adapter is installed directly onto the system board, however on Rack Servers the adapter would be installed into a PCIE Expansion Riser depending on the type of server.

Tower Server Steps:

Removing a PCIe Network Adapter

• • • Disconnect any cables connected to the network card.
    • Press the blue retention latch and push down the latch to open it.
    • Hold the network card by the edges and pull the card to disengage from the system.

Figure 1. Removing a PCIe network card

• • • If the network card is not going to be replaced, install a filler bracket and close the card retention latch.

Installing a PCIe Network Adapter

• • • Press the blue retention latch and push down the latch to open it.
    • If installed, remove the filler bracket.

• • • Hold the network card by the edges, and align the card edge connector with the network card connector.
    • Insert the card edge connector firmly into the network card connector until the card is fully seated.
    • Close the blue retention latch.

Figure 2. Installing a PCIe network card

• • • Next steps:
      • If applicable, connect the internal cables to the network card.
      • Follow the procedure listed in After working inside your system.
      • Install any device drivers required for the card as described in the documentation for the card.

Rack Server Steps:

Removing PCIe Network card from the expansion card riser

• • • Prerequisites:
      • Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions.
      • Follow the procedure listed in Before working inside your system.
      • If applicable, disconnect the cables from the network card.
    • Remove the expansion card riser. (Follow steps in your servers service manual for specific riser removal instructions)
    • Steps:
      • Pull and rotate the network card retention latch lock to open.
      • Pull the card holder before removing the card from the riser.
      • Hold the network card by the edges and pull the card from the riser.

Figure 3. Removing network card from the expansion card riser

• • • • Next steps:
        • If the network card is not going to be replaced, install a filler bracket and close the card retention latch.

Installing a PCIe Network Card into the Expansion Card Riser

• • • Prerequisites:
      • Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions.
      • Follow the procedure listed in Before working inside your system.
      • If installing a new network card, unpack it and prepare the card for installation.

CAUTION: Do not install network cards, or other PCIe devices on your system that are not validated and tested by Dell. Damage caused by unauthorized and invalidated hardware installation can void the system warranty.

• • •  Steps:
      • Pull and lift up the network card retention latch lock to open.
      • If installed, remove the filler bracket.
      • Store the filler bracket for future use. Filler brackets must be installed in empty network card slots to maintain Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification of the system. The brackets also keep dust and dirt out of the system and aid in proper cooling and airflow inside the system.
      • Hold the card by edges, and align the card with the connector on the riser.
      • Insert the card firmly into the network card connector until seated.
      • Close the network card retention latch.
      • Push the card holder to hold the card in the riser.

Figure 4. Installing a network card into the expansion card riser

• • • Next steps:
      • Install the expansion card risers.
      • If applicable, connect the cables to the network card.
      • Follow the procedure listed in After working inside your system.
      • Install any device drivers required for the card as described in the documentation for the card.

OCP Network Adapter:

Removing the OCP card:

• • • Prerequisites:
      • Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions.
      • Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system.
      • Remove the expansion card riser if installed over the OCP. (Follow steps in your servers service manual for specific riser removal instructions)
    • Steps:
      • Open the blue latch to disengage the OCP card.
      • Push the OCP card towards the rear end of the system to disconnect from the connector on the system board.
      • Slide the OCP card out of the slot on the system.

Figure 5. Removing the OCP card

• • • Next steps:
      • Replace the OCP card

Installing the OCP card:

• • • Prerequisites:
      • Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section of the Service manual.
      • Follow the procedure listed in the Before working inside your system section of the Service manual.
      • Remove the expansion card riser.

• • • Steps:
      • If installed, remove the filler bracket.
      • Open the blue latch on the system board.
      • Slide the OCP card into the slot in the system.
      • Push until the OCP card is connected to the connector on the system board.
      • Close the blue latch to lock the OCP card to the system.

Figure 6. Installing the OCP card

• • Next steps:
    • Install the expansion card riser.

Network Daughter Card (NDC):

Removing the network daughter card

• • • Prerequisites:
      • Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions section of the Service manual.
      • Follow the procedure listed in Before working inside your system section of the Service manual.
      • If applicable, remove the expansion card riser 2.
      • If applicable, remove the rear drive cage.
    • Steps:
      • Using a Phillips #2 screwdriver, loosen the captive screws that secure the network daughter card (NDC) to the system board.
      • Hold the NDC by the edges on either side of the touch points, and lift to remove it from the connector on the system board.
      • Slide the NDC towards the front of the system until the Ethernet connectors are clear of the slot in the back panel.

Figure 7. Removing network daughter card

• • • Next steps:
      • Install the Network Daughter Card

Installing the network daughter card

• • • Prerequisites:
      • Follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety instructions.
    • Steps:
      • Orient the NDC so that the Ethernet connectors fit through the slot in the chassis.
      • Align the captive screws at the backend of the card with the screw holes on the system board.
      • Press the touch points on the card until the card connector is firmly seated on the system board connector.
      • Using a Phillips #2 screwdriver, tighten the captive screws to secure the NDC to the system board.

Figure 8. Installing the network daughter card

• • • Next steps:
      • Reinstall the expansion card riser, depending on the configuration of your system.