Dell Unity™ All Flash and Unity Hybrid Hardware Information Guide

Drive carrier

The DPE (disk processor enclosure) comprises the following components:

• Drive carrier
• Disk drives
• Midplane
• Storage processor (SP) CPU
• SP power supply module
• EMI shielding

The disk drive carriers are metal and plastic assemblies that provide smooth, reliable contact with the enclosure slot guides and midplane connectors. Each carrier has a handle with a latch and spring clips. The latch holds the disk drive in place to ensure proper connection with the midplane. Disk drive activity/fault LEDs are located on the front of the enclosure.

Each disk drive consists of one disk drive in a carrier. You can visually distinguish between disk drive types by their different latch and handle mechanisms and by type, capacity, and speed labels on each disk drive. You can add or remove a disk drive while the DPE is powered up, but you should exercise special care when removing modules while they are in use. Disk drives are extremely sensitive electronic components.

A midplane separates the front-facing disk drives from the rear-facing SPs. It distributes power and signals to all components in the enclosure. SPs and disk drives plug directly into the midplane.

The SP assembly is the intelligent component of the DPE. Acting as the control center, each SP assembly includes status LEDs.

Each SP contains a power supply module that connect the system to an exterior power source. Each power supply includes LEDs to indicate component status. A latch on the module locks it into place to ensure proper connection.

EMI compliance requires a properly installed electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield in front of the DPE disk drives. When installed in cabinets that include a front door, the DPE includes a simple EMI shield. Other installations require a front bezel that has a locking latch and integrated EMI shield. You must remove the bezel/shield to remove and install the disk drives.