Users Guide

If any other RAID operations are in pending state or any RAID job is scheduled, you cannot change the
backplane mode. Similarly, if this setting is pending, you cannot schedule other RAID jobs.
NOTE:
• Warning messages are displayed when the setting is being changed as there is a possibility of
data loss.
• LC Wipe or iDRAC reset operations do not change the expander setting for this mode.
• This operation is supported only in real-time and not staged.
• You can change the backplane configuration multiple times.
• The backplane splitting operation can cause data loss or foreign configuration if the drive
association changes from one controller to another controller.
• During the backplane splitting operation, the RAID configuration may be impacted depending on
the drive association.
Any change in this setting only takes effect after a system power reset. If you change from Split mode to
Unified, an error message is displayed on the next boot as the second controller does not see any drives.
Also, the first controller will see a foreign configuration. If you ignore the error, the existing virtual disks
are lost.
Configuring backplane mode using web interface
To configure backplane mode using iDRAC web interface:
1. In the iDRAC web interface, go to Overview → Storage → Enclosures → Setup
The Enclosure Setup page is displayed.
2. From the Controller drop-down menu, select the controller to configure its associated enclosures.
3. In the Value column, select the required mode for the required backplane or enclosure:
• Unified Mode
• Split Mode
• Split Mode 4:20
• Split Mode 8:16
• Split Mode 16:8
• Split Mode 20:4
• Information Not Available
4. From the Apply Operation Mode drop-down menu, select Apply Now to apply the actions
immediately, and then click
Apply.
A job ID is created.
5. Go to the Job Queue page and verify that it displays the status as Completed for the job.
6. Power cycle the system for the setting to take effect.
Configuring enclosure using RACADM
To configure the enclosure or backplane, use the BackplaneMode object with the set subcommand.
For example, to set the BackplaneMode attribute to split mode:
1. At the RACADM command prompt, run the following command to view the current backplane
mode:
get storage.enclosure.1.backplanecurrentmode
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