DL180 gen9 4LFF to 8LFF upgrade?

[jpvain]

I have the 4LFF non hot-plug model of the DL180 gen9 server, and I am running out of drive slots. Is there a way to obtain a backplane from the 8LFF model, or something else to get more drive bays to this server? The case and the controller are the same as far as I know, and the 8LFF model is hot-plug enabled, that would be also a good addition here. Anyone?

[TTr]

The DL180 is sold as "factory integrated" only. You can not change it's drive configuration because the parts you would need to make the conversion are not publicly available neither their part numbers.

Your only hope is, and I strongly suggest NOT to do this, if you had a DL380 G9 and you compared the chassis and the drive bays to see if they are interchangable. Even if you were able to make something work, there could be other limitations or problems.. 

[Erdogan Temur]

Hi,

You can use it as 8LFF by adding the below parts on the server.

HP DL180 Gen9 8LFF Smart Array Cable Kit 725577-B21
HP DL180 Gen9 8SFF Hard Drive Cage/Backplane Kit 725572-B21
HP Smart Host Bus Adapters HP H240 12Gb 1-port Int Smart Host Bus Adapter 726907-B21

[jpvain]

I'm guessing the 8SFF cage/backplane kit will not do much for this... and the 8LFF and my 4LFF models both have the same B140 storage adapter, so I don't think it should be impossible to upgrade...

[Erdogan Temur]

Please share  server product number.

You can solve problem by using the Mini SAS Y-Cable, But you can use only non-hot-plug HDD.

http://h20566.www2.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-c05054205&sp4ts.oid=8223671

http://h20564.www2.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=emr_na-c05104761&sp4ts.oid=7252820

[jpvain]

It really seems by the links mentioned, that the difference between the hot-plug 8LFF and the non-hot-plug 4LFF are just the sas cable and the backplane(s)? And for 4LFF and 8LFF non hot-plug versions only have one cable and backplane also separating them... Wonder where to get those parts, if it is possible. 

I don't think the server frame is that different between these models, and the hot-plug capability would be a great addition.

I have no idea where to get the model number, but the server is the "entry model" of DL180 gen9 with 4LFF bays and now upgraded with a E5-2620v4 cpu.