Lenovo SR590/SR650 3.5" AnyBay 12-Bay Backplane Upgrade Kit

This Lenovo SR590/SR650 3.5" AnyBay 12-Bay Backplane Upgrade Kit is an enterprise-grade storage expansion solution designed to maximize your data capacity while preserving the reliability, manageability, and efficiency Lenovo customers expect. Built to seamlessly integrate with the ThinkSystem SR590 and SR650 servers, this upgrade kit replaces or enhances the server’s existing backplane to deliver a dense 12-bay 3.5-inch storage solution. It leverages Lenovo’s AnyBay technology to enable flexible drive configurations, simplifies drive management, and supports hot-swappable operation to minimize downtime during maintenance or expansion. If you’re scaling your data-intensive workloads—virtualization, databases, backups, or media workflows—this backplane upgrade helps you grow storage capacity without sacrificing performance or reliability.

• Maximized storage density: 12 x 3.5" drive bays in a single backplane maximize usable storage within Lenovo ThinkSystem SR590/SR650 servers. This dense configuration is ideal for data-intensive applications that demand large-capacity, high-throughput storage without expanding the server footprint.
• Flexible drive compatibility with AnyBay: The AnyBay backplane supports a mix of SAS and SATA drives, enabling you to deploy the drives that best fit your workload and budget. This flexibility makes it easier to upgrade incrementally or tailor storage to specific performance and capacity needs, all while keeping drive management simple and centralized.
• Enterprise-grade reliability and management: Designed for data-center reliability, the upgrade kit is built to Lenovo validation standards and works in harmony with Lenovo’s server management ecosystem. Expect robust compatibility with Lenovo RAID controllers and firmware, streamlined monitoring through familiar tools, and the confidence that comes with certified components that pass Lenovo’s quality tests.
• Easy installation with minimal downtime: Engineered for straightforward integration into ThinkSystem SR590/SR650 systems, this backplane upgrade minimizes downtime and disruption. With clearly organized connectors and a layout designed for efficient cable routing, administrators can complete the upgrade quickly and resume normal operations with minimal impact on service availability.
• Future-ready scaling and lifecycle protection: Upgrading to a 12-bay 3.5" backplane provides a scalable path for growing data needs. By aligning with Lenovo’s upgrade paths, you gain a solution that protects your existing investment while enabling cloud-ready storage growth, faster data access, and easier capacity planning for future projects.

Technical Details of Lenovo SR590/SR650 3.5" AnyBay 12-Bay Backplane Upgrade Kit

• Form factor: 3.5-inch backplane designed for Lenovo ThinkSystem SR590 and SR650 servers
• Drive bays: 12 bays for hot-swappable 3.5" drives
• Drive interface: AnyBay backplane supporting SAS and SATA drives
• Compatibility: Certified for Lenovo ThinkSystem SR590 and SR650 servers; works with compatible RAID controllers and firmware
• Management: Integrated with Lenovo server management ecosystem for monitoring and reporting
• Reliability: Engineered for enterprise workloads with rugged connectors and proven Lenovo validation

How to Install Lenovo SR590/SR650 3.5" AnyBay 12-Bay Backplane Upgrade Kit

• Power down the server and disconnect all power sources to ensure a safe installation environment.
• Open the server chassis and locate the existing backplane in the drive bay area, ensuring you identify the correct mounting location for the upgrade kit.
• Remove the old backplane or prepare the chassis for the upgrade by disconnecting existing data and power cables that attach to the current backplane.
• Install the 3.5" AnyBay 12-Bay backplane into the drive bay assembly, securing it firmly to maintain solid contact and vibration resistance.
• Reconnect the data and power cables to the new backplane, following the cabling path used by the original configuration to preserve airflow and ease of maintenance.
• Install or transfer drive carriers into the 12 bays, ensuring each drive is seated properly and secured in its carrier for reliable hot-swapping and operation.
• Close the chassis, reconnect power, and boot the server. Enter the server BIOS/RAID controller utility to verify that all 12 bays are detected and that the storage configuration aligns with your planned RAID or JBOD setup.
• Configure storage policies, initialize any new drives, and verify performance and health through your standard monitoring tools before returning to production workloads.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What servers are compatible with this backplane upgrade kit? A: The kit is designed specifically for Lenovo ThinkSystem SR590 and SR650 servers, providing a seamless upgrade path for these models.
• Q: How many drives can this backplane support? A: It supports up to 12 x 3.5" drives in a single backplane, enabling a dense storage configuration within the ThinkSystem chassis.
• Q: Can I mix SAS and SATA drives on the AnyBay backplane? A: Yes. The AnyBay design allows for flexible drive configurations, including a mix of SAS and SATA drives, depending on your RAID/controller capabilities and performance needs.
• Q: Is this upgrade hot-swappable? A: The backplane is designed to support hot-swapping, reducing downtime when replacing drives. Ensure proper hot-swap procedures and system compatibility with your RAID controller.
• Q: What maintenance or firmware considerations should I be aware of? A: Use Lenovo-supported firmware and RAID controller software to maintain compatibility and reliability. Regular health checks through the server management interface will help ensure optimal performance and early detection of any drive or backplane issues.
• Q: Does the kit include cables or drive carriers? A: The specific packaging may vary by lot; refer to the product packaging or vendor listing for exact contents. In typical Lenovo upgrade kits, essential backplane connectors are included, and drive carriers compatible with 3.5" bays are used with the system.
• Q: Can this backplane upgrade improve performance for my workloads? A: By increasing the number of available bays and enabling efficient drive management, the upgrade can improve I/O throughput and storage scalability, especially when paired with a capable RAID controller and properly tuned storage policies.