Supermicro SuperChassis 836BA-R920B: High-Density 3U Rack-Mount Storage Chassis with Dual 920W Power

Designed for data centers, enterprise laboratories, and ambitious virtualization environments, the Supermicro SuperChassis 836BA-R920B delivers scalable storage, robust cooling, and reliable power in a compact 3U footprint. This rack-mount chassis is engineered to accommodate EATX and ATX motherboards while offering expansive drive capacity through 16 external 3.5" bays and hot-swap drive support. With dual 920W power supplies already installed, it’s prepared to handle demanding workloads with redundancy and headroom for future expansions. The chassis is finished in a sleek black enclosure that blends seamlessly into standard 19-inch racks, delivering both form and function for professional deployments.

• High-density 3U chassis with 16 external 3.5" drive bays, enabling large-scale storage arrays without sacrificing rack space or operational efficiency.
• Up to 20 hot-swap drives supported, including options for slim optical media and rear 2.5" drives, delivering flexible storage configurations for data-intensive workloads.
• Power reliability with 2 x 920W power supplies installed, providing redundancy and steady, continuous operation for critical applications.
• Broad motherboard compatibility with EATX and ATX form factors, offering flexibility to deploy a wide range of server-grade motherboards and expansion capabilities.
• Strong cooling and expansion support, featuring 5 fans and 7 expansion slots to maintain optimal temperatures while accommodating essential I/O and peripherals.

Technical Details of Supermicro SuperChassis 836BA-R920B

• Get this information from the "specifications" section of the product from https://ec.synnex.com/ using product "UPC" or "SKU" as reference

How to Install Supermicro SuperChassis 836BA-R920B

Before you begin, prepare a suitable 19-inch rack, ensure you have the necessary tools, and observe proper electrostatic discharge (ESD) precautions. The 836BA-R920B is designed to integrate into standard rack environments and supports a broad range of enterprise configurations. Follow these general steps to install and configure the chassis for immediate use:

Step 1: Plan and position

Identify the rack location that provides adequate air intake and exhaust paths for cooling. Confirm cable management space behind the chassis and ensure there is clearance for drive trays and hot-swap operation. Have your server components ready, including the chosen EATX/ATX motherboard, CPU, memory, storage devices, and required I/O cables.

Step 2: Secure the chassis in the rack

With the rack rails prepared, lift the chassis into the rack and align mounting holes. Use appropriate screws to secure the chassis to the rack rails at the top and bottom to ensure a stable, vibration-free installation. Verify that the enclosure is level and firmly fastened before proceeding.

Step 3: Install or verify power connections

Connect the dual 920W power supplies to a reliable power source according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. If the power supplies are pre-installed, verify that their power cables reach the appropriate power distribution units (PDUs) or power outlets. Confirm that any redundant power paths are correctly configured to ensure uninterrupted operation in the event of a power anomaly.

Step 4: Prepare the drive environment

Slide in or prepare the external 3.5" drive trays as needed. If you plan to populate the chassis with additional drives, ensure proper anti-static handling and confirm drive compatibility with the chassis’ backplane. For environments requiring hot-swap functionality, verify that drive trays are properly seated and that any necessary cabling is routed for efficient airflow.

Step 5: Install the motherboard and components

Install your EATX or ATX motherboard in the chassis following standard mounting hardware and standoff guidelines. Attach the CPU, memory, and storage drives according to your motherboard and hardware requirements. Route power, data, and I/O cables carefully to avoid interference with fans and drive trays. Enable any required BIOS settings for boot order and hardware detection.

Step 6:.Connect cooling and verify temperature management

Ensure all five fan locations are populated or configured as per your cooling plan. Verify that airflow paths are clear from front to rear and that fans operate correctly after power is supplied. Run a basic POST test to confirm that power is stable and components are recognized by the system.

Step 7: Final checks and commissioning

Double-check all connections, drive alignments, and rack mounting security. Power up the system and monitor initial hardware detection, drive health, and fan speeds. Configure RAID or storage controllers if applicable, install operating systems or virtualization platforms, and validate performance against your workload requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the Supermicro SuperChassis 836BA-R920B come with power supplies installed?

A: Yes. The 836BA-R920B ships with dual 920W power supplies installed, designed to provide reliable power and redundancy for continuous operation in data center environments.

Q: What motherboard form factors does this chassis support?

A: The chassis supports EATX and ATX motherboards, allowing a wide range of server-grade configurations and expansion options while maintaining a compact 3U footprint.

Q: How many drive bays are available, and what drive types can be used?

A: The chassis features 16 external 3.5" drive bays, with support for up to 20 hot-swap drives total. It also offers options for slim DVD/floppy sizes and rear 2.5" drive configurations to maximize storage flexibility for various applications.

Q: How many fans can be installed, and what about expansion slots?

A: The design supports 5 fans for effective cooling and provides 7 expansion slots to accommodate PCIe cards and I/O expansion necessary for performance and scalability needs in enterprise workloads.

Q: What connectivity options are available on this chassis?

A: The enclosure includes 2 USB ports for basic management and maintenance tasks. The chassis is designed to integrate with standard I/O backplanes and controller cards according to your server configuration.

Q: Is it suitable for data center deployments and virtualization environments?

A: Yes. The combination of a 3U form factor, extensive drive capacity, robust cooling, and redundant power makes the SuperChassis 836BA-R920B well-suited for data center storage, virtualization hosts, and other demanding enterprise workloads where reliability and scalability are essential.