Free and Premium Supermicro SMI300XS Dumps Questions Answers

Understanding MCIO Cables in Supermicro MI300X Systems

MCIO (Multi-lane Cable I/O) connectorsare used forhigh-speed data transmission between the motherboard and NVMe SSDs or PCIe devices.

These connectorsmust be handled carefully, as improper removal cancause pin damageorpermanent failure of the interface.

How to Properly Unlock and Release MCIO Cables

Locate the release levers on the MCIO connectors

Each MCIO connector has asmall built-in release leverthat locks it in place.

Press down on the release levers

This disengages the locking mechanism andallows the cable to slide out easily.

Gently pull the MCIO cable straight out

Do not pull at an angleas it can damage thehigh-density connector pins.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

A (Pull really hard)→ Forcing the connector without releasing the latch canbreak the MCIO pins or damage the motherboard socket.

B (Remove screws)→ MCIO cablesdo not use screws; they have built-in locking mechanisms.

D (Loosen bolts)→ There areno boltssecuring MCIO cables; only therelease lever is needed for unlocking.

Official Documentation Reference:

Supermicro AS-8125GS-TNMR2 Motherboard Manualstates thatpressing down on the release levers is the correct method to unlock MCIO cables.

NVMe Backplane Connection Requirements in Supermicro MI300X Systems

Afterinstalling the NVMe backplane, the following cablesmust be reconnectedfor proper system functionality:

i2C Cable(Inter-Integrated Circuit Cable)

Responsible fordata communication, sensor monitoring, and system management functions.

Ensures thatstorage devices are properly detectedby the motherboard.

SAS Cable(Serial Attached SCSI)

Used forhigh-speed storage connectivityin hybrid NVMe/SAS systems.

Ensuresdata integrity and fast data transfers between SSDs and the system controller.

Power Cable

Supplies power to the NVMe backplaneandconnected drives.

Without this,NVMe drives will not receive power and will not be detected by the system.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

B (Only the SAS Cable)→ While the SAS cable is important,the power cable and i2C cable are also required.

C (Only the i2C Cable)→ The i2C cable isnot sufficient by itself; the NVMe backplaneneeds both power and data connections.

D (Only the Power Cable)→ Power is needed, butdata connectivity through SAS and i2C is essential for full functionality.

Official Documentation Reference:

Supermicro NVMe Storage System Guideconfirms thati2C, SAS, and power cables must all be reconnected after NVMe backplane installation.

Themidplane lid removal processis designed to betool-freeand follows aspecific sequence to avoid damage.

Thecorrect methodis:

Push in on the two handleslocated near thePCIe tray.

Slowly lift the midplane lid up, ensuring it does not catch on other components.

Remove the lid at an angleto avoid damaging adjacent connectors.

Why this method is used?

Theangled removalhelpsavoid contact with fragile connectorson the midplane.

Forcing the lid straight upcould damage PCIe slots or motherboard connectors.

Official Documentation Reference:

Supermicro AS-8125GS-TNMR2 Disassembly Manualdetails thecorrect method for removing the midplane lid.

Why Must All Cables Be Moved Out of the Way?

Themidplane bracket in Supermicro MI300X GPU systemshousesmultiple power and data connections. If cables are not movedout of the way before lowering the bracket, the following issues can occur:

Cable Pinching or Crushing

If cables are trapped beneath the midplane,their insulation can get damaged, leading to potentialshort circuits or power failures.

Improper Connector Alignment

Misplaced cablesmay obstruct connector seating, preventingMCIO, PCIe, or NVMe connections from fully engaging.

Potential Performance Issues

If data cables are twisted or bent sharply,signal integrity issuesmay arise, causingintermittent connectivity failures.

Step-by-Step Safe Midplane Installation:

✅Step 1:Identify all power and data cables before lowering the midplane bracket.✅Step 2:Move all cables out of the way and neatly route them along their designated pathways.✅Step 3:Slowly lower the midplane bracket into position, ensuring cables remain free from obstruction.✅Step 4:Check that all connectors are accessible and that no cables are trapped under the bracket.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

A (Only move the ribbon cable)→ Other cables may still be in the way, risking damage.

B (Only move the power cable)→ Power cables are important, butdata cables must also be repositioned.

C (Only move the I2C cable)→ The I2C cable alone is not enough;all cables need clearance.

Official Documentation Reference:

Supermicro AS-8125GS-TNMR2 Service Manualspecifies thatall cables must be moved before lowering the midplane bracket to avoid obstruction and damage.

TheAOM (Add-On Module) cardis a crucial expansion module used inSupermicro MI300X GPU systemsfor enhanced connectivity (e.g., RAID controllers, additional network interfaces, or IPMI management).

What happens if AOM cables are misplaced?

The AOM card may not function

The system depends onspecific cabling configurationsto communicate with the AOM module.

Incorrect connections can causehardware failures, incorrect detection, or data transmission errors.

PCIe lane allocation may be disrupted

Many AOM cards usePCIe lanesfor data transmission.Misplacing cables can disable or limit their bandwidth, leading to performance degradation.

BIOS may not detect the AOM card

Some AOM cards requirefirmware initialization, which only happens if the correct ports are used.

Incorrect Answers Explained:

A (System will self-destruct)→ The systemwill not explode, butit may fail to boot properly.

B (Customer will be happy)→ Misconfigured AOM cards typically lead tosystem errors and dissatisfied customers.

D (System will function normally)→ If cables are misplaced,the system will not function properly.

Official Documentation Reference:

Supermicro MI300X GPU System Hardware Guidestates thatAOM cables must be reconnected in their proper ports for the system to function correctly.

To remove theheatsink from the motherboard tray,a T30 Torx bit is required. This tool ensuresproper torque applicationandprevents damageto both the heatsink and the motherboard.

Why a T30 Torx bit is necessary?

Supermicro MI300X GPU systems use precision heatsink retention mechanisms.

Theheatsink screws are secured with factory torque settingsand require aT30 Torx bitfor safe removal.

Using an incorrect tool (Phillips screwdriver, T20, or T40) can strip the screw heads, making it difficult to remove the heatsink without causing damage.

Incorrect Answers Explained:

A (PH2 Phillips screwdriver)→ Not strong enough for heatsink screws, which requirehigh torquefor proper seating.

C (T20 Torx bit)→ Toosmall, risksstrippingthe screws.

D (T40 Torx bit)→ Toolarge, does not fit the heatsink screws.

Official Documentation Reference:

Supermicro MI300X Service Manualspecifies that aT30 Torx bitmust be used to remove the heatsinkwithout damaging the motherboard.

When reinstalling theNVMe backplane, several critical cables must be properlyreconnectedto ensure the system functions correctly.

Required Connections:

SATA Cable→ Some NVMe backplanesalso support SATA drives, requiring SATA connectivity.

Power Cables→ The NVMe backplanerequires direct powerto enable SSD operations.

MCIO Cables→ These cables providehigh-speed data connectivitybetween the NVMe drives and the motherboard.

54-Volt Power Cable→ Thissupplies direct powerto the NVMe backplane foroptimal performance and stability.

Why other options are incorrect?

B (Only SATA cable)→ NVMe backplanes usePCIe-based storage. While SATA connectionsmayexist,they are not the only required cables.

C (Only MCIO cables)→ While MCIO cables are necessary for PCIe-based NVMe drives,power cables must also be reconnectedfor the system to function.

D (Only power cables)→Data communication would failwithout MCIO connections, rendering the systemunable to detect NVMe drives.

Official Documentation Reference:

Supermicro NVMe Service GuideandAS-8125GS-TNMR2 Installation Manualemphasize thecorrect reinstallation of power and data cablesto avoidhardware malfunctions.

To remove themidplane bracketin theAS-8125GS-TNMR2 system, you must remove4 screws total(2 on each side of the chassis).

Why 4 screws?

The midplane bracket is secured by 2 screws per sideto maintain its structural integrity.

Loosening all 4 screws allows safe removal without excessive force.

Forcing the bracket without removing the screws risks damaging the mounting points.

Incorrect Answers Explained:

A (2 screws total)→ Not enough, as screws on both sides must be removed.

C (8 screws total)→ More than necessary;only 4 screws hold the midplane bracket.

D (6 screws total)→ Incorrect count;only 2 screws per side are required.

Official Documentation Reference:

Supermicro AS-8125GS-TNMR2 Installation Guideexplicitly states thattwo screws on each side (4 total) must be removed to release the midplane bracket.

Understanding the Midplane in Supermicro MI300X Systems

Themidplane in the Supermicro MI300X GPU systemacts as acentral connection hubthat links various system components, such as:

NVMe storage backplanes

PCIe interconnects

Power distribution pathways

Motherboard to GPU communication lanes

Because of itsdelicate nature and multiple connectors,it must be removed carefullyto avoiddamaging fragile electrical contacts.

Correct Midplane Removal Process

Tosafely remove the midplane, follow theseSupermicro-recommendedsteps:

Ensure all power is fully disconnected

Shut down the systemproperly.

Remove all power cablesanddisconnect all PSUs.

Ground yourself using an anti-static wrist strapto preventelectrostatic discharge (ESD)damage to sensitive components.

Detach all necessary trays and cables

Disengage the PCIe tray, motherboard tray, and GPU trayto ensure clear access.

Disconnect all MCIO cables, power cables, and ribbon cablesto prevent accidental pulling or tearing.

Use both hands for removal

Place both hands firmly on the midplane bracket.

Lift the midplane bracket straight upto ensure a smooth removal process.

Avoid angling or twisting the midplaneas this candamage its connector pins.

Ensure no resistance is felt

If the midplanedoes not lift easily,double-check for any remaining screws or connected cablesbefore applying force.

Why Using Both Hands is Crucial?

Prevents bending or flexing

The midplane is alarge PCB with multiple connection points.Using both hands ensures even lifting pressure, preventing PCB bending.

Avoids strain on connectors

If removed at an angle, it canstress delicate connectors, leading to permanent damage.

Ensures a firm grip

Some components inside the systemcan be heavy. Using both handsensures stability and reduces risk of dropping.

Why Other Answers Are Incorrect?

If False were correct, it would suggest improper handling techniques that can damage the system.

Supermicro documentation clearly states that the midplane must be removed using both hands and in an upright motion.

Official Documentation Reference:

Supermicro AS-8125GS-TNMR2 Disassembly Guideinstructs technicians to useboth hands and lift straight upto prevent damage.

TheAOM (Add-On Module) bracketis used to mount optional components like:

RAID controllers

Additional networking interfaces

BMC/IPMI modules

In theexample system shown in the video, theright AOM bracket does not contain an AOM card. This is because:

Supermicro’s default system configurations do not always ship with optional AOM cards.

Theleft AOM bracketusually housesoptional RAID or networking expansions, but theright bracket remains unoccupiedunless a specific expansion module is installed.

Official Documentation Reference:

SupermicroHardware Deployment Guideconfirms that theright AOM bracket is optionalandnot pre-installedin base configurations.