Free Supermicro SMI300XS Practice Exam with Questions & Answers

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 AOM Bracket in Supermicro MI300X Systems

TheAOM (Add-On Module) bracketis used to holdoptional expansion cards, such as:

RAID controllers

Additional network interface cards (NICs)

BMC/IPMI modules for system management

Why is the Screw Located on the Side of the Motherboard Tray?

The AOM bracket is secured to the chassis via a single screwthat is located on theside of the motherboard tray.

This designkeeps the bracket firmly in placewhile still allowing foreasy removal when needed.

Removing the screw first prevents unnecessary strain on the bracketand ensuressafe removal of the AOM card.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

A (On top of the hard drive tray)→ The hard drive tray does not secure the AOM bracket.

B (On top of the fan tray)→ Fans do not hold down the AOM bracket.

D (On the rear of the power supply)→ The power supplyis not directly connected to the AOM bracket.

Official Documentation Reference:

Supermicro AS-8125GS-TNMR2 Expansion Module Guidespecifies that theAOM bracket is secured by a single screw located on the side of the motherboard tray.

Why Must the Support Bar Be Removed First?

Thesupport baris areinforcement structureinside the chassis that providesmechanical stabilityto components, including theAOM bracket.

Since the AOM bracket is partially covered by the support bar, you mustremove the bar firstto gain full access.

Step-by-Step Removal Process:

✅Step 1:Remove the screws securing the support bar.✅Step 2:Carefully lift and remove the support bar without tilting it.✅Step 3:Now, unscrew and remove the AOM bracket.

Why is False Incorrect?

IfFalse were correct, it would suggest that the AOM bracket can be removedwithout touching the support bar, which isnot possibledue to obstruction.

Official Documentation Reference:

Supermicro AS-8125GS-TNMR2 Disassembly Manualconfirms that thesupport bar must be removed first before accessing the AOM bracket.

Removing themidplanein aSupermicro MI300X GPU systemrequiresdisengaging multiple system trays and power componentsbeforehand.

Why is this necessary?

Power must be fully disengaged before midplane removal

The midplane is directly connected topower distribution units (PDUs).

If power is not removed, it can causeshort circuits or hardware damage.

PCIe, motherboard, and GPU trays block access

These trays must be disengagedbefore removing the midplane, as they contain components directly connected to it.

Dummy PSUs must also be removed

Even inactive PSUs containlocking mechanismsthat must be disengaged.

Official Documentation Reference:

Supermicro AS-8125GS-TNMR2 System Removal Guideconfirms thatPSUs, dummy PSUs, PCIe trays, motherboard trays, and GPU trays must be removed before handling the midplane.

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.

InSupermicro MI300X GPU systems, theNVMe backplane is located behind the motherboard tray, meaning the tray must be removed first.

Why is this step necessary?

The NVMe backplane is physically secured behind the motherboard trayto support high-speed PCIe connectivity.

Removing the motherboard tray provides clear accessto NVMe connectors and MCIO cables.

Skipping this step may cause unnecessary strain on cables, leading to potential connector damage.

Official Documentation Reference:

Supermicro Service Guide for NVMe Systemsconfirms that themotherboard tray must be removed firstbefore working on the NVMe backplane.

Thecorrect and safemethod to remove the backplane from the motherboard tray is to useboth hands, gently tilting thetop of the backplanetowards yourself while carefullylifting it up and outof the motherboard tray.

This ensures that:

No undue forceis applied to the connectors or PCB.

No components or cablesare unintentionally damaged.

Proper handling of static-sensitive componentsis maintained.

Removing the backplane improperly can result in:

Connector damageto the motherboard or backplane.

PCB warping, which could lead to future malfunctions.

Potential data center downtimedue to component failure.

According toSupermicro's official documentation, this method aligns withindustry best practicesandrecommended service proceduresforSupermicro MI300X GPU systems.

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.

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.

Why Must the Screws Be Loosened First?

ThePCIe, motherboard, and GPU trays in Supermicro MI300X systemsaresecured by screws on both sidesto ensure:

Structural stability

Vibration resistance

Secure connection of PCIe lanes and data paths

Proper Tray Removal Process:

✅Step 1:Identify the tray to be removed (PCIe, motherboard, or GPU).✅Step 2:Loosen screws on both sidesto release tension on the tray.✅Step 3:Slowly and evenlypull the tray outto avoid damaging connectors.✅Step 4:Support the tray from the bottomwhile sliding it out to prevent bending.

Why This Method Is Important?

Preventing Connector Damage→ Pulling the tray without loosening screwscould damage PCIe connectorsor misalign the board.

Avoiding Strain on Other Components→ A stuck traycould put pressure on adjacent cables and connectors.

Ensuring a Safe Removal→ The slow and controlled movementreduces the risk of accidentally dropping or flexing the tray.

Why False Is Incorrect?

IfFalse were correct, it would suggest that the tray can be removedwithout loosening screws, which isnot possibledue to the secure mounting system.

Official Documentation Reference:

Supermicro AS-8125GS-TNMR2 Hardware Maintenance Guideconfirms thatloosening screws and carefully pulling the tray out is the correct disengagement procedure.