SMI300XS Supermicro MI300X GPU Service Specialist (SMI300XS) Exam Questions and 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.

Removing the motherboardrequires careful handlingto preventbending pins, PCB damage, or static discharge.

Correct Removal Process:

First, remove all 12 screws securing the motherboard.

Avoid touching any exposed pins or contacts.

Carefully slide the motherboard slightly out of the rear of the tray.

Support it with one hand underneath to prevent bending.

Continue sliding it out without tilting it.

Why other options are incorrect?

A (Touch pins & shove motherboard)→ Touching pins cancause electrostatic damageandforcing it out can damage components.

B (Hold like a pizza)→ Usingone handdoes not provide enough support, increasing the risk ofbending or dropping the motherboard.

C (Tilt chassis & shake it out)→ This is acompletely impropermethod and canseriously damageconnectors and PCB components.

Official Documentation Reference:

Supermicro MI300X System Removal Guideadvises toslide the motherboard out carefully while supporting it underneath.

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.

When working withSupermicro MI300X GPU systems, it ishighly recommendedtomap or take a pictureof cable connections before disconnection.

Reasons:

Ensuring Proper Reconnection→ NVMe backplanes have multiplecritical connections(MCIO cables, power cables, data lanes, and SAS connections). Misplacing any of these cables could cause:

Boot failures

Drive detection issues

Performance degradation

Avoiding Errors in Cable Routing→ Supermicro documentation states thatimproperly routed cables can obstruct airflow, potentially leading tooverheatingin high-performance systems.

Easing Future Troubleshooting→ If issues arise after reassembly, aphoto or cable mapallows engineers toquickly verifywhether cables werereconnected properly.

This best practice isofficially recommendedinSupermicro’s service and installation guidelinesfor NVMe backplanes.

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 Secure One End of the PCIe Tray First?

TheSupermicro MI300X chassis is designed for modular tray installation, meaningsecuring one end firstensures:

Proper alignment of PCIe slots and connectors

Stable mountingto prevent unwanted movement

Prevention of unnecessary strain on installed expansion cards

What Happens If Both Ends Are Handled at the Same Time?

ThePCIe tray may shift out of alignment, making it difficult to properly install other components.

Misalignment can cause:

PCIe devices to not seat properly

Power or data cables to be obstructed

Increased risk of mechanical damage during reinstallation

Step-by-Step Correct Installation Process:

✅Step 1:Align the PCIe tray with its designated mounting slots.✅Step 2:Secure screws onone end firstto hold the tray in place.✅Step 3:Adjust the other end and ensureproper seatingbefore fully tightening all screws.✅Step 4:Reconnect all PCIe cables and verify system connectivity.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

B (Cables getting in the way)→ While cable management is important, the main issue istray movement, not cable obstruction.

C (Tray will not function)→ The tray will functiononce properly seated, butincorrect installation can lead to PCIe misalignment.

D (Tray will break)→ The tray is designed for durability; it will not break unlessexcessive force is applied.

Official Documentation Reference:

Supermicro AS-8125GS-TNMR2 Service Guideconfirms thattrays must be secured at one end first to ensure proper alignment.

Importance of Proper Alignment in Motherboard Tray Installation

Themotherboard tray in Supermicro MI300X systemsisprecisely designedto fit intopre-existing grooves in the chassis.

Ensures a Secure Fit

If the motherboard tray isnot aligned with the grooves, itmay not seat correctly, causing structural instability.

Prevents Cable Routing Issues

Improper alignmentcan interfere with airflow and cable routing, leading to cooling inefficiencies.

Guarantees Proper PCIe and Power Connections

Misalignmentcan cause PCIe slots and power connectors to be slightly off-position, leading tofailed component detection.

Proper Installation Steps for the Motherboard Tray:

✅Step 1:Slide the motherboard tray into thechassis groovesfor proper alignment.✅Step 2:Ensure it isflush with the chassisbefore securing screws.✅Step 3:Tighten screws evenly to prevent misalignment.

Why is False Incorrect?

IfFalse were correct, it would imply that the motherboard tray can be installedwithout aligning it properly, which isnot possiblein Supermicro MI300X systems.

The systemwill not function properlyif the motherboard tray is misaligned.

Official Documentation Reference:

Supermicro AS-8125GS-TNMR2 Service Manualconfirms that themotherboard tray must be aligned with the grooves before securing it with screws.

ForSupermicro MI300X GPU systems,removing the power supply unit (PSU) improperlycan lead to serious issues.

Why the red lock exists?

Thered locking mechanismensures that thePSU is properly securedin the system.

Before disengaging the PSU, thered lock must first be unlockedto avoid damage.

If you forcefully shift the release lever without unlocking the red lock:

B: The power supply unit will fail→ If the PSU is removed improperly, it can causeinternal damageto power connectors, resulting in PSUfailure or improper functioning.

C: You could permanently damage the lock on the power supply unit→ Thelocking mechanismis designed for smooth disengagement. Forcefully shifting the lever canbreak or warpthe lock, making itimpossible to secure the PSU back in place.

Incorrect Answers Explained:

A (All answers are correct)→ This is incorrect becausenot all answers are valid.

D (The PSU can no longer be secured into the tray)→ This happensonly if the lock is damaged, which is covered underoption C.

Supermicro’s official documentation clearly statesthatunlocking the red lock firstis a critical step before removing or replacing the PSU.

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.