United States
Q
What are Lenovo internal expansion cards & controllers?
A
Lenovo internal expansion cards & controllers are modular hardware components—such as RAID adapters, Host Bus Adapters (HBAs) and network interface cards—designed to enhance server and workstation performance by adding storage, networking or compute capabilities.
Q
Which form factors do Lenovo expansion cards support?
A
Lenovo expansion cards support standard PCIe full-height, half-height and low-profile form factors to ensure compatibility with ThinkSystem servers, ThinkCentre workstations and selected desktop chassis.
Q
How do I verify compatibility with my Lenovo system?
A
Use the Lenovo Parts Lookup tool or ServerProven compatibility list to confirm your model’s supported expansion card slot type, power requirements and firmware version before purchasing.
Q
What performance benefits do Lenovo RAID controllers provide?
A
Lenovo RAID controllers improve data throughput and fault tolerance by offloading parity calculations and enabling hardware accelerated RAID levels (0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60) for faster read/write performance and disk resilience.
Q
How do I physically install a Lenovo internal expansion card?
A
Power off the system, open the chassis per the hardware maintenance manual, seat the card firmly in the matching PCIe slot, secure it with a bracket screw and reconnect any auxiliary power cables before rebooting.
Q
Where can I download Lenovo expansion card drivers and firmware?
A
Visit the Lenovo Support site, enter your serial number or system model, navigate to the Drivers & Software section and download the latest card-specific driver and firmware packages.
Q
How do I update firmware on a Lenovo controller?
A
Use Lenovo XClarity Controller or Bootable Firmware DVD to locate the controller, upload the firmware image, and initiate the update process following on-screen prompts to ensure system stability.
Q
What warranty coverage applies to Lenovo internal expansion cards?
A
Lenovo expansion cards carry a one- or three-year limited warranty, depending on your system’s warranty term, covering defects in materials and workmanship with onsite service or parts replacement options.
Q
How do I choose the right Lenovo expansion card for my workload?
A
Identify your performance needs—network bandwidth, storage IOPS or compute acceleration—then match to Lenovo’s product specifications for port count, PCIe generation and throughput to ensure optimal fit.
Q
Can I mix Lenovo OEM cards with third-party controllers?
A
While technically possible, Lenovo recommends using Lenovo-qualified cards only, as they are validated for firmware compatibility, performance stability and full support under Lenovo service agreements.
Q
How do I configure Lenovo RAID controllers in BIOS or UEFI?
A
During POST, press Ctrl+H (MegaRAID) or Ctrl+M (ServeRAID) to enter the RAID BIOS Utility, where you can create, initialize and manage virtual disks and set cache policies before booting the operating system.
Q
What cooling and power requirements do expansion cards have?
A
Consult the card’s Technical Product Specification for power draw and thermal design power (TDP); ensure your chassis provides adequate airflow and that any auxiliary PCIe power connectors are used as specified.
Q
How can I troubleshoot a non-detected expansion card?
A
Reseat the card, verify slot compatibility, update BIOS/UEFI to the latest version, install correct drivers, and check System Event Logs for error codes to isolate hardware or firmware issues.
Q
How do I verify my Lenovo expansion card is recognized by the OS?
A
In Windows, open Device Manager and check under 'Storage controllers' or 'Network adapters'; on Linux, run 'lspci' or 'lsblk' to confirm the card’s presence and driver association.
Q
What types of network controllers does Lenovo offer?
A
Lenovo provides Ethernet adapters from 1GbE to 100GbE, converged network adapters (CNA) for Fibre Channel over Ethernet and proprietary Intelligent Fabric Adapters for enhanced data center integration.
Q
Where can I purchase genuine Lenovo internal expansion cards?
A
Buy directly from the Lenovo Store or authorized Lenovo channel partners to ensure genuine parts, eligibility for warranty service and access to Lenovo technical support and firmware updates.
