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

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.

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.

Why Must the Motherboard Tray Be Aligned With the Grooves?

TheSupermicro MI300X chassisis designed withbuilt-in alignment groovesthat helpprecisely position the motherboard tray.

If the tray is notaligned properly:

ThePCIe slots and mounting points will not line up correctly.

Thebackplane connections may be misaligned, leading to system boot errors.

Improper installation can block airflow, leading to potential overheating issues.

Step-by-Step Proper Reinstallation Process:

✅Step 1:Identify thealignment grooveson the chassis.✅Step 2:Slowly slide the motherboard tray into place, ensuring it follows the grooves.✅Step 3:Verify that the tray sitsflushwith the chassis.✅Step 4:Secure the tray with screws only after confirming proper alignment.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

B (Shake the tray to confirm fit)→ Shaking the traycan loosen connectors and potentially damage components.

C (Screw in randomly before aligning)→ If screws are installedbefore alignment, it can causeuneven seating and difficulty in securing other components.

D (Tilt the motherboard tray at an angle)→ The tray should be insertedstraight into the grooves, not at an angle.

Official Documentation Reference:

Supermicro AS-8125GS-TNMR2 Installation Guideconfirms thatthe motherboard tray must be aligned with the chassis grooves before securing it.

When reinstalling trays (GPU, motherboard, or PCIe) inSupermicro MI300X GPU systems, it iscrucial to secure one end firstbefore working on the opposite end.

Why is this necessary?

To prevent tray misalignment

Trays in Supermicro systemshave specific guide rails and screwsthat must bealigned correctly before full installation.

If both ends are handled simultaneously,one end may shift, causingmounting misalignment.

Avoiding unwanted movement

If you install a tray at both ends without securing one first,it can get pushed out, leading to incorrect seating.

This can causepoor PCIe connectivity, power delivery issues, or misaligned airflow paths.

Ensuring cables are properly routed

If a tray is not secured properly,cables may shift during installation, increasing the risk of pinched or damaged cables.

Why other options are incorrect?

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

C (Tray will not function)→ The traywill function once properly seated, but incorrect installation cancause connectivity issues.

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

Official Documentation Reference:

Supermicro AS-8125GS-TNMR2 Service Guideconfirms that traysmust be secured at one end before installing the opposite end to ensure proper alignment.

Why Must PSUs Be Removed Before Midplane Removal? (Option A)

Power must be fully disconnectedbefore handling the midplane to avoidelectrical damage.

Themidplane is directly linked to the power distribution system, and removing it while PSUs are still connected can cause:

Short circuits

Residual electrical charge damage

Connector arcing and failure

Why Must PCIe, Motherboard, and GPU Trays Be Disengaged? (Option C)

These traysobstruct access to the midplane, meaning they must bedisengaged firstbefore midplane removal.

While they do not need to becompletely removed, they must beloosened and moved slightlyto allow for safe midplane extraction.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

B (Remove MCIO cables)→MCIO cables should be disengaged, but full removal is not requiredbefore midplane removal.

D (Remove fans and fan shutters)→ Fan assemblies are separate from the midplane anddo not need to be removedduring this step.

Official Documentation Reference:

Supermicro AS-8125GS-TNMR2 Disassembly Manualexplicitly states thatremoving PSUs and disengaging trays are necessary steps before midplane removal.

Why Must the Motherboard Tray Be Removed First?

TheNVMe backplane in Supermicro MI300X systemsis installedbehind the motherboard tray. This means themotherboard tray acts as a barrier, andit must be removed before gaining access to the NVMe backplane.

Step-by-Step Removal Process:

Power Down and Disconnect Power Supply Units (PSUs)

Turn off the system anddisconnect all power cablesto avoid electrical damage.

Remove PCIe Expansion Cards(if applicable)

Some systems have PCIe devicesmounted over the NVMe backplane, which must be removed first.

Disengage the Motherboard Tray

The motherboard tray must be unscrewed and carefully lifted outbefore accessing the NVMe backplane.

Now, Remove the NVMe Backplane

Once the motherboard tray is out, theNVMe backplane is fully exposed, allowing it to be removed.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

A (GPU Tray)→ The GPU tray isnot blocking direct accessto the NVMe backplane.

C (Power Supply Unit)→ The PSU isnot directly obstructingthe NVMe backplane, although it should be powered down.

D (PCIe Expansion Cards)→ These may need to be removedif installed over the NVMe backplane, but themotherboard tray is the primary component that blocks direct access.

Official Documentation Reference:

Supermicro AS-8125GS-TNMR2 Installation Guideexplicitly states thatthe motherboard tray must be removed before handling the NVMe backplane.

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.

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.