BPN-NVMe3-216N-S4 Backplane
USER'S GUIDE
1.0

The information in this User’s Manual has been carefully reviewed and is believed to be accurate.
The vendor assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies that may be contained in this document,
makes no commitment to update or to keep current the information in this manual, or to notify any
person or organization of the updates. Please Note: For the most up-to-date version of thismanual, please see our web site at www.supermicro.com.
Super Micro Computer, Inc. ("Supermicro") reserves the right to make changes to the productdescribed in this manual at any time and without notice. This product, including software, if any,and documentation may not, in whole or in part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated orreduced to any medium or machine without prior written consent.
IN NO EVENT WILL SUPERMICRO BE LIABLE FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL,SPECULATIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE OR INABILITY TO
USE THIS PRODUCT OR DOCUMENTATION, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
SUCH DAMAGES. IN PARTICULAR, SUPERMICRO SHALL NOT HAVE LIABILITY FOR ANY
HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, OR DATA STORED OR USED WITH THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING THE
COSTS OF REPAIRING, REPLACING, INTEGRATING, INSTALLING OR RECOVERING SUCH
HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, OR DATA.
Any disputes arising between manufacturer and customer shall be governed by the laws of Santa
Clara County in the State of California, USA. The State of California, County of Santa Clara shallbe the exclusive venue for the resolution of any such disputes. Super Micro's total liability for all
claims will not exceed the price paid for the hardware product.
FCC Statement: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction manual, may cause harmful interferencewith radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case you will be required to correct the interference at your own expense.
California Best Management Practices Regulations for Perchlorate Materials: This Perchlorate warning applies only to products containing CR (Manganese Dioxide) Lithium coin cells. “Perchlorate
Material-special handling may apply. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate”

WARNING: Handling of lead solder materials used in thisproduct may expose you to lead, a chemical known to theState of California to cause birth defects and other reproductive harm.
Manual Revision 1.0
Release Date: December 7, 2017
Unless you request and receive written permission from Super Micro Computer, Inc., you may notcopy any part of this document.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies
referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or markholders.
Copyright © 2017 by Super Micro Computer, Inc.
All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America

Preface

Contents

Contacting Supermicro...................................................................................................iv
Returning Merchandise for Service.................................................................................v

Chapter 1 Safety Guidelines
1-1

ESD Safety Guidelines.................................................................................... 1-1

1-2

General Safety Guidelines............................................................................... 1-1

1-3

A Note to Users................................................................................................ 1-2

1-4

Introduction to the BPN-NVMe3-216N-S4 Backplane..................................... 1-2

Chapter 2 Connectors and Jumpers
2-1

Front Connectors............................................................................................. 2-1

2-2

Front Connector and Pin Definitions................................................................ 2-2

2-3

Front Jumpers.................................................................................................. 2-3
Explanation of Jumpers................................................................................... 2-3

2-4

Rear Components, Connectors, and LED Indicators...................................... 2-4iii

BPN-NVMe3-216N-S4 Backplane Manual

Contacting Supermicro
Headquarters
Address:

Super Micro Computer, Inc.
980 Rock Ave.
San Jose, CA 95131 U.S.A.

Tel:+1 (408) 503-8000

Fax:+1 (408) 503-8008

Email:

marketing@supermicro.com (General Information)
support@supermicro.com (Technical Support)

Website:www.supermicro.comEuropeAddress:

Super Micro Computer B.V.
Het Sterrenbeeld 28, 5215 ML's-Hertogenbosch, The NetherlandsTel:+31 (0) 73-6400390

Fax:+31 (0) 73-6416525

Email:

sales@supermicro.nl (General Information)
support@supermicro.nl (Technical Support)
rma@supermicro.nl (Customer Support)

Website:www.supermicro.nl

Asia-Pacific
Address:

Super Micro Computer, Inc.
3F, No. 150, Jian 1st Rd.
Zhonghe Dist., New Taipei City 235
Taiwan (R.O.C)

Tel:+886-(2) 8226-3990

Fax:+886-(2) 8226-3992

Email:

support@supermicro.com.tw

Website:www.supermicro.com.twiv

Preface

Returning Merchandise for Service
A receipt or copy of your invoice marked with the date of purchase is required before any warranty service will be rendered. You can obtain service by calling yourvendor for a Returned Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number. When returning to
the manufacturer, the RMA number should be prominently displayed on the outsideof the shipping carton, and mailed prepaid or hand-carried. Shipping and handlingcharges will be applied for all orders that must be mailed when service is complete.
For faster service, RMA authorizations may be requested online (http://www.supermicro.com/support/rma/).
Whenever possible, repack the backplane in the original Supermicro box, using theoriginal packaging materials. If these are no longer available, be sure to pack thebackplane in an anti-static bag and inside the box. Make sure that there is enoughpackaging material surrounding the backplane so that it does not become damaged
during shipping.
This warranty only covers normal consumer use and does not cover damages incurred in shipping or from failure due to the alteration, misuse, abuse or improper
maintenance of products.
During the warranty period, contact your distributor first for any product problems.  

v

BPN-NVMe3-216N-S4 Backplane ManualNotes

viChapter 1

Safety Guidelines

Chapter 1
Safety Guidelines

To avoid personal injury and property damage, carefully follow all the safety steps
listed below when accessing your system or handling the components.

1-1

ESD Safety Guidelines

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) can damage electronic com­ponents. To prevent damage to your system, it is important to handle it very carefully. The following measures
are generally sufficient to protect your equipment from ESD.

• Use a grounded wrist strap designed to prevent static discharge.
• Touch a grounded metal object before removing a component from the antistaticbag.

• Handle the backplane by its edges only; do not touch its components, peripheral
chips, memory modules or gold contacts.

• When handling chips or modules, avoid touching their pins.
• Put the card and peripherals back into their antistatic bags when not in use.
1-2

General Safety Guidelines• Always disconnect power cables before installing or removing any components
from the computer, including the backplane.

• Disconnect the power cable before installing or removing any cables from thebackplane.

• Make sure that the backplane is securely and properly installed on the motherboard to prevent damage to the system due to power shortage.

1-1

BPN-NVMe3-216N-S4 Backplane Manual

1-3

A Note to Users

All images and layouts in this user's guide are based upon the latest PCB revision
available at the time of publishing. The card you have received may not look exactly
the same as the graphics in this manual.

1-4

Introduction to the BPN-NVMe3-216N-S4 Backplane

The BPN-NVMe3-216N-S4 backplane has been designed to utilize the most
up-to-date technology available, providing your system with reliable, high-quality
performance.
Always refer to the Supermicro web site at www.supermicro.com for the latest
updates, compatible parts, and supported configurations.

1-2

Chapter 2Connectors and Jumpers

Chapter 2Connectors and Jumpers

2-1

Front Connectors

11113

21413 1415 16 1711319 10
1 111 1218113

113

Figure 2-1. Front Connectors

1. NVMe #22 & #23: CN23 & CN249. NVMe #6 & #7: CN7 & CN8

2. NVMe #20 & #21: CN21 & CN22

10. NVMe #4 & #5: CN5 & CN6

3. NVMe #18 & #19: CN19 & CN20

11. NVMe #2 & #3: CN3 & CN4

4. NVMe #16 & #17: CN17 & CN18

12. NVMe #0 & #1: CN1 & CN2

5. NVMe #14 & #15: CN15 & CN16
6. NVMe #12 & #13: CN13 & CN14

13. Power Connectors (4-pin):
JPWR4, JPWR3, JPWR2, andJPWR1

7. NVMe #10 & #11: CN11 & CN12

14. Mini-SAS HD Connector: J25

8. NVMe #8 & #9: CN9 & CN102-1

BPN-NVMe3-216N-S4 Backplane Manual

2-2

Front Connector and Pin Definitions#1. - 12. NVMe Ports
The NVMe ports, designated CN1 throughCN24, are used to connect the OCuLinkcables. They correspond to drives DRV#0
through DRV#23. (See page 2-4 for drive
locations.)#13. Backplane Main Power Connectors
The 4-pin connectors, designated JPWR4,
JPWR3, JPWR2, and JPWR1, provide
power to the backplane. See the table on
the right for pin definitions.

#14. Mini-SAS HD Connector
The SAS connector is used to connect
the SAS or SATA drive cables and isdesignated J25. The connector has fourports, which correspond to drives DRV#20
through DRV#23 if those drives are usedfor SAS3, SAS2, or SATA3 devices. (Seepage 2-4 for drive locations.)

2-2

Backplane
Main Power
4-Pin Connector
Pin#                Definition
1 and 2Ground3 and 4+12VDC

Chapter 2

2-3Connectors and Jumpers

Front Jumpers

J26
J27

ACTLED

Figure 2-2. Front Jumpers

Explanation of Jumpers
To modify the operation of the backplane,
jumpers can be used to choose between
optional settings. Jumpers create shorts
between two pins to change the functionof the connector. Pin 1 is identified witha square solder pad on the printed circuitboard. Note: On two pin jumpers, "Closed"means the jumper is on and "Open" means
the jumper is off the pins.

Connector
Pins

3

2

1

3

2

1

JumperSetting

Jumper Settings
J26

J27

NVMe Drive Connection Description

2-3

2-3

8 drives connected to main CPU, 16 drives connected to 2ndCPU.

2-3

1-2

10 drives connected to main CPU, 14 drives connected to2nd CPU. (default)

1-2

2-3

12 drives connected to main CPU, 12 drives connected to2nd CPU.

1-2

1-2

14 drives connected to main CPU, 10 drives connected to2nd CPU.

LED Test
ACTLED

DescriptionOpen

For internal use only. (default)

2-3

BPN-NVMe3-216N-S4 Backplane Manual

DRV#23

LED24
D37

LED22
D35

LED20
D33

LED18
D31

LED16
D29

LED14
D27

LED12
D25

LED10
D23

LED8
D21

LED6
D19

LED23
D36

LED21
D34

LED19
D32

LED17
D30

LED15
D28

LED13
D26

LED11
D24

LED9
D22

LED7
D20

LED5
D18

LED3
D16

LED1
D14Figure 2-3. Rear SAS/SATA Connectors and LED Indicators

DRV#22DRV#21
DRV#20

DRV#19#15DRV#18

DRV#17

DRV#16

DRV#15

DRV#14DRV#13

DRV#12DRV#11

DRV#10

DRV#8DRV#9DRV#7

DRV#6DRV#5

LED4
D17DRV#4DRV#3

LED2
D15Rear Components, Connectors, and LED Indicators

DRV#2
DRV#1
DRV#02-4

SAS/SATA/NVMe Connectors and LED Indicators
RearConnector

SAS Drive
NumberFailure
LEDActivity
LEDDRV#0

NVMe HDD #0

D14

LED1

DRV#1

NVMe HDD #1

D15

LED2DRV#2

NVMe HDD #2

D16LED3DRV#3NVMe HDD #3

D17LED4DRV#4NVMe HDD #4

D18

LED5DRV#5NVMe HDD #5

D19

LED6DRV#6NVMe HDD #6

D20

LED7DRV#7

NVMe HDD #7

D21

LED8DRV#8

NVMe HDD #8

D22LED9DRV#9

NVMe HDD #9

D23

LED10DRV#10

NVMe HDD #10

D24

LED11DRV#11

NVMe HDD #11

D25

LED12DRV#12

NVMe HDD #12

D26

LED13DRV#13

NVMe HDD #13

D27

LED14

DRV#14NVMe HDD #14

D28

LED15DRV#15

NVMe HDD #15

D29

LED16

DRV#16

NVMe HDD #16

D30

LED17DRV#17

NVMe HDD #17

D31

LED18DRV#18

NVMe HDD #18

D32

LED19DRV#19

NVMe HDD #19

D33

LED20DRV#20

NVMe/SAS/SATA HDD #20

D34

LED21DRV#21

NVMe/SAS/SATA HDD #21

D35

LED22DRV#22

NVMe/SAS/SATA HDD #22

D36

LED23

DRV#23

NVMe/SAS/SATA HDD #23

D37

LED242-4

Chapter 2Notes

2-5Connectors and Jumpers

BPN-NVMe3-216N-S4 Backplane Manual

Disclaimer (cont.)
The products sold by Supermicro are not intended for and will not be used in life support systems,
medical equipment, nuclear facilities or systems, aircraft, aircraft devices, aircraft/emergency communication devices, or other critical systems whose failure to perform be reasonably expected toresult in significant injury or loss of life or catastrophic property damage. Accordingly, Supermicro
disclaims any and all liability, and should buyer use or sell such products for use in such ultrahazardous applications, it does so entirely at its own risk. Furthermore, buyer agrees to fully indemnify, defend and hold Supermicro harmless for and against any and all claims, demands, actions,litigation, and proceedings of any kind arising out of or related to such ultra-hazardous use or sale.

2-6