Xserve/Xserve RAID caddies

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Level 1

38 points

Xserve/Xserve RAID caddies

Hello, Is there any difference between Xserve/Xserve RAID drive caddies apart from them being blanks/PATA/SATA. ie are all the:

i blanks with different part numbers interchangeable?
ii PATA caddies with different part numbers interchangeable?
iii SATA caddies with different part numbers interchangeable?

To give concrete examples:

Would a blank from a G4 Xserve fit an Xserve G5/1,1/2,1,/3,1, or an Xserve RAID?
Would a PATA caddy from a G4 fit any Xserve RAID?
Would a SATA caddy from an Xserve G5 fit an Xserve 1,1/2,1,/3,1?

Thanks

Xserve, null

Posted on Dec 13, 2015 2:24 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 27, 2015 3:14 PM in response to Clive Bruton

1 - blanks with different part numbers interchangeable?

Not sure about this one but IIRC I’ve used blanks from an XServe RAID for an XServe G4 and did not see any problems

2 - PATA caddies with different part numbers interchangeable?

Yes they should be. Again IIRC last time I tried this I did not see any problems. Part numbers for the 180GB PATA/IDE ADM is 661-2829 for both models

3 - SATA caddies with different part numbers interchangeable?

Not tried this but seeing as both ADMs take SATA drives and the connections on the drive interconnect back-plane are the same (although the part numbers are different) It could be worth a shot?

To give concrete examples:

1 - Would a blank from a G4 Xserve fit an Xserve G5/1,1/2,1,/3,1, or an Xserve RAID?

NO to the XServe G5 and YES to XServe RAID

2 - Would a PATA caddy from a G4 fit any Xserve RAID?

YES in my experience

3 - Would a SATA caddy from an Xserve G5 fit an Xserve 1,1/2,1,/3,1?

See previous answer to No.3. Further information not directly related to your questions here:

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT1219

Hopefully this might help?

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Answer 2

Clive Bruton Author

Level 1

38 points

Dec 27, 2015 3:22 PM in response to Clive Bruton

I did a bit more research on the drive caddies/blanks. Basically I think that there are two different "shapes": PATA and SATA/SAS. The PATA types are bevelled on the sides, where the SATA/SAS are square/flat. I've done a quick compatibility chart which you can find here: http://www.indx.co.uk/xserve/ If anyone can help fill in the blanks/turn "probably" to "definitely" please email the address on the table at the URL above. Essentially, I think, physically all the blanks/caddies for PATA devices fit all other PATA devices and blanks/caddies for SATA/SAS devices fit all other SATA/SAS devices (ie G4 Xserves compatible with Xserve RAID, all other Xserves compatible with each other). It is possible that G4/Xserve RAID blanks may fit G5/Intel Xserves, but not vice versa. I'll insert the ADMs Antonio pointed to where I can match them up to part numbers.

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