Product Description
IBM EJ1E Split #EJ1C to 6+6 SFF-3 Bays (CCIN 57D7, P/N 01LK399)
The IBM EJ1E is a backplane splitter / splitter kit that divides a single #EJ1C 12-bay SFF-3 backplane into two independent 6-bay groups (6 + 6 bays). This allows for dual independent RAID controllers or IOA (Integrated Optical Adapter) configurations, enabling separate RAID sets, different drive types, or improved serviceability in high-density Power Systems servers. It is commonly used in Power8 and select Power9 chassis to support dual-controller redundancy or mixed workload isolation.
Product Description
The IBM EJ1E (feature code EJ1E, CCIN 57D7, part number 01LK399) is a backplane splitter assembly / cable kit that physically and electrically splits the 12-bay SFF-3 backplane (#EJ1C) into two independent 6-bay segments. It includes internal cabling, connectors, and mounting hardware to create two separate 6-bay SAS/SATA groups, each capable of being controlled by its own RAID controller or IOA (e.g., dual #EJ0J, #EJ0L, or #57D7/#57D8 controllers). This configuration provides greater flexibility, redundancy, and concurrent maintenance capabilities in Power Systems servers with high internal drive density. The EJ1E supports 12 Gb/s SAS (backward compatible with 6 Gb/s and 3 Gb/s) and is fully qualified for AIX, IBM i, Linux, and VIOS environments, making it ideal for mission-critical setups requiring separate RAID arrays, different drive tiers (HDD/SSD), or fault-isolated storage pools.
Features
- Splits #EJ1C 12-bay SFF-3 backplane into two independent 6-bay groups
- Supports dual RAID controllers or IOAs for redundancy and workload isolation
- 12 Gb/s SAS connectivity per group (backward compatible with 6 Gb/s and 3 Gb/s)
- Maintains full hot-plug and blind-swap capability for all 18 bays
- Advanced data protection when paired with RAID controllers (T10 DIF/DIX, end-to-end CRC)
- Improved serviceability and concurrent maintenance in dual-controller setups
- Direct integration with existing #EJ1C backplane (no chassis modification required)
- Full IBM qualification for AIX, IBM i, Linux, VIOS
Technical Specifications
- Feature Code: EJ1E
- CCIN: 57D7
- Part Number: 01LK399
- Configuration: Splits 12-bay #EJ1C into 6 + 6 SFF-3 bays
- Interface: 12 Gb/s SAS (per split group)
- Drive Bays: Maintains 18 × 2.5-inch SFF-3 (SAS/SATA) total
- RAID Support: Dependent on attached controllers (0/1/5/6/10)
- Form Factor: Internal splitter kit (cables + connectors)
- Compatibility: Power8 (primary), select Power9 models with #EJ1C backplane
Compatibility
The IBM EJ1E Splitter for #EJ1C Backplane is compatible with:
- Power Systems Models:
- Power8: S824 (8286-42A) primary (high-density configurations with #EJ1C), other Power8 models using #EJ1C backplane
- Power9: Select models with backward-compatible #EJ1C backplane support (S924, E980; verify with IBM for exact model fit)
- Power10: Limited or no support (Power10 uses newer backplanes and NVMe-focused designs; not typically compatible)
- Operating Systems: AIX 7.1+ / 7.2+ / 7.3+, IBM i 7.1+ / 7.2+ / 7.3+ / 7.4+ / 7.5+, Linux (RHEL/SUSE/Ubuntu), VIOS
- Required Base: Must be installed on a system with #EJ1C 12-bay backplane already present
- Drive Support: SAS/SATA HDDs & SSDs (12 Gb/s, 6 Gb/s, 3 Gb/s)
- RAID Management: Requires dual compatible RAID controllers (e.g., #EJ0J, #EJ0L, #57D7/#57D8)
- Limitations: Only compatible with #EJ1C backplane; requires dual controllers for split operation; not for external drawer connection; older Power8-era technology (limited or no support in Power10)
Verify exact chassis compatibility, required controllers, firmware levels, and OS patch levels via IBM Sales Manual or resources for your specific Power Systems model.
Warranty
This product comes with a 60-day warranty covering parts and functionality.
