5.3 Replacing parts

NCP-AII · Troubleshoot and Optimize (12% of the exam) · Official objective: “Replace faulty cards, GPUs, and power supplies.”

Hot-swapping PSUs and fans safely and getting an RMA for other parts.

Key points

  1. Hot-swapping means replacing a part while the system runs. The DGX H100 runs at full capacity on four PSUs. All PSUs must come from the same manufacturer. An empty PSU bay disturbs airflow, so the swap must be fast.

    What NVIDIA says (3)

    “If the system is on, make sure at least 4 other power supplies are working by confirming the IN and OUT LEDs are lit green:”

    — DGX H100/H200 Service Manual: Power Supply Replacement

    “All PSUs in the system must be from the same manufacturer.”

    — DGX H100/H200 Service Manual: Power Supply Replacement

    “Once the power supply is out of the chassis, replace it with the new power supply in less than 30 seconds to avoid airflow disruptions in the system”

    — DGX H100/H200 Service Manual: Power Supply Replacement

  2. Verification after a repair means proving the new part works. The fan swap must take less than 30 seconds to avoid overheating. Then confirm with the BMC, the LED and nvsm.

    What NVIDIA says (2)

    “Replace the old fan with the new one within 30 seconds to avoid overheating of the system components.”

    — DGX H100/H200 Service Manual: Front Fan Module Replacement

    “Verifying that the amber LED on the fan module is extinguished”

    — DGX H100/H200 Service Manual: Front Fan Module Replacement

  3. An RMA (return merchandise authorization) is the number that tracks a return. NVIDIA says to get one from Enterprise Support and to use only NVIDIA-supplied replacements.

    What NVIDIA says (2)

    “Contact NVIDIA Enterprise Support to obtain an RMA number for any system or component that needs to be returned for repair or replacement.”

    — DGX H100/H200 Service Manual: Introduction

    “When replacing a component, use only the replacement supplied to you by NVIDIA.”

    — DGX H100/H200 Service Manual: Introduction

Key terms

Sample question

You are hot-swapping a failed PSU on a running DGX H100. Which rules does NVIDIA give?

Show the answer

Answer: Make sure at least 4 other PSUs are working, use a replacement from the same manufacturer, and swap it in less than 30 seconds.

Hot-swapping means replacing a part while the system runs. The DGX H100 runs at full capacity on four PSUs. All PSUs must come from the same manufacturer. An empty PSU bay disturbs airflow, so the swap must be fast.

What NVIDIA says (3)

“If the system is on, make sure at least 4 other power supplies are working by confirming the IN and OUT LEDs are lit green:”

— DGX H100/H200 Service Manual: Power Supply Replacement

“All PSUs in the system must be from the same manufacturer.”

— DGX H100/H200 Service Manual: Power Supply Replacement

“Once the power supply is out of the chassis, replace it with the new power supply in less than 30 seconds to avoid airflow disruptions in the system”

— DGX H100/H200 Service Manual: Power Supply Replacement

Practice 5.3 (3 questions) Full Troubleshoot and Optimize guide

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