Brand: Dell
Category: Storage Hardware
Document Type: Installation Guide
Language: EN
Installation Guide for DD6400
Uploaded: Sept. 12, 2025, 4:26 a.m.
Manual Publish Date: 2024-10-01
Warranty Information
Refer to the warranty and service contracts applicable to your systems.
This manual provides comprehensive instructions for installing and configuring the Dell DD6400 system, including its storage expansion components (ES40 shelves). It covers initial preparation, rack mounting, cabling, power-on procedures, system configuration through wizards and CLI, and troubleshooting common installation issues. The guide emphasizes safety precautions throughout the installation process. It also details how to add storage capacity, license new storage, and expand the file system.
Troubleshooting and error codes
| Issue | Remedy |
| System does not POST | • Verify all DIMMs and PCle HBAs are fully seated. The DD6400 System Maintenance and Upgrade Guide provides instructions to access the DIMMs and PCle HBAs. |
| System does not boot | • Verify all disk drives are fully seated. • Verify the system boot configuration is set to UEFI. • Verify the internal SAS HBA and internal SAS connections are fully seated. The DD6400 System Maintenance and Upgrade Guide provides instructions to access the internal SAS HBA. |
| DDOS does not load | Reinstall DDOS. The DDOS USB Installation Guide provides instructions to reinstall DDOS from a USB image. |
| Incorrect version of DDOS installed | Upgrade to the desired DDOS version. CAUTION: Fresh installing a lower version of DDOS is not supported. |
| iDRAC is not working | • Verify iDRAC connectivity. • Verify there are no conflicts with the iDRAC IP address. • Verify iDRAC is set to use a static IP address, not DHCP. • Verify the network infrastructure (switches, VLANs, etc...) is known to be functional. • Verify the correct default username and password were entered during setup. • Verify the correct username and password were entered after setup. • Connect directly to the iDRAC with a USB connection. |
| No Ethernet connectivity | • Verify the network infrastructure (switches, VLANs, etc...) is known to be functional. • Verify all network cables are the correct type and are known to be functional. • Verify Ethernet HBAs and all network cables are fully seated. • Verify all SFPs are fully seated and are known to be functional. |
| No FC connectivity | • Verify the FC infrastructure is known to be functional • Verify all FC cables are the correct type and are known to be functional. • Verify FC HBA and all FC cables are fully seated. • Verify all SFPs are fully seated and are known to be functional. |
| ES40 shelves not detected | Verify the SAS HBA and all SAS cables are fully seated. |
| NVRAM not charged | The NVRAM module takes 2-3 hours to reach 80% charge. If the NVRAM is not charged to 80% or more, the system will generate errors and performance is degraded. |
| License file is missing or incomplete | • Contact your Dell EMC sales representative. • Open a license case on the Online Support portal. |