Lenovo 4C57A15013 SR850 V2 2.5INCH Sata/sas BP

Lenovo 4C57A15013 SR850 V2 2.5-Inch SAS/SATA Drive Backplane

Overview

The Lenovo 4C57A15013 is a 2.5-inch SAS/SATA drive backplane designed for the ThinkSystem SR850 V2 server platform. If you're expanding storage capacity in an SR850 V2 chassis or replacing a failed backplane assembly, this is the OEM component to source — not a generic substitute. Backplanes are precision-fit to the chassis mid-plane and expander architecture; using a non-OEM part risks controller compatibility issues and voids server support agreements. At 60 lb shipping weight, this ships as a chassis-integrated assembly rather than a bare PCB.

Key Features

• Dual-Protocol Interface (SAS and SATA): Supporting both SAS and SATA drive types on the same backplane means you're not locked into a single drive technology. Deploy high-endurance SAS drives for write-intensive workloads alongside SATA drives for read-heavy or archival tiers — all within the same SR850 V2 chassis bay group.
• 2.5-Inch Form Factor: The 2.5-inch bay configuration targets SFF (small form factor) drive density — the right choice when you need to maximize spindle or SSD count in the SR850 V2 without stepping up to a larger chassis footprint.
• Platform-Specific Fit (SR850 V2): This backplane is engineered to the SR850 V2 chassis specification. Do not attempt to install in SR850 (non-V2) or other ThinkSystem platforms — connector positioning and expander pinouts differ across generations.

Integration and Compatibility

The 4C57A15013 is a factory-fit replacement component for the Lenovo ThinkSystem SR850 V2 — a four-socket rack server targeted at high-density compute and enterprise storage environments. Confirm your chassis generation (SR850 V2, not SR850) before ordering. For drive selection, both SAS and SATA 2.5-inch SFF drives seat directly into this server backplane. If your deployment involves high-availability storage configurations, validate RAID controller and expander firmware compatibility through Lenovo's support matrix for your specific SR850 V2 configuration. Consult a pre-sales engineering resource if you are unsure which backplane option fits your chassis drive-bay layout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What server is the Lenovo 4C57A15013 compatible with?

A: The 4C57A15013 is designed specifically for the Lenovo ThinkSystem SR850 V2 server. It is not interchangeable with the original SR850 or other ThinkSystem platforms due to differences in connector layout and expander architecture.

Q: Does the 4C57A15013 support both SAS and SATA drives?

A: Yes. The backplane supports both SAS and SATA 2.5-inch SFF drives, giving you flexibility to mix drive types within the same bay group depending on workload requirements.

Q: What is the drive form factor supported by this backplane?

A: This backplane is configured for 2.5-inch (SFF) drives — not 3.5-inch LFF drives. Ensure your drive inventory matches this form factor before installation.

Q: Can I use a third-party backplane instead of the 4C57A15013?

A: Lenovo server backplanes are chassis-specific components with precision connector and firmware dependencies. Using a non-OEM backplane in the SR850 V2 carries risk of controller incompatibility and may affect your server support coverage — sourcing a genuine Lenovo part is strongly recommended.

Jerry Tildsen

The 4C57A15013 is a platform-locked component — its dual SAS/SATA interface is the main practical value, but the SR850 V2 chassis fit is what makes it non-negotiable as an OEM part. If you're sourcing this for a storage expansion or mid-life upgrade of an SR850 V2, confirm the bay group assignment in your chassis before you order; Lenovo's SR850 V2 supports multiple backplane zones and not every zone accepts every backplane option.

Technical Highlights:

• SAS + SATA Dual Protocol: A single backplane that handles both SAS and SATA 2.5-inch SFF drives — deploy SAS for transactional or latency-sensitive workloads and SATA for capacity tiers without needing separate backplane assemblies.
• 2.5-Inch SFF Bay Configuration: Maximizes drive count in the SR850 V2's dense chassis — critical when you need high spindle or SSD density in a 4-socket platform without additional enclosures.
• Platform-Specific OEM Component: Engineered to SR850 V2 connector and expander specifications; firmware and signal integrity dependencies mean a non-OEM substitute is a real risk in production environments.

Deployment Considerations:

• Verify the exact bay group and slot assignment in the SR850 V2 service manual before installation — multiple backplane zones exist in this chassis and the 4C57A15013 is not universally interchangeable across all of them.
• Do not assume SR850 V2 backplane compatibility with the original SR850; connector pinouts and expander firmware differ between generations, and mixing parts is a documented support issue.

Best fit for IT teams maintaining or expanding ThinkSystem SR850 V2 infrastructure in data center or high-density compute environments where drive-bay flexibility across SAS and SATA protocols is a live requirement.