Raspberry Pi 5 PoE+ and NVMe HAT

What You Need

How to Connect

Use one of the two standard arrangements below. With a PoE+ switch, connect a PoE+ port directly to Raspberry Pi 5. With a PoE+ injector, connect the router or switch to Data In, connect PoE Out to Raspberry Pi 5, and power the injector from AC. Read the labels on the injector because port order varies by model.

Safety Rules

Quick Check

Prepare a Raspberry Pi OS microSD

A working microSD card gives you a known-good operating system for the first hardware test. Prepare it before assembling the HAT so you can confirm PCIe and NVMe detection before changing the boot drive.

1. Download and install the official Raspberry Pi Imager from https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/

2. Insert a microSD card into your computer. In Imager, choose Raspberry Pi 5, select a current 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS release, and select the microSD card as the storage target.

3. Open OS Customisation and create a username and password. Set a memorable hostname if you plan to connect without a monitor.

Choose Your First Login Method

Wired Ethernet normally connects automatically. If hostname.local does not resolve, find the Raspberry Pi IP address in your router client list. Do not expose SSH directly to the public Internet.

ssh username@hostname.local

4. Confirm the selected storage name and capacity, write and verify the card, then install it in Raspberry Pi 5. Warning: Imager erases the selected storage device.

First Boot Check

Do this test before installing the HAT. It proves that the microSD card, Raspberry Pi 5, login method, and network work without the PoE or NVMe hardware attached.

1. Leave the PNV001 HAT uninstalled. Insert the verified microSD card, connect a monitor and keyboard or a trusted local Ethernet connection, and power Raspberry Pi 5 from USB-C for this standalone test.

2. Wait for Raspberry Pi OS to start, sign in with the account created in Imager, and confirm the expected network connection works. For headless setup, confirm that ssh username@hostname.local or the Raspberry Pi IP address opens a login prompt.

3. Shut down cleanly:

sudo poweroff

4. Wait for activity to stop, disconnect USB-C power, and confirm that PoE is also disconnected. Only then begin installing the cooler, HAT, FPC cable, and NVMe SSD.

Before Installation

Work on a stable, dry, non-conductive surface. Handle the Raspberry Pi, HAT, FPC cable, and SSD by their edges.

Hardware Interface

1. Raised 40-pin GPIO header. 2. M.2 M-Key socket. 3-6. SSD mounting positions for 2230, 2242, 2260, and 2280. 7. ACT indicator. 8. PWR indicator. 9. Reserved labeled power pins; do not connect loads. 10. Four-pin PoE header. 11. Raspberry Pi 5 PCIe FPC socket.

FPC Cable Direction

The included cable is directional. At the HAT connector, insert the cable end marked SSD toward the HAT as shown. At the Raspberry Pi 5 end, follow the RPI5 marking. Open each latch gently, insert the cable fully and evenly, then close the latch. Never force the cable.

FPC Cable Connection Check

Use the same latch method shown in the iUniker NVMe HAT V2 guide: open the latch gently, insert the cable straight until the conductive end is fully seated, then press the latch closed evenly. If a latch is open, the cable is crooked, or the cable is not fully inserted, the SSD may not be detected or the system may fail to boot.

Assembly Checklist

1. Shut down Raspberry Pi OS and disconnect PoE and USB-C. Install the Raspberry Pi 5 cooler before the HAT blocks access to its mounting points.

2. Place one M2.5 x 4 mm screw through each Raspberry Pi 5 mounting hole from below and secure the four M2.5 x 16 mm brass standoffs above the board.

3. Open both FPC connector latches. Insert the RPI5 end at Raspberry Pi 5 and the SSD end at the HAT fully and squarely, then close both latches evenly.

4. Position the HAT directly above Raspberry Pi 5. Align the 40-pin GPIO header and four-pin PoE header at the same time, then lower the board straight down. Important: Stop immediately if either connector resists or any pins are offset.

5. Start one M2.5 x 4 mm screw in the top of each standoff. Tighten the four screws evenly until secure; do not overtighten.

6. Insert the M-Key NVMe SSD at an angle, press it down gently, and secure it at the matching 2230, 2242, 2260, or 2280 mounting position with an M2 x 4 mm SSD screw.

7. Confirm both FPC latches are closed, both headers are straight, the SSD is flat, the cooler has clearance, and no conductive part can touch the enclosure.

Before Power-On Checklist

Driver Requirement

Update Raspberry Pi OS

Keep the known-good microSD card installed, connect to the network, open Terminal, and run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt full-upgrade -y
sudo reboot

Enable PCIe

Open the Raspberry Pi boot configuration:

sudo nano /boot/firmware/config.txt

Add this line at the end of the file:

dtparam=pciex1

In nano, press Ctrl+O, press Enter to save, then press Ctrl+X. Reboot:

sudo reboot

Check Detection

Install the PCI utility once, then inspect both the PCIe controller and block device:

sudo apt install -y pciutils
lspci
ls -l /dev/nvme*
lsblk -o NAME,SIZE,MODEL,FSTYPE,MOUNTPOINTS

Successful Detection Example

The exact controller name, capacity, and partition list depend on your SSD. Output similar to the following means the PCIe link and NVMe drive are being detected:

$ lspci
0001:01:00.0 Non-Volatile memory controller: Example NVMe SSD Controller

$ lsblk -o NAME,SIZE,MODEL,FSTYPE,MOUNTPOINTS
NAME        SIZE MODEL              FSTYPE MOUNTPOINTS
mmcblk0    59.5G
nvme0n1  238.5G Example NVMe SSD

The PCI address 0001:01:00.0 is an example, not a required exact match. PCI domain and bus numbering can vary; look for the NVMe controller entry and the NVMe block device.

Do not format anything until the correct NVMe model and capacity are visible.