Mounting an EX4500 Switch on Four Posts in a Rack or Cabinet

You can mount an EX4500 switch on four posts of a 19-in. rack or cabinet by using the separately orderable four-post rack-mount kit. (The remainder of this topic uses “rack” to mean “rack or cabinet.”)

You can mount the switch on two posts in either a two-post rack or a four-post rack by using the mounting brackets provided with the switch. See Mounting an EX4500 Switch on Two Posts in a Rack or Cabinet.

Note: If you are mounting the switch on four posts, ensure that the rack is 21.5 in. through 31.5 in. deep if you will mount the switch flush with the rack front and that the rack is 23.5 in. through 32.5 in. deep if you will mount the switch 2 in. recessed from the rack front, thus ensuring that the protective earthing terminal is accessible through the opening in the rear bracket.

Before mounting the switch on four posts in a rack:

• Verify that the site meets the requirements described in Site Preparation Checklist for EX4500 Switches.
• Place the rack in its permanent location, allowing adequate clearance for airflow and maintenance, and secure it to the building structure.
• Read General Safety Guidelines and Warnings, with particular attention to Chassis Lifting Guidelines for EX4500 Switches.
• Remove the switch from the shipping carton (see Unpacking an EX4500 Switch).
• Have two persons available to mount the switch. One person will support the switch in a level position, and the second person will secure the switch to the rack.

Ensure that you have the following parts and tools available:

• Phillips (+) screwdriver, number 2
• 12 flat-head M4x6-mm Phillips mounting screws (provided with the four-post rack-mount kit)
• One pair of front brackets
• One pair of rear brackets
• Screws to secure the front brackets and the rear brackets to the rack (not provided)

Caution: If you are mounting multiple units on a rack, mount the heaviest unit at the bottom of the rack and mount the other units from the bottom of the rack to the top in decreasing order of the weight of the units.

To mount the switch on four posts in a rack:

1. Place the switch on a flat, stable surface.
2. Align a front bracket (either flush with the front of the chassis or 2-in.-recessed from the front of the chassis) along the side panel of the switch chassis. Align the two holes in the front of the brackets with the two holes on the front of the side panel.

   Note: Each side of the chassis has twelve holes for attaching the front brackets to the switch. Six holes on the chassis side align with six holes in the front bracket when the front bracket is mounted flush with the chassis front or recessed 2 in. from the front of the chassis.

3. Insert M4x6-mm Phillips flat-head mounting screws into the two aligned holes and tighten the screws. Ensure that the remaining four holes in the front bracket are aligned with the four holes in the side panel. See Figure 1.

   Figure 1: Attaching the Front Bracket to the Switch Chassis

   
4. Insert M4x6-mm Phillips flat-head mounting screws into the remaining four holes in the front bracket and tighten the screws.
5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 for attaching the front bracket to the other side of the chassis.
6. Have one person grasp both sides of the switch, lift the switch, and position it in the rack, aligning the front bracket holes with the threaded holes in the front post of the rack. Align the bottom hole in both the mounting brackets with a hole in each rack rail, making sure the chassis is level. See Figure 2.

   Figure 2: Mounting the Switch on the Front Posts in a Rack

   
7. Have a second person secure the front of the switch to the rack by using the appropriate screws for your rack.
8. Slide the rear brackets into the front brackets. See Figure 3.

   Figure 3: Sliding the Rear Brackets to the Rear of a Four-Post Rack

   
9. Attach the rear brackets to the rear post by using the appropriate screws for your rack. Tighten the screws.
10. Ensure that the switch chassis is level by verifying that all the screws on the front of the rack are aligned with the screws at the back of the rack.