Mounting an EX8208 Switch on a Rack or Cabinet

The EX8208 switch ships installed with front-mounting brackets on the chassis for mounting the switch on a 19-in. equipment rack or cabinet. The switch also comes with adjustable mounting brackets to support it in the rack.

In a four-post rack, the switch consumes 14 U without the optional power cord tray and 15 U with the optional power cord tray. In a two-post rack, the power cord tray is mandatory. The switch with the power cord tray consumes 15 U. You can mount up to three switches on a 42 U four-post rack or on a 45 U two-post rack provided that the racks meet the strength requirements to support the combined weight of the switches.

Note: If you are mounting multiple switches on a rack or cabinet, mount a switch on the bottom of the rack or cabinet first and then mount the rest of the switches from bottom to top.

Warning: If you install the switch without using a mechanical lift, at least three people must be available to lift the unloaded switch chassis (all components except the backplane removed) onto the adjustable mounting brackets (in a four-post rack or cabinet) or onto the lip of the power cord tray (in a two-post rack or cabinet).

Caution: Do not install line cards in the chassis until after you mount the chassis securely on a rack or cabinet.

Before mounting an EX8208 switch on a rack or cabinet:

• Verify that the site meets the requirements described in Site Preparation Checklist for an EX8200 Switch.
• Place the rack or cabinet in its permanent location, allowing adequate clearance for airflow and maintenance, and secure it to the building structure. See Clearance Requirements for Airflow and Hardware Maintenance for an EX8208 Switch for detailed information.
• Read General Safety Guidelines and Warnings, with particular attention to Chassis Lifting Guidelines for EX8200 Switches.
• Remove the switch from the shipping box (see Unpacking an EX8200 Switch).

Ensure that you have the following parts and tools available to mount the switch on a rack or cabinet:

• A Phillips (+) screwdriver, number 2 or number 3, depending on the size of your rack mounting screws, for mounting the switch on a rack or cabinet
• A Phillips (+) screwdriver, number 1, to remove the power supplies from the chassis if you are mounting the switch without using a mechanical lift
• 24 mounting screws appropriate for your rack

To mount the EX8208 switch on a rack or cabinet (see Figure 1 and Figure 2):

1. In a four-post rack or cabinet, install the adjustable mounting brackets at the desired position (see Installing Adjustable Mounting Brackets in a Rack or Cabinet for an EX8200 Switch).

   In a two-post rack or cabinet, install the power cord tray (see Installing the Power Cord Tray in a Rack or Cabinet for an EX8200 Switch). The power cord tray is optional for four-post rack installation.

2. Lift the chassis into the rack using a mechanical lift. For instructions on how to install the chassis using a mechanical lift, see Mounting an EX8208 Switch on a Rack or Cabinet Using a Mechanical Lift.

   In a four-post rack, place the chassis on the adjustable mounting brackets. In a two-post rack, place the front edge of the chassis on the lip of the power cord tray with at least three people supporting the rear of the chassis until you can bolt the chassis into the rack.

   If a mechanical lift is not available, remove all components and ensure that at least three people are available to lift the empty chassis into the rack. For instructions on how to install the chassis without using a mechanical lift, see Mounting an EX8208 Switch on a Rack or Cabinet Without Using a Mechanical Lift.

3. Insert 24 mounting screws appropriate for your rack (not provided) into the aligned holes. Use the appropriate Phillips (+) screwdriver to tighten the screws to the rack or cabinet rail.

Figure 1: Installing an EX8208 Switch in a Two-Post Rack

Figure 2: Installing an EX8208 Switch in a Four-Post Rack