Mounting an EX8216 Switch on a Rack or Cabinet

The EX8216 switch ships installed with front-mounting brackets on the chassis for mounting the switch on a 19-in. equipment rack or cabinet. (The remainder of this topic uses “rack” to mean “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 21 U without the optional power cord tray and 22 U with the optional power cord tray. Installation in a two-post rack is not supported. You can mount two switches on a 42 U four-post rack provided that the rack meets the strength requirements to support the combined weight of the switches.

Warning: Because of the switch's size and weight, we require the use of a mechanical lift to install the switch.

Caution: If you are installing more than one switch in a rack, install the first switch at the bottom of the rack.

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

Before mounting an EX8216 switch on a rack:

1. Verify the site meets the requirements for installation described in Site Preparation Checklist for an EX8200 Switch.
2. Place the rack 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 EX8216 Switch for detailed information.
3. Unpack the switch as described in Unpacking an EX8200 Switch.
4. Install the adjustable mounting brackets at the desired position in a four-post rack (see Installing Adjustable Mounting Brackets in a Rack or Cabinet for an EX8200 Switch).
5. Optionally, install the power cord tray, so you can use it to manage the power supply cords (see Installing the Power Cord Tray in a Rack or Cabinet for an EX8200 Switch).
6. Read General Safety Guidelines and Warnings, with particular attention to Chassis Lifting Guidelines for EX8200 Switches.

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

• A mechanical lift
• A Phillips (+) screwdriver, number 2 or number 3, depending on the size of your rack mounting screws
• 20 mounting screws appropriate for your rack

To mount the EX8216 switch on a rack (see Figure 2):

1. Install the adjustable mounting brackets at the desired position in a four-post rack (see Installing Adjustable Mounting Brackets in a Rack or Cabinet for an EX8200 Switch). If you are planning to install the optional power cord tray, leave at least 1 U of space below the adjustable mounting brackets (see Installing the Power Cord Tray in a Rack or Cabinet for an EX8200 Switch). The power cord tray is optional.
2. Load the switch onto the mechanical lift, making sure it rests securely on the lift platform. See Figure 1.

   Figure 1: Installing the Switch Chassis Using a Mechanical Lift

   
3. Using the lift, position the switch in front of the rack or cabinet, centering it in front of the adjustable mounting brackets installed in the rack.
4. Lift the chassis approximately 0.75 in. (1.9 cm) above the surface of the adjustable mounting brackets. Position the chassis in the rack as close as possible to resting on the support that the mounting brackets provide.
5. Carefully slide the switch onto the adjustable mounting brackets until the front-mounting brackets (“ears”) attached to the chassis contact the rack rails, using the handles on the lower side of the chassis to help guide it into position. The adjustable mounting brackets installed in the rack ensure that the holes in the front-mounting brackets align with the holes in the rack rails.
6. Move the lift away from the rack.
7. Ensure the chassis is flush with the front of the rack.
8. Install a mounting screw into each of the open front-mounting holes aligned with the rack, starting from the bottom.
9. Visually inspect the alignment of the switch. If the switch is installed properly in the rack, all the mounting screws on one side of the rack are aligned with the mounting screws on the opposite side and the switch is level.
10. After ensuring that the switch is aligned properly, tighten the screws.
11. Insert 20 mounting screws appropriate for your rack (not provided) into the aligned holes. Use the appropriate Phillips (+) screwdriver to tighten the screws to the rack rail.

Caution: To meet safety and electromagnetic interference (EMI) requirements and to ensure proper operation, you must connect EX8200 switches to earth ground before you connect them to power. For installations that require a separate grounding conductor to the chassis, use one of the two protective earthing terminals on the switch chassis to connect to the earth ground. For instructions on connecting an EX8200 switch to ground using a separate grounding conductor, see Connecting Earth Ground to an EX Series Switch.

Figure 2: Installing an EX8216 Switch in a Four-Post Rack