Technical Documentation

Rack Requirements for an EX8208 Switch

You can mount EX8208 switches on four-post racks or two-post racks. See Figure 1 and Figure 2.

Rack requirements consist of:

  • Rack type
  • Mounting bracket hole spacing
  • Rack size and strength
  • Rack connection to the building structure

Table 1 summarizes rack requirements and specifications for EX8208 switches.

Figure 1 shows four-post rack installation. Figure 2 shows two-post rack installation.

Note: To manage airflow in a hot-aisle-cold-aisle data center setup, you might want to use the customized rack solution for EX8200 switches offered by Chatsworth Products, Inc.

Table 1: Rack Requirements and Specifications for an EX8208 Switch

Rack Requirement

Guidelines

Rack type and mounting bracket hole spacing

Use a four-post rack or a two-post rack. You can mount the switch on any four-post or two-post rack that provides bracket holes or hole patterns spaced at 1 U (1.75 in./4.44 cm) increments and that meets the size and strength requirements specified in this table.

A U is the standard rack unit defined in Cabinets, Racks, Panels, and Associated Equipment (document number EIA-310–D) published by the Electronics Industry Association (http://www.eia.org).

You can stack three EX8208 switches in a four-post rack that has at least 42 U; if you install the optional power cord tray, a minimum of 45 U are required. You can stack three EX8208 switches in a two-post rack that has 45 U (installing the power cord tray is mandatory for two-post rack installations). In all cases, the rack must meet the strength requirements to support the weight.

Rack size and strength

  • Ensure that the rack is a 19-in. rack as defined in Cabinets, Racks, Panels, and Associated Equipment (document number EIA-310–D) published by the Electronics Industry Association (http://www.eia.org).
  • Ensure that the rack is one of the following standard lengths:
    • 23.62 in. (600 mm)
    • 30.0 in. (762 mm)
    • 21.5 in. (546 mm)
  • Ensure that the rack rails are spaced widely enough to accommodate the EX8208 switch chassis' external dimensions of 24.25 in. (61.6 cm) height, 17.25 in. (43.815 cm) width, 20 in. (50.8 cm) depth. The outer edges of the front-mounting brackets extend the width to 19 in. (48.3 cm).
  • The EX8208 switch chassis height of 24.25 in. (61.6 cm) is approximately 14 U. If you install the power cord tray (optional for four-post rack installations, mandatory for two-post rack installations), the chassis and power cord tray consume 15 U.
  • The rack must be strong enough to support the weight of the fully configured switch. A fully configured EX8208 switch weighs up to 284 lb (130 kg). If you stack three fully configured EX8208 switches in one rack, that rack must support up to 852 lb (487 kg).
  • Ensure that the spacing of rails and adjacent racks allows for the proper clearance around the switch and rack as specified in Clearance Requirements for Airflow and Hardware Maintenance for an EX8208 Switch.

Rack connection to the building structure

  • Secure the rack to the building structure.
  • If earthquakes are a possibility in your geographical area, secure the rack to the floor.
  • Secure the rack to the ceiling brackets as well as wall or floor brackets for maximum stability.

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

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

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Published: 2010-02-17