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Mounting a QFX3500 Device in a Rack or Cabinet

You can mount a QFX3500 device on four posts in a 19-in. rack or cabinet by using the mounting kits provided with the device. Choose one of the following two mounting kits provided for the different QFX3500 chassis configurations.

  • If your installation kit has two rails and your QFX3500 has mounting holes integrated as part of the chassis, use Two Mounting Rails Procedure. This configuration aligns the management end of the device flush with the rack. The adjustable rails allow for installation into racks having different depths.

  • If your installation kit has four rails and the QFX3500 does not have mounting holes as part of the chassis faceplate, use Four Mounting Rails Procedure. This configuration allows either end of the device to be mounted flush with the rack and still be adjustable for racks with different depths.

(The remainder of this topic uses “rack” to mean “rack or cabinet.”) The front and rear rack rails must be spaced between 28 in. (71.1 cm) and 36 in. (91.4 cm) front to back.

Before You Begin Rack Installation

Before you begin mounting a QFX3500 device in the rack or cabinet:

Ensure that you have the following parts and tools available to mount the device on four posts in a rack:

  • ESD grounding strap (provided).

  • One pair of rear installation blades. These installation blades support the rear of the chassis and must be installed (provided).

  • Eight screws to secure the chassis and rear installation blades to the rack (not provided).

  • Appropriate screwdriver for the mounting screws (not provided).

Warning:

The QFX3500 device must be supported at all four corners. Mounting the chassis using only the front brackets will damage the chassis and can result in serious bodily injury.

CAUTION:

If you are installing the QFX3500 device above 60 in. (152.4 cm) from the floor, you must remove the power supplies, fan trays, and management board before attempting to install the device, or ask someone to assist you during the installation.

CAUTION:

If you are mounting multiple devices on a rack, mount the device in the lowest position of the rack first and proceed to mount the rest of the devices from bottom to top.

Two Mounting Rails Procedure

To mount the device on four posts in a rack using a two-rail kit:

  1. Attach the ESD grounding strap to your bare wrist and to a site ESD point.
  2. With two mounting screws—and cage nuts and washers if your rack requires them—attach one of the rear installation blades to the rear of the rack at the point where you want to mount the device. Tighten the screws. The blade helps support the rear of the chassis. You install the second rear installation blade after securing both front mounting brackets. See Figure 1.
    Figure 1: Installing an Installation Blade in a RackInstalling an Installation Blade in a Rack
  3. Grasp both sides of the device, lift it, and position it in the rack so that the blade receptacle at the rear of the chassis catches and slides onto the installation blade. See Figure 2.
    Tip:

    If someone is assisting you, have one person stand at the rear of the rack where the installation blade is installed, to help guide the device onto the installation blade.

    Figure 2: Mounting the QFX3500 Device on Four Posts in a Rack Using a Two-Rail KitMounting the QFX3500 Device on Four Posts in a Rack Using a Two-Rail Kit
  4. Align the holes in the front brackets on the chassis with the holes in the rack. Ensure that the chassis is level.
  5. With four mounting screws—and cage nuts and washers if your rack requires them—secure the front of the device to the rack. Insert the first screw on the opposite corner from the rear installation blade you installed. Tighten the screws.
  6. Ensure that the device 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.
  7. With two mounting screws—and cage nuts and washers if your rack requires them—slide the second rear mounting blade into the blade receptacle on the chassis, and secure it to the rear of the rack by tightening the screws. You might need to loosen and adjust the first mounting blade to install the second blade.

Four Mounting Rails Procedure

To mount the device on four posts in a rack using a four -rail kit:

  1. Attach the ESD grounding strap to your bare wrist and to a site ESD point.
  2. Decide whether the management end of the device or the ports are to be placed at the front of the rack.
  3. Align the holes in the mounting rail with the button fasteners on the side of the device and slide the holes over the fasteners to click into place. See Figure 3 to see the proper alignment.
    Figure 3: Attaching a Mounting Rail to the QFX3500Attaching a Mounting Rail to the QFX3500
  4. With three mounting screws—and cage nuts and washers if your rack requires them—attach the mounting rail to the device. Tighten the screws.
  5. Repeats steps 3 and 4 on the opposite side of the device. One end of the device now has front facing mounting holes, the other end none.
  6. With two mounting screws—and cage nuts and washers if your rack requires them—attach one of the rear installation blades to the rear of the rack at the point where you want to mount the device. Tighten the screws. The blade helps support the rear of the chassis. You install the second rear installation blade after securing both front mounting brackets. See Figure 1 for detail on installing the rear blade.
  7. Grasp both sides of the device, lift it, and position it in the rack so that the blade receptacle at the rear of the chassis catches and slides onto the installation blade. See Figure 4.
    Figure 4: Slide Mounting Rail onto the Rear Mounting BladeSlide Mounting Rail onto the Rear Mounting Blade
  8. Align the holes in the mounting brackets with the holes in the rack. Ensure that the chassis is level.
  9. With four front mounting screws–and cage nuts and washers if your rack requires them–attach the mounting bracket to the rack. Insert the first screw on the opposite corner from the mounting blade. Tighten the screws.
  10. Ensure that the switch chassis is level by verifying that the screws on the front of the rack are aligned with the screws at the back of the rack.
  11. With two mounting screws—and cage nuts and washers if your rack requires them—slide the second rear mounting blade into the blade receptacle on the mounting blade, and secure it to the rear of the rack by tightening the screws. You might need to loosen and adjust the other mounting blade to install the second blade.

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