This chapter provides information on chassis configurations and instructions for installing application cards. Line cards are discussed in the Line Card Installation chapter.
The chassis has 16 front-loading slots that host application cards. This allows the installation of redundant components and provides ample room for expanding the system. Chassis slots are labeled 1 through 16 from left to right.
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Switch Processor Card (SPC): The SPC serves as the primary controller for the ST16 hardware platform and is used with Packet Accelerator Cards (PACs). Up to two SPCs can be installed in the chassis: one primary and one redundant card for “hot-standby”. Chassis slots 8 and 9 are reserved for the SPC only. By default, when the chassis’ power is on, the SPC in slot 8 is active. The other SPC is automatically placed into standby mode.
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CAUTION: Do not place any card other than an SPC into slots 8 or 9 of the ST16. To do so will cause damage to the card and may cause damage to the chassis' midplane.|
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Packet Accelerator Card (PAC): The PAC provides packet processing and forwarding within the ST16 hardware platform and is used with Switch Processor Cards (SPCs). PACs are available 4GB or 8GB memory versions.
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CAUTION: 4GB and 8GB PACs are treated as different and distinct components by the system. They can not serve as active/standby pairs; a 4GB PAC can not serve as a redundant card for an 8GB PAC and vice versa.The following table details the specific ST16 chassis slot assignments for each of the above card types.
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Chassis Slot Number(s)
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1 through 7 and 10 through 16
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IMPORTANT: To achieve optimal airflow performance in minimum system deployments, populate PACs into the chassis from the middle of the chassis outward. Leave an empty slot between the cards, when possible. For example, for four PACs, use slots 3, 5, 12, and 14. For two PACs, use slots 5 and 12. In all cases, distribute PACs as evenly as possible across the front-loading application card slots.To optimize network efficiency and minimize down time, the system supports 1:n redundancy for PACs .
When the system boots up, all installed PACs enter standby mode, which means that the cards are available for use but offline. Installed components are made active through the software configuration process. Cards that are not configured to enter active mode, which brings them online, remain in standby mode as redundant components. PACs that normally operate in standby mode do not require line cards to be installed directly behind them, as these line cards would never be used.
In the event of a PAC failure, tasks are migrated from the active PAC to the standby card. The line card installed behind the PAC that was formerly active is still used to maintain the interfaces to external network equipment. Installed Redundancy Crossbar Cards (RCCs) provide a path for signalling and data traffic between the line card and the now active PAC.
CAUTION: 4GB and 8GB PACs are treated as different and distinct components by the system. They can not serve as active/standby pairs; a 4GB PAC can not serve as a redundant card for an 8GB PAC and vice versa. For automatic failovers and migrations to work properly, standby 8GB PACs must be available for active 8GB PACs and standby 4GB PACs must be available for active 4GB PACs.The recommended minimum chassis configuration for application cards, including redundancy, is as follows:
When you add PACs to a live system, it is recommended that you add them two at a time. Doing so distributes the software tasks evenly between the CPUs on the cards for optimal performance.
You can add single PACs to a live system, but software tasks will be unevenly distributed until you reload or reboot the system. For this reason, it is recommended that you perform the installation during a maintenance window, as a reboot must be performed for optimal performance and capacity.
If you use the session recovery feature, a minimum of three active PACs and one standby (redundant) PAC is required.
IMPORTANT: This configuration does not include the required line cards. Line cards are discussed in Line Card Installation in this guide.
The installation procedure is identical for all application cards. This section provides the instructions for installing application cards in the chassis.
ESD During installation, maintenance, and/or removal, wear grounding wrist and/or heel straps to avoid ESD damage to the components. Failure to do so could result in damage to electrical components and could potentially void your warranty.|
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Determine the type of application card you are installing. Each application card is identified by the text near the bottom of its front panel.
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CAUTION: If you are installing PACs, note that there are two types: a 4GB PAC and an 8GB PAC. Only one type of PAC can be installed in a system. You can not mix 4GB and 8GB PACs in the system. If a system has mixed PACs, failover and migration of PACs fails.|
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Determine which chassis slot to install the card in based on the information in the Chassis Slot Numbering and Assignments section earlier in this chapter.
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Holding the screws on the blanking panel, pull the blanking panel away from the chassis to expose the chassis slot.
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Properly support the weight of the card and align it with the upper and lower card guides of the chassis slot. Gently slide the card into the slot until the levers touch the chassis frame.
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CAUTION: To avoid damaging the interlock switch, ensure that it is completely down before proceeding. For additional information, refer to the Hardware Platform Overview chapter.In addition, take extra caution when installing PACs. These cards contain heat sinks that could become loose or damaged if they come into contact with another card while the PAC is being inserted in the chassis slot.
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Push the ejector levers inward firmly and straight until the card is seated in the chassis midplane and you cannot push the ejector levers in any further. Press firmly on the card’s faceplate to ensure that it is fully seated. The card’s front panel should be flush against the chassis’ upper and lower card mounts for the slot.
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Raise the interlock switch on the front panel of the application card to lock the ejector tab in place. The flange on the left-side of the interlock switch prevents movement of the ejector tab when raised completely.
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IMPORTANT: Make sure the interlock switch is fully raised in order to properly secure the application card’s top screw to the chassis.|
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Use a #2 Phillips screwdriver to tighten the screws at the top and bottom of the application card’s front panel to secure the card to the chassis.
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WARNING: To reduce the risk of electric shock and to ensure proper ventilation, blanking panels must be used to cover any chassis slot that is not occupied by an application card.Leere Steckplaetze muessen mit der dafuer vorgesehenen Abdeckplatte geschlossen werden, um die Luftzirkulation innerhalb des Geraets zu gewaehrleisten und um einen elektrischen Schlag zu vermeiden.
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Use a #2 Phillips screwdriver to tighten the screw at the top of the blanking panel to secure the panel to the chassis.
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Use a #2 Phillips screwdriver to tighten the screw at the bottom of the blanking panel to secure the panel to the chassis.
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