Installing the Fabric Interconnect

This chapter contains the following topics:

Installation Options with Rack-Mount Kits

The rack-mount kit enables you to install the fabric interconnect into racks of varying depths. Position the fabric interconnect with easy access to either the port connections or the fan and power supply modules.

Install the fabric interconnect using rack-mount kit UCS-ACC-6664, which you can order from Cisco. This option offers you easy installation, greater stability, increased weight capacity, added accessibility, and improved removability with front and rear removal.

The rack or cabinet that you use must meet the requirements listed the in General Requirements for Cabinets and Racks.


Note

You are responsible for verifying that your rack and rack-mount hardware comply with the guidelines that are described in this document.

Install a Rack

Before you install the fabric interconnect, you must install a standard four-post, 19-inch EIA data center rack (or a cabinet that contains such a rack) that meets the requirements listed in Overview of Racks.

Procedure

Step 1

Bolt the rack to the concrete subfloor before moving the chassis onto it.

Warning

 

Statement 1048—Rack Stabilization

The rack stabilizing mechanism must be in place, or the rack must be bolted to the floor before installation or servicing. Failure to stabilize the rack can cause bodily injury.

Step 2

If the rack has bonded construction, connect it to the earth ground. This action enables you to easily ground the fabric interconnect and its components and to ground your electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap to prevent damaging discharges when you handle ungrounded components before installing them.

Step 3

Include one or two power sources at the rack. For AC power, provide a power receptacle.

Warning

 

Statement 1018—Supply Circuit

To reduce risk of electric shock and fire, take care when connecting units to the supply circuit so that wiring is not overloaded.

Note

 

If you are not using power redundancy or are using n+1 redundancy, you need only one power source. If you are using n+n redundancy, you need two power sources.

Unpacking and Inspecting a Fabric Interconnect

Before you install a new chassis, unpack and inspect it to be sure that you have all the items that you ordered. Verify that the fabric interconnect was not damaged during shipment. If anything is damaged or missing, contact your customer representative immediately.


Caution

When you handle the chassis or its components, follow ESD protocol at all times to prevent ESD damage. This protocol includes but is not limited to wearing an ESD wrist strap that you connect to the earth ground.


Tip

Do not discard the shipping container when you unpack the fabric interconnect. Flatten the shipping cartons and store them. If you need to move or ship the system in the future, you will need this container.

Procedure

Step 1

Compare the shipment to the equipment list that is provided by your customer service representative. Verify that you have received all of the ordered items.

The shipment should include:

  • Fabric interconnect, which includes these installed components:

    • Two power supplies (with the airflow direction being the same as for the fan modules):

      • 1400-W AC power supply

        • Port-side exhaust AC power supply with blue coloring (UCS-PSU-6600-AC)

    • Four fan modules (all fan and power supply modules must have the same airflow direction)

      • Port-side exhaust airflow with blue coloring (UCS-FAN-6664)

  • Accessory kit

    • Rack Mount Kit

    • Ground Lug

Step 2

Check the contents of the box for damage.

Step 3

If you notice any discrepancies or damage, send this information to your customer service representative by email:

  • Invoice number of the shipper (see the packing slip)

  • Model and serial number of the missing or damaged unit

  • Description of the problem and how it affects the installation

Planning How to Position the Fabric Interconnect in the Rack

The fabric interconnect is designed so that you can have cool air flow through the fabric interconnect by entering the power supply side and exhausting out the port side (port-side exhaust airflow).

For port-side exhaust airflow, the fabric interconnect must have port-side exhaust fan and AC power supply modules with blue coloring on fan modules and AC power supplies.

Plan the positioning of the fabric interconnect so that its ports are located close to ports on connected devices or so that the fan and power supply modules are conveniently located in a maintenance aisle. Order the modules that move coolant air in the appropriate direction from the cold aisle to the hot aisle.


Note

All fan and power supply modules in the same fabric interconnect must operate with the same direction of airflow. The air intake portion of the fabric interconnect must be located in a cold aisle.

Installing the Fabric Interconnect Using the Rack-Mount Kit

To install the fabric interconnect, attach mounting brackets to the rack, install slider rails on the rear of the rack, slide the fabric interconnect onto the slider rails, install the retainer brackets, and secure the fabric interconnect to the rack with the retainer clips. Typically, the front of the rack is the side easiest to access for maintenance.


Note
You supply the twelve 10-32 or 12-24 screws required to mount the slider rails and fabric interconnect to the rack.

Before you begin

  • Inspect the fabric interconnect shipment to ensure that you have everything ordered.

  • Verify that the fabric interconnect rack-mount kit includes these parts:

    • Rack-mount brackets (2)

    • Rack-mount front-mount brackets (2)

    • Rack-mount slider rails (2)

    • Rack-mount retainer clips (2)

    • Flat head screws M4 (6)

    • Flat head screws M3 (4)


    Note

    Twelve Phillis-head pan-screws are required for full installation. You will need to supply these screws. They are not provided in the rack-mount kit.

  • Verify that the rack is installed and secured to its location.

Procedure

Step 1

Install two rack-mount brackets to the rack.

  1. Position the front-mount brackets so that the fabric interconnect fan and power supply modules will be in the cold aisle.

  2. Position a front-mount bracket so that it aligns to the desired position in the rack and secure the bracket with 12-24 screws or 10-32 screws, depending on the rack thread type (see the figure). Tighten 12-24 screws to 30 in-lb (3.39 N·m) of torque. Tighten 10-32 screws to 20 in-lb (2.26 N·m) of torque.

  3. Repeat Step 1 for the other front rack-mount bracket on the other side of the rack and be sure to position that bracket horizontally to the same level as the first bracket.

Step 2

If you are not installing the chassis into a grounded rack, attach a customer-supplied grounding wire to the chassis as explained in Grounding the Chassis. If you are installing the chassis into a grounded rack, skip this step.

Step 3

Install the slider rails on the rack or cabinet.

  1. Determine which two posts of the rack or cabinet you should use for the slider rails. Of the four vertical posts in the rack or cabinet, two will be used for the front mount brackets attached to the easiest accessed end of the chassis. The other two posts will have the slider rails.

  2. Position a slider rail at the desired level on the back side of the rack and slide it into the front-mount bracket already installed. Secure with 12-24 screws or 10-32 screws, depending on the rack thread type (see the figure). Tighten 12-24 screws to 30 in-lb (3.39 N·m) of torque. Tighten 10-32 screws to 20 in-lb (2.26 N·m) of torque.

  3. Repeat Step 3 to attach the other slider rail to the other side of the rack.

    Make sure that the slider rails are at the same level. Use a level tool, tape measure, or carefully count the screw holes in the vertical mounting rails.

Step 4

Insert the fabric interconnect into the rack and attach it.

  1. Align the four holes in one side of front mount brackets to three holes on the left or right side of the chassis (see the figure).

  2. Use three M4 x 6 mm screws to attach the bracket to the chassis. Tighten each screw to 11 to 15 in-lb (1.2 to 1.7 N·m).

  3. Repeat Step 4 to attach the second front mount bracket to the other side of the chassis.

Step 5

Insert the fabric interconnect into the rack and attach it.

  1. Holding the fabric interconnect with both hands, position the fabric interconnect onto the rack-mount brackets and carefully slide the chassis into the rack (see the figure).

Step 6

Rotate one front mount bracket so that it fits against the rack.

Step 7

Secure the mounting brackets to the rack.

  1. Tighten the 10-32 screws to 20 in-lb (2.26 N·m) or tighten the 12-24 screws to 30 in-lb (3.39 N·m).

  2. Repeat Step 6 to attach the other front mount bracket on the other side of the chassis.

    Note

     

    You might need to slide the chassis out of the rack a short distance to allow clearance to rotate the mounting bracket into the correct position to attach it to the rack.

Step 8

Insert the retainer clip to hold the chassis in place.

  1. Align the retainer clip to the inside of the back of the slider rail. Make sure to hook the flange to the cutout on the bracket and align the screw holes (see the figure).

  2. Attach the two M3 X 4mm screws to secure the retainer clip (see the figure).

  3. Repeat Step 7 to attach the other retainer clip on the other side of the chassis.

What to do next

Provide grounding for the fabric interconnect.

Go to Grounding the Chassis.

Grounding the Chassis

The fabric interconnect chassis is automatically grounded when you properly install the fabric interconnect in a grounded rack with metal-to-metal connections between the fabric interconnect and rack.


Note

Provide an electrical conducting path between the product chassis and the metal surface of the enclosure or rack in which it is mounted or to a grounding conductor. To ensure electrical continuity, use thread-forming type mounting screws that remove any paint or non-conductive coatings and establish a metal-to-metal contact. Remove any paint or other non-conductive coatings on the surfaces between the mounting hardware and the enclosure or rack. Clean the surfaces and apply an antioxidant before installation.

Ground the chassis, which is required if the rack is not grounded. Attach a customer-supplied grounding cable. Attach the cable to the chassis grounding pad and the facility ground.


Warning

Statement 1024—Ground Conductor

This equipment must be grounded. To reduce the risk of electric shock, never defeat the ground conductor or operate the equipment in the absence of a suitably installed ground conductor. Contact the appropriate electrical inspection authority or an electrician if you are uncertain that suitable grounding is available.


Warning

Statement 1046—Installing or Replacing the Unit

To reduce risk of electric shock, when installing or replacing the unit, the ground connection must always be made first and disconnected last.

Before you begin

Before you can ground the chassis, connect to earth ground of the data center building.

Procedure

Step 1

Use a wire-stripping tool to remove approximately 0.75 inch (19 mm) of the covering from the end of the grounding wire. We recommend 6-AWG wire for the U.S. installations.

Step 2

Insert the stripped end of the grounding wire into the open end of the grounding lug. Use a crimping tool to crimp the lug to the wire. See the figure. Verify that the ground wire is securely attached to the grounding lug by attempting to pull the wire out of the crimped lug (tug test).

1

Chassis grounding pad

3

2 M4 screws are used to secure the grounding lug to the chassis

2

Grounding cable, with 0.75 in. (19 mm) of insulation that is stripped from one end, which is inserted into the grounding lug and crimped in place

Step 3

Secure the grounding lug to the chassis grounding pad with two M4 screws, see figure 1. Tighten the screws to 11 to 15 in-lb (1.24 to 1.69 N m) of torque.

Step 4

Prepare the other end of the grounding wire and connect it to the facility ground.

Starting the Fabric Interconnect

Start the fabric interconnect by connecting it to its dedicated power source. If you need n+n redundancy, connect each power supply in a fabric interconnect to a different power source.


Note

This equipment is designed to boot up in less than 30 minutes, dependent on its neighboring devices being fully up and running.

Before you begin

  • The fabric interconnect must be installed and secured to a rack or cabinet.

  • The fabric interconnect must be adequately grounded.

  • The rack must be close enough to the dedicated power source so that you can connect the fabric interconnect to the power source by using the designated power cables.

  • You have the designated power cables for the power supplies that you are connecting to the dedicated power sources.


    Note

    Depending on the outlet receptacle on your AC power distribution unit, you might need an optional jumper power cord to connect the fabric interconnect to your outlet receptacle.

  • The fabric interconnect is not connected to the network (this includes any management or interface connections).

  • The fan and power supply modules are fully secured in their chassis slots.

Procedure

Step 1

For any AC power supply, do this:

  1. Using the recommended AC power cable for your country or region, connect one end to the AC power supply.

  2. Connect the other end of the power cable to the AC power source.

Step 2

Verify that the power supply LED is on and green.

Step 3

Listen for the fans; they should begin operating when the power supply is powered.

Step 4

After the fabric interconnect boots, verify that these LEDs are lit:

  • On the fan modules, the Status (STS) LED is green.

    If a fan module Status LED is not green, try reinstalling the fan module.

  • After initialization, the fabric interconnect chassis Status (STS) LED is green.

Step 5

Verify that the system software has booted and the fabric interconnect has initialized without error messages.

A setup utility automatically launches the first time that you access the fabric interconnect and guides you through the basic configuration. For instructions about how to configure the fabric interconnect and check module connectivity, see the configuration guide for the appropriate Cisco management software platform.