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QFX5230-64CD Site Guidelines and Requirements

QFX5230-64CD Environmental Requirements and Specifications

The switch must be installed in a rack. It must be housed in a dry, clean, well-ventilated, and temperature-controlled environment.

Follow these environmental guidelines:

  • The site must be as dust-free as possible, because dust can clog air intake vents and filters, reducing the efficiency of the switch cooling system.

  • Maintain ambient airflow for normal switch operation. If the airflow is blocked or restricted, or if the intake air is too warm, the switch might overheat, leading to the switch temperature monitor shutting down the device to protect the hardware components.

Table 1: QFX5230-64CD Switch Environmental Tolerances

Description

Tolerance

Altitude

  • QFX5230-64CD-AFO–At 32° F through 104° F (0° C through 40° C) there is no performance degradation to 6000  feet (1828.8 meters)

  • QFX5230-64CD-AFI–At 32° F through 104° F (0° C through 40° C) there is no performance degradation to 0 feet

Relative humidity, operating

Normal operation ensured in relative humidity range of 5% through 90%, non-condensing

Temperature

QFX5230-64CD-AFO

  • Normal operation ensured in temperature range of 32° F through 104° F (0° C through 40° C)

  • Non-operating storage temperature in shipping container: –40° F through 158° F (–40° C through 70° C)

QFX5230-64CD-AFI

  • Normal operation ensured in temperature range of 32° F through 104° F (0° C through 40° C)

  • Nonoperating storage temperature in shipping container: –40° F through 158° F (–40° C through 70° C)

Seismic

Designed to comply with Zone 4 earthquake requirements per NEBS GR-63-CORE, Issue 3.

General Site Guidelines

Efficient device operation requires proper site planning and maintenance. It also requires proper layout of the equipment, rack or cabinet, and wiring closet.

To plan and create an acceptable operating environment for your device and prevent environmentally caused equipment failures:

  • Keep the area around the chassis free from dust and conductive material, such as metal flakes.

  • Follow the prescribed airflow guidelines to ensure that the cooling system functions properly. Ensure that exhaust from other equipment does not blow into the intake vents of the device.

  • Follow the prescribed electrostatic discharge (ESD) prevention procedures to prevent damaging the equipment. Static discharge can cause components to fail completely or intermittently over time.

  • Install the device in a secure area, so that only authorized personnel can access the device.

QFX5230-64CD Grounding Cable and Lug Specifications

For installations that require a separate grounding conductor to the chassis, the switch must be adequately grounded before power is connected to ensure proper operation and to meet safety and electromagnetic interference (EMI) requirements.

To ensure proper operation and to meet safety and electromagnetic interference (EMI) requirements, you must connect a QFX5230-64CD switch to earth ground before you connect power to the device.

Note:

You must install the QFX5230-64CD switch in a restricted–access location and ensure that the chassis is always properly grounded. QFX5230-64CD switches have a 2-hole protective grounding terminal on the right side of the chassis. Under all circumstances, use this grounding connection to ground the chassis. For AC-powered systems, you must also use the grounding wire in the AC power cord along with the two-hole grounding lug connection. This tested system meets or exceeds all applicable EMC regulatory requirements with the two-hole protective grounding terminal. Before you connect earth ground to the protective earthing terminal of a QFX5230-64CD switch, ensure that a licensed electrician has attached an appropriate grounding lug to the grounding cable. Using a grounding cable with an incorrectly attached lug can damage the switch.
Warning:

The switch is pluggable type A equipment installed in a restricted-access location. It has a separate protective earthing terminal provided on the chassis in addition to the grounding pin of the power supply cord. This separate protective earthing terminal must be permanently connected to earth ground for installations that require a separate grounding conductor to the chassis.

Warning:

To comply with GR-1089 requirements, all intrabuilding copper cabling used for SFP+ and QSFP+ ports must be shielded and grounded at both ends.

CAUTION:

Before you install the switch, a licensed electrician must attach a cable lug to the grounding cables that you supply. See Ground the QFX5230-64CD Switch. A cable with an incorrectly attached lug can damage the switch.

Before connecting the switch to earth ground, review the following information:

  • The grounding lug required for the protective earthing terminal on a QFX5230-64CD is a Panduit LCD4-14A-L or equivalent (not provided). The grounding lug should accommodates 4 AWG stranded wire.

  • The grounding cable that you provide for a QFX5230-64CD must be 4 AWG, minimum 90° C wire, or as permitted by the local code.

  • Ensure you have two SAE 10-32 x 0.25 in. screws and number 10 split-lock washers and screws to attach the cable and bracket (not provided).

QFX5230-64CD Clearance Requirements for Airflow and Hardware Maintenance

When planning the site for installing a QFX5230-64CD, you must allow sufficient clearance around the installed chassis (see Figure 1).

Figure 1: Clearance Requirements for Airflow and Hardware Maintenance for a QFX5230-64CD Clearance Requirements for Airflow and Hardware Maintenance for a QFX5230-64CD

  • For the cooling system to function properly, the airflow around the chassis must be unrestricted. See QFX5230-64CD Cooling System for more information about the airflow through the chassis.

  • If you are mounting a QFX5230-64CD in a rack or cabinet with other equipment, ensure that the exhaust from other equipment does not blow into the intake vents of the chassis.

  • Leave at least 24 in. (61 cm) both in front of and behind the QFX5230-64CD. For service personnel to remove and install hardware components, you must leave adequate space at the front and back of the switch. NEBS GR-63 recommends that you allow at least 30 in. (76.2 cm) in front of the rack or cabinet and 24 in. (61 cm) behind the rack or cabinet.

Site Electrical Wiring Guidelines

Table 2 describes the factors you must consider while planning the electrical wiring at your site.

Warning:

You must provide a properly grounded and shielded environment and use electrical surge-suppression devices.

Avertissement Vous devez établir un environnement protégé et convenablement mis à la terre et utiliser des dispositifs de parasurtension.
Table 2: Site Electrical Wiring Guidelines

Site Wiring Factor

Guidelines

Signaling limitations

If your site experiences any of the following problems, consult experts in electrical surge suppression and shielding:

  • Improperly installed wires cause radio frequency interference (RFI).

  • Damage from lightning strikes occurs when wires exceed recommended distances or pass between buildings.

  • Electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) caused by lightning damage unshielded conductors and electronic devices.

Radio frequency interference

To reduce or eliminate RFI from your site wiring, do the following:

  • Use a twisted-pair cable with a good distribution of grounding conductors.

  • If you must exceed the recommended distances, use a high-quality twisted-pair cable with one ground conductor for each data signal, when applicable.

Electromagnetic compatibility

If your site is susceptible to problems with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), particularly from lightning or radio transmitters, seek expert advice.

Strong sources of electromagnetic interference (EMI) can cause:

  • Destruction of the signal drivers and receivers in the device

  • Electrical hazards as a result of power surges conducted over the lines into the equipment.

QFX5230-64CD Rack Requirements

QFX5230-64CD switches are designed to be installed on four-post racks.

Rack requirements consist of:

  • Rack type

  • Mounting bracket hole spacing

  • Rack size and strength

Table 3 provides the rack requirements and specifications for the QFX5230-64CD.

Table 3: Rack Requirements for the QFX5230-64CD

Rack Requirement

Guidelines

Rack type

Use a four-post rack that provides bracket holes or hole patterns spaced at 1-U (1.75 in. or 4.45 cm) increments and that meets the size and strength requirements to support the weight.

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.

Mounting bracket hole spacing

The holes in the mounting brackets are spaced at 1-U (1.75 in. or 4.45 cm) increments, so that the switch can be mounted in any rack that provides holes spaced at that distance.

Rack size and strength

  • Ensure that the rack complies with the standards for a 19-in. rack as defined in Cabinets, Racks, Panels, and Associated Equipment (document number EIA-310–D) published by the Electronics Industry Association.

  • A 900-mm rack as defined in the four-part Equipment Engineering (EE); European telecommunications standard for equipment practice (document numbers ETS 300 119-1 through 119-4) published by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute.

    The horizontal spacing between the rails in a rack that complies with this standard is usually wider than the device's mounting brackets, which measure 19 in. (48.26 cm) from outer edge to outer edge. Use approved wing devices to narrow the opening between the rails as required.

  • Ensure that the rack rails are spaced widely enough to accommodate the switch chassis’ external dimensions. The outer edges of the front-mounting brackets extend the width to 19 in. (48.26 cm).

  • For four-post installations, the front and rear rack rails must be spaced between 25.6 in. (65 cm) and 31.5 in. (80 cm) front to back.

  • The rack must be strong enough to support the weight of the switch.

  • Ensure that the spacing of rails and adjacent racks allows for proper clearance around the switch and rack.

Rack connection to 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.

QFX5230-64CD Cabinet Requirements

You can mount the QFX5230-64CD in an enclosure or cabinet that contains a four-post 19-in. open rack as defined in Cabinets, Racks, Panels, and Associated Equipment (document number EIA-310-D) published by the Electronics Industry Association.

Cabinet requirements consist of:

  • Cabinet size and clearance

  • Cabinet airflow requirements

Table 4 provides the cabinet requirements and specifications for the QFX5230-64CD.

Table 4: Cabinet Requirements for the QFX5230-64CD

Cabinet Requirement

Guidelines

Cabinet size and clearance

The minimum cabinet size for accommodating a QFX5230-64CD device is 36 in. (91.4 cm) deep. Large cabinets improve airflow and reduce the chance of overheating.

Cabinet airflow requirements

When you mount the switch in a cabinet, ensure that ventilation through the cabinet is sufficient to prevent overheating.

  • Ensure that the cool air supply you provide through the cabinet adequately dissipates the thermal output of the switch (or switches).

  • Ensure that the cabinet allows the chassis hot exhaust air to exit the cabinet without recirculating into the switch. An open cabinet (without a top or doors) that employs hot air exhaust extraction from the top allows the best airflow through the chassis. If the cabinet contains a top or doors, perforations in these elements assist with removing the hot air exhaust.

  • The QFX5230-64CD fans exhaust hot air either through the vents on the port panel or through the fans and power supplies. Install the switch in the cabinet in a way that maximizes the open space on the FRU side of the chassis. This maximizes the clearance for critical airflow.

  • Route and dress all cables to minimize the blockage of airflow to and from the chassis.

  • Ensure that the spacing of rails and adjacent cabinets allows for the proper clearance around the switch and cabinet.

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