Location of core switch C9606-R inside 42-U Rack

[m7mmd3bbas]

Dear all,

Our customer has two 42 unit racks inside his DC, and these two racks have routers, firewalls, and few servers that are installing in the bottom of the racks. Also, we are installing new heavy C9606-R core switches -one in each cabinet- that will be 8 units in each rack (from unit 11-18). So, i am wondering if there is an official document from cisco stating that the core switch should be installed in the bottom of the rack to submit it to the customer to convince him to rearrange the order of the devices inside the rack which will take sometime, or it is OK if i install the core in the above unit inside the cabinet.

[Leo Laohoo]

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@m7mmd3bbas wrote:

So, i am wondering if there is an official document from cisco stating that the core switch should be installed in the bottom of the rack to submit it to the customer to convince him to rearrange the order of the devices inside the rack which will take sometime, or it is OK if i install the core in the above unit inside the cabinet.

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None.  Two things that matter most:

1.  Cooling

2.  Common sense.  

[m7mmd3bbas]

Hi Leo,

Thanks a lot for your reply. Could you please ellaborate more on point #2 (Common Sense).

[Leo Laohoo]

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@m7mmd3bbas wrote:

Thanks a lot for your reply. Could you please ellaborate more on point #2 (Common Sense).

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Because we use tons of fibre optic, the location of our core router/switching will depend entirely on the location of the FOBOTs. 

Usually, the core switch racks are directly-besides the FOBOT cabinet, have excellent cooling (cooling is from the front to the rear).  We do calculate the centre-of-gravity.  If the switch is located in the middle of the rack, we put heavy stuff on the bottom.  We never put the core switch any higher than the middle.  

Above the rack, there are dedicated fibre optic cable trays and anyone caught shoving copper cables into the fibre optic cable trays will have an "accident".  Guaranteed.

[m7mmd3bbas]

Great. Thanks a lot Leo

[balaji.bandi]

check what kind of RACK is this, some time DC has always Server Racks, if the customer not able to shuffle and make space on the bottom of the RACK, then you do not have any Option to Place the Switch as mentioned space. 

1. make sure enough power

2. enough cooling

3. each space to remove Line and reseat, also make necessary space for if u looking  to remove switch chassis and re-install

4. easy way install chassis first and install PSU to remove weight.

5. then install Line cards and test it.

[m7mmd3bbas]

Hi Balaji,

You are right, we are forced to use these two cabinets as the customer has only 2 racks inside his DC.

I just was wondering if there is problem to place the heavy core switch in the middle of the rack (as i used to place it on the bottom units of the racks in any other project) but it seems there is no issue if we ensure proper installation and cooling.

[balaji.bandi]

i am sure you consider the weight and spec of the cabinet where you installing these chassis. i am sure if they are standard DC racks, you should be good.. only challenge lift and racking - and de-racking, For safety had the same requirement long back  we used bottom support panel to hold weight.