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Most equipment destined to be operated from within a data centre will install in the racks effortlessly – particularly with modern rack rails having been better designed. However, there will always be exceptions...

Network switches

Equipment owners wanting network switches to be orientated with ports facing into the hot aisle must ensure that the airflow – the flow of air vented from the appliance – conforms to hot-aisle containment requirements.

It is highly desirable that airflow sleeves are included as part of the installation of network switches.

For further details refer to the Cabinet air flow section on this page: https://www.uis.cam.ac.uk/about-us/data-centre/wcdc-standards/wcdc-cabinet-standards

Equipment with 3-pin plugs

Equipment owners needing to rack mount devices requiring three-pin power plugs, must make a prior request to DCH for the installation of a dedicated three-pin socket within the cabinet (see Fig.1 below).

DH3 A4

Fig.1

For an example of an unacceptable installation, see Fig.2 below:

DH3 A1 rear S

Fig.2

PAT Testing

These sockets, and the appliances attached to them, are subject to PAT testing:

Our (DCH) responsibility:

    • DCH are responsible for the in-cabinet sockets (see Fig.1 above)
    • These sockets will be tested annually

Clients' responsibility:

    • Any piece of equipment plugged into a socket is the responsibility of the client
    • DCH expects these devices to be tested by the client, or a repreentative of the the client, annually
    • Failure to accede to these protocols may result in the device being switched off

PAT reference:

https://www.pat.org.uk/is-pat-testing-a-legal-requirement/

Devices having only one power supply

Equipment owners, having essential equipment capable of only supporting a single Power Supply Unit (PSU), should notify DCH of this requirement at the earliest opportunity.

There are two options to mitigate the vulnerability of having a single PSU, either a simple Automated Transfer Switch, illustrated in the picture below:

ATS s

Fig.3 - Simple ATS

Or a purpose built ATS device, of which the following are examples...

https://www.apc.com/shop/uk/en/categories/power-distribution/transfer-switches/rack-mount-transfer-switches/_/N-1eg32mv?switchCountry=true

Devices narrower than 19"

Equipment owners having essential devices less than 19" wide, for example, firewalls, KVMs etc., it is essential that suitable rack mounting equipment be sourced prior to installation.

An example of a rack mount kit for a Fortinet firewall:

RM FR T3 DF web

Fig.4: Front view

rm fr t10 db web 1 1

Fig.5: Rear view

Deeper devices

Equipment owners wanting to install deeper devices (typically disk array chassis that require deeper spacing between rack struts) should notify DCH of this requirement at the earliest opportunity, particularly if the designated cabinet already hosts other equipment.

An indication of the extent to which rack strut depths can be reduced or extended is provided on the following page:

https://www.uis.cam.ac.uk/about-us/data-centre/wcdc-standards/wcdc-rack-standards