Blank Cover Panels And Chassis Airflow - Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch 9800E Hardware User's Manual

Chassis and Power Supplies

Blank Cover Panels and Chassis Airflow

Blank cover panels are provided with your switch and are used to cover empty CMM and NI slots, as well
as empty power supply bays. These cover panels play an important role in chassis airflow and tempera-
ture management. If your switch is not fully populated and blank cover panels are not installed over empty
slot locations, airflow is affected. When blank cover panels are missing, air does not take the direct route
from the air intake vents, up through the chassis module compartment, and out through the fan tray.
Instead, a portion of the airflow is allowed to be drawn in through the front module compartment of the
chassis. As a result, normal airflow is disrupted and an extra task is placed on the fan tray to cool the chas-
sis. Refer to the figure below for more information.
Cover panels also provide protection for module processor boards and other sensitive internal switch
components by closing off a chassis that is not fully populated.
Note. Because they regulate airflow and help protect internal chassis components, blank cover panels
should be installed over empty module slots and power supply bays at all times.
Missing Cover Panels.
Missing cover panels affect
airflow by allowing air to be
drawn in through the front
module compartment of the
chassis. As a result, the direct
route from the air intake
vents to the fan tray exhaust
is disrupted.
For optimal airflow and
chassis component protec-
tion, always install blank
cover panels over empty
module slots and power sup-
ply bays.
Air leakage due to missing
cover panels
OmniSwitch 9000E Series Hardware Users Guide
Effects of Missing Blank Panels on Chassis Airflow
December 2008
Air Intake Vents
Chassis Airflow
Fan Tray
Chassis Module
Compartment
page 2-39