Configuring Equipment Racks - Cisco ASA5500-HW - Hardware Accessory Kit Network Device Hardware Installation Manual

Chapter 2 Preparing for Installation

Configuring Equipment Racks

The following tips help you plan an acceptable equipment rack configuration:
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Enclosed racks must have adequate ventilation. Ensure that the rack is not overly congested because
each chassis generates heat. An enclosed rack should have louvered sides and a fan to provide
cooling air.
When mounting a chassis in an open rack, ensure that the rack frame does not block the intake or
exhaust ports. If the chassis is installed on slides, check the position of the chassis when it is seated
all the way into the rack.
In an enclosed rack with a ventilation fan in the top, excessive heat generated by equipment near the
bottom of the rack can be drawn upward and into the intake ports of the equipment above it in the
rack. Ensure that you provide adequate ventilation for equipment at the bottom of the rack.
Baffles can help to isolate exhaust air from intake air, which also helps to draw cooling air through
the chassis. The best placement of the baffles depends on the airflow patterns in the rack.
Experiment with different arrangements to position the baffles effectively.
Cisco ASA 5500-X Series Hardware Installation Guide
General Site Requirements
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