Configuring Equipment Racks - Cisco ASA 5512-X Hardware Installation Manual

Preparing for Installation

Configuring Equipment Racks

The following tips help you plan an acceptable equipment rack configuration:

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 5512-X, ASA 5515-X, ASA 5525-X, ASA 5545-X, and ASA 5555-X Hardware Installation Guide
General Site Requirements
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