Installation Manual

2-3
Cisco SFS 7000P and SFS 7000D InfiniBand Server Switches Hardware Installation Guide
OL-10853-01
Chapter 2 Preparation for Installation
Site Requirements
Dust and Particles
Exhaust fans cool power supplies and system fan trays cool systems by drawing in air and exhausting air
out through various openings in the chassis. However, fans also ingest dust and other particles, causing
contaminant buildup in the system and increased internal chassis temperature. A clean operating
environment can greatly reduce the negative effects of dust and other particles, which act as insulators
and interfere with the mechanical components in the system. In addition to regular cleaning, follow these
precautions to avoid contamination of your equipment:
• Do not permit smoking anywhere near the system.
• Do not permit food or drink near the system.
Corrosion
Corrosion of system connectors is a gradual process that can eventually lead to intermittent failures of
electrical circuits. The oil from a person’s fingers or prolonged exposure to high temperature or humidity
can corrode the gold-plated edge connectors and pin connectors on various components in the system.
To prevent corrosion, avoid touching contacts on boards and cards, and protect the system from extreme
temperatures and moist, salty environments.
Electromagnetic and Radio Frequency Interference
EMI and RFI from a system can adversely affect devices such as radio and TV receivers operating near
the system. Radio frequencies emanating from a system can also interfere with cordless and low-power
telephones. Conversely, RFI from high-power telephones can cause spurious characters to appear on the
system monitor. RFI is defined as any EMI with a frequency above 10 kHz. This type of interference can
travel from the system to other devices through the power cable and power source or through the air like
transmitted radio waves. The FCC publishes specific regulations to limit the amount of EMI and RFI
emitted by computing equipment. Each system meets these FCC regulations. To reduce the possibility
of EMI and RFI, follow these guidelines:
• Operate the system only when the chassis cover is installed.
• Ensure that all expansion slots are covered either by a card-mounting bracket or by a metal filler
bracket and that all drive bays have either a drive or a metal insert installed.
• Ensure that the screws on all peripheral cable connectors are securely fastened to their
corresponding connectors on the back of the chassis.
• Always use shielded cables with metal connector shells for attaching peripherals to the system.
When wires are run for any significant distance in an electromagnetic field, interference can occur
between the field and the signals on the wires. This fact has two implications for the construction of plant
wiring:
• Bad wiring practice can result in radio interference emanating from the plant wiring.
• Strong EMI, especially when it is caused by lightning or radio transmitters, can destroy the signal
drivers and receivers in the chassis and even create an electrical hazard by conducting power surges
through lines into equipment.
Note To predict and remedy strong EMI, you might need to consult experts in RFI.