Installation guide

2-3

Cisco ASA 5500-X Series Hardware Installation Guide

OL-32129-01

Chapter 2 Preparing for Installation

General Site Requirements

The topics in this section describe the requirements your site must meet for safe installation and

operation of your system. Ensure that your site is properly prepared before beginning installation.

• Site Environment, page 2-3

• Preventive Site Configuration, page 2-3

• Power Supply Considerations, page 2-3

• Configuring Equipment Racks, page 2-5

Site Environment

Place the chassis on a desktop, or mount it in a rack. The location of the chassis and the layout of the

equipment rack or wiring room are extremely important for proper system operation. Placing equipment

too close together with inadequate ventilation and inaccessible panels can cause system malfunctions and

shutdowns. Improper placement can also make it difficult for you to access the chassis for maintenance.

For information about physical specifications, see Hardware Specifications, page 1-16.

When planning the site layout and equipment locations, keep in mind the precautions described in the

next section, Preventive Site Configuration, page 2-3, to help avoid equipment failures and reduce the

possibility of environmentally caused shutdowns. If you are currently experiencing shutdowns or

unusually high error rates with your existing equipment, these precautions may help you isolate the

cause of failures and prevent future problems.

Preventive Site Configuration

The following precautions will help you plan an acceptable operating environment for the chassis and

avoid environmentally caused equipment failures:

• Electrical equipment generates heat. Ambient air temperature might not be adequate to cool

equipment to acceptable operating temperatures without adequate circulation. Ensure that the room

in which you operate your system has adequate air circulation.

• Always follow the ESD-prevention procedures described previously to avoid damage to equipment.

Damage from static discharge can cause immediate or intermittent equipment failure.

• Ensure that the chassis cover is secure. The chassis is designed to allow cooling air to flow

effectively within it. An open chassis allows air leaks, which may interrupt and redirect the flow of

cooling air from the internal components.

Power Supply Considerations

Observe the following considerations:

• Check the power at the site before installing the chassis to ensure that it is “clean” (free of spikes

and noise). Install a power conditioner, if necessary, to ensure proper voltages and power levels in

the source voltage.

• Install proper grounding for the site to avoid damage from lightning and power surges.

• The ASA chassis does not have a user-selectable operating range. Refer to the label on the chassis

for the correct AC-input power requirement.