FRU replacement

The field replaceable units (FRUs) in the can be removed and replaced without special tools. The switch can continue operating during the FRU replacement if the conditions specified in the procedures are followed.

SFP+ transceiver FRU removal and replacement procedures are described in Installing SFP+ transceivers and connecting cables, as part of the initial switch installation and configuration. Power supply and fan FRU removal and replacement steps are described in the following procedures. The chassis replacement procedure is to be completed by IBM Service personnel only, and cannot be completed while the switch is operating.

Before beginning replacement

The two different models of the have different air flow patterns. The model has port side exhaust (intake on the fan and power supply side), while the model has non-port side exhaust airflow (exhaust on the fan and power supply side) to accommodate specific installation and configuration requirements.

Attention: These instructions describe how to change field-replaceable units (FRUs) for units with either a port-side air exhaust or a port-side air intake. You must replace a failed unit with the same type of unit. This applies to both power supplies and fans. A new FRU must have the same part number (P/N) as the FRU being replaced. The manufacturing P/N is located on the top of the FRU. All fans and power supplies must have the same airflow symbol (E or I) to be compatible with each other.
You can use external labels as a guide. Refer to Figure 1. Both the power supply and fan FRUs are labeled with an airflow symbol on the faceplate to indicate whether the assembly takes in or exhausts air. The label also appears on the top of the assembly.
Figure 1. Airflow label examples
examples of airflow labels

The I symbol indicates an intake unit. This unit pulls air in from the non-port side of the switch and exhausts it out the port side. This is also called back-to-front airflow or reverse airflow. This symbol should appear on FRUs for the model.

The E symbol indicates an exhaust unit. This unit pulls air in from the port side of the switch and exhausts it out the non-port side. This is also called front-to-back airflow or forward airflow. This symbol should appear on FRUs for the model.

The chassisShow command will indicate either "forward" or "reverse" airflow. If one fan fails, the remaining fans go to high speed to maintain proper cooling until the failed fan is replaced.

If a mismatched power supply or fan is installed by mistake, a critical error message is sent to the console. The message will be similar to the following:
CRITICAL HIL-1611 MISMATCH in PSU/FAN Air Flow direction. 
Replace PSU with fan air flows in same direction. 
System will be shut down in 2 minutes.