Rack specifications

All racks used for N series storage system installation must conform to the specifications in this section. Both the IBM® 7014 (Model T00 and Model T42) and the IBM 2101 Model N00 racks conform, but some other racks, including a few from IBM do not.

• The rack or cabinet must meet the EIA Standard EIA-310-D for 19-inch racks.
  The front rack opening must be 451 mm wide + 0.75 mm (17.75 in. + 0.03 in.), and the rail-mounting holes must be 465 mm + 0.8 mm (18.3 in. + 0.03 in.) apart on center (horizontal width between vertical columns of holes on the two front-mounting flanges and on the two rear-mounting flanges). Rail-mounting holes must be 7.1 mm + 0.1 mm (0.28 in. + 0.004 in.) in diameter.

  Figure 1. Top view of non-IBM rack specifications dimensions

  

  The vertical distance between mounting holes must consist of sets of 3 holes spaced (from bottom to top) 15.9 mm (0.625 in.), 15.9 mm (0.625 in.), and 12.67 mm (0.5 in.) on center (making each 3-hole set of vertical hole spacing 44.45 mm (1.75 in.) apart on center).

  Figure 2. Rack specifications dimensions, top front view

  
  Figure 3. Rack specifications dimensions, bottom front view

  
• The rack or cabinet must be capable of supporting an average load of 15.9 kg (35 lbs) of product weight per EIA unit.

  For example, a 4-EIA drawer will have a maximum drawer weight of 63.6 kg (140 lbs).

• Only ac power drawers are supported in the rack or cabinet. It is strongly recommended that you use a power distribution unit (PDU) that meets the same specifications as IBM PDUs to supply rack power. Each Power Distribution Bus installed in a rack requires a dedicated power line of 200 to 240 V ac and 30 A. Rack or cabinet power distribution devices must meet the drawer power requirements, as well as that of any additional products that will be connected to the same power distribution device.
  The rack or cabinet power receptacle (PDU, UPS or multi-outlet strip) must have a compatible plug type for your drawer or device.

  Note: Refer to the sales manual for 7014 or 2101 racks if you want to use PDUs that are designed for 7014 or 2101 racks. The customer is responsible for ensuring that the PDU is compatible with the rack or cabinet and assumes responsibility for any and all agency certifications required.
• The rack or cabinet must be compatible with drawer mounting rails, including a secure and snug fit of the rail-mounting pins and screws into the rack or cabinet rail support hole.
  Note: If the rack or cabinet has square holes, a plug-in hole adapter may be required. The plug-in hole adapters are NOT part of the N series rail mounting kit included with every N series machine.

  The rails provided with the N series storage system have been designed and tested to safely support the weight of your drawer or device. The rails also provide rear tie-down brackets.

  The front and rear mounting flanges in the rack or cabinet must be 719 mm (28.3 in.) apart and the internal width bounded by the mounting flanges at least 494 mm (19.45 in.), for the IBM rails to fit in your rack or cabinet (see figure, Top View of non-IBM Rack Specifications Dimensions on page Figure 1).

• The rack or cabinet must have stabilization feet or brackets installed both in the front and rear of the rack, or have another means of preventing the rack or cabinet from tipping while the drawer or device is installed or removed.

  Examples of some acceptable alternatives: The rack or cabinet may be securely bolted to the floor, ceiling or walls, or to adjacent racks or cabinets in a long and heavy row of racks or cabinets. Refer to the Rack Installation Guide for the 7014 or 2101 and the individual drawer installation guides for additional information.

• There must be adequate front and rear service clearances (in and around the rack or cabinet).

  The rack or cabinet must have sufficient horizontal width clearance in the front and rear to allow the drawer to be fully slid into the front and, if applicable, the rear service access positions (typically this requires 914.4 mm (36 in.) clearance in both the front and rear).

  If present, front and rear doors must be able to open far enough to provide unrestrained access for service or be easily removable. If doors must be removed for service, it is the customer's responsibility to remove them prior to service.

• The rack or cabinet must provide adequate clearance around the rack drawer.

  There must be adequate clearance around the drawer bezel so that it can be opened and closed, according to the product specifications (refer to the 7014 or 2101 Rack Installation Guides and the individual drawer installation guides).

  Front or rear doors must also maintain a minimum of 51 mm (2 in.) front, 203 mm (8 in.) rear, door-to-mounting flange clearance, and 494 mm (19.4 in.) front, 571 mm (22.5 in.) rear, side-to-side clearance for drawer bezels and cables (see Figure 1).

• The rack or cabinet must provide adequate front-to-back ventilation.

  For optimum ventilation, it is recommended the rack or cabinet not have a front door. If the rack or cabinet has doors, the doors must be fully perforated so that there is proper front-to-back airflow to maintain the required drawer ambient inlet temperature between 10 °C and 40 °C (50 °F and 104 °F), with an ideal 22 °C (72 °F), inside the rack. The perforations must yield 34% minimum open area per square inch.