Chapter 2 Preparing for Installation

Site Requirements

Verify that the enclosed or partially enclosed rack allows an adequate flow of air through the switch chassis as follows:

•If the difference between the measured intake air temperature and the exhaust air temperature does not exceed 50°F (10°C), there is sufficient airflow in the rack.

•If the difference in air temperature exceeds 50°F (10°C), there is insufficient airflow to cool the chassis.

Note A Cisco ME 6524 Ethernet switch that is currently installed in an enclosed or partially enclosed rack might meet ambient air temperature and air flow requirements now. However, if you add more chassis, the additional heat generated might cause the ambient air temperature within the rack to exceed 104°F (40°C) and can cause minor alarms.

If an individual fan within the assembly fails, the FAN STATUS LED turns red. Individual fans cannot be replaced.

Refer to your software configuration guide for information on environmental monitoring.

Humidity

High-humidity conditions can cause moisture migration and penetration into the system. This moisture can cause corrosion of internal components and degradation of properties such as electrical resistance, thermal conductivity, and physical strength. Extreme moisture buildup inside the system can result in electrical shorts, which can cause serious damage to the system. Each system is rated to operate at 8 to 80 percent relative humidity, with a humidity gradation of 10 percent per hour. In storage, a system can withstand from 5 to 95 percent relative humidity.

Buildings in which climate is controlled by air-conditioning in the warmer months and by heat during the colder months usually maintain an acceptable level of humidity for system equipment. However, if a system is located in an unusually humid location, a dehumidifier can be used to maintain the humidity within an acceptable range.

Altitude

Operating a system at high altitude (low pressure) reduces the efficiency of forced and convection cooling and can result in electrical problems related to arcing and corona effects. This condition can also cause sealed components with internal pressure, such as electrolytic capacitors, to fail or perform at reduced efficiency. The system is certified for operation from 0 to 6500 feet (0 to 2000 m). The system is designed and tested for operation from –200 to 10,000 feet (–60 to 3000 m).

Cisco ME 6500 Series Ethernet Switch Installation Guide

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Cisco Systems ME 6500 manual Humidity, Altitude
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ME 6500 specifications

The Cisco Systems ME 6500 is a sophisticated Ethernet switch designed to cater to the demanding needs of service providers and large enterprises. Engineered to deliver high performance and reliability, the ME 6500 series is ideal for both metro Ethernet applications and data center environments. One of its standout features is the ability to handle massive bandwidth, making it suitable for high-capacity networks. The switch supports a range of Ethernet services that facilitate seamless connectivity and network expansion.

At the core of the ME 6500 is its ability to provide Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionalities, which allows for flexibility in network design. This dual-layer capability enhances the switch's efficiency in managing traffic and ensures optimal forwarding of data packets. In addition, the ME 6500 series supports a wide range of Ethernet interfaces, including 10 Gigabit and 1 Gigabit Ethernet ports, which are essential for accommodating diverse bandwidth requirements.

One of the defining characteristics of the Cisco ME 6500 is its scalability. It supports up to 192 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports within a single chassis, enabling organizations to expand their network without compromising performance. Furthermore, the switch includes advanced Quality of Service (QoS) features that allow for traffic prioritization, which is crucial for maintaining the performance of voice and video services across the network.

The ME 6500 switch is also equipped with robust security features, including Access Control Lists (ACLs) and secure management protocols. These features protect sensitive data as it traverses the network, ensuring that only authorized users have access to critical resources. Management of the switch is simplified through Cisco’s management tools, allowing network administrators to monitor, configure, and troubleshoot the device efficiently.

Additionally, the switch supports various redundancy protocols, including Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) and Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), ensuring high availability and minimizing downtime.

Overall, the Cisco ME 6500 is a powerful and versatile solution that meets the heavy demands of modern network environments, delivering outstanding performance, security, and scalability for both service providers and large enterprises. Its advanced features make it a go-to choice for organizations looking to future-proof their networking infrastructure.
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