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2-2
Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Hardware Installation Guide
OL-25338-04
Chapter 2 Installing the Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches
Preparing for Installation
Preparing for Installation
This section describes how to prepare the Cisco Nexus 3000 Series switch for installation. This section
includes the following topics:
• Installation Options with Racks and Cabinets, page 2-2
• Airflow Direction, page 2-2
• Chassis Weight, page 2-3
• Installation Guidelines, page 2-3
• Required Equipment, page 2-4
• Unpacking and Inspecting the Switch, page 2-5

Installation Options with Racks and Cabinets

The Cisco Nexus 3000 Series switches can be installed in the following types of racks using a
rack-mount kit shipped with the switch:
• Open EIA rack
• Perforated EIA cabinet
The rack or cabinet that you use must meet the requirements listed in Appendix A, “Cabinet and Rack
Specifications.”
The rack-mount kit enables you to install the switch into racks of varying depths. You can use the
rack-mount kit parts to position the switch with easy access to either the port connections end of the
chassis or the end of the chassis with the fan tray and power supply modules. For instructions on how to
use a rack-mount kit, see the “Installing the Switch” section on page 2-5.

Airflow Direction

You can order the Cisco Nexus 3000 Series chassis with forward or reverse airflow. Forward airflow
enters the chassis through the fan tray and power supply modules and exhausts through the port
connections end of the chassis. Reverse airflow enters the chassis through the port connections end and
exhausts through the fan tray and power supply modules. You must install a forward-airflow chassis with
its fan tray and power supply modules located in a cold aisle, and you must install a reverse-airflow
chassis with its port connections located in a cold aisle.
As shown in Figure 2-1, the modules in a chassis with forward airflow do not have a black stripe across
the front of these modules and the modules with reverse airflow do have a black stripe across the front
of these modules. All of the modules in a chassis must have the same direction of airflow, which means
that all of the modules either have no stripe on them or all of the modules have a black stripe.