Rack Mounting the Switch

This section discusses the following rack mounting topics:

 

After completing the instructions for your rack type, proceed to Cabling the Switch.

Two-Post Rack Mount (19" rack)

The switches covered in this guide do not support two-post rack mounting. The accessory kit contains the parts required for the mounting kit ordered. Contact your local Arista Networks account representative for further information if you require other mounting types.

Four-Post Rack Mount (19" rack)

Perform the following tasks to mount the switch onto a four-post rack.

The installation kit provides two bracket-rail assemblies. The following four-post mounting parts are extracted from each assembly:
  • Mounting bracket
  • Rail

     

Each chassis side has attachment pins that align with bracket holes; the number of pins varies by switch model. Pin orientation is symmetric and central, with supporting bracket placement where the flange is either flush with the front and rear panels or not flush with the panels. Each bracket hole includes a key opening for placing the bracket flush with the chassis and then locking it into place.

 

Important:

Attachment pins must engage all bracket holes.

 

Goupilles de fixation doivent s’engager tous les trous de support.

 

Extracting the Brackets and the Rails

The following figure displays a bracket-rail assembly and the components (bracket and rail) extracted from the assembly kit. Each assembly must be separated into components before mounting the switch into a four-post rack. The two assemblies supplied with the switch are identical.

 

Figure 1. Accessory Kit Components
1 Rail bracket (front) 4 Locking clip 7 Switch mounting ear
2 Rail bracket (rear) 5 Rail mounting ear    
3 Switch bracket (for attaching to switch) 6 Thumb screw    

 

This procedure separates a bracket-rail assembly into its component pieces.

  1. Grip the rail with one hand.
  2. Pull the bracket flange away from the rail flange with your other hand until the bracket clip catches on the rail.

    If the bracket flange resists initially, verify the thumb screw on the bracket flange is not attached to the rail flange.

  3. While pressing the locking clip on the bracket, resume pulling the bracket from the rail until the separation is complete.
  4. Repeat the procedure for the other assembly.

Attaching Mounting Brackets to the Chassis

The following figure displays the switch bracket alignment for mounting the switch into a four-post rack.

 

Figure 2. Front Bracket Alignment
1 Switch bracket 2 Attach point 3 Matching attachment hole

 

This procedure attaches mounting brackets to the switch chassis, as the following figure depicts.

  1. Align the mounting brackets with the attachment pins.
  2. Place the bracket flush on the chassis with attachment pins protruding through key openings.
  3. Slide the bracket toward the front flange until the rail locks with an audible click.
    Figure 3. Attaching the Mounting Brackets to the Switch Chassis
    1 Aligned rail 2 Seated rail

     

    To remove the mounting bracket from the chassis, lift the front edge of the mounting bracket clip with a flathead screwdriver and slide the bracket away from the front flange (opposite from the installation direction).

Expanding the Rails

The rail is a two-piece mechanism. The rail length is adjusted by sliding the rail rod inside the rail slide. The rail clip prevents the extension of the rail beyond the maximum supported distance between the front and rear rack posts. The rail clip is closest to the slide end when the rail is contracted.

The rail is initially contracted and must be expanded to attach onto the rack. This procedure expands the rails from their contracted state:

  1. Grip the slide end with your left hand and the rod end with your right hand.
  2. Pull the ends apart until the rail clip makes an audible click.

Assembling the Rails onto the Equipment Rack

A rail attaches to the front and rear posts. Each end of the rail has two rack plugs. Rails are installed into a rack by inserting the plugs into rack slots. To install rails into posts with threaded or rounded holes, remove all plugs on both sides of the rails, then install the rails with bolts that fit the rack. This procedure attaches the rails to a four-post rack:
  1. Attach the rail to the right rear rack post by inserting rod-end rack plugs into post slots. The slide assembly must be inside the right posts relative to the left rack posts (Figure 4 - Attaching the Rails).

    If the rack plugs were previously removed, use bolts to attach the rail to the rack.

     

  2. Attach the slide end of the rail to the front post by extending the rail end past the post, then contracting the rail while guiding the rack plugs into the post.
  3. Repeat Step 1 through Step 2 for the left posts. Ensure the rails are on the same horizontal level.

     

    Figure 4. Attaching the Rails
    1 Front of right rail 3 Right rack post (rear)
    2 Right rack post (front) 4 Rear of right rail

     

Attaching the Switch to the Rack

After the rails are installed, the switch slides on the rails into the rack. Each bracket includes a thumb screw that attaches the switch to the rail.

 

Note: The illustrations shown may differ from those in your accessory kit.

 

  1. Lift the switch into the rack and insert the mounting brackets into the slide rails.
  2. Slide the switch on the rails toward the rear posts until the mounting bracket flanges are flush with the rail flanges attached to the rack posts.

     

    Figure 5. Inserting the Switch onto the Rails

     

  3. Attach the bracket flanges to the rack post using the quick-release thumb screws supplied with the brackets.Hand-tighten the thumb screws or use a Phillips #2 screwdriver.

     

    Note: Do not exceed a maximum torque of 20 in∙lb, nor use powered impact drivers to secure the thumb screws.

     

    Figure 6. Attaching the Switch to the Rack Posts

     

    After completing the four-post rack mount, proceed to Cabling the Switch.

Rack Mounting the DCS-7720R4-128PE for Four-posts

To mount the switch to the rack, perform the following tasks.

Attaching Mounting Brackets to the DCS-DS-7720R4-128PE for a Four-post Mount

The chassis includes the rack ears for mounting. The illustrations use a representative chassis.

 

Inserting and Securing the Cradle to the Racks for the Four-post DCS-DS-7720R4-128PE Mount

  1. Insert two screws loosely in the two front rack posts and two in the back two rack posts at the same level for the figure below.
    Figure 7. Attaching Mounting Screws to the Rack Posts


     

  2. Buckle the straps on the cradle together prior to installation so the left and right sides are angled slightly inwards, as shown in the figure below.
    Figure 8. Buckling the Straps


     

  3. Pull out the rear sliding rails slightly beyond the back rack posts.
  4. Insert the cradle so that the notches in the cradle engage behind the loosely mounted front screws for the figure below.
  5. Slide the rear sliding rails back in so that they are flush with the back rack posts, the notches in the cradle engage behind the loosely mounted screws, and the bottom of the cradle is horizontal and level, for the figure below.
    Figure 9. Inserting the Cradle


     

  6. Release the clasp on the connector to rotate the left and right sides so they are vertical for the figure below.
    Figure 10. Aligning the Cradle in the Rack


     

  7. Secure the cradle to the rack posts using the remaining screws, and tighten the loosely mounted screws for the figure below.
    Figure 11. Securing the Cradle in the Rack


     

Inserting and Securing the Switch into the Rack for the Four-post DCS-DS-7720R4-128PE Mount

  1. Move the chassis to the rack using a mechanical lift.

     

    Note: If modules are inserted in the chassis, use the lift carefully to avoid damaging any components.

     

     

  2. Lift the chassis into the rack and slide it into the cradle for the figure below.
    Figure 12. Inserting the Chassis (Forward-Front)


     

  3. Secure the chassis by tightening additional screws on the front flanges into the rack posts for the figure below.

    After completing the Four-Post Installation, proceed to Cabling the Switch.